the skin, all which diseases are most frequently produced by, or connected with a morbid condition of the fluids, and an impaired state of the secretions.* In these complaints I have repeatedly prescribed these waters with the best effects.

But according to the foregoing analysis, they contain an ingredient of great value, besides those already enumerated; I mean the muriate of lime. It appears upon the authority of Dr. Beddoes,† Dr. R. Pearson,‡ Dr. Wood, and Dr. Schraud of Vienna, that this substance has lately been discovered to be a remedy for scrophula, which hitherto has been the opprobrium of our profession. It is true, cases have been recorded by Russell and others, of the cure of this disorder by the use of sea water. But as it has been ascertained by chemists,** that the muriate of lime enters into the composition of sea water, it is very possible that much of the efficacy of the latter in that disease, may be derived from the muriate of lime, which it has been found to contain. as scrophula is usually attended with a general debility of the system, as well as a morbid condition of the fluids, the Ballston waters will propably be found peculiarly serviceable, inasmuch as they possess the means of invigorating the system, at the same time that they contain the antidote to the peculiar virus of that disease.

* See Wilson on Dyspepsia, Gravel, &c. See also Treatise on Gravel and Gout.

Treatise on the Consumption, Digitalis, and Scrophula.

+ London Medical Review, vol. 3.

§ Edinburgh Medical Journal, vol. 1.

¶ Treatise de Febribus.

** See Lavoisier, Jacquin, Thompson, and Murray.

But to obtain the benefits of the Ballston waters in any

of the diseases which have been noticed, it is necessary that in the use of them, as it regards the time of taking them, the quantity taken, the stage of the disease, and other circumstances which must govern their exhibition, the directions of the physician are indispensably necessary. As well might the patient make use of any other article of the materia medica without medical advice, as drink these waters in the manner in which they are usually taken. It is but a short time since, a very valuable life was destroyed by the imprudent use of them, during a state of pregnancy. A few days ago I was consulted by two gentlemen who had left the springs much worse than they had gone to them. The one laboured under dyspepsia, attended with habitual costiveness: neglecting to relieve his bowels, he commenced the use of the waters; the consequences were, an aggravation of his disease, followed with fever, acute pain in the head, and other symptoms of general excitement. The other person referred to, had come from Virginia, on account of an obstinate chronic diarrhea, attended with great debility, and general emaciation. Without advice, he immediately began to drink the waters to the quantity of several quarts daily. The consequences may readily be imagined; an increase of his disease, and a degree of debility from which he with difficulty recovered.

If, sir, these remarks should contain any thing deserving attention, they are at your disposal. At the same time permit me to refer you, for further information on this subject, to the Medical Repository, the Medical and

Philosophical Journal, and to the Dissertation lately published by Dr. Valentine Seaman.

I am, sir, your humble servant,

Mr. JOHN COOK.

VIII.

DAVID HOSACK.

A CASE of CATALEPSY. Communicated to Dr. DAVID HOSACK, by Doctor JOHN STEARNS, of Waterford, State of New-York.

THE Occurrence of catalepsy is so unfrequent, that some writers of celebrity have even denied its existence. A detail of the symptoms and treatment of the following case, may therefore shed some light on this branch of medical science. The subject is a boy of eleven years of age, whose constitutional health, strength, and activity, have sustained no injury from the repeated paroxysms of this complaint. He has ever enjoyed all the qualities common to boys of that age.

In the winter of the year 1804, he was first observed by his preceptor to pause in reading his lesson; this was then ascribed to a voluntary dumbness; and it was not till the recurrence of several paroxysms, that it was suspected to be the effect of disease. A few days after its first appearance in the school, it was discovered in the family by his mother, when one of his brothers, a school fellow, remarked that " Philo is dumb again." This induced her to inquire into the particulars, of which she soon afterwards gave me full information. As she expected

no relief from medical aid, I made no prescription, but occasionally called to learn the progress of the complaint. In the paroxysm I could observe no unusual variation in his countenance, except an involuntary unmeaning stare, and a trifling dilatation of the pupil. His muscles were not generally in a state of rigid contraction, but relaxed and susceptible of motion, although they did not possess the power to move. He remained perfectly motionless, and during the continuance of the fit, retained the posture he had assumed at its accession. To this observation there is one remarkable exception. If he was walking when attacked, he never stopped, but continued to pursue the same direct course until the fit ceased, unles prevented by some intervening obstruction. The voluntary muscles, in this instance, were in full exercise, while the power of volition was entirely suspended. The time passed in the paroxysm was to him totally annihilated; he connected the last idea he had before the accession of the fit with the first one that occurred after its cessation, and resumed the subject he was pursuing, as if nothing had intervened. If he was reading, or relating a story, or pursuing any amusement or employment of any kind, he was sensible of no interruption.

The paroxysms occurred irregularly ten times in twenty-four hours, and never exceeded three minutes in duration. His pulse has ever been natural, and no morbid action has disturbed any of the functions of his system.

After the disease had continued in this manner four years, I prescribed the nitrate of silver, on the presumption that it was nearly allied to epilepsy, and required a similar treatment. This remedy was faithfully adminis.

tered three months without producing any alleviation of the complaint. I then substituted the acetite of lead, the use of which was continued six weeks before any sensible effects were produced. After this period he was never known to have any more of the fits. They did not gradually disappear, but suddenly ceased.

A few days after the final cessation of the complaint, he was affected with violent pains in his knees, and in the muscles of his thighs; they were suddenly transferred from these parts to his abdomen, where they were so violent as to require some medical aid, before he could obtain relief. Since that time, he has remained in pefect health, and entirely free from his original complaint. Waterford, June 12th, 1810.

IX.

A REVIEW of the DOCTRINE OF DISEASES, taught at present by BENJAMIN RUSH, M. D. Professor of the Institutes and Practice of Medicine, &c. in the University of Pennsylvania.*

In looking over the doctrine of diseases, taught at present by Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, we find it differs in

The author of this Review of the Doctrine of Professor Rush, is an eminent physician of a neighbouring city, whom the editors are happy to include in the number of their correspondents. From the high standing of Dr. Rush, the extensive circulation of his writings, and the consequent influence his opinions must have upon

G