(It may be interesting to compare some of these data with those furnished by the Registrar-General's First Quarterly Report for 1846. By this we find that the mean temperature at Greenwich was nearly 5o Fah. above the average of 25 years, and 8° above that of the first quarter of 1845. South-west winds prevailed, and the fall of rain was as high as 5.73 at Greenwich, it being but 4.80 in 1845. With these meteorological conditions the deaths in a population of 6,579,653, amounted to 43,708, being less by 6166 than those (49,874) registered during the same quarter of 1845.

Confining our attention to the metropolis (1,915,104 souls,) we find that the deaths from all causes registered in the quarter ending with March, 1846, (12,376,) were less by 2152 than those registered (14,528) for the same quarter of 1845. Notwithstanding this gross result the following diseases exceeded the average mortality of the winter quarters of the seven preceding years of registration. Measles (viz., 401 deaths instead of 273,) Hooping-Cough (as 767 to 504,) Diarrhea (as 119 to 72,) Bronchitis (as 758 to 320.) and Rheumatism (as 62 to 35.) The mortality of the following has diminished-Small-pox (as 77 to 291,) Scarlatina (as 221 to 357,) Croup (as 79 to 107,) Convulsions (as 511 to 727,) and Pneumonia (as 946 to 1178.) Taking the Endemic, Epidemic and Contagious diseases en masse, the mortality is very near the average (as 2222 to 2277,) which is the case also with regard to typhus (410 to 403,) and deaths from Childbed (101 to 104.)

It will be seen that the statement of the influence of rain in augmenting the amount of sickness and mortality alluded to in the French Report is not verified in that of the English one; nor have precisely the same diseases especially raged in London as in Paris. It is true we are here only speaking of deaths and not also of unfatal diseases; but every practitioner must know, to his cost, how much less numerous these latter have been during this quarter than usual; and most will have remarked the adynamic and neuralgic characters of many diseases not usually so distinguished.—Rev.)

ON THE EXCESSIVE MORTALITY OF MALE CHILDREN.
By Dr. EMERSON.

Dr. Emerson observes that, ever since correct mortality registers have been kept, a larger proportion of males have been found to die in the early years of life than females. In Europe, the male births exceed the female ones by about 5 or 6 per cent., and in Philadelphia by more than 7 per cent., and yet the number of boys and girls are found very near equalized by the 10th year, while by the 15th, the females outnumber the males almost as much as the latter did the former at the time of birth. In Philadelphia the deaths of boys to the 15th year exceed those of girls by about 15 per cent.

Upon examining the question more in detail, Dr. E. found that inflammation of the brain and its consequences, convulsions, hydrocephalus, and inflammations in general, were the diseases which especially proved fatal to male children, while pertussis, scarlatina and phthisis were those which proved generally fatal to female children. That is to say, that the males perish from the sthenic, the females from the asthenic, class of affections. On examining the London Tables he found the same disposition nearly prevailed, and the practical deduction he draws from the whole is, that the treatment of the diseases of males should be more prompt and vigorous than that of those of females.

The result of his observations upon temperature leads him to conclude that the hot months in America act as injuriously upon infantile life as do the winter ones; but that, after the child has weathered the first few months of its existence, neither the one nor the other seems to especially determine mortality.-Ameri

1846.]

MIALHE ON ASSIMILATION.

281

MIALHE ON THE ASSIMILATION OF AMYLACEOUS AND SACCHARINE

SUBSTANCES.

A Report has just been made to the Academy upon the continuation of M. Mialhe's researches upon this subject. He observes that it has been long acknowledged that albuminous or azotized aliments are digested through the agency of papsine which is a true ferment, and fatty bodies by that of the bile; but that it has been proved only by his own researches that amylaceous and saccharine matters are assimilated through an active principle of the saliva. This principle exerts no action upon azotized substances, fibrin, albumen, &c.; but it exerts a most remarkable one upon starch, especially when this is completely disintegrated by bruising, heat, water, &c. One part by weight suffices to liquefy and convert into dextrine and sugar more than 2000 of fecula. This transformation is not without its analogy in science, for there exists a body which exerts upon starch a specific power exactly resembling that of the salivary ferment, viz., diastase or the active principle of germinated barley, discovered by MM. Payen and Persoz. A long course of experiments lead to the inference that the two principles are identical, although M. M. contemplates performing others for the further elucidation of this point. In the mean time, he proposes terming the active principle of the saliva of man animal diastase or salivaire, in distinction of that of grain which may be termed vegetable diastase. The proportion of each existing in saliva and barley respectively, is 2000 parts. To obtain it, saliva should be treated with 5 or 6 times its weight of pure alcohol, adding this as long as any precipitate is produced. The diastasis is deposited in little white flakes, which are to be collected on a filter and dried between two thin plates of glass in a current of air at a temperature of from 104° to 122°, and kept in a well-corked phial. It is a white or grayish amorphous solid insoluble in alcohol, but soluble in water and diluted in alcohol.

The following are the conclusions. 1. The saccharifaction of starchy matters is effected by the influence of the diastase which exists in the normal state in the liquid secreted by the pancreatic and salivary glands. 2. This transformation of amylaceous substances into dextrine and glucose is not as some believed a pathological but a physiological fact; for without it they would cease to be alimentary, not being indeed absorbable until acted upon by the diastase. 3. The dextrine and glucose (i. e., the newly saccharified matter) to become assimilated must be transformed by the alkalis of the blood into new products, the chief of which probably are the kali-saccharic acid, formic acid, and ulmin. 4. If the alkalescence of the blood is insufficient (the blood having become too feebly alkaline, neutral, or even acid,) the transformation will not take place; the sugar becomes a foreign body in the economy, and as such is excreted by the kidneys, giving rise to diabetes or glucosuria. 5. Saccharoid bodies play an important part in the great act of nutrition, and do not serve merely as materials for respiration, as some eminent men have supposed; but on the contrary it is certain they participate in the chemico-vital re-actions which preside over the incessant organic mutations, and it results that, if their assimilation is abolished, (chronic diabetes,) or simply vitiated, (acute diabetes,) the anormal molecular decompositions are effected at the expense of the living tissues and liquids, and it is hence we observe-1. A general disturbance of the humours of the economy from defect of alkalescency, which gives rise to feebleness of sight, capillary engorgements, and pulmonary consumption. 2. A profound alteration in nutrition, leading to debility, languor, and wasting. It is to these two physiologico-pathological facts we must attribute the constantly fatal termination of diabetic diseases, when by a methodical plan of treatment the power of decomposing the amylaceous class of aliments has not been restored to the chemical laboratory of the human body. According to these views, M. Mialhe recommends the employment in the treatNo. 105. 19

ment of diabetes of animalized regimen as little fecula as possible, and the use of the alkaline bases and their carbonates, as magnesia and lime. The number of cases improving under such a plan are not sufficient to induce the Académie to pronounce definitively upon this point; although it entertains a high opinion of the value of M. Mialhe's researches, and begs him to continue them. Comptes Rendus, No. 12, and Gazette Médicale, Nos. 18 and 19.

VARIA.

Thoracic Vibration.-M. C. Broussais observed that he is surprised this sign is so much neglected in practice. In health it is much less marked in persons having weak or sharp voices, and in whom the cellular tissue is infiltrated or adipose, than in those whose voices are grave, and the walls of whose chests are of little thickness and only covered by their muscular layers. In disease it becomes diminished, in pleuritic effusion (and perhaps in the case of false membranes) re-appearing when the fluid is absorbed. It is increased in the induration of the parenchyma by red or grey hepatization, in chronic pneumonia, and when the tissue of the lung becomes condensed by pleuritic effusion, providing this be not too abundant, when the lung becomes reduced to nothing, or too sparing, when it is not sufficiently condensed.-Gaz. des Hôpitaux, No. 46.

Rheumatic Carditis.-M. Chomel, in a recent clinical lecture, stated that he believed that affections of the heart as a consequence of rheumatism, are of exceeding rare occurrence.-Gaz. Méd. Chir., No. 13.

t

Extemporaneous Vesication for Endermic Medication.-Place a piece of silver money on a plate, and lay upon it two circles of old linen of rather less diameter. Saturate these with liq. ammon. and then apply the apparatus, with its linen surface downwards, to the skin, and maintain an equable pressure with the finger. In 10 minutes the skin is observed to redden at the circumference of the money, and on the apparatus being removed vesication will take place.-Bulletin de Thérapeutique.

Compression of the Carotid in Epistaxis.-Two cases are related in which obstinate epistaxis was effectually arrested by temporary compression of the common carotid artery.—Gaz. Méd. Chir. No. 23.

Endermic Use of Iodine.-Dr. Diver recommends the following formula as an excellent application in scrofulous enlargement of the glands of the neck. R. Iodin. 1 p., Bals. Canad. 3 p. Picis. Abietis 3 p. Triturate the Iod. with the B. C., and melt the pitch at a gentle heat, mixing the whole together just as it is about to cool. Spread on kid for immediate use.-Phil. Med. Exam.

Quinine in Rheumatism.—In addition to M. Briquet's testimony in favour of large doses of Quinine in rheumatism, quoted at p. 267, we may cite that of Dr. Dunglison, who looks upon it as a powerful sedative, capable of promptly curing the great majority of cases. He gives it fearlessly in every case, never having seen any ill effects result, beginning with 18 or 20 grs. in the 24 hours, and gradually increasing the quantity.-Philadelphia Medical Examiner.

Local Paralysis from Pressure.—A woman under M. Guerard's care has complete paralysis of the fore-arm and hand from using crutches for a fortnight. During the few days the patient has kept her bed the fingers have somewhat regained their motility (Gaz. des Hôp.) M. Pigeolet relates the case of a person who having slept during a journey with his arm compressed between his head

1846.]

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

283

and the edge of a carriage, it became paralyzed for six weeks. Every kind of counter-irritant was unavailingly tried until an embrocation, composed of ol. oliv. An and a few drops of tr. lytte, was prescribed, which was speedily successful. Italian surgeon has also of late met with several cases in which paralysis has been induced by lying upon the arm in bed.-Gaz. Med.

The intimation, which we have given at page 230, will account for our omission of any extracts from the French Journals respecting the recent very important discussion on Plague and Quarantine, in the French Academy.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1. A Manual of Physiology, including Physiological Anatomy, for the Use of the Medical Student. By William B. Carpenter, M. D., with one hundred and eighty illustrations. Foolscap 8vo, pp. 595. London, 1846.

2. Fragments of Medical Science and Art. An Address delivered before the Boylston Medical Society of Harvard University. By Henry Jacob Bigelow, M. D. 8vo, pp. 54. Boston.

A masterly exposition of the principles of the Baconian philosophy as applied to medical science. It is written with great power of reasoning, and its language is excellent. It deserves to be re printed in this country.

3. The Medical Police of the United Kingdom. From the Westminster Review for March, 1846. 8vo. pp. 35.

An able article, that deserves to be generally known.

4. The Monthly Journal of Medical Science. Edited by John Rose Cormack, M. D. April to June, 1846. Edinburgh.

5. Scrofula, its Nature, its Causes, its Prevalence, and the Principles of Treatment. By Benjamin Phillips. Illustrated with an engraved plate. 8vo. pp. 379. London, 1846.

6. The Young Stethoscopist, or the Student's Aid to Auscultation. By Henry J. Bowditch, M. D. Foolscap 8vo. pp. 285. Boston.

7. Memoranda on Difficult Subjects in Anatomy, Surgery, and Physiology, forming a Pocket Companion for the young Surgeon, or for Students preparing for Examinations. 2d Edition, re-compiled and enlarged by Mark Noble Bower. 18mo, pp. 276. London.

Multum in parvo.

8. An Atlas of Anatomical Plates of the Human Body, accompanied with Descriptions in Hindustani. By Frederick J. Mouat, M. D., F.R.C.S.E., &c. Assisted by Moonsshi Nusseerudin Ahmud, late of the Calcutta Madrussa. Fasciculus I., containing the Bones. Folio. Calcutta, 1846.

Very great praise is due to Dr. Mouat-who is one of the professors in the Bengal Medical College, at which there are 150 native students regularly engaged in dissection ! -for this publication. The drawings on stone were made by Mr. Grant; and the letter-press has been selected from the writings of Quain, Meckel, and Bell. Four other fasciculi, to complete the work, are promised.

9. Chelius' System of Surgery. Translated by South. Part. II.

15. On Disorders of the Cerebral Circulation, and on the Connexion between Affections of the Brain and Diseases of the Heart. By George Burrows, M. D., Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London, Physician and Lecturer on Medicine at St. Coloured Bartholomew's Hospital. 8vo. pp. 236. plates. 1846.

16. The "Open Surgery" Question considered, and its General Adoption advocated. By W. Preston, Surgeon and Apothecary. 8vo, pp. 25. 1846.

17. Lectures on Urine, and on the Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Urinary Diseases. By J. Aldridge, MD., Lecturer on Chemistry at the Medical School, Park Street, Dublin. 8vo, pp. 80. 1846.

These Lectures give an excellent summary of the leading facts and discoveries touching the pathology of the urine. To the man engaged in active. practice, we strongly recommend their attentive. perusal.

27. Outlines of the Arteries, with short De-, scriptions, designed for Medical Students. By John Neill, M.D. Royal 8vo, pp. 39. Philadelphia,