by the application of a poultice. M. Regimbeau, who writes the report on this subject, remarks, that if the solution of MM. Broinard and Green can exercise a specific action on the poison of the viper, by causing its decomposition independently of any slight caustic power with which it may be endowed, the use of this solution ought to be adhered to rigorously, as iodine and bromine have the property of combining with hydrogen, and may thus also have the power of destroying even the living organic poison. Presuming this to be true, it should follow that the effects of the poison of the viper should be annihilated everywhere. He further observes that the same remedy, on the supposition that it acts in the same way on other organic poisons, should be administered internally in cases of hydrophobia; and he suggests that, in districts where rabid animals exist, places should be set apart, and experiments made on them, to determine if this line of treatment is of any avail.-Ibid., Feb. 1864.

Further Researches on Bibron's Bromine Mixture as an Antidote to Snake Poison.-Dr. Charles Hughes contributes a case in support of the value of Von Bibron's solution. The case was that of a German soldier, aged twentytwo, who entered regimental hospital on July 13th, 1863, having been bitten a few hours previously by a genuine specimen of the reptile known in the Western States as the Copperhead. The seat of the bite was the extremity of the little finger of the left hand.

Immediately after the reception of the bite the comrades of the bitten man applied a light ligature around the finger, a little anterior to the metacarpophalangeal articulation, which effectually prevented the venom from mingling with the general circulation, and dosed him with whisky, but not in sufficient quantities to produce intoxication. In this condition he was brought to the hospital, and on the morning of the 14th, the treatment to which his recovery is attributed was instituted.

Few other surgeons would have hazarded an attempt to save the finger, but would have removed it at once, and been content with the salvation of the patient's life, considering it cheaply purchased at the expense of simply a finger; the surgeons began with the design, if possible, of not only saving the whole, but of preserving the part also. To fulfil the indications which presented as necessary for the salvation of the finger, they loosened the ligature, incised the finger as for a whitlow, and immersed it in water for twenty-four hours. To this treatment they added an emollient anodyne poultice on the third day, and continued it through the fourth, when simple cerate dressings were daily applied until July 30th, at which time the man returned to duty. This constituted all the local treatment, except the lancing of sacs of infiltrated blood and serum, and the application of anodyne and astringent lotions to the hand and forearm.

In the part all the customary symptoms of venomous snake bite were manifest. The black and deadened appearance around the bite, the sero-sanguinolent exudation, and the excruciating pain, were all present in the finger from the time the bite was received, and as soon as they loosened the ligature, became apparent in the hand and forearm. Here the swelling was great and the pain intense; the former extending to the elbow, and the latter reaching to the axilla.

Constitutional symptoms were but slightly manifest. They consisted in slight nausea, a little anxiety of countenance, faintness, and rigors, all of which very speedily disappeared as soon as the antidote had taken full effect in the system. The constitutional treatment consisted exclusively of Bibron's antidote, which was commenced soon after the ligature was removed, and the dose repeated, on the first day, every three or four hours, on the second ter die, and on the third pro re nata." In all, about twelve doses were given. No in

ternal anodynes were exhibited, and no other internal remedies, except a copious draught of whisky at bedtime to procure sleep.

The composition of Bibron's antidote, as prepared and furnished to armysurgeons by the medical purveyor of the American army, is as follows:B. Brominii, 3iiss; potass, iodidi, gr.iij; hyd. chl. corrosiv., gr.j; alcohol dilute, f3xxx. Misce. The following directions for administration:-Give a fluid drachm diluted with a tablespoonful of wine or brandy, and repeat it if necessary. The formula given by the discoverer of the antidote, and employed by Drs. Hammond, Gross, Henry, and others in the United States, who have used it successfully, is more concentrated, and not combined with alcohol, but simply mixed with wine or brandy when administered. It is as follows:-B. Potassii iodidi, gr.iv; hyd. chl. corrosiv., gr.ij; brominii, 3v. Misce. Guttæ x. at a dose, repeated if necessary.

Its efficacy is, perhaps, entirely due to the bromine, and it would seem from the size of the dose that can be tolerated when the system is under the influence of the virus, that it acts as a direct antidote or neutralizer of the poison.-American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Jan. 1864.

II. HYGIENE.

On Recruiting in France for the Army.-Among the ancients and moderns of all nations the height of the man has always been one of the principal points for consideration previous to his admission into the army; and a careful examination of the subject shows not only the notions entertained by different nations as to the standard of perfection in stature, but suggests also the existence of a gradual decrease in stature.

M. Boudin, in an essay on the medical history of army recruiting in France and other countries shows that there is a great difference in the height thought to be necessary in the Roman soldier in the time of Valentinian compared with that of the French soldier in the year 1832. According to the law of Valentinian, the minimum height was 1665 mm.; but according to that of France of the 11th of March, 1832, it was 1.560 mm. Why there should be such a difference in the standard heights at these two periods is a natural question, and one into which the French have entered somewhat largely. In so doing, they have supplied a statement of the height, weight, and other particulars of the recruits, conscripts, and others composing the armies of the present day.

In ancient Rome, the age required for military service was seventeen, and the time of service dated from that age, even if the soldier entered the army before attaining it. The height, as before stated, was 1.665 mm. The weight of the armour and accoutrements imposed upon him to carry was something enormous; by some authorities it has been estimated at ninety pounds, besides provisions.

The height of the French soldier in the time of Louis XIV. was required to be 1.624 mm.; from 1799 to 1803 it was 1598 mm.; from 1804, 1-544 mm. According to the law of March, 1818, it was increased to 1.576 mm.; in December, 1830, it decreased to 1·540 mm.; and on the 11th of March, 1832, increased again to 1.560 mm. The height of the Belgian soldier is fixed at 1.570 mm.; that of the Prussian at 1-624 mm.; of the English at 1·620 mm.; of the Sepoy at 1650 mm.; and the Sardinian at 1.541 mm.

In M. Boudin's remarks upon the height of individuals, he states the tallest to have been 2.923 mm., or 9 feet; and Pliny mentions au Arab who came to Rome in his time as having been 8 ft. 10 in. high (French measure). Also, in the sixteenth century, a giant of the same height was seen at Rome. Other

examples of great height are quoted by various authors, as well as some of diminutive stature; and of this latter number a dwarf may be mentioned who lived in the reign of Augustus, and whose eyes were so small, that they were represented in the statue erected to his memory, by that monarch, by two diamonds. These, however, are the extremes of nature, and have no place in our statement.

In comparing the returns of the exemptions in France on account of defective stature, a notable diminution in the number rejected is observable during the last thirty years. Out of 10,000 examined in 1831, 929 were under height; whereas in 1860, out of the same number, only 600 were exempted on that account. In four departments of France the height was stationary; it had decreased in 19 departments, and increased in 63. The proportion of young people above the height of 1-732 mm. was below 5 per cent. in 18 departments; it increased more than 10 per cent. in 20 other departments, and varied from 5 to 10 per cent. in 48.

Another result ascertained from the inquiry is, that the stature of a popu. lation is in nowise the expression of its prosperity or misery, but simply arises from the race; in other words, height is hereditary. The number of young men of a stature which exceeded 1·732 mm. was only 444 out of 10,000 recruits from the departments of Bretagne, but it increased to more than double that number in the departments contiguous to Normandy. The increase of stature in France has been attributed by some to the cessation of the wars of the Republic and of the First Empire, whereby men of tall stature were enabled to stay at home and marry; and from this they had hitherto been excluded in consequence of the levying of the conscription and their being sent out of the country to distant lands. This explanation of the cause of the increase of stature in France corresponds with the fact, that the propor tion of exemptions from default of height among individuals born from 1811 to 1816 (classes from 1831 to 1836) has constantly exceeded 800, and has even increased to the enormous amount of 929 out of 10,000 examined, as included in the births of 1811 (class of 1831); whilst, since 1817, one year and a half after the cessation of the war, the proportion of exemptions was often below 800, and even decreased to 600, and less in the two latter classes, respecting which alone official information is possessed. A height exceeding 1895 mm. was only to be found in eighteen departments, and that exceeding 1.922 mm. in only five. In some of the English recruits for the army, the height has been stated to exceed 1.720 mm.: among the Irish, 1.707 out of 10,000; among the English, 1903; and among the Scotch, 2317 were found to be of the stature mentioned.

As regards weight, it has been found that 157 men out of 10,000 recruits for English service have weighed less than 45 kilogrammes; each seven-tenths of them weighed from 54 to 63 kilogrammes; and 55 only out of the 10,000 exceeded 77 kilogrammes in weight. The medium weight of a soldier in a Madras regiment of Sepoys was found to be 50-397 kilogrammes; in a Bengal regiment of Sepoys, 58-438 kilogrammes; and in a French regiment of mounted guards, 64.500 kilogrammes. The proportion of exemptions arising from insufficient stature varies in seven of the European States, as will be seen from the following statement: Out of 10,000 examined in France, 9413 were accepted, and 587 exempted; in Belgium, 8660 were accepted, and 1340 exempted; in Austria, 8598 were accepted, and 1402 exempted; in Denmark, 8494 were accepted, and 1506 exempted; in the Sardinian States, 8050 were accepted, and 1950 exempted; in Saxony, 7890 were accepted, and 2110 exempted; and in Prussia, 7626 were accepted, and 2374 exempted. In these same states the fitness for military services is on the same decrease. In France, from 1858 to 1860, out of 1000 young men, only 682 were suitable for the service; in Belgium, from 1842 to 1850, only 630; in the Sardinian States,

from 1828 to 1837 only 598; in Denmark, from 1852 to 1860, only 522; in Austria, from 1857 to 1858, only 497; in Prussia, during 9 years selected from 1831 to 1854, only 283; and in Saxony, from 1845 to 1854, only 259.

III. SUMMARY.

The following summary refers to papers which, from want of space, cannot be quoted at length in this report :—

1. On the Presence of Air in the Veins as a Cause of Death. By James Sumner Greene, M.D. (American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Jan. 1864.)— Dr. Greene reviews with great care the various opinions respecting the cause of death, after the introduction of air into the blood vessels. He refers to obscure cases of death from this cause.

2. On Contagious Fermentative Diseases, and their Treatment by the Sulphites. By Giovanni Polli. Milan, 1864.-The distinguished author in this monograph, supplies clinical evidence of the value of the sulphites as agents for destroying septic poisons.

3. On Measly Pork in relation to Public and Private Hygiene. By Professor A. Delpech. (Annales d'Hygiène Publique, Jan. 1864.)-The first part of a very comprehensive and promising essay, historical and practical.

4. The Number of Victims from Hydrophobia in France. By M. Boudin.-Ibid. 5. A Medico-legal Study upon Diseases Accidentally Produced by Improvidence, Negligence, or Contagious Transmission; including the Medico-legal History of Syphilis. By M. Tardien, M.D.-Ibid.

6. Ostreonomy. On Poisonous Oysters and Various Eatable Oysters. By M. Ferrand.-Pamphlet. Lyon, 1863.

7. On the Effects of Working in Compressed Air. By M. Foley, M.D. (Volume. Paris, 1863.)-A most interesting account of the effects of compressed air on the workmen employed in the construction of the Bridge of Argenteuil. A translation of the leading facts is published in the 'Social Science Review' for February, 1864.

8. On the Physiological Properties of Nitrobenzine, Aniline, and Fuchsine (Aniline Red). By Dr. Charvet.-Répertoire de Pharmacie, Nov. 1863.

9. On an Epidemic which broke out among the Workers in Aniline Red. By Dr. Charvet. (Ibid.)—The affection only appeared in one manufactory, and the houses contiguous. No persons died. The disease was peculiar, as manifesting various kinds of eruptions on the skin. The digestive organs were also affected, and diarrhoea was a symptom. The nervous system was in every case influenced, and paralysis of motion and sensation, especially in the extremities, was generally observed.

10. New Method of determining Arsenic. By M. Zenger. Klinische Wochenschrift. No. 4. Jan. 1864.)

(Berliner

11. On Ophthalmia Produced in Workmen Employed in Preventing the Oidium in the Vine by means of Sulphur. By M. Bouisson, of Montpellier. (Revue des Sociétés Savantes, July, 1863.)—The author states that for some time past a species of ophthalmia has prevailed in the departments of Hérault, and other vine-growing districts in the South of France. The disease is caused by the sulphur employed by the vine-growers, for the prevention of the oïdium. The workmen attacked have red, watery, tumefied eyes. They suffer acute pain, especially towards the middle of the day, when the heat and solar radiation are intense. The sufferers complain of photophobia, and of pains radiating towards the forehead. The irritation is diminished by rest, and by bathing the head with cold water, but is renewed day by day, when the occupation is continued, until inflammation is engendered. It is rarely, however, that the

disease extends the limits of a simple conjunctivitis. The sulphur is used either as sulphur sublimated or triturated. The first kind contains a certain amount of pure sulphuric acid, the second kind only traces of the acid. Still the sublimated more frequently causes injury than that which is merely pulverized. The least injurious plan of operation is that of blowing on the sulphur with bellows, as all other methods disperse it more largely into the atmosphere. The operation is generally repeated four times in the season, and the last produces ordinarily the greatest number of attacks, on account of the heat and dryness of the atmosphere, which increase the irritating effects of the sulphur molecules. Women and children being employed more extensively than men in the work named, are the greatest sufferers.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON SURGERY.

By JOHN CHATTO, Esq., M.R.C.S.E.

I. A new Method of Operating for Strangulated Hernia. By PROFESSOR MAX LANGENBECK. (Allg. Wien. Med. Zeit. 1863. Nos. 49-52.) PROFESSOR LANGENBECK observes that this procedure might perhaps be most fitly termed the subcutaneous reposition of hernia. An opening is made in the skin only large enough to admit the forefinger, not just over, but on one side of the hernia. The finger introduced into the wound easily thrusts aside the connective-tissue, glands, fat, &c., and pursues its course until it reaches the inguinal canal or the fossa ileo-pectinea, as the case may be, passing under the skin very much as a bullet does in gun-shot wounds. Having reached the point of stricture, the finger practises the subcutaneous isolation of the herniary tumour, destroying any recent adhesions and external exudative structures which may impede reposition, and which are, indeed, often a result of the employment of the ordinary means of reduction. In most cases, this isolation of the hernial tumour can be speedily and easily accomplished; and its size and degree of tension, as well as the thickness of its sac, may be approximately decided upon.

Having reached the point of stricture, we should, in femoral hernia, feel for the horizontal ramus of the pubis and Gimbernat's ligament, and in inguinal hernia for the internal crus of the abdominal ring, and gently compressing the surface of the nail against the neck of the sac, pass the finger in beside it. No great resistance is offered to this by the incarcerated hernia; and by the gentle pressure employed, not infrequently a certain amount of peristaltic action and increased protrusion of the intestine is produced, together with more or less separation of the recent exudation. In the case of femoral hernia, the finger feels distinctly with its volar surface the sharp edge of Gimbernat's ligament, and at its lower edge the horizontal ramus and pubic ligament upon which it rests. In order to produce dilatation, Gimbernat's ligament is to be ruptured through part or the whole of its extent, or separated from its insertion. The ligament yields to the pressure made by the nail with an audible cracking sound. In inguinal hernia, the end of the finger meets with a greater resistance from the inner crus of the abdominal ring than from Gimbernat's ligament. The resistance is usually, however, overcome by a steady boringmotion of the finger against the point of insertion in the pubis. When the resistance cannot be thus overcome, Dr. Langenbeck employs what he calls an "incision ring." This, constructed of wood or metal, resembles a signet-ring, made as thin as possible, and having affixed to its surface, in the direction of the long diameter of the finger, a cutting edge projecting about 1 lines. This ring is placed on the finger-point, the cutting edge being on its volar