wood at these periods, but sugar-canes are cut and castor-oil nuts are gathered at these seasons, the latter being supposed to yield one fifth more oil at those times than at any other. This influence of the moon is still acknowledged, at least in Cuba, as Mr. Backhouse informs us, in the account of his travels lately published. The moon also guides the agricultural operations in Peru. "The maize crops," says Dr. Smith, in his work before quoted, the farmers always harvest in the menguante,' or decrease of the moon; for it is a fact, lect the crop in the creciente,' or increase of the moon, it will not keep free of moths for three months, even though allowed the advantage of being left in the husk." Around Lima the farmer takes care not to sow in the creciente, or the wood-cutter to cut timber, especially willow and elder, or it soon decays, as Dr. Smith found out by his own experience. commence their operation of catching the wild gyalls, from having observed that at these changes the two sexes are most inclined to associate. The same observation has often been made to me by our elephant catchers." In the earlier volumes of the "Philosophical Transactions" are histories of hemorrhages which broke out at lunar periods. Mead relates a curious instance of this kind. Dr. Pitcairne was seized at a country seat near Edinburgh, with a bleeding from the nose and faintness, at the exact hour of the new moon, namely, nine o'clock, a. m. On re-known to every husbandman, that if they colturning to Edinburgh, he was informed that Mr. Cockburn, professor of philosophy, had died, suddenly, at the same hour, from hæmorrhage from the lungs, and also that five or six of his patients had been seized with hæmorrhages. The barometer was lower at that hour than either he or his friend Dr. Gregory had ever observed it. The births and deaths of mankind generally have been supposed to be under lunar influence. It was formerly supposed in the Netherlands that fat people died at the flood, and thin spare people at the ebb. Among the wonders of the isle and city of Cadiz, one is, that the sick never die there while the tide is rising, but always during the ebb. Dr. Mosely made out a list of persons who had died aged from one hundred and thirteen to one hundred and sixty-nine years, to prove that very old people die at the new or full moon. He also infers from the times of death of forty illustrious persons, that the same rule holds good with mankind in general. Three or four years ago, Mr. Proctor (now resident medical officer at the York County Hospital) made me out a list of the births, with their dates, which had occurred in the practice of Mr. James Allen of this city, during the five years from 1831 to 1835, inclusive. On arranging these according to the changes of the moon, the result was as follows: Number of births at new moon, 151; first quarter, 129; full moon, 131; last quarter, 154. The day before and the day after the day of change were included in the estimate. The whole number of births were 1403; of lunations, 247; of days included in the lunations, 741, or 247X3. " do It is remarkable that the ancient doctrine of lunar influence on vegetation is still practically applied in some tropical countries. "Herbs set in the wane of the moon," says William Ramsay, quoting this doctrine, not thrive well; vines, to check their growth, should be pruned in the wane; timber cut to keep well," &c. Dr. Robertson asserts that in the West Indies all sorts of vegetables are fuller of sap at the new and full moon; the colonists, therefore, abstain from cutting It has been supposed that the moon exercises an attractive power on the fluids of living structures, like that exhibited on the great masses of water on the globe. I think this hypothesis need not be discussed or noticed further. It has also been supposed that the light of the moon has a direct influence on vital function. The sun's rays may certainly be so altered by impinging on the moon, that when reflected from the latter they may have a chemical and physiological action very different from those proceeding directly from the former. Testa discusses the question at considerable length* Supposing it to be proved that the moon's light have an injurious influence I think it scarcely belongs to my subject. Shutters or an awning will at any time effectually neutralize it, so far as man is concerned. Be this as it may, there are no observations extant worthy notice. In accordance with my previous plan I shall next proceed to compare physiological and pathological observations with meteorological phenomena and consider whether there be any changes in the density, electric tension, or hygrometric condition of the air at the lunar phases, whether there be changes in the direction of its currents, and whether these changes have any connection with the observed changes in vital function, and how it takes place. This will form the subject of another communication. Bermerkungen über die periodischen Veränderungen und Erscheinungen im kranken und gesundem Zustande des menschlichen Körpers, Leipzig, 1790, p. 337, seq. This is a translation from the Latin' of Testa. Testa's Book, I may observe,contains more rational facts and arguments on the subject of vital periodicity than any work of the time that I am acquainted with. He took it up where Mead left it. A solution of this lunar influence is found in To the Editor.-Sir: In your widely-read the more rarified state of the atmosphere, from Journal the periodic law of seven, in health figure, and in consequence of which the pressure of the atmosphere on every square inch of the body, and of the cavities exposed to its influence, is greatly reduced. and disease has been illustrated, both physio- its expansion at K J and J K; at the new circumstances, as is commonly practised, is sions, it is easy to determine, in a few seconds, to which number the pulse may be referred, not only positively injurious in a great ma- and in many cases the nature and intensity of jority of cases, but it is often fatal; and such a disease may be suspected from the number In accordance with this patients are never in greater danger than of the pulse alone. law of numbers we meet with pulses of 60, when they are in the hands of a physician 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 144, 168. I have recently whose knowledge is bounded by inflamma- prescribed for a lady who has twice suffered tions. When the quantity of blood raised, from excessive nervous irritability; her pulse I clearly ascertained to be 240, twenty times exceeds a wine glass, a blister should be ap- twelve, nor was there any difficulty, as some plied between the shoulders, and rest and have asserted there must be, in accurately quietness, with a light diet, strictly observed, counting it. A pulse of 144 and 168 is often met with in until the system has recovered from the ex-pneumonia in children; it is remarkable that a pulse characteristic of a special disease haustion produced by the hemorrhage. will be the same in number in individuals of The acetate of lead (sugar of lead,) if at widely different ages. The pulse in rising hand, may be also used in these cases, 3 or and falling from accidental and temporary 4 grains, or a quantity that will lay on a six-excitement, rises and falls through a series of duodecimal degrees; when within the first penny piece, made into 3 or 4 pills, with few minutes of an interview the pulse of a moist bread, may be taken at once, or at in-patient rapidly subsides from 120 to 108, 96, vals that may be determined by the urgency of the symptoms. The few cases of hemorrhage from the lungs, which occur when the moon is in its quadratures, or when it is moving from the octant; r, to that at m, and from the octant ats, to that at I, are those that occur in chronic bronchitis, or chronic disease of the mucous membrane that lines the inside of the bronchial or air tubes, which rarely amounts to more than a wine glass, and is in general a matter of little consequence, requiring only the exercise of common prudence at those periods to prevent its recurrence. 84, a knowledge is at once afforded of the highly excitable and therefore susceptible constitution of the patient: beware of treating such subjects during periods of excitement, as for acute or serious disease, by violent measures; many such individuals are destroyed by continual cupping and bleeding, and mercurialising, for alleged determination of blood to the head; inflammation of the spinal marrow; inflammation of the lungs; pleurisy; disease of the heart, &c., when a recovery is often easily effected by merely allaying nervous irritability. The pulse in many chronic diseases, as in consumption, is generally 108, and, under moderate excitement, 120, but not unfrequently only 96; a pulse not slower than 96 in an adult should always excite suspicion.It sometimes happens that in bulky, leucophlegmatic, or hydroæmic, phthisical subjects, Hemorrhage from the serous substance of having, too, a finely-developed chset, that the the lungs, or from its serous membranes, oc-pulse does not rise above 72 or 84; the practitioner, misled by first appearances, is apt to cur in the rarified state of the atmosphere, at cheer the patient with an assurance of certain the periods when the moon is in syzygees or recovery, but from the continuance of the apogee and perigree; while hemorrhage from cough, after one or two visits, is induced, almost carelessly, to auscultate the chest, and is the mucous substance, or the mucous mem- dismayed at discovering a considerable excabranes of the lungs, occur in the dense state vation in the lungs. In such subjects, not of the atmosphere, at the periods when the very frequently met with, recoveries do sometimes indubitably occur; the treatment conmoon is in its quadratures, as we have ascer-sisting of an almost entire restriction to the tained in the most satisfactory manner, by a most stimulating animal diet; of salt largely long series of observations. administered at every meal; of quinine and preparations of iron; and of lotions of spirit of wine and tincture of iodine applied to the Diagnosis by the Pulse. Hemorrhage from the surface of the chest. To such subjects sea Lungs. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LANCET. air is especially beneficial. I have known the audible evidences of consumption to disappear SIR-The number of the pulse in one minute and reappear in individuals visiting the East Inis generally a multiple of twelve; I believe dies, the disease at last proving fatal, as in that this fact has not hitherto been noticed; one instance very lately, apparently in conseyet will it be found not less useful and impor- quence of the individual having prolonged his tant than curious. In extensive practice, stay in England longer than usual: in such when advice gratis necessitates rapid conclu- subjects I have known a well-marked excava would probably have occurred within as many days. The functional derangement of the liver, stomach, or kidneys, which is generally present, would, of course, require to be treated at the same time (by means of decoction of aloes, carbonate of potass, &c., as the particular case might require). tion continue for many years, apparently sta- of six weeks elapsing before the patient betionary. The rapid progress of consumption came decidedly better, the same happy result in more irritable subjects, in whom the pulse is 100 or 120, is in many instances, I have reason to believe, as much attributable to the highly absurd and reprehensible practice of bleeding to arrest hæmoptysis, as to the unresisted progress of tubercular disease; chronic disease invades the system when the vital powers are depressed, and always acquires I have treated about a dozen cases of this growth and rapidity from exhaustion of the disease during the present year, and in only vital and opposing force: bleeding for hæmop- one have required to use calomel and opium. tysis in subjects suffering from tuberculous The patient was a man of very weak consticachexia, may be denominated fashionable tution; for a week the disease was supposed homicide. I am at present acquainted with to be enteritis, all the symptoms of which many delicate individuals who have been ex- were present. He was bled, and calomel and pectorating blood, at intervals, for several opium were administered, but the disease not years; I am convinced that every one of them yielding, I had a consultation with another would be destroyed by even a moderately practitioner, when great tenderness was dislarge bleeding; why should such panic be covered over one of the lumbar vertebræ.— excited by ordinary hæmoptysis as to con- The patient was cupped over this part, counfound all common sense and sober judgment? ter-irritation was afterwards applied, the merThe hæmoptysis may doubtless be arrested by curial action maintained for a few days lonbleeding, but though the triumph of arresting ger, and he was discharged, cured, in five it be great, the patient is merely placed upon weeks from the commencement of the attack. his legs to stagger to the grave. In nineteen I usually find about ten days sufficient to accases out of twenty the hemorrhage will cease complish the cure, but occasionally more is by judicious treatment, without the adoption required, and sometimes recovery proceeds of the desperate expedient of bleeding, which, more rapidly. though it continue for days or weeks, a natural hemorrhage is far more easily borne than detraction of blood by the lancet; calmly and judiciously advise and administer, and seldom will danger or difficulty result from the mere hæmoptysis, though the patient may ultimately die from the natural progress of the disease. With every sentiment of respect, I am, sir, &c. April 5, 1843-LANCET. ANTHROPOS. SPINAL MENINGITIS. On I believe that a great proportion of these cases is not recognised by the medical attendants; and also that many cases exist, supposed to be obstinate dyspepsia, which are owing to that subacute form of the disease which is termed spinal irritation. A case of this sort occurred to me lately. The patient presented the usual symptoms of functional derangement of the liver and stomach, and during the last five months, these symptoms had been treated by four medical men. placing himself under my care it was only by A new name for tubercular disease of the tenderness over one part of the lumbar spine. very careful examination that I discovered organs and muscles. The old names, such I cupped him, used croton-oil friction, orderas spinal disease, spinal irritation, spinal neu-aloes, one grain, and calumba, eight grains, ed a powder composed of calomel, one grain, ralgia, and nervous affection of the spine. are to be taken every night and morning, and becoming rather stale and unpopular, and within three weeks the patient was cured. hence the policy of giving a new name to these maladies of the imagination, which were never favored with a real existence. Treatment of Spinal Meningitis. TO THE EDITOR OF THE LANCET. June 26, 1843. I am, sir, yours truly, C. The writer has authenticated his statements privately, by forwarding his real name and address to the editor. These cases including that of Mr. Tyte referred to, were all cases of tubercular disease of the organs, and not that of meningitis, nor of functional disease of the organs; for there is never magnetic symptoms of tu Sir: In looking over the Lancet for May 27th last, my attention has been arrested by the case of spinal meningitis related by Mr. Tyte (p. 267.) The length of time required to accomplish the cure, by the treatment employed, notwithstanding its severity, will furnish a speedy excuse for the suggestion of a bercular disease, as in these cases, in mere more speedy, certain, and, at the same time, functional derangement of the stomach, liver, less painful method. Had Mr. Tyte applied eight or twelve leeches over the tender part of or any other organ, and Dr. Tyte had the canthe back, repeated them on the next day, if dor to acknowledge that the symptoms of memuch tenderness on pressure remained, and ningitis in his case was not well marked, al afterwards used friction with croton oil until a copious crop of pustules was produced, instead though it was much more so than any of ounce; decoction of marshmallows, six Statistics of Cancer. preva- those described by Dr. C. But the sequel of their treatment having consisted in the admiing of the following mixture:-Tartarised these cases like thousands of the same kind,nistration of a tablespoonful night and mornis not yet told, and I hope the gentlemen will antimony, three grains; syrup of cloves, an pardon me for saying that neither of their cases are cured--that they have only passed through a temporary period of excitement, We have to a temporary period of repose. seen a great many thousand such cures of the same disease, and in the same or a very similar manner, during the last ten years; Of 3781 cases occurring in the practice of for but these cures were very temporary; 174 surgeons, 1227 happened in individuals The cases of cancer of the these patients would not "stay cured," and above forty, and 1061 to others above sixty in fact, nothing was effected by the common years of age. uterus were about thirty per cent.; of the Cancer of the remedies in any of these cases, but a tempo-breast twenty-four per cent. rary palliation of the urgent symptoms, while mouth was in women only as one to one-anda-half per cent., while in men (probably from the patients were passing through the pe- the use of the tobacco-pipe) it was as much Cancers supposed to as twenty-six per cent. riods of excitement to that of repose. Tubercular Consumption. have been of hereditary transmission figured only as 1 in 278 [?]: while those induced by com-scrofula were as 1 in 10; and by syphilis as 1 in 5. The most useful part of the inquiry is that that which is brought to bear upon the utility Out of or otherwise of operating on cancers. 1172 patients not operated on, 18 lived for ance of the disease; while out of 801 operated more than thirty years after the first appearon by excision or caustic, the existence of only 14 patients operated on, and 34 not operated 4 was prolonged for a similar lapse of time on, lived for a period of from twenty to thirty years; and 88 in the first category, and 228 after the first appearance of the disease. The in the second, lived from six to twenty years ordinary duration of life after this period among persons not operated on, is said to be five years for men and five and a half for women; while among those operated on, it is no more than five years and two months for men, and six years for women. Dr. Hastings, of London, has recently menced treating this disease with naptha, and apparently with success, so far; and other physicians in that metropolis are now engaged in testing its effects in this disease. There are a number of different articles in commerce, which are sold under the name of naptha. The naptha used by Dr. Hastings is obtained by the destructive distillation of an ascetate, as the ascetate of lead, or of lime. This product has been called by chemists, pyroacetic spirit, mesilic alcohol, or ascetone, and is missible in all proportions with water, without producing milkiness. The dose is from 10 to 20 drops, three times a day. We are now testing its effects in a great variety of cases in this city, both alone that the ablation of cancer (leaving out of and in conjunction with the compound chlo-account the risks attending the operation ride of gold, an article which we have been long in the habit of using with uniform success, in the first stage of tubercular disease of the lungs. Dr. Hasse, of Koningsberg, cauterises the parts affected in laryngeal phthisis with a strong solution of nitrate of silver, consisting of one part of the nitrate to four, and afterwards two parts of water.-LONDON LANCET. Vomiting, a Cure for Phthisis. From these results the natural conclusion is prolong life and is therefore (in France, at itself) does little, even when successful, to least) of very questionable utility. Results like these, startling as they may seem, and however they may demand subsequent corroborations, are, at least indications of the light which statistical science is enabled to throw upon the actual and relative value of many of the aids in medicine and surgery of which we at present avail ourselves.-London Lancet. Case of Enlargement, Scrofulous Abscess, BY GEO. LANGSTAFF, ESQ., SURGEON, LONDON LANCET. It is stated that 176 patients under consumption, 47 in the incipient, and 129 in the advanced stage, admitted during a period of four years into the military hospital at Capua disease of the testis on the right side, in were ultimately discharged, perfectly cured, which an ulcer was formed, and discharged |