induce every thinking person to offer most readily whatever may occur to be the least useful. The remedies hitherto offered by the lancet, by mercurial inunction, or with opiates, have certainly all failed. As far, then, as we have gone and observed, the knife stands the first on the list of remedies the skilful excision of the part bitten, perhaps, should be always performed; but, alas! need I here take up any space in your paper, to be understood on such a horrid dernier resort? Allow me, then to be permitted to quote Dr. Pincard's recommendation of the concentrated acids, the trial of which, I think, should not be neglected by the surgeon. But I began this letter more for the benefit of giving general directions to the public than to offer any thing to the profession. As far as relates to the acids, (viz. sulphuric, nitric, and muriatic), as recommended by Dr. Pincard, and their effects both on the living and dead body, are very desirable to know. Would I could immediately and decidedly point out the best to be used for this terrible malady. I should give a preference to oil of vitroil: oil of vitriol will be found to act as a powerful caustic, but as well it actually burns and constringes the parts exposed to it. Nitric or nitrous acid is most rapidly decomposed, and its effects are very destructive. Muriatic acid is not quite so common in shops, nor so concentrated as the others, or, in consequence of the powerful and peculiar effect it has when joined with soda, making our table salt on all dead flesh, or with silver on living matter, I should be inclined to regard it very much. But if I had at hand the oxymuriatic-acid, I should prefer it to all others; and if I had no surgeon of eminence to consult with or direct me, I should then, in preference to an operation, in the best manner possible defend the neighbouring parts bitten with whiting or scraped chalk, first made into a putty-like consistence with sweet oil. Having now fenced round the torn or bitten parts, I should then instantly apply the acid in its unliluted state, and keep it there as long as I judged it safe, and immediately after this apply spirit of wine, brandy, rum, or gin: but I prefer ether to all these. As Dr. Pincard has hinted at the use of the mineral acids, I trust I shall not be too presuming in entreating the attention of surgeons to the employment of ether after the use of acids, having seen many very bad cases cured in a few hours: whether these speedy good effects arise from the cold produced, or whether it acts sedatively like, opium, I shall leave for discussion. But that ether cures burns and scalds of the worst kind, when plentifully and judiciously added drop by drop, even on the denuded surface, is quite true: where the surface injured is great, you have only to dip linen rags into the ether, keep them constantly moistened, and skilfully apply them, keeping them as constantly blown on with a pair of bellows. As no instance of the bite of a rabid animal should occur without a professional man being sent for, I need not recommend the use of opiates more than that I would venture to say, that the liberal practitioner would rather approve of 10 to 20 drops of laudanum being given to a child, and from 20 to 40 to an adult, at the time the acid is poured into the bitten part. This powerful acid, now suggested in preference in some instances to excision, or the actual cautery, must not be sponged out with water, except it be lavender-water. It should be treated with the strongest spirit that can be got; all this I should like to see promptly performed, without the consideration at the time that the poison might have affected a lesion of any part, or the least acted on the ganglionic system of nerves. I cannot better end the few observations which I have ventured to send, than join to them what Dr. Pincard has so excellently given :-" One fact of high importance may be remarked in the case of Mr. Hubbard-that the disease supervened, notwithstanding the free application of caustic to the wound within less than 24 years after it was inflicted; whence it appears that each moment of delay is fraught with extreme hazard : and that in every instance the sovereign preventive, a complete excision of the part, or the most perfect destruction by caustic, or the actual cautery, should be effected as speedily as possible." The following anecdote is related of Mr. Weeks, who formerly kept the Bush Tavern at Bristol, and who died a few days ago in the 84th year of his age, at his house at Shirehampton, near that city. On the late Lord Rodney's arrival in England, after the glorious naval victory of the 12th of April, he landed at Bristol, and went with his suite to the Bush Tavern, where they were entertained in a most sumptuous style. The next morning, on his Lordship enquiring for his bill, the patriotic landlord replied " Your Lordship forgets you paid it before hand, on the 12th of April." After the gallant Admiral got, into his carriage to be driven to Bath, his Lordship requested he might be conveyed there as expeditiously as possible, the person who rode the leaders immediately turned round, and taking out his watch, (when his Lordship recognised Mr. Weeks in the dress of a postilion,) replied"As your Lordship said to the Governor of St. Eustatia, on the demand of his capitulatingin an hour,' my Lord, and not a moment longer." "MY DAUGHTER," My lovely Girl, a Mother's care Prefers for thee this fervent pray'r, Oh! may'st thou prove as good as fair, My Daughter. In infancy thine artless smile, My Daughter. Then hear what will my sorrows drown, This will all my woes assuage, My Daughter. Will blunt Misfortune's keenest rage; I nurs'd thy Youth, now nurse my Age. My Daughter. T. B. Epigram on the PR's expressing a wish for the continuance of the Fair in Hyde-Park. The R, we have oft' been told, |