tem, and if, as soon as it is gotten rid of, the disease abates; and if, also, there is an organic compound which can be decomposed into its ultimate elements in the system, is it not reasonable and proper, in view of all the chemical affinities concerned, to expect that the elements of the medicine will combine with, or in some way neutralize the offending agent? I hold that they must and will; and I cannot conceive how it can be otherwise. It may be objected, that the vital force would interfere. I don't believe in the vital force-not a word of it. All the actions of the system are carried on by elements of matter moved and moulded by chemical laws. Life itself is but a perfect aggregation of chemical effects. The operation of the mind is nothing more nor less than the effects of an oxidation of the constituent elements of the brain, and I have frequently thought that, from its origin, it might with propriety be denominated oxide of phosphorus.

The great test for such opinions as the above is experience: try them at the bed-side, and their success is another evidence of their truth. I do not recollect to have seen much among the journals that bear upon this question, but I have noticed some, and it all corresponds well with our conclusions. Several years ago, some Russian physician-I do not recollect the name, as I write from memory-published the result of his experience in the use of Camphor in Erysipelas, and according to the report, he had extraordinary success. A year or two ago, I noticed in some two or three American Journals the successful use of Camphor in cases of Scarlatina. There was published in the "Georgia Blister and Critic," a case of Erysipelas, which was very quickly and entirely relieved by camphor. The case was reported by Dr. W. T. Goldsmith, of Cartersville, Ga.

My own experience is limited, and I cannot.therefore draw upon it. One case I may introduce, which, although not cutaneous, will yet serve to illustrate the treatment. It was a case of aphthous sore mouth, in a child seven months old. I find the following account of it in my note-book :

Dec. 23. Mouth sore, no white curdy matter; lips swollen, keeps them parted. Ordered a wash-peach-tree root, alum and oak bark, boiled.

Dec. 24. Same in other respects as yesterday; sucked a little this morning; quiet. Continue decoction, and quarter grain of calomel three times a day.

Dec. 25. To-day still the same, only that the cheeks are greatly swollen-feel like an incipient or forming abscess-could feel in each a well-defined tumor, extending from the lower edge of each jaw to the lower edge of orbit-result of the aphtha in the mouth. Continue decoction; discontinue calomel, which had operated, and substitute the following: 1 dr. tinct. camph., 2 oz. aqua. Mix. Ten drops, three times a day.

Dec. 26. Child doing well to-day, according to overseer's report: improving; swelling of cheeks considerably diminished.

Jan. 1. The above child is well and hearty.

The benefit derived from the camphor in this case was, as is at once perceived, prompt and unequivocal. I will state here, that in the majority of those diseases, in which, according to the foregoing principles, the organic medicines may be expected to be of much avail, camphor is the most eligible one of the whole group, from the fact that it does not possess, like all the others, such other strong effects as narcotism, &c. It is simple in its effects, and unobtrusive in its operation. It is therefore preferable to any other. I may now ask, if there is not a mine of wealth to the practitioner, among this class of remedies, whose value was never suspected? I think there is, and that we may find among their number, remedies which will far exceed our utmost expectations, even in some of those diseases which are considered as opprobria to the Profession. I would like to discuss this subject more at large, but the circumstances under which I write preclude the possibility of treating it as I would like. I could add demonstrative facts, which would carry conviction with them, but I cannot do more just now.

I cannot forbear adding the following condensed synopsis of the admirable explanation, offered by the great German chemist, Justus Liebig, of the modus operandi of miasms and contagions. It is, in my opinion, a master-piece, and looks so natural, and bears so much truth upon its face, that we are almost obliged per force to subscribe to its truth. It has likewise a very important bearing upon the remarks above.

There is a principle known to chemistry called catalysis, and means an action set up in one body by another, without the last one participating itself in the action which it thus excites simply by the majesty of its presence. Only by being present with another body it stimulates it to enter into some chemical change.

Now, this power, possessed by some bodies, is catalysis. Some compounds which possess this power exert it upon other compounds, in such a way that within certain limits, almost any com pound may be thus generated-whilst others exert their catalytic force in such a way as to generate themselves. The former class may be denominated indifferent catalytic bodies, and the latter self-generating. Of the former class-the indifferent catalytic bodies the following may be taken as an example: Mix a quantity of muriatic acid with a mixture of hydrocyanic acid and water: The result is, that the muriatic acid, simply by its presence, sets up an action among the elements of the hydrocyanic acid and water, by which they are decomposed, and their elements recombined into two new compounds-formic acid and ammonia. And this is accomplished without the muriatic acid itself undergoing any change.

An example of the second of the above bodies--the self-gener ating catalytic bodies--is found in the following example: If to a solution of oxalic acid, a quantity of oxamide be added, the oxalic acid, by its presence, sets up an action among the elements of the oxamide and the water, by which they are decomposed, and their elements recombined into oxalic acid and ammonia, the first oxalic acid itself undergoing no change. Here we see it has reproduced itself, and in this way, says Liebig, by adding more oxamide, it may be made to decompose several hundred pounds of oxamide, and one grain of oxalic acid may be made to reproduce itself in unlimited quantity.

Another example is seen in the action of the vegetable ferment yeast. If yeast be added to a solution of sugar, it sets up an action. among the elements of the sugar-and if at the same time a quantity of gluten be added, the action going on in the sugar communicates itself to the elements of the gluten, and the gluten is changed into yeast; and thus the yeast reproduces itself. These examples prove the existence of catalysis.

The application of this principle of catalysis to the understand. ing of the operation of miasms and contagions is now evident. A contagion that of small-pox, for example-enters the system of a healthy individual, and by its presence alone, causes some element in the blood to undergo a change, which change consists in a conversion of this element into the offending contagious principle or agent. This change continues as long as there is any of the

element in the system which is susceptible of this change. That such a change does take place no one can deny, and I am inclined to think that the element which, in the system, is thus made to alter its nature from an inert compound to a most virulent mass, will be found to belong to that class of compounds which are known to exist in the blood, and which are produced by the decomposition of the tissues, and are endeavoring to make their way out of the body through some of the excretory organs. Professor Draper would call them downward progressing bodies. And herein lies the explanation of the observed fact, that some persons are partially exempt from the ravages of some of these contagious diseases, and others are wholly insusceptible to their influence. It is because they have little or none of this convertible element in their system. Each of the contagious diseases have a contagious element peculiar to itself, the action of which, upon a healthy system, finds its explanation in the above principles. I need say no more, than merely to point to the connection between the existence of such unhealthy elements in the blood, and what has been already said in regard to the treatment of such diseases. The principles I have laid down, let those who are interested, observe.

ARTICLE X.

Case of Puerperal Convulsions. Reported by C. R. WALTON, M.D., of Augusta, Georgia.

Saturday, Feb. 2nd, 1856. Called in haste to see Miss S aged about twenty: taken suddenly ill, with a supposed fainting fit. She was lying prostrate-head thrown back, perfectly unconscious, muscular system relaxed; pulse very slow, and full; respiration much less frequent than normal; bloated; skin livid and cold; eyes half open and staring, with tremulous lids. Sinapisms were at once applied to the spine and calves of the legs, ammonia held to the nostrils, and spts. camphor rubbed over the face and forehead. Reaction, to some extent, ensued-a quantity of bile and mucus was ejected from the stomach, but the patient continued insensible and motionless; there was no decided stupor, but the inspirations were deep and sighing. Further inquiry into the history of the case revealed the fact, that she had not menstru

ated fer six or seven months: had had morning sickness and frequent headaches, and had complained, just before the present attack, of intense headache, accompanied with dizziness and blindness. Upon examination, her abdomen was found to be considerably enlarged; feet and legs oedematous. Suspecting pregnancy, but unwilling to make an exploration per vaginam, until the urgent symptoms were relieved, a continuance of the remedies was enjoined, while a messenger was sent for Dr. Joseph A. Eve, who had previously been called to this same patient. Previous to the arrival of the Doctor, Miss Shad had two convulsions, and was just recovering from the second. Chloroform was sent for, and advantage taken of the interval to make a vaginal examination. The condition of the os uteri, and the results of ballottement convinced us that pregnancy existed, and was advanced to nearly the seventh month; the condition of the mammæ verified the diagnosis: they were turgid, the was easily pressed from the nipple. the patient, and some mucous râle, foetal heart. Miss S had several convulsions, attended with violent jactitation, before the chloroform was obtained; there seemed to be no lucid interval. The coma was not profound, yet the convulsions were recurring with increased frequency, and their duration was greater. The pulse had now become very frequent and small, varying from 120 to 140 pulsations per minute, and it became a nice point to determine whether bloodletting ought to be prac tised or not the convulsions evidently partaking more of the epileptic than of the apoplectic form, although the persistent unconsciousness of the patient indicated some degree of cerebral engorgement.

areolæ very dark, and milk The sonorous breathing of obscured the sounds of the

Several ineffectual attempts at venesection were made, in consequence of the violent jerking of the patient whenever the point of the lancet was applied;-these muscular contractions being altogether the result of reflex action and unattended with any sensation, as Miss S subsequently declared. It was about half-past 11 A. M., when the chloroform was procured, the convulsions succeeding each other with fearful rapidity and violence, increasing in duration and the intervals becoming shorter. The effect of this powerful anesthetic was at once evident, in diminishing the intensity and duration of the fit. While the patient was under the