we are so partial to the use of nitre in many cases of febrile diarrhoea in children.

We proceed now to notice a disease of rare occurrence in this country, but which is exceedingly prevalent and very destructive in most parts of America: viz:

Cholera Infantum.

"It has been said," Dr. Stewart remarks, "by some of our writers, to be peculiar to the United States. This, however, appears to be an error, for Cleghorn, in his account of the diseases of Minorca, describes a disease, bearing symptoms in every respect corresponding to those of this disease.

"Wherever, therefore, there is great atmospheric heat, combined with malaria, and especially with that engendered by large collections of inhabitants, as in cities, there the disease is found. It is on this account extensively prevalent in our country; but is not dependent on heat alone, as it is observed that in some of our most southern sections of country it is not so rife as in New-York or Philadelphia. The open country is remarkably exempted from this scourge. "It prevails mostly in cities, and is in some places a remarkably fatal disease. In Philadelphia it is much more fatal than in New-York or Boston; and in the latter city it has been doubted by some whether the disease exists in its genuine form."-Stewart, 213.

The irritation of teething and the use of improper food are the predisposing, but cannot be said to be the directly exciting, causes of this disease, as it is comparatively of rare occurrence in the rural districts. The Malaria of large towns must therefore have something to do with its development. The description of the purging is thus given by Dr. Stewart.

"For the most part, the diarrhoea will commence with the discharge of ordinary fecal matter, which very soon, however, changes to a thin, serous looking fluid, variously coloured. When the disease is fully formed, the ordinary feces are retained, and the evacuations are mostly of this watery fluid, coloured brown white, sometimes yellow and green. They are at times very offensive, and again without any other odour than what arises from acidity. In the greatest number of instances they are offensive, but not of the peculiar character which distinguishes fecal matter; it appears to be of the nature which characterizes the ordinary decomposition of animal matters. According to the location of the disease in different parts of the intestinal tube, the evacuations present a difference in their consistency and appearance; thus, when the lower portion of the intestines is affected, the disease bears a resemblance to dysentery, and the evacuations are slimy, gelatinous, and bloody; while tenesmus and pain, on evacuting the contents of the bowels, are very severe. In the most severe cases, the evacuations show the extent of the disease throughout the entire intestinal tract; and it is in such cases that they present a great difference in their appearance, including all the above varieties, and at times mixed with a frothy matter resembling yeast, and with imperfectly-digested food, or that which has passed almost unaltered."-Stewart, 216.

The vomiting is often a most unconquerable symptom. The average duration of the disease appears to be from two to three weeks. The essential necroscopic characters are, according to our author, engorge ment and often very great enlargement of the liver, with the usual consequences of inflammation along the whole intestinal canal, more especially in the mucous follicles of the small bowels.

It is unnecessary to enter into particulars about the treatment, as the same therapeutic principles, which regulate our practice in other forms of

cholera, are equally applicable in this. We should say however that Dr. Stewart is far too much afraid of the consequences of Emetics-which, if administered at first, are, in our opinion, most useful not only in dislodging a great quantity of vitiated bile from the stomach and bowels, but even in checking the very vomiting, which is so distressing a symptom of the disease. Mercurials are, it is admitted by almost all the American authors, more or less necessary in every case. One of the least objectionable astringents is the acetate of Lead, alone, or in combination with Dover's powder. Dr. Lindsley, of Washington, has given as much as four grains of the former and one of the latter every hour or two to a child eighteen months old. During the period of convalescence, the use of bitter infusions, of steel and other tonics, is usually necessary for some time. It has been very generally observed, that children crave much for salted meat and fish, while recovering from this disease; and the most experienced physicians, including Drs. Rush, Parrish, and Hosack, have remarked that this instinct may be indulged not only with perfect safety, but with positive advantage to the health.

With this observation we close the present article. We have made it as practical as possible, and may therefore hope that it will be perused with some interest by most of our readers. The work of Dr. Stewart is not likely to acquire much circulation in this country, as it is rather a lengthened compendium of what has been written by others, than a summary of the results of his own observation and experience. That of Mr. Rees, although less complete as a treatise on the subject, is far more original; it is evidently written by a man who has seen much practice, and learned to observe and judge for himself.

BRIGHTON AND ITS THREE CLIMATES, &c. &c. &c. By A. L. Wigan, M.D. Octavo, pp. 71. Highley, 1843.

LONDON and Brighton have, of late, stretched forth towards each other the right hand of fellowship, with great alacrity. They are now distant from one another some twenty-five miles, and when the flying steamer shall have completely fledged its wings and fleeced its subscribers, the North end of the chain-pier will rest on Denmark-hill, and its. southern on the English Channel. As it is, the metropolis pours daily its wealth into the PORTUS SALUTIS, while the latter makes a large return of HEALTH to the care-worn inhabitants of Modern Babylon. It may admit of dispute which place has the balance, or exchange in its favour. We are inclined to think that the Babylonians have the advantage-and for the reasons adduced some two thousand years ago by the Roman Bard.

So say we ;-though the money-makers and money-changers will not believe it till they have lost the invaluable blessing of health! Many a time, when the foul fiend of the fens had poured its gelid currents through our veins till our bodies shook like a lump of jelly in a bag-then parched us in an oven-and ultimately boiled us to a boullie—have we sought the pure and bracing breezes of Brighton—and never in vain-never without putting an extinguisher on the ague-monster, and dispelling the indescribable depression which his operations induce in the human fabric!!

Brighton, independent of its salubrious air, and freedom from all malarious impregnations, must always, from its proximity to London, as a sea-bathing place, command a superiority of selection for the citizens of London, while the artificial mineral waters, so successfully manufactured there, will also swell the stream of visitors to that favourite locality. Brighton is now to the vast metropolis what BALE once was to the Eternal City on the seven hills.

The author of the present brochure, though long a resident in Brighton, is now a citizen of London, and cannot, therefore, be suspected of a sinister or self-interested motive in his observations, the whole of which, indeed, bear the impress of truth. The topography of Brighton has not been studied with any degree of minuteness by medical men, and there can be no doubt that this little pamphlet will be a welcome present to the profession, and still more so to the non-professional invalid, about to sojourn a while in the British Baiæ.

Dr. Wigan is not only well acquainted with Brighton, but with most of the favourite watering-places both in this country and on the Continent. He can therefore speak comparatively as well as positively on the subject. We must pass entirely the introduction, which offers some excellent advice to invalids resorting to the coast for the sake of health.

The town of Brighton, Dr. W. remarks, may be divided into three parts "The centre portion, extending from Cannon Place on the west, to the New Steyne, or even to Rock Gardens, on the east; and the two extremities, to Adelaide Terrace on the west, and to Arundel Terrace, Kemp Town, on the east, each inclusive;" or, in other words, the eastern, western, and centre portions.

The centre portion, being occupied by the permanent inhabitants, is most frequented, and indeed most recommended by the faculty in London. It differs very little, however, from an inland town in a low situation, and has nothing bracing in its atmosphere. Much annoyance is there experi enced by the numerous steam-engines belonging to the baths and breweries, and the chimnies of private houses in the eastern and western portions, according to the direction of the wind, which blows from one or other of these quarters eight months in the year-from the north or south for the remainder.

"When the wind is due north the atmosphere at all seasons is beautifully transparent, and the whole town as brilliant as Genoa. In ordinary weather, although each extremity of the town is extremely clear, the middle portion has a mist (at least) which prevents the free ascent of the smoke, and the inhabitants of one end of the town can scarcely ever see the other extremity-each generally supposing the other end to be enveloped in smoke, when, in fact, it is as clear as his own portion.

"The centre of the town has been so effectually drained, and there is so much care employed to remove nuisances, that it is not objectionable to those in health, nor, indeed, to more than one class of invalids, and it presents the advantage of baths, libraries, shops, riding-schools, fencing-rooms, billiards, and other sources of health or recreation.

"To individuals without families, and who are unable to have a permanent conveyance, and to those who resort to the baths for maladies requiring surgical aid only, or who merely come to Brighton to escape the turmoil of business, or the thick atmosphere of London, this part of the town is well adapted; but such as have their families with them, and can afford the larger and better built houses of the East and West, should not subject themselves to the disadvantages and annoyances inseparable from a low situation in the centre of a large town. "The eastern portion of Brighton is elevated considerably above the sea, and, except when the wind is violent, escapes in a great degree the admixture of saline particles with the atmosphere; not chemically, but mechanically suspended therein. It has a chalky soil, through which the rain immediately percolates, and which permits no moisture to remain on the surface. The houses, too, are of modern erection, and possess many of the comforts and conveniences which have only lately been brought into general use, and the air is decidedly bracing.'

"The western portion, again, (at least, that part of it which abuts on the sea,) has a clayey soil, and a mild and soft climate. The clay has, however, been so largely excavated for building, and for bricks, and the immense lawn in front of the sea is so entirely composed of artificial soil, covering a bed of rounded pebbles, and the country further to the west in the direction of the prevalent winds is so entirely gravel, that it escapes in a great degree the annoyances which the original composition of the soil would have seemed to indicate. I consider that portion of the western division of the town which is north (and, perhaps, inclusive) of the western road; the upper part of Montpellier Road; extending to the New Vicarage, and the house called the Temple, and round to the Poor House, to be by far the most salubrious portion of the whole town. There are, indeed, very few, if any, maladies for which the air of Brighton is advisable that will not be more favourably placed here than elsewhere."

29.

Dr. W. is convinced that, "in all cases whatever, the sea air is more salubrious at the distance of five or six hundred yards from the edge of the water than close to it."

"Those houses in the front line, in the middle portion of the town, which are let into lodgings, are mostly small and ill-built; small low rooms in front; still smaller, close, and dark bed-rooms behind. Of course there are some exceptions. The sun in winter is so cheering and attractive that visitors are glad to have the most of it, and do not consider some disagreeable collateral circumstances. In summer, when the sun is high, there is no reflexion from the water to interrupt the view in a southern aspect, but in winter, when the sun is low, it gives nothing but an irritating glare from the surface of the sea, which prevents anything from being seen, and makes it necessary to keep down the blinds till almost sun-set. When there is no winter sun, and the weather is misty, the sea presents generally the aspect of a dull grey wall, an object anything but agreeable.

"From the middle of July to the middle of October, invalids may locate themselves as close to the water as they please-or on it. At other seasons let them keep at a short distance, and if they have the power to choose, select a house with an eastern aspect. This, by the by, from the structure of the town, will generally be south-eastern; take it altogether, the best 'exposition' of

all." 32.

From the middle of March to the middle of May-Dr. W. advises invalids to reside-as far as they please from Brighton. In the above period, the heavy fogs in the Channel are floated on the tides to the land, where they adhere too strongly to be floated off again to sea on the ebb. The atmosphere is so unequally heated, that portions, at the distance of a few yards only, will vary five or six degrees in temperature-sometimes double that, especially in calm weather and sheltered localities. Upon these states a bitter cold East wind will often supervene, rendering that part of the coast very objectionable.

"Indeed, in March and April it is no uncommon thing to see an attack of erysipelas from imprudent exposure in what appears splendid weather; and sometimes a severe attack of jaundice, very difficult of cure. Even when the latter does not take place, there is a tendency to it, which produces great debility and discomfort. I know no malady whatever, NOT EVEN GLANDULAR DISEASE, which is benefited by sea-air thus early in the season. Even persons in health come in from a walk or ride unrefreshed, fatigued, and suffering from headache; and the kidneys act in such excess as to give almost the appearance and almost the effect of diabetes. This symptom is, indeed, a frequent effect of sea-air at all seasons, and, when it does not subside spontaneously, requires attention, or it will defeat every attempt to re-establish vigour." 34.

Our author recommends people who are obliged to reside in Brighton, to stay in doors till after an early and nutritious dinner, and to burn wood instead of coal-at any rate to let a portion of the fuel be wood, and to keep a clear fire and a strong draught in the chimney, thus escaping the strong gases evolved from the coal, when people are compelled to stay indoors.

The months of June and July are not only the most delightful period of the year; but that in which the air of the sea at Brighton has the most energetic influence in the cure of disease. The sea-fogs are over-the air has acquired a uniformity of temperature, though not too warm to prevent exercise the pathways and roads through the corn-fields afford most pleasant rides and walks-the downs are in perfection—and open vehicles may be had on very moderate terms. The fields, East of the Windmill, overlooking the beautifully wooded village of Preston, is one of the most agreeable spots on all this coast.

"At whatever season, I recommend, that when the wind blows with violence from the sea, the accustomed promenade should be directed towards the country. A quantity of fine sand from the beach, so minutely, impalpable as to be almost a fluid, is suspended in the air, and necessarily inhaled: and though it has none but mechanical effects, it is sufficient to produce a sense of oppression and weariness; and to tracheal disease and irritable lungs is obviously injurious.

Many great towns are partially surrounded by gardener's grounds or highly cultivated fields. This is remarkably the case in some of the suburbs of London, where a constant succession of fresh manure is used, to force two, three, or even four crops in the year. This animal and vegetable filth, in a state of decomposition, is spread over the land sometimes twice a year, contaminating the atmosphere to a great distance around, and produces extensive disease. It is strange that the public should be so very indifferent to this, that they should inhabit, by choice, houses built in the midst of this sea of putrefaction, when, if an offensive odour arise from a drain or stagnant puddle in the town, they are up in arms to remove the nuisance. I knew and attended in succession five families in a