those metals considered as destitute of smell, that magnetical,* electrical, Galvanic, and, perhaps, a variety of other phenomena more evidently chemical, are carried on, and which appear to be, with respect to the ordinary operations of chemistry, what those microscopic animals, with which naturalists seem to have composed a new world since the discovery and perfection of the microscope, are to those beings which fall under the cognizance of our senses.'

I shall mention another fact, which cannot but add new force to a belief in the existence of a metallic atmosphere, and which, at the same time, points out what we may expect from the influence of electrats and metallic hydrurets. Dr. Stringham, Professor of Chemistry in the College of New-York, related to me an anecdote which he had from an apothecary of his acquaintance, who having distilled a considerable quantity of mercury, with the view of purifying it, formed, without doubt, a metallic or mercurial atmosphere in the apartment where the operation was conducted; since his wife, who was present during the greater part of the process, was afterwards attacked with salivation, and a variety of other symptoms, which were evidently in consequence of the action of mercury upon her system.

This phenomenon cannot appear either strange or surprising, when we consider that mercury is very easily oxydated, even by simple agitation in the open air. The Abbe Bertholon (to whom I am indebted for many useful observations) says, in his Treatise upon the Electricity of the Human Body, that Beccaria having volatilized mercury by means of the electric spark, Gardini applied it to scrophulous tumours, by an amalgam composed of lead and mercury: to this he directed the electric fluid by means of a conductor, which drew along with it into the tumours particles of volatilized mercury, which, by this process, were rendered much more active, more efficacious, more powerfully discutient, and, in every respect, much better adapted to the removal of this species of tumour. I have no doubt that venereal patients might often be cured by means of the mercurial electrats, without the necessity of using any other preparation of this metal. In the Medical and Physical Journal, vol. vi. p. 277, we find related two very remarkable

* It appears from the experiments of Mr. Coulomb, which have been repeated before the National Institute in France, that every body in nature is influenced by the power of magnetic action. This would induce us to believe that the opinions of Mesmer and of Perkins were to a certain de

gree correct.

VOL. I

2 H

cases of inveterate gonorrhoea, one of which was removed by a violent stroke of lightning, the other by an electrical shock, directed, by means of a conductor, along an iron wire, one extremity of which was inserted into the urethra. This would lead us to suppose that iron, thus volatilized and applied by the electric fluid, might prove beneficial in every case where it can with propriety be recommended.

I cannot finish this memoir without venturing to offer one conjecture as to the nature and irritability of the nerves and muscles, some idea of which I think I have acquired during the prosecution of my experiments. Many physiologists suppose that the motion and irritability of the muscles and nerves are owing to a fluid which they have denominated nervous; while others again attribute them to the effects of magnetism, of electricity, and of Galvanism. Whatever confidence may be placed in these opinions, they are certainly too vague and unsatisfactory to suspend the researches of one who is zealously devoted to the acquisition of knowledge. I believe it may be admitted as a principle, that the sensibility of the nerves, as well as muscular motion, are intimately connected with electricity, which we know to be generally diffused throughout every body in nature; that the different species of sensibility are only to be attributed to the sudden passage of this agent through the various saline fluids which serve as conductors to it, and in which the muscles and nerves are continually immersed; and that such of the muscles and nerves as are only surrounded by water will find electricity much more mild in its effects than if they were in contact with a solution of the muriate of soda, of the phosphate of soda, of the muriate of ammonia or of magnesia, of which the urine, the matter of perspiration, &c. are generally composed. If we wish to be convinced of this fact, we may easily satisfy ourselves from analogy. This may be done by constructing a pile in the manner I have already mentioned, and afterwards touching its two extremities, first with the hands wet with pure water, then with the different saline solutions. We shall find that the shocks will be proportionate to the nature and quality of the salt, and not to the electricity alone. All the experiments which have been made unite in proving that pure water produces the most mild and uniform shocks; that the oxydation or combustion of metals is by no means the cause of the violence of the shocks; for a pile constructed simply with water will produce the same electrical phenomena, although it will neither burn or inflame. Hence we may conclude that irrita

bility and motion are not to be attributed either to magnetism, to electricity, or to Galvanism alone, and that the only dif ference between the various degrees of electricity is owing to the different chemical agents by which the muscles and nerves are continually surrounded; that sensation only takes place at the moment when the electric fluid passes through those different saline solutions which serve as its conductors; consequently, that the existence of a particular nervous fluid, such as is generally understood by physiologists, cannot be admitted; and, lastly, that the effects of electricity would be always extremely mild (as it is uniform in its operation), were it never transmitted by any other conductor than pure water.

ARTICLE III.

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE in support of "the UTILITY of occasional BLOOD-LETTING in the PREGNANT STATE of DISEASE." By Dr. VAUGHAN, of Wilmington, (Del.)

in a Letter to Dr. MITCHILL, dated Dec. 2, 1803.

Hex. I. vol. vi. p. 31, 150.]

MRS

曲

CASE I.

[See

RS. A-, in the last month of her first pregnancy, was attacked with violent pain of the head, confusion of the intellect, and a sensation of general uneasiness. Being absent, another practitioner was called in, who bled her, and obtained relief. In forty-eight hours the same symptoms recurred, with labouring pulse, anxiety of the præcordia, and convulsive agitations of the muscles of the face. I then drew ten ounces of blood, which procured a second respite, and raised her pulse to a free and flowing state, However, in a few hours she was again attacked in a still more formidable manner, and soon became universally convulsed. Opportunely meeting, at this juncture, with the gentleman who first attended in the case, we decided on a third blood-letting, and agreed to be governed exclusively by the state of the pulse, without regard to the quantity of blood drawn. A vein was opened, and feeling the pulses of the wrists respectively, we closed our eyes on the bason, until the pulse, from being violently throbbing and irregular, became soft and slow; and she aroused up, and expressed a sense of relief, Twenty ounces were drawn at this time, and our patient shortly after fell into

a comfortable sleep of eight hours duration. In a few days there were some indications of returning convulsions, but the loss of ten ounces more blood effectually relieved her. At the expiration of her term she was safely delivered of a healthy child, and is now a nursing mother.

From the effects of blood-letting in this case, there can be no doubt but that the preventive mean of occasional blood-letting would have obviated the dangerous condition from which she so narrowly escaped with her life. Convulsions are at all times distressing and hazardous in the pregnant state, and especially when they approach the period of parturition. The loss of the child is almost inevitable, and the life of the mother imminently endangered.

CASE II.

Mrs. M, in the eighth month of her fourth pregnancy, was attacked with a supposed hysterical fit; and as she remained insensible some hours, a few ounces of blood were drawn, and the left side appearing to be paralytic, a blister was applied to the nape of the neck, a second one to the left arm, and assafoetida was freely exhibited. When called, on the tenth day from the attack, I found her in fixed hemiplegia; the saliva dribbling from the left side of her mouth-her speech so inarticulate as to be understood only by her attendants-and her pulse small, soft, and frequent-no less than 120 strokes in a minute. The latter circumstance embarrassed me; but as she complained of a constant pain and confusion of the head, with unconquerable watchfulness, I suspected the state of her pulse to be owing to a chronic state of action in the arterial system generally, while the vessels of the brain were in the reverse state of suffocated excitement. Stimulants were doubtful and hazardous, and a cautious course of blood-letting was decided on as the more safe method of restoring the action of the vascular system, by gradually diffusing concentrated excitement from the brain.

On drawing four ounces of blood the pulse faultered, but in a few minutes became regular, at 100 strokes a minute. This change encouraged me; and as she lived eight miles from town, I directed four ounces more to be drawn that evening, and repeated every twenty-four hours. In three days I found her sitting up. She could speak more intelligibly, and raise the paralytic arm to her head. Pulse considerably restored, and head much relieved. The blood-letting was repeated daily for seven days, and afterwards once a week, until she could ride

out; and, at the expected period of parturition, I had the pleasure of seeing her delivered of a healthy child. Her recovery from the puerperal state, also, was nearly as speedy as at former times, to the no small disappointment of several kind old ladies, who seriously pronounced her a victim "to my extravagant prejudice for blood-letting." Such disappointments, however, are the best reward for the many anxieties and embarrassments we are subjected to, by the mixed forms of disease, and prejudice in others.

CASE III.

. A lady, in the ninth month of her second pregnancy, was attacked with pain and giddiness of the head, dimness of the right eye, and the extremities of the same side were soon disabled. The muscles of the cheek were torpid; the mouth drawn to the left side, and the saliva dribbling out involuntarily; and her pulse small, hard and frequent. Three small bleedings relieved her, and in a few days I delivered her of a healthy child.

Having attended this lady in her previous lying-in, I am persuaded that the several blood-lettings immediately preceding the last term of parturition had a most happy effect in lessening the pangs of child-birth.

ARTICLE IV.

ILLUSTRATIONS of the SPOILING of BEEF, PORK, and BUTTER, when cured with LIVERPOOL SALT; and of the Fevers excited thereby, as those corrupting Articles act directly upon the Stomach and Intestines, and through the Medium of the Atmosphere upon other Parts of the Body, in private Houses, in Ships, and in Cities. In a Letter from Dr. MITCHILL to CHARLES CALDWELL, M. D. &c. dated Washington, Oct. 22, 1803. (See page 83 for other Facts on Sea-Salt, and for a View of the Trade of the United States with Foreign Parts in that Commodity.)

it

the course of trade between America and Great-Britain,

visited with frequent cargoes of salt from Liverpool. This article is prepared on the western coast of England, where coal for fuel can be bought at a low price, by boiling oceanwater or briny spring-water, saturated with the rock-salt of