The principal defects in M. Didot and lord Stanhope's processes, arise from the softness of the moulds they employ, which are composed of plaster of Paris and some other ingredients. In taking them from the page, of which they are intended to cast a perfect copy, some part of the composition will always remain in the type, and leave the mould imperfect. After the plates are cast, there is consequently much work for an engraver, to make them fit for use. Mr. Watts' mould, being of solid materials, no such inconvenience can arise.

We have obtained some further important information on this subject, which we shall probably give in our next number.

V.

OBSERVATIONS on ARSENIC and the MURIATE of LIME, in the treatment of SCROPHULA; in a letter to DAVID HOSACK, M. D. of New-York, from COLIN CHISHOLM, M. D. F. R. S. &c. &c.

DEAR SIR,

Clifton, November 5th, 1810.

Your observations on the use of the Ballston mineral waters, in various diseases, more especially those which relate to their impregnation with the muriate of lime, have brought to my recollection a very singular case of scrophula; a statement of which may be useful: the principal remedy is, I believe, new, as far as relates to its application to this disease; and I have much reason to hope, that its utility in the instance I mean to relate to you, may point out a more appropriate treatment than

has hitherto been adopted. The case I propose to detail to you, is one of that form of scrophula which Sauvages calls scrophula periodica. He very justly considers it," maladie singulière," for I believe it is by no means common. This complaint assumes very much of the appearance of essera, and like it, too, it is periodical.

Mr. B. of Clifton, has from his infancy been afflicted with decided symptoms of scrophula, which, strange to say, having been more than once mistaken for those of syphilis, had been much aggravated by mercurials. Some months prior to the month of April, 1810, when I was requested to give my advice, the disease had taken the periodical type. Generally, at 5 P. M. his thighs began to swell, with excessive pain from the groin to the knee, and more especially, with acute feeling in the joint of the knee, and with a deep red flush. About 8 P. M. the whole of this surface struck out in large tumours or lumps, each of the size of a small bean. The limbs became motionless from pain and tension; and he now found himself obliged to go to bed. As he became warm in bed, these symptoms abated; and at length towards morning, a sweat breaking out, they yielded altogether. Pain, tension, redness, swelling, and eruption disappeared, and left him apparently free from disease. The paroxysm was always preceded by shivering. An eminent surgeon of Bristol had attended the patient after the commencement of the periodical type of the disease, and had very judiciously ordered muriate of lime in a decoction of the bark. I was called to consult with this gentleman, and seeing the propriety of the remedy, recommended the continuance of it. No change, however, took place; on the contrary, the paroxysms became more violent, in so much as completely to disable the patient

from attending to his business, that of music teaching. I was again sent for; and now seeing clearly the intermittent form the disease had taken, I determined on putting him on a course of the arsenical solution. He began with doses of 12 drops thrice in the day. Before the expiràtion of a week the disease was removed. But the medicine affecting his stomach and bowels, I made him desist from it, and directed a smart purge to carry off the arsenic that might have accumulated. In a few days the disease again returned with the same symptoms and form; and now I directed the solution to be taken in doses of eight and ten drops thrice in the day. This agreed and produced the effect permanently, for now (November) he is in perfect health, having had no return of the dis-ease since May, and following his business assiduously, thanking God for the wonderful relief he has vouchsafed him. The constitutional symptoms of scrophula in this patient, were swellings of the submaxillary glands, inflammation of the tarsi, &c.

You will remark the circumstances in which this case differs from the description given by Sauvages. Here the disease was confined to the thighs exclusively; with him, tumores carnosi dolentes, quando que rubri, plurimi, in diversis partibus, facie, v. g. pudendis, a pisi magnitudine ad magnitudinem nucis intra aliquot dies excrescunt: omnino resolvuntur, suo tempore redituri sine ullø alio incommodo. The periodical type had commenced only a few months before I saw him, although scrophula had been a constitutional disease from infancy; with Sauvages, hoc autem malum plures annos perseverat. In this patient, mercury had aggravated the disease; muriate of lime and bark were of no use; and at length arsenic

had completely cured it. On the authority of Dr. Petit, Sauvages says, sine suspicione syphilidis sanatum fuit ope hydrargyroscos frustra tentatis antea diversis reme diis. He calls it a species of farcy peculiar to men ; and perhaps it is. How far arsenic may be an applicable remedy to scrophula, in its more usual forms, I shall not take upon me to say. Viewed in its true quality, as a most powerful and the most diffusible tonic we are possessed of, its applicability seems, at least, reasonable.

This opinion I have not as yet put to the test of experience, but it is my intention. That it is an effectual remedy when scrophula assumes an intermittent form, is evinced by fact and by analogy. It strikes me that the glandular disease, as it has been called by Dr. Hendy, of Barbadoes, Antigua, and other tropical countries, is so far of a scrophulous nature, as to have for its basis, weak glandular action, and for its type, a series of symptoms nearly similar to that of scrophula periodica. When I had opportunity to treat this disease, I had not this view of it, but were it ever to come under my notice again, I think I should be induced to make use of arsenic in it. When I say that I have not employed arsenic in the more usual form of scrophula, I should have added, only in a very few instances; one indeed has been cured, the child of Mr. B., the subject of the foregoing case: in this many parts of the surface were covered with large scrophulous ulcers, and in others there were untractable tu mours; a course of the arsenical solution, from three to six drops, thrice in the day, produced a most complete change of ideosyncrasy; the ulcers healed, and the tumours were discussed. This case, at least, holds out encouragement, although the arsenic often, very unplea

all

santly, affects the stomach, bowels, and head; yet this effect is only momentary, and should not discourage, for it is removed by a short interruption of the cause, and one or two saline purgatives. I dwell the more on this probability of successful result, because in no case have I experienced beneficial action, often total inertness indeed, from the remedies usually resorted to in scrophula. Will any man tell me, that the muriate of lime is permanently curative? I can safely aver I have not had that good fortune. Much the same may be said of the carbonate of iron and peruvian bark these are prescribed, because the physician must do something, and unfortunately knows none better. The muriate of lime, although productive of little or no advantage in the disease to which Dr. Beddoes thought it peculiarly applicable, yet is certainly very useful as a preventive in that most perverse and unmanageable of diseases, gout. I have, for the sake of convenience to the patient, more especially, and partly for the sake of an eligible combination, given the muriate in the crystalized state, united with soap and crumb of bread, the last as a medium of agglutination, without which the two former will not remain in union. Six or ten grains of the muriate thus combined, daily, for several months, have certainly kept off the gout; whether by producing new habits in the system; whether by preventing deposition of the residuum of arthritic matter after the subsidence of an attack, and throwing it off by the kidnies or the skin, or whether by having a stronger affinity to some one of the principles of arthritic matter, producing a decomposition, and consequently inactivity, or annihilation of that matter, I leave to the decision of speculative, and chymical physicians. I satisfy myself with the fact; in a very limited experience, however.