Counsellors. Drs. John Rhein, N. L. Hatfield, A Helfenstein, and Geo. J. Ziegler. Delegates to Am Med. Association.-Drs. N. L. Hatfield, R. H. Townsend, J. F. Lamb, and J. H. Smaltz.

L. CURTIS, Rec. Sec.

observed in this case, though milk abounds in sugar, some physicians, since the researches of Bernard and Lehmann, seem inclined to look on the disease as not so much a new formation of sugar as an accu Imulation of that always forming in the nor mal state, and in some way obstructed in Philadelphia Hospital for Diseases of the its exit, like urea or bile detained in the Chest. We are informed that an institution system. Dr. Pavy, of Guy's, believes he for the special treatment of the diseases of has found that diabetic sugar is a specific the chest has been organized; and that a form, different from other modificatious of spacious and very convenient house, in a glucose. It seems very well established, favourable situation in West Philadelphia, that the sugar of the liver is formed from has been secured, which will be opened for the albuminous products of the blood of the the reception of patients early in April next. { portal vein; and still more recently, it has Such an institution, properly conducted, been observed that fibrin and hæmatin, disand with efficient medical attendants, must appearing, also, in the liver, whether as the be highly useful, and can scarcely fail to result of tuberculous or inflammatory crases of the constitution, may give rise to sugar. Some other recent researches would point to

meet success.

OBITUARY RECORD.-Died, in Peters-diabetes as a peculiar form of nervous disease, burg, Va.. Dec. 6, 1855, in the 40th year of his age, JOHN FREDERICK PEEBLES, M. D., one of the editors of the Virginia Medical and Surgical Journal, and author of several valuable communications to the American Journal of the Medical Sciences.

rather than a renal or hepatic affection, the kidneys only acting in a secondary point of view. In hospitals, also, it is sometimes found that albumen and sugar alternate in the same urine, still further indicating a connection between these two substances in the portal system. Amongst recent reme. dies, gluten bread has been much recom.

The Petersburg Medical Faculty, of which Dr. PEEBLES was one of its brightest ornaments, have adopted resolutions expres-mended, but fine bran bread is preferable. sive of grief at his loss, and of the respect they entertain to his memory.

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Maccaroni is also highly praised. Amongst medicines, citrate of ammonia and opiates are perhaps the best.-Lancet, Dec. 29.

-

Bright's Disease of the Kidneys — The very great usefulness of the liquor ammonia acetatis, in cases of Bright's disease of the kidney, deserves to be more generally known than it is. We sometimes see this affection given up as beyond all cure; yet, at Guy's Hospital, where the affection was first discovered, and since then has been most carefully studied, Dr. Addison has found the liquor ammoniæ acetatis, by acting on the skin, and relieving the congested condition of the kidney, the best of all the remedies for this disease; diuretics at the same time to be strictly avoided, but not mercurials.-Ibid.

Diabetes Mellitus -The physiology of sugar in the system has recently undergone so many changes, that diabetic sugar in the urine in patients, attracts unusual attention. A case of this kind has been under the care of Dr. Bence Jones, at St. George's, for some weeks; and as this physician shows his class, week by week, the changes in the amount of sugar, resulting from changes in animal and vegetable diet, treatment, &c., and explains the copper and other tests for glucose. such patients possess no unusual interest for students. Diabetic sugar is never generated from milk sugar, though it need Painful Stumps after Amputations.-In scarcely be remarked it is quickly formed a patient with a very painful stump after from other products very nearly allied, such amputation, Mr. Stanley, a few days ago, as albumen, starch, or vegetable sugar.dissected out the nerve and bulbous exDiabetes is more under the control of regi-tremity, which, under microscopic examimen than medicine, Milk is a very proper nation, proved normal in structure. At one diet for diabetic patients. Dr. Bence Jones period, he stated, these bulbs were con

ceived to be the cause of the neuralgia of of postponing the award, should the judges not consider that any treatise received at the appointed time is of sufficient importance to deserve the prize.

the stumps; but he was inclined to agree with Mr. Langstaff and Mr. Spence, of Edinburgh, that they were merely natural products, and, except they got involved in The treatises may be delivered at any the cicatrix on the face of the stumps, they period, and must be received before publica. never caused pain. He stated also a very tion. But after perusal by the judges, they interesting practical fact, that from con- may be published. siderable experience of amputations with flaps and by the circular mode, and from a comparison of cases in other countries, where the circular mode of amputation was preferred to the plan by flaps-brought so much into use by Liston-that painful stumps were much more common after flap amputations than circular amputations; in the latter, the nerves were cut off short and buried in the stump; while, in long flaps, the nerve or bulb almost always comes to be pressed on, causing more or less pain.

Opening of the Session of the Academy of Medicine of Paris.-This learned Society opened the session on the 11th instant with the usual ceremonial-viz: 1. A report by the annual secretary respecting the prizes; 2. The public announcement of the latter; 3. The panegyric of some deceased member of the Society, being this year that of Recamier, by the permanent secretary, M. Frederick Dubois. Amongst the prizes we may notice the following: Medals of various value were granted to a considerable numVaricose Veins.—In a very marked case ber of medical men all over the country, for of a patient with varicose veins, in St. Bar-Reports on, and the Practice of, Vaccina. tholomew's recently, Mr. Skey placed ation; also, to a great number of physicians, dozen small issues with the potash pasteofficially appointed in watering-places, for along the trajet of the enlarged venous Reports and Papers on the Mineral Springs trunks, with the very best possible effect; the issues healed up very kindly, and the varicose condition of the large trunks of the lower extremity disappeared pari passu with the action of the issues. Mr. Skey believes this to be the best of all the plans for treating this troublesome affection.

of the different parts of France. The most prominent isolated prizes are-1. The Prize offered by the Academy, M. Julius Rochard, of Brest, Influence of Change of Air on Tubercular Formations in the Lungs; 2. Civrieux Prize, divided between M. Sabourand and M. Puel, on Catalepsy; 3. Capuron Prize, divided between M. Petrequin and M. Socquet, on the Physiological and Therapeutical Action of Alkaline Mineral Waters; 4. Itard Prize, M. Vidal (de Cassis) for his work on Venereal Diseases. The latter prize is triennial, and is, this year, worth $700. The others are $200 each. The Portal Prize on "Goître and Cretins,"

In two similar instances under treatment in University College Hospital, Mr Erichsen placed ligatures on the veins, the only precaution that is necessary, he said, being not to transfix the vein, or suppurative phlebitis might be set up. The operation will be quite safe if, in passing the twisted suture, the surgeon keeps beneath the vein; if blood passes out, the vein will in all pro-was not awarded, but small sums were, by bability be transfixed. Both cases have done well.-Lancet, Dec. 29.

1860.

way of encouragement, granted to M. Bach, M. Moretin, and M. Le Tertre Vallier. The Capuron Prize (on Sudden Death in the Puerperal State) was not given at all, and stands over for next year.

Prize Essay on Hydrophobia.-A prize of fifty pounds will be paid to the author of the best treatise on "Hydrophobia," to be de- We now add the subjects offered for comlivered to the secretary of the University of{petition for 1856, 1857, and 1858-The AcaEdinburgh, on or before the 1st November,demy Prize, $200 : Give the History of the Applications of the Microscope to Morbid The prize will not be assigned for a mere Anatomy, also to the Diagnosis and Treatcompilation. The treatise must containment of Diseases; point out of what use original inquiries, tending to improve the this instrument has been in medicine, how state of knowledge as to the causes, nature, it can be rendered further useful, and show or treatment of hydrophobia. how the errors to which it may give rise

The donor of the prize reserves the right may be guarded against.

2. Portal Prize, $200 on the Morbid M. Bernard had 41 votes, M. Longet 7, and Anatomy of Cysts. 3. Civrieux Prize, $400: M. Littre 1. Bernard was therefore deTo establish by actual facts the differenceclared the first candidate. Longet having between Neuralgia and Neuritis. 4. The obtained afterwards 43 votes, while BrownCapuron Prize, $200: On bloodletting in Séquard had only 7, the former was declared pregnancy. 5. The Argenteuil Prize, $2400, second candidate. The Moniteur of the given every sixth year (1850–1856), to be 22d instant published the appointment of awarded to the author of the most noted Bernard by the Minister of Public InstrucImprovement in the Treatment of Stricture tion. This election has excited much inteof the Urethra; or else to the author of such rest in the medical world of Paris. improvement in other diseases of the urinary apparatus.

Dr. Marshall Hall.-This distinguished physiologist has been elected a corresponding member of the French Academy of Sciences, to the section of medicine and surgery. The other candidates were Roki. tansky, Christison, Riberi, and Chelius.

Medical Students.-It is stated that there is a considerable diminution of the number of students at the various hospitals in England and Ireland this session. In Dublin, the number registered is between 450 and 500;

For 1857.-1. Academy Prize, $200: On the Degree of Utility of Issues and Setons in Chronic Diseases. 2. Portal Prize, $200 : Describe the Organic Changes caused by Rheumatism, and show how these Changes may be distinguished from Alterations de. pending on Other Causes. 3. Civrieux New Surgeon Extraordinary to the Queen. Prize, $300: On Nervous Vertigo; esta--Mr. FERGUSSON has been appointed sur blish the diagnosis of the disease, and point geon extraordinary to the Queen of England. out how it can be distinguished from vertigo depending on plethora, anæmia, or an organic cerebral lesion; and state which treatment should be used in nervous vertigo. 4. Capuron Prize, $200: the same as last year (on Sudden Death during Gestation). The Academy wishes competitors to under-in London it is rather more than 1,000, stand that sudden deaths have occurred with pregnant women either during or after parturition, and that these cases could not be explained by the ordinary causes of sudden deaths. The Academy had those cases in view when the question was last proposed, and it is with respect to these that the question should be answered. 5. Second Academical Prize, $200: Give the Characters of Saline Mineral Waters, Point out the Springs belonging to this Class; Ascertain by Cases their Physiological and Therapeu tical Effects, and state in which Chronic Diseases they may be advantageously employed. 6. Lefevre Prize, $360 (triennial), On Melancholia.

1858.-Itard Prize, $600 (triennial): To the best book (of at least two years' existence) on Practical Medicine-viz : on Actual Therapeutical Applications.

The papers for 1856 should be sent in before the 1st of March of the same year.

which is smaller than that of last session. In the provinces there is also a falling off. In Edinburgh, the number of matriculants at the University this session is 1,288, being 56 more than at the previous session.

In Paris, the number of inscriptions for the session 1855-6 is 966, being two more than at the last session. The number of first inscriptions, this session, is 180, being 29 more than at the previous session.

The Winter in England.-The winter in England has been severe as well as in this country. It appears from the RegistrarGeneral's report, that the mean temperature of the week, ending Dec. 22d, 1885, was 28.2 degrees, which is 10.8 degrees below the average of the same week in 38 years.

OBITUARY RECORD.-Died at Hordle Cliff, near Lymington, Hants, Dec. 16, aged 69, WILLIAM FREDERICK CHAMBERS, M.D., K. C. H., F. R. C. S., Lond., &c. &c. For

Appointment of M. BERNARD to the chairmerly physician to the Queen. vacant by the death of M. MAGENDIE.-On Monday, Dec. 17, the Academy of Sciences, of Paris, proceeded to the nomination of two candidates for the chair occupied by the late M. MAGENDIE at the College de France.

Dec. 4, at his country-seat, near Blairgowrie, Sir GEORGE BALLENGALL, Regius Professor of Military Surgery in the University of Edinburgh, &c. &c., aged 75 years.

1

well. Case 3. A boy, in moderate health, aged 6, under the care of Mr. Skey, in St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The usual operation. Recovery. Case 4. A pale, rather cachectic man, aged 22, under the care of Mr. Borlase Childs, in the Metropolitan Free Hospital. He had long suffered from symptoms of stone. In the operation, a vessel of considerable magnitude in the outer and lower part of the incision was wounded, and bled most alarmingly. The

Case 1. A man, aged 21, in good health, under the care of Mr. Paget, in St. Bartholo-operation was at once desisted from, and, mew's Hospital, having suffered from stone with some difficulty, a ligature was, by for some years. The usual operation was means of a tenaculum, applied to the performed, and a large, flat, oval stone re- wounded vessel. A large stone was aftermoved. The superficial arteries bled very wards removed. The wound was plugged freely during its performance, but they did with sponge. No further hemorrhage ocnot necessitate the use of ligatures. A con- curred, the sponge being left in for four days. siderable quantity of blood was, however, The ligature came away about the twelfth lost. Excepting a single rigor, the man day, and the wound is now fast healing. had not a bad symptom afterwards; he re- Neither in this case nor in Case 1, does the covered quickly. Case 2, A boy, in fair great loss of blood, which in each occurred health, aged 4, under the care of Mr. Stan- during the operation, appear to have mateley, in St. Bartholomew's Hospital. The rially interfered with the subsequent prousual operation was performed. Is nearly gress. Case 5. A weaver, aged 46, of in

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in collapse, and it was not deemed advisable to administer chloroform. The operation was performed by Mr. Hill (HouseSurgeon); the sac was not opened. A portion of what was believed to be omentum was left in the sac. The man passed a quiet night afterwards, but sank and died about noon the following day. At the autopsy, about fifteen inches of the jejunum were found claret-coloured, but retaining lustre and resiliency; a quantity of bloody serum occupied the pelvic cavity, and in the hernial sac was a large mass of healthy omentum, which was slightly adherent.Med. Times and Gaz., Nov. 17, 1855.

Ligature of Arteries.-Case 1. A pale, cachectic man, aged 33, admitted under the care of Mr. Paget, into St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on account of a popliteal aneurism. The tumour was the size of a large egg, and beat forcibly. Ligature of the femoral artery was practised on the second day after admission. The man made a good recovery, and has since left the hospital quite well.

Case 2. A man, aged 25, a jockey, was admitted into St. Mary's Hospital, on account of an aneurism in the left popliteal space. Pain had been first noticed, without

had not been liable to it for twelve years, and a considerable mass had for a long time been irreducible. Mr. Hilton and Mr. Callaway both made patient attempts to effect reduction by the taxis, and, subsequently, ice was applied, and opium freely given. Under these means the more urgent symptoms passed by, but still the mass could not be made to diminish. During the night following his admission, and about seventeen hours after strangulation had commenced, collapse suddenly came on, and it was then deemed necessary to operate at once. This was done without giving chloroform, and without removing the patient from his bed. The sac was opened, and found to contain large coils of small intestine, some omentum, and a considerable length of the colon, the latter being firmly adherent. There was much fluid in the sac, and its contents were greatly congested. The man was sick almost directly after the operation. He never rallied from the collapse, and about an hour afterwards died. No autopsy was permitted. Case 10. A very feeble woman, aged 73, under the care of Mr. Henry Thompson, in the Marylebone Infirmary, on account of double femoral hernia, the protrusion on the right side being strangu-assignable cause, three weeks before admislated. There had been symptoms of obstruction for three days, and vomiting_had been present for thirty-six hours. Great depression. Immediate operation was performed; the sac being opened, a portion of omentum and some small intestine were returned. During the next twelve hours there was relief to the pain and vomiting, but, subsequently, the symptoms recurred, and continued until the time of death, five days afterwards. As the symptoms had not indicated any particular locality as the probable seat of obstruction, no further operative procedure had been deemed warrantable. At the autopsy, the portion of small intestine which had been down was found congested, but free, and quite per- Compression Treatment of Aneurism.— vious. The transverse colon was greatly A pale, thin man, aged 46, and by trade a distended, and adhered firmly to the margin basket-maker, is under Mr. Fergusson's of the right femoral ring. The left hernia care, in King's College Hospital, on account was reducible. The colon appeared to be of aneurism of the right popliteal artery. It constricted by the bands of adhesion, and was, on admission, about the size of an contained much fecal matter above this orange, and was believed, from the history, point, but none below. Case 11. A feeble, to have existed for ten weeks. Compres paralytic old man, aged 77, was admitted sion treatment, by means of Carte's appainto the London Hospital, on account of a ratus, was commenced on October 25. No large scrotal hernia, which had been stran-medicinal or dietetic measures. gulated for twelve hours. He was almost ratus is used in the day only, and quite laid

sion. The knee-joint contained fluid, and was, together with the leg generally, much swollen. The limb was kept semiflexed, and there was great pain. Bleeding was practised, and digitalis administered. The patient was very irritable, the knee became more painful, and the aneurism rapidly increased in size. On the third day after admission, ligature of the femoral was practised. The temperature of the limb, which had fallen somewhat, was quite regained three days after the operation. At the date of report (one month after) the ligature had not come away, but the wound was nearly healed, the man being in good health, and the tumour quite pulseless.

The appa