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"The metropolis of the kingdom is, I apprehend as much, if not more interested in the object of this inquiry, than any other town in Europe. The Thames and New River are the principal sources from which this great city is supplied with water. Neither of these waters are conducted through lead, except from a short distance through the small collateral branches, which convey it from the main pipes to the separate houses. In these the fluid stagnates, and I have found that small quantities of metallic matter

are dissolved. There are other water-works

for the convenience of particular parts of the town, but of what materials the pipes are formed I have not as yet learned.

"These pipes cannot be entirely harmless, though they convey water through such short distances. But the cisterns with which, I am told, almost every house is furnished, and also the apparatus for conveying it to separate apartments, which are very common in the better kind of houses, are what I suspect to be productive of infinitely greater mischief. These, I suppose, have been gradually extending and increasing in number, and the use of common pumps diminishing in the same proportion. Besides the scanty supply from pumps in so populous a place, and particularly in dry seasons, to keep them in repair, and renew them when decayed is attended with much expence, and with still greater trouble and inconvenience. On this account it may be expected that, where water can be procured by other means, common pumps will be gradually neglected, and fall into disuse. I ask then whether, through the whole of the last century, the use of the Thames, and particularly of the New River water, has not been increasing; and in consequence, whether there are not at present a greater number of cisterns, and fewer common pumps in the same proportion, than there were a hundred years ago?

"It appears that certain diseases have been increasing in London, through the last century, which, there is reason to think, would have diminished, if no new exciting cause had been introduced. The number of deaths classed under consumption, which in the beginning of the last century amounted annually to 3000, on an average of ten years, in the middle of the century amounted to 4000, and in the end to 5000. To obtain this average, those years were selected, in which the whole number of deaths were nearly equal. Now it must be acknowledged, that the most powerful exciting cause of this class of diseases, (for the meaning of the term must not be confined to the phthisis pulmonalis) in populous and profligate towns, is syphilitic disorders and their consequences. If these disorders have not been less frequent, still the treatment of them has been made much less severe than formerly, and the constitutions of great numbers are now preserved, which would have severely suffered under the harsh ANN. REV. Vol. II.

method of cure that was formerly universally practised."

Dr. Lambe goes on to make the same remark with regard to dropsy, palsy, and ` apoplexy; and the inference which he deduces is, that since we have a better mode of curing syphilis than formerly, which is one great cause of consumption, and since drunkenness, the great cause of dropsy, is decreased among the higher classes, and yet the diseases of consumption and dropsy continue to increase on the bills of mortality, some other cause must be assigned for these disorders; and this cause may possibly be the habitual introduction of minute quantities of lead into the system.

This hypothetical reasoning is carried still further.

"There is a disease, endemial in northern countries, which the Scotch call vulgarly the water-brash it is the pyrosis suecica of Sauvages, or simple pyrosis of Cullen. Linnæus asserts, that one half of the inhabitants, male and female, of the Lapland mountains are afflicted with it. English physicians meet with it so seldom, that we scarcely hear its name mentioned; nor have I ever observed it, except it be in this and one other case, which I believe to be saturnine. The description given of it by Cullen so perfectly resembles the case I have just related, and the general course of the pains excited by lead, that I cannot but suspect that its origin must be sought for in the action of this poison. It is described by him as a pain at the pit of the stomach with a sense of constriction, as if the stomach were drawn towards the back, it brings on an eructation of a thin watery fluid. It is often very severe, and more usually comes on when the stomach is empty; when it has once taken place, it is ready to recur occasionally for a long time after; finally, no treatment has been found serviceable, except relieving the pain by opium. In all these points, the analogy between this and saturnine disease is striking and obvious.

"That, in the pyrosis the action of the poison is peculiarly determined to the stomach is perhaps owing to the qualities of the vehicle, in which it is applied. What then is this vehicle? I can conjecture no other than the spirits distilled from oats, which is called whisky, in the use of which the inhabitants of the northern countries are known greatly to indulge. This spirit, most probably, is frequently distilled through worms, of which lead is an ingredient. I apprehend, that if these impure spirits are used undiluted, the stomach will be affected with pain, which the intestines may escape.

"The Laplanders are likewise subject to colic pains of extreme severity. These they ascribe to certain worms, which are found

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in the stagnant water, which they are obliged to drink in the summer months, when they quit the mountains, and inhabit the woody parts of their country. This disease termínates in a flow of saliva. It is known that lead occasionally excites a salivation like meroury. It is much more probable, that the colic is caused by the spirits used to correct the water than by these worms, or any bad quality of the water itself. The Laplanders, it is true, distil no spirits, their country hardly producing grain of any kind. But they are abundantly supplied by their neighbours, and so much attached to the use of strong liquors, that a bottle of brandy is the customary present, exacted daily from the young men by the fathers of their intended brides. The spirits that are used among this rude people, cannot be supposed to be prepared with the smallest attention to nicety."

It is not easy to find an example of hypothesis carried to a more extravagant length. An ordinary observer would suppose that the vehicles of the lead, the brandy and whisky, might have full as much share in disordering the stomach of these jovial Laplanders as the metallic poison, the very existence of which is purely hypothetical.

The following is one of the author's strongest cases; let our readers judge of its validity.

"In December, 1802, I visited Mrs. B, the wife of a farmer, a person advanced in life. She had suffered pains of the bowels about eight years. The pain was of extreme severity, affecting the whole canal, and attacking in paroxysms. It was relieved by pressure on the abdomen. During the intervals there was always an uneasiness of the bowels. She was better after food than when the stomach was empty. There was no fever; the urine was pale, as in hysterical

women.

"These paroxysms came on with such a violent tremor that three people were necessary to hold her. The attacks also left a tre mor on her for some time. At my second visit I perceived a shaking of the head, which she had not when I first saw her. She had also in the beginning of the paroxysins an ejection of a watery fluid from the stomach, as in the disease called pyrosis.

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nouncing to be purely saturnine. The only way in which I can discover the poison to be introduced is by meat salted in a leaden trough. I shall prove in the sequel, that common salt dissolves lead very abundantly. Indeed I believe that there is a pretty general suspicion of the noxious qualities of these troughs, on which account they are much less used than formerly. This is one of the cases, where common observation has anticipated scientific enquiries, or, to speak more properly, is in contradiction to the deductions which have been hitherto formed from them."

The second part of this treatise contains the proofs of the existence of lead, derived from chemical analysis. The common mode of detecting it by sulphurated hydrogen, the author finds to be insufficient for the purpose, where the quantity is very minute; and he describes some improved methods, the chief of which is to make a more concentrated solution, by previously obtaining by an alkali, all the precipitable contents of any water, redissolving this in nitric acid, and then applying the test of hydro-sulphurated water. As we

have considerable confidence in Dr.

Lambe's chemical knowledge, we think that this method may fully answer the purpose, and many other chemical ob servations are added, which will be perused with pleasure.

Though we cannot agree with the author in the general obloquy which he would throw on a valuable metal, we acknowledge with pleasure the many useful hints that he gives on the varieties of the saturnine disease, and the means of additional security which he has furnished us. As this metal has already enough to answer for in the destruction of the human species, we should be sorry to be debarred from using it for so many important and domestic purposes to our daily convenience; but if our author's accusation were well founded, we could never regard it in any other light than that of a most insidious enemy, and could not think ourselves secure till we had entirely banished it from our houses.

This disease I have no hesitation in proART. LXI. The Edinburgh New Dispensatory; containing I. the Elements of Pharma ceutical Chemistry; II. the Materia Medica; or, the natural, pharmaceutical, and deal History of the different Substances employed in Medicine; III. the pharmaceutical Preparations and Compositions, including complete and accurate Translations of the octamo Edition of the London Pharmacopaia, published in 1791; Dublin Pharmacopeia, puilished in 1791; and of the new Edition of the Edinburgh Pharmacopeia, pu'lished in 1803. Illustrated and explained in the Language, and according to the Principles of modern Chemistry. With many new and useful Tables, and several Copper Plates, ex

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plaining the New System of Chemical Characters, and representing the most useful phar maceutical Apparatus. By ANDREW DUNCAN, jun. M.D. Fellow of the Royal College, of Physicians, and Royal Society of Edinburgh, and Associate of the Linnean Society of London.

The object of the present work is thus be kept in a drawer of every apotheca., explained: ry's shop.

"Dr. Lewis published the first edition of his New Dispensatory in 1753. The principal part of the work was a commentary upon the London and Edinburgh Pharmacopoeias, of both of which it contained a complete and accurate translation. A concise system of the theory and practice of pharmacy was prefixed as an introduction, and directions for extemporaneous prescription, with many elegant examples, and a collection of efficacious but cheap remedies for the use of the poor, were added as an appendix. "The manner in which the whole was executed placed Dr. Lewis at the head of the reformers of chemical pharmacy; for he contributed more than any of his predecessors to improve that science, both by the judicious criticism with which he combated the erroneous opinions prevalent in his time, and by the actual and important additions he made to that branch of our knowledge. He was justly rewarded by the decided approbation of the public. During the author's lifetime many editions were published, each succeeding one being improved as the advancement of the sciences connected with pharmacy suggested improve ments. After the death of Dr. Lewis, Drs. Webster, Duncan, and Rotherham, successively contributed to maintain the reputation of the work by taking advantage of the discoveries made in natural history and chemistry, and by making those alterations which new editions of the Pharmacopoeia, on which it was founded, rendered necessary. From the place of their publication, and to distinguish them from the original work of Dr. Lewis, which was still reprinted in London, these improved editions were entitled the Edinburgh New Dispensatory. When the Edinburgh College some time ago determined to publish a new edition of their Pharmacopoeia, the booksellers who purchased the copyright of that work, being desirous that it should be accompanied by a corresponding edition of the Edinburgh New Dispensatory, applied to the present editor to make the necessary alterations. This he readily undertook, and the number of alterations made will shew, that if he has not fulfilled what was expected from him, it has been owing to want of ability and not to want of exertion."

The purchasers of this every way valuable work will discover no want either of ability or exertion in the author; the whole is a complete well-executed system of pharmacy, excellently calculated both for practical use, and for the improvement of the learner. It ought to It ought to

The chemical part of pharmacy is that which has received the greatest additions, and a short sketch of general chemistry is prefixed.

Many smaller additions are inserted, which are real improvements. One of them is a list of those articles of materia medica excluded from the British col leges, but retained in some of the pharmacopoeias of the continent.

shew the manner in which the most imThe following short specimen will portant part of the work is executed.

"DIGITALIS PURPUREA. Folia. (Edin.) "Digitalis Folium. (Lond. Dub.) Foxglove. The leaves.

"Willd. g. 1155. sp. 1. Didynamia Angiospermia. Nat. ord. Solanaceae.

"This is an indigenous biennial plant, very common on hedge banks and sides of hills, in dry, gravelly, or sandy soils; and the beauty of its appearance has gained it a place in our The leaves are gardens and shrubberies. large, oblong, egg-shaped, soft, covered with hairs, and serrated. They have a bitter, very nauseous taste, with some acrimony.

"Its effects when swallowed are,

"1. To diminish the frequency of the pulse. "2. To diminish the irritability of the system.

"3. To increase the action of the absorbe ents.

4. To increase the discharge by urine. "In excessive doses it produces vomiting, purging, dimness of sight, vertigo, delirium, hiccough, convulsions, collapse, death. For these symptoms, the best remedies are cor

dials and stimulants.

"Internally, digitalis has been recommended,

"1. In inflammatory diseases, from its very remarkable power of diminishing the ve locity of the circulation.

2. In active hæmorrhagies, in phthisis. "3. In some spasmodic affections, as in spasmodic asthma, palpitation, &c. "4. In mania from effusion on the brain. 5. In anasarcous and dropsical effusions. 6. In scrofulous tumours.

7. In aneurisin of the aorta, we hare seen it alleviate the most distressing symp

toms.

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fulous tumours. It may be exhibited, Externally, it has been applied to scro

1. In substance, either by itself, or con joined with some aroinatic, or made into pills with soap or gum ammoniac. Withering directs the leaves to be gathered after the flaw

ering stem has shot up, and about the time when the blossoms are coming forth. He rejects the leaf-stalk and middle rib of the leaves, and dries the remaining part either in sunshine or before the fire. In this state they are easily reduced to a beautiful green powder, of which we may give at first one grain twice a day, and gradually increase the dose until it act upon the kidneys, stomach, pulse, and bowels, when its use must be laid aside or suspended.

2. In infusion. The same author directs a drachm of the dried leaves to be infused for four hours in eight ounces of boiling water, and that there be added to the strained liquor an ounce of any spirituous water for its preservation. Half an ounce or an ounce of this infusion may be given twice a day.

"3. In decoction. Darwin directs that four ounces of the fresh leaves be boiled from two pounds of water to one, and half an ounce of the strained decoction to be taken every two hours, for four or more doses.

4. In tincture. Put one ounce of the dried leaves, coarsely powdered, into four

ounces of diluted alcohol; let the mixture stand by the fire-side twenty-four hours, frequently shaking the bottle; and the saturated tincture, as Darwin calls it, must then be separated from the residuum by straining or decantation. Twenty drops of this tincture may be taken twice or thrice a day. The Edinburgh college use eight ounces of diluted alcohol to one of the powder, but let it digest seven days.

"5. The expressed juice and extract are not proper forms of exhibiting this very active remedy.

"When the digitalis is disposed to excite looseness, opium may be advantageously conjoined with it; and when the bowels are tardy, jalap may be given at the same time, without interfering with its diuretic effects. During its operation in this way, the patient should drink very freely."

A few outline plates of chemical appr ratus are added, which are very decenty executed.

ART. LXII. The Veterinarian's Pocket Manual: containing brief Directions for the Prevention and Cure of Diseases in Horses; including important Observations on t Glanders; together with a Table of different Degrees of Running commonly denominated Glanders; and a Treatise on some of the most common Operations. By M. LA FOSSE, Member of the National Institute, of the Medical Society, and principal Farrier to the Army in France. pp. 128 12mo.

THE authority of M. La Fosse, in matters relating to veterinary medicine, is considerable; but some of the opinions entertained by him, as they differ, materially from those of many of the best informed practitioners in this country, must be received with caution. In shoe ing, he recommends, as is the practice of the Veterinary College, that the frog should not be cut away, but be allowed to touch the ground; and adduces, as an argument for the safety of this practice, that the horses of the Low Countries and Germany, go without shoes, and suffer no inconvenience from the pressure of the frog against the ground. On the subject of glanders, the author holds some peculiar opinions. He con.. ceives that this disease may be divided into three specios, the first of which is the glanders properly so called; the second, nothing more than some disorder circulating in the mass of blood;' the third, the farcy glanders.

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the horse, besides, running at the nose, and becoming glanderous, has likewise chaneres, and these chancres appear to be the only proximate cause of contagion.

"The third species of glanders is in like manner contagious, because it not only occasions a running of the nose, but the tumefied glands, and the cartilage, of the nose are chancred, and likewise certain parts of the body are covered with lumps and chancres, which latter characterize the farey glanders, the most dangerous disorder of the three, but not the most common. These two latter species of glanders are infectious, because the the glanders of the first species, the real disease resides principally in the blood; but glanders, the glanders properly so called, is not in any wise contagious although it most frequently occurs.

"The second and third species are incurable, but the last only is mortal. But as to glanders of the first sort, it is neither incurable nor mortal. In the first place, we repeat, this disease is not mortal in any case, and a horse attacked by it is in the same situation as a man who has lost the sense of smelling; it is the loss of a sense, and the loss of a sense prevents neither the man nor the horse from fulfilling all the animal functions; for as we daily observe, men affected with ulcerated noses preserve an otherwise sound constitution, and even look jolly, so we may observe a glandered horse preserve his strength and health.

"Secondly; it is incurable only when inveterately confirmed; but when taken in an early stage, its progress may be stopped with very little trouble: by frequent bleedings, and inhalation of the steam of boiled marshmallows, hung round the neck in a bag."

A table is annexed, to point out at one view, the diagnostics of the different species of glanders; how far the author is accurate in his divisions of this disease, and in the opinions which he entertains of the nature of its different species, we do not feel ourselves qualified to determine. We should be inclined however to receive them with much hesitation, from their being at variance with the practical deductions of some of our most judicious veterinarians, who regard glanders,

properly so called, as having no remedy, but are of opinion, that farcy is capable of being cured, and that it is only a peculiar modification of the former disease affecting the skin.

The author's account of particular diseases, seems, in general, to be rather too slight. His pathology is not unexceptionable; as when he speaks of fever being often a thickening of the blood caused by indigestion; staggers a superabundance of nervous fluid producing dropsy in the anterior ventricle of the brain, &c. Two ounces of alöes, which he orders at one time as a purgative, seems to be by much too large a quantity, from half an ounce to an ounce being gene rally found to be sufficient.

ART. LXIII. A Domestic Treatise on the Diseases of Horses and Dogs, so conducted, as to enable Persons to practise with Ease and Success on their own Animals, without the Assistance of a Farrier; including likewise the natural Management, as Stabling, Feeding, Exercise, &c.; together with the Outlines of a Plan for the Establishment of genuine Medicines for these Animals throughout the Kingdom. By DELABERE BLAINE, Professor of Animal Medicine; Author of the Anatomy of the Horse; a System of Veteri nary Medicine; a Treatise on the Distempers in Dogs, &c. &c. 2nd Edition, pp. 204.

IN our last volume, we had occasion to notice a very extensive work by the same author, on veterinary medicine, and subjects introductory to it. The present little treatise contains many of the practical observations contained in that work, on the management of horses, both in health and disease; but in order that the plan of cure recommended in it may not be misunderstood, the author refers to an arrangement, with the prices annexed, of ready prepared medicines, which may be had, of the best quality, and compounded with the utmost regard to chemical principles, of every medicine vender in the united kingdom. The author is at much pains to prove, that his

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• medicine arrangement holds out very
superior utility,' but that it is complete.
ly removed from any empirical attempt
to dupe the public.' At the same time,
however, he candidly admits that he
does not pretend to any superior disinte
restedness,' but on the contrary, having
served for many years', he conceives
We are
that he merits his reward.'
very far from attempting to dispute the
author's claim to a reward, whether
from the sale of his books or his medi-
cines, for his long and faithful services,
but, at the same time, we cannot forbear
remarking our surprise, that his feelings
with regard to the use of the term em-
piricism, should still continue so acute.

ART. LXIV. A new System of Farriery, including a systematic Arrangement of the external Structure of the Horse. Illustrated with Copper Plates, representing the exact Proportions of a Blood Horse, with a Description of all the Defects that tend to impede Velocity. Likewise Directions for ascertaining with Exactness the Age of a Horse, from his being foaled, till fourteen Years old. To which are added, the improved Mode of Treatment, and Prescriptions recommended by the Veterinary College, in every Discase of difficult Management. Interspered with occasional References to the dangerous Practice of country Farriers, Grooms, &c. And the Method of curing the principal epidemic Diseases to which Cows, Sheep, &c. are subject. 4to. pp. 272.

THE author informs us, that he has been above 30 years in the study and practice of his profession, and, in addition to the various opportunities of improvement which he has enjoyed during

that period, has availed himself of the veterinary establishment in this country, to become acquainted with the principles and practice inculcated in that valuable institution. The ample title-page of th

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