No. 80.] Head-Ache, Apoplexy, &c. &c. 243 the practice of physic as themselves? If his Majesty thought otherwise, why has he appointed Sir Richard Knighton and Sir Matthew Tierney his physicians in ordinary? men, who, according to the liberal laws of the College, are only qualified to attend in simple cases of disease. During his Majesty's visit to Edinburgh, the Professors of Medicine and Surgery, and the heads of the College of Physicians, will, no doubt, pay their dutiful respects to him, and avail themselves of so favourable an opportunity to acquaint his Majesty with the insults HIS College of Physicians in London, presume to offer the Graduates of their University, on settling in the metropolis of England. If they should neglect this opportunity of supporting the dignity of their University, and of protecting their Graduates from the insult offered to their members in London by this body, they will subject themselves to the censure of men of real science, and their University will, in consequence, be reduced to a level with that of Aberdeen, or the most contemptible in Europe. We are informed, the London College of Physicians are so inflated with the late attention of his Majesty, that they have already resolved to act on the offensive, and that Mr. Abernethy, Sir Astley Cooper, Mr. Cline, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Travers, Mr. Pearson, and others, may expect shortly to be served with processes, commanding them to confine their practice to manual surgery, and that the Non-Licenciates of the College are to be driven beyond the limits of their jurisdiction !!! Now, as the College gentlemen are advocates for ancient, or what they term legitimate medicine, why not follow the example of the universities in ancient times, by throwing the gauntlet? We say that their knowledge of the nature, causes, symptoms, or treatment of diseases, is not superior to that of Surgeon-Apothecaries of the present day, and if the Surgeon-Apothecaries throw the gauntlet, will they dare to take it up? Ancient medicine was chiefly chirurgical, and we repeat what we have often stated, that no practitioner should be allowed to practise medicine who is not acquainted with all its branches, and that the man unacquainted with anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and surgery, is, in our opinion, entitled to no other denomination than that of a quack. Are those branches taught at the English Universities? Let us hope, however, as the College philosophers have determined to have a modern edifice, more worthy the British empire, they will pay some respect to modern medicine, and adapt their laws to the present state of the medical profession, by opening their doors to all they find on examination (we care not how strict) to be competent to practise the healing art, and no longer insult common sense and modern science, by deeming a knowledge of the "dead languages a test of medical fitness." HEAD-ACHE, APOPLEXY, &c. &c.-SIRS,-I have been much pleased with many observations that have appeared in your work on the different causes of apoplexy and head-ache. With the opinion of ChiroMedicus, that accumulation of blood in the longitudinal and lateral sinuses and the veins of the brain, is the cause of apoplexy in elderly people, and on the impropriety of taking blood from the temporal artery, or from the arterial system, by scarification, I perfectly agree; but for the cause of that venous congestion of the brain, we must, I think, go a little further than the head. I am myself well satisfied that the cause of apoplexy of elderly people is to be found either in the chest, or belly, or both; I mean the impediment to the free return of blood from the brain. The principal cause is compression of the large blood vessels of the belly, from over-distention of the stomach and intestines (as full meals, acc umulated fæces and flatus), from a loaded state of the cellular membrane with fat or serum, and from enlargement of the viscera by interstitial deposit. The premonitory symptoms of apoplexy in elderly people, as giddiness, lethargy, distention of the vessels of the eyes, bloated countenance, &c. &c. are uniformly attended with fulness and hardness of the abdomen, from some of the causes noticed above, and indeed, not unfrequently from an assemblage of all.— In elderly people, therefore, as your correspondent Chiro-Medicus observes, the object of practice is to remove the obstructing cause to the return of blood from the head, for in such patients the plethora is entirely local; the vessels of the extremities being in a state of depletion. The practice recommended by physicians, in general, of opening the carotid artery, or abstracting blood by cupping, (which is arterial) by diminishing the power in the system, to overcome the obstruction, is unquestionably very improper, and I have often witnessed the bad effects of it. To attribute apoplexy in elderly subjects to an increased determination of blood to the head is therefore not correct, and indeed, it is ridiculous to suppose the heart should increase in power as the person advances in age, and when all the other powers of the system are clearly on the decline. If apoplexy arose from increased influx of blood to the brain, vomiting would uniformly prove hurtful; but in all cases, where it has occurred spontaneously, or excited by art, the most happy effects have followed, and why? The answer is clear, because the circulation is thereby equalized: the blood having been propelled through the viscera, &c. of the belly and chest, and increased in the extremities, the impediment to the free return of blood from the head is facilitated. In cases of apoplexy we are therefore to abstract blood from a vessel which is concerned in returning blood from the brain, as the jugular vein; this will afford immediate relief, or avert impending danger; but in order to remove the remote cause, the bowels should be well purged, by such cathartic and diuretic medicines as will not only unload the intestinal canal, but the interstices of the viscera and the cellular membrane. In cases of impending apoplexy, I am satisfied it is of as great importance to increase the secretion of the kidneys and skin as to evacuate the intestines. The composition I have found to succeed in producing these effects, is the Bengal Pills of the late Dr. Dick, which you have noticed in one of your early numbers.-They not only produce copious serous and bilious motions, but increase the secretion of the skin; and if the predisposed to apoplexy, or those who suffer from head-ache, in consequence of accumulation of blood in the brain, would take two or three of those pills, according to their operation on the bowels, once a week or fortnight, they need not be under any apprehension of an attack of apoplexy. Although you have given the composition of the pills, I have obtained them through a friend in London, at the shop of Mr. Sanger, 150, Oxford-road, and being indebted to you for my knowledge of them, I hope you will allow me to add my testimony to your's, in their favour, as a valuable purgative medicine, in cases of head-ache, venous plethora No. 80.] Inflammation of the Eyes, &c.-Contagion. 245 of the head, and in indolent states of the liver, stomach, and intestines. After the above remarks, as to the cause of apoplexy, it is unnecessary to point out the danger of overloading the stomach; it may be proper to remark, that stimulants, as Cayenne pepper, black pepper, mustard, and warm pickles, are excellent preventives, and that even a little brandy after dinner, or during head-ache, from venous distention, is, in elderly subjects, very proper. Stimulants, by increasing the circulation in the abdominal viscera,tend to facilitate the return of blood from the head,or thereby prevent accumulation.-Bandages, when brought tight round the bowels, (commonly employed by gentlemen on enjoying the chase) are very hurtful, and the sudden death of people from apoplexy, during riding with them, is to be attributed only to their checking the return of blood from the head. If you should deem these remarks, on a disease so generally fatal in this country, worthy of insertion, I shall become a regular correspondent. I am, Sirs, your very obedient Servant, and constant Reader, Glasgow, July 1st, 1822. JAMES METCALFE, M. D. INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES, &c.-SIRS,-It is common for physicians and surgeons to order a solution of sulphate of zinc and sub-acetate of lead, in water, for inflammation of the eyes, &c.; and a weak solution of zinc and lead certainly affords a very efficacious lotion in cases of active inflammation of the eye and of excoriated parts; but the lotion, as employed by physicians and surgeons, of the sulphate of zinc, and sub-acetate or acetate of lead, does not contain lead; the acetic acid of the lead uniting with the zinc, the disengaged sulphuric acid attracts the lead, and forms an insoluble precipitate.-If the acetate of zinc be substituted for the sulphate, the lotion will contain both lead and zinc, and will prove much more efficacious, the lead being more powerful in subduing inflammation than zinc.-I therefore beg leave to recommend the following recipe to the attention of your medical readers, as a topical application in cases of external inflammation, particularly of the eye, urethra, and ear. Take of acetate of lead, of each, five grains. Do: of zinc, Distilled water, eight ounces.-Mix. I am, Sirs, your constant Reader, London, July 12, 1822. J. P. SURGEON. PRESERVATIVE AGAINST CONTAGION.-A physician to a fever institution, of considerable experience and chemical knowledge, in a letter, dated the 12th inst. observes, "Although I am of opinion that the typhus fever is not contagious, but produced by a certain condition of the atmosphere on unhealthy constitutions, or habits predisposed to disease, I am satisfied that such constitutions may be secured against the influence of the atmosphere or effluvia from the diseased, by smelling occasionally, and carrying about them a handkerchief sprinkled with a solution of camphor, in the pure pyro-lignic acid. By impregnating the air of the room of the sick with this acid, (by sprinkling it over the cover of the bed and the floor) the immediate attendants and inhabitants of the house will also be secured against the fever; and the inhalation of the air, thus medicated, I have found to prove more beneficial in restoring the patient to health than medicine taken into the stomach." 246 Essence of Lavender.-Diabetes.-Cancer. [Aug. 1822. The following is the doctor's prescription for making the solution :Rub a drachm of camphor, with half an ounce of alcohol, in a glass of water, and then add five ounces of the pure pyro-lignic acid.-The typhus fever prevailing in many parts of London, and in several large towns of England and Ireland, the doctor thinks it very probable, that it will considerably increase in the month of August and September, and he therefore advises a family, in every parish, to be supplied with the camphorated concentrated pyro-lignic acid. The price of a pint bottle of the solution being only four shillings and six-pence, a quantity sufficient for thirty families. ESSENCE OF LAVENDER.-M. Souchet, a French chemist, has ascertained, that the oil of the flowers of lavender is rendered more delicate in its odour by age; but to prevent its becoming glutinous by keeping, which it is very apt to do, he has drawn it over in a water bath, with a small quantity of alcohol, which he terms the essence-this, after being kept closely corked for about seven years, he has found to possess a peculiarly fine delicate odour of lavender, entirely free from empyreuma, which is discernible, more or less, in the English and foreign oil of lavender, and of course the lavender water which is made with it. M. Souchet has sent us a quantity of his essence, that the English may have an opportunity to satisfy themselves of its superiority over the most celebrated English lavender water. The French and German chemists are not only very particular in making chemical articles, but, in consequence of the cheapness of glass, fuel, and labour, are able to undersell the chemists of this country. The essence of lavender made by M. Souchet, is not only very superior in odour to the lavender water of this country, but a three shilling and sixpenny bottle will be found equal to the ten shilling bottle of the Bond-street lavender water. The compound spirit of lavender, made with the essence of lavender, according to the following recipe, is very superior to that sold in this country:-Take of Nutmegs, bruised, of each, three drachms. do. } Red Saunders, half a drachm. Mix and infuse for a fortnight in a quart of the best French brandy, (shaking the bottle for a minute or two every second day) then add essence of lavender, two ounces: after standing about a week, the liquid may be poured off clear for use. DIABETES.-Dr. Dods, an eminent Physician of Worcester, (the author of the Physicians' Guide) informs us that he has found magnesia, administered as directed by Dr. Trotter in our last Number, to succeed in a case of incipient diabetes. The patient (a female) was about thirty years of age, and of a thin spare habit. The Doctor is preparing a new edition of the Physicians' Guide for the press. CANCER. A meeting of the friends of a Mr. Whitlaw was, a few days ago, convened in the city of London, to take into consideration the propriety of establishing an institution for patients afflicted with cancer, to be under the superintendence of that gentleman, who pretends to have discovered, in the vegetable kingdom, a specific remedy for the disease. Mr. Moore, the member for Coventry, spoke in high terms of commendation of Mr. Whitlaw's professional abilities, and of the infallibility of his treatment of cancer, of which he had had ocular demonstration.The remedy being a vegetable product, the learned member considered No. 80.] Cancer. 247 a great recommendation, because it can therefore do no harm!! Now as Mr. Moore is not capable of distinguishing a cancerous from a scrofulous. or syphilitic ulcer, his ocular proof amounts to nothing, and as to his assertion that the remedy is incapable of doing mischief, because it is a vegetable preparation, it is ridiculous in the extreme, for the strongest poisons we possess are from the vegetable kingdom. A Clergyman also stated, "that he had seen a cancer of the scalp with arteries and veins exposed, which was cured by Mr. Whitlaw."!!! Such a declaration proves his total ignorance of cancer. Mr. Whitlaw's meeting of friends was much enlightened on the subjects of cancer and quackery, as well as on the real object of the meeting, by the liberal and scientific remarks of Mr. Rennie, an experienced surgeon of London, which we are happy to find had the effect of abating their enthusiasm. If Mr. Whitlaw's friends suppose that he has really discovered a remedy capable of curing cancer, why not put it to the test, under the superintendence of two surgeons of an hospital, who would furnish him with genuine cases of the disease, not common phagedenic ulcers, which any old woman, by a vegetable remedy, might cure. If Mr. Whitlaw were the man of science his friends represent him to be, he would not submit to any thing so truly disgraceful, as to attempt to remunerate himself by curing a disease by a nostrum-a practice which must place him, in the opinion of every respectable member of the profession, among the despicable class of quacks. The declaration made by his friends at the meeting, that he would keep his remedy a secret until he had properly remunerated himself, seems to imply that it will not answer his purpose to put it to a fair test of experiment. The generosity of the legislature, in case of its succeeding to cure this formidable disease, he cannot doubt. Such conduct would be highly creditable to him as a man of science and humanity, and the reward by government would far exceed the income he might make from the proposed institution, and at the same time, by giving him consequence, would tend more to increase his practice than the testimonies of men unacquainted with the character of the disease. The results of the few experiments Mr. W. has made with his supposed specific for cancer, which have reached us, are very far from realizing the positive assertions of his friends, and we advise the friends of this gentleman to put his practice to the test of fair experiment; viz. in cases which have been declared to be true cancer, by a surgeon of respectability, before they solicit donations from the public for an institution which would probably prove as beneficial to cancerous patients as the Ophthalmic Hospital did to the unfortunate British soldiers, afflicted with the Egyptian ophthalmia, which was erected by government at an enormous expense, to enable Sir William Adams to cure the disease. The blind ardour of Lord Palmerston,and other friends of Sir William Adams, on that occasion, has been very properly censured in the House of Commons, by Mr. Moore himself. From the results of the important discoveries of Sir William Adams, on his own representation, and of the specific for stone, which was purchased by government, as well as the case of the old woman, who, according to her own declaration, and the testimonies of a few ignorant attendants, was delivered several times of a litter of pigs or rabbits," we advise the patrons of Mr. W. to draw an useful lesson.-Who is Mr. Whitlaw? |