by absent persons, were properly verified; and whether they were suffici. ent to sanction the consent given by parties to the prayer of the petition: the Court at the same time intimating, that they would look themselves into the affidavits.

A long and desultory conversation followed as to the resolution agreed to by the creditors permitting Assignees to become the purchasers of Indigo Factories. The entire Court expressed themselves fully impressed with the desirableness of such a measure, but felt that in consequence of an existing rule of law, it would be impossible to carry it fully into effect. Two or three plans were then proposed to meet this objection, but it was ultimately considered, that the best course would be, in cases where Assignees wished to become purchasers to bring them to the notice of the Court, when if it was thought fit, they would be released as Assignees for that one transaction and permitted to buy as other individuals.

Some conversation followed as to a point which was considered of great importance and much nicety, with reference to the separate estate of Mr. Palmer; whether under the circumstances, parties connected with trust property, had not a right to claim for their debts, upon both the joint and separate estates of the Insolvent?

The Court gave no decision but thought that the question should be formally raised, and that the Assignees should have a solemn decision of the Court upon it.

MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL SOCIETY.

At the Meeting held on the 3d April, Messrs. Key, Geddes, Keir and Jacob were elected Members, and Mr. Hitchcock, of Leicester, a Corresponding Member of the Society. The following communications were then laid before the Society-An account of Lithotomy on Natives, with Calculi removed by operation, by Mr. Burnard. A case of disease of the hand requiring amputation; with a model and preparation, by Mr. Fuller. A case of tumor of the Orbit successfully removed by operation, by Mr. Egerton. A case of Pancreatic Sarcoma of the Orbit, by Mr. Twining. A case of osseous tumor of the lower jaw, successfully exercised, with a drawing of the same, by Mr. Brett. Seven cases of Lithotomy on Natives, with specimens of the Calculi, by Mr. Brett, of Shajehanpore. A case of Lithotomy on an European, with analysis of Calculi removed from Natives by operation, by Mr. Twining. Part 1st, of an Essay on the common fevers of Bengal, by Mr. Hutchinson A letter from the Secretary of the Rio de Janeiro Medical Society, stating the formation of the same in 1829, having for its object the improvement of Medical Science generally; and enclosing a copy of the Regulations of the Society, and earnestly requesting the establishment of an amicable communication and co-operation with the Calcutta Medical and Physical Society, on Medical and Scientific subject. A printed account of the Siamese Twins, presented by Mr. Strong. Dr. J. G Voss's Thesis de ruminatione humana, presented by Dr. Keir. Several objects of Natural History from Pinang, were presented by Dr. Waddell. The case of Abcess of the Liver, formerly laid before the Society, and Mr. Hitchcock's account of Cholera, were then read and discussed by the meeting.

The case of Hepatitis was that of an European admitted into Hospital on the 14th August last, with the usual symptoms of acute inflammation of the liver. About the end of September, the symptoms indicated the formation of anAbscess-and in the course of the early part of the ensuing month, this was placed beyond a doubt. At length, on the 30th of October, the case terminated fatally. The man, at the commencement, had declined being bled to the extent prescribed by his medical attendant. On inspection, after death, it was found that an enormous abscess had formed in the right lobe of the liver, part of the contents of which had escaped into the chest.

Mr. Hitchcock's paper on Cholera, comprises a general account of thirty-eight cases of the disease, in its epidemic form, as it appeared on board the Hon ble Company's Ship Abercrombie Robinson, in the month of August, 1828. On the morning of the 10th of August, the ship sailed from Bombay, and although there were not more than twenty on the sick list, yet by far the greater part of the ship's company had been reduced by illness during the detention of the vessel in port. The weather was squally and wet, as is usual in the S. W. Monsoon, and the ship's destination being for China, her course was continued in a direction along the Malabar Coast, at a parallel distance of about thirty miles. The 10th, 11th and 12th passed, without any addition to the sick list-early on the morning of the 13th, however, four cases of Cholera manifested themselves, and the nature, of the disease being but little suspected, was not noticed by the unfortunate individuals until the stage of Collapse had intervened. From the 13th to the 18th of August, the disease continued to prevail on board the ship. The symptoms need not be dwelt on here, as they were those that usually are seen in this disease. The treatment consisted of the exhibition of hot brandy and water, with laudanum, venesection, and the exhibition of scruple doses of Calomel, &c. &c. In the state of Collapse, sinapisms and blisters were applied to different parts of the body. The warm bath, with flannels, were also applied when deemed necessary. Neither on the use of the warm bath, nor of venesection, does Mr. Hitchcock give a very favourable opinion. The former seemed to increase the spasmodic affection, with a sense of suffocation, and in no one single case was the heart's action quickened or invigorated by the latter.

With reference to the primary cause we have, observes Mr. Hitchcock, three of the most important parts of the body labouring under a loss of vital and nervous power the heart oppressed by some invisible unknown operation and sinking beneath a load of dark carbonaceous blood-manifested by a labouring pulse, by a deficiency of animal heat, and by the colour of the blood transmitted. The brain, chemically as well as mechanically, suffering; in part from an important interruption to the change and transmission of the blood through the lungs; as well as from some serious impression made upon the organ itself by the morbific agent; which effects were most fully evinced by dilated pupil-giddiness-and stupor. And lastly the lungs themselves appeared primarily affected as was seen in the impediment offered to the free circulation of the air, occasioning a short and hurried respiration, a parple coloured lip and from the appearance of the blood itself, marking an imperfect decarbonisation.

All these changes, he conceived are produced, by some extraordinary change in the principles of the surrounding atmosphere; or what is perhaps equally probable from an inhalation of some kind of malignant æriform particles which have their rise in a chemical or electrical change in one part or either of the same "I am aware," Mr. Hitchcock proceeds," that this opinion must be subjected to objections because' it is not demonstrated, and because it may be urged ;-why then should not all who breathe the same atmosphere, and so closely in contact with each other universally suffer from the same? To this, I would reply, that it is just as probable that the specific agent now alluded to, may be formed, or be as suddenly disengaged as the elec tric spark that shoots from its original source to the nearest object of attraction;or like miasmata producing ague ;-it may require a certain state of the system for a developement of its malignant effects. The latter of the two, I am inclined to think the most probable, although unable to trace, in the present instance, any signs of a predisposing cause.

"If the effective cause or causes, cannot be accounted for in this or a similar way, how much less may be credited the opinion of those who have suspected its presence in vapours arising from stagnant waters;-from rise, in a state of decomposition-as well as other vegetable matters; or have accounted for it in the sudden change of temperature, or even traced it to errors in diet; when we, who have suffered almost beyond precedent, were far removed from the effluvia of either of the former, and by no means the subjects of the latter to any extent. Again, this opinion (of the primary

The maximum distance to which Malaria can travel has not yet been determined. It has been proved, that it can produce its morbid effects at a distance of three, and even of five miles. Dr. MacCulloch is even of opinion, that the poison may be wafted from the shores of Holland to those of Scotland by the East wind.-ED. G. G.

cause) may be opposed by enquiring, if the self-same agent is always necessary for the production of cholera, why its action should not be more regular and uniform? Why in one appear under the dangerous and fatal form of congestion or collapse, and in another produce a contrary effect, by increasing the heat and accelerating the heart's action? Here I would refer to the general causes of some forms of fever, where the same agent is producing in one a continued, and in another, an intermittent type, according (as is supposed to the predisposition of the subject, or a concentration of morbific influence; so also it may be in epidemic cholera, and I doubt not is." In a word, Mr. Hitchcock is inclined to think, that cholera, as it has been called, is a specific disease, and as such, in no wise liable to be produced by any common cause whatever; and that its action is general upon all, and occurs alike under all circumstances and in every situation-no predisposing cause being at present assig nable. The total number of deaths from cholera, on board the Abercrombie Robinson was 24—and of recoveries 14-making in all 38 cases.-Govt. Gaz.

OBSERVATION

UPON THE Effects of liGHTNING ON BABOO PRANKISSEN HOLDAR'S HOUSE AT CHINSURAH.

On the 17th April, 5 P. M., this house was struck by the electric fluid, descending on the centre of the parapet of an open simi-circular verandah, thence vertically down the centre of a column, 24 feet diameter which it burst into atoms; to the level of an iron railing 2 feet high above the terracewhence it apparently branched off, right and left: horizontally pierced through the remaining columns, on level, of the hand-rails and bottomrails (which connected the iron-rails to the columns.) These, as usual, are of wood, and exactly similar to those in the new Hospital in Calcutta, which was struck two years ago, in the same way, and with the same effect. On one side of the verandah, the fluid could only be traced to the wall-while on the other, it took a diagonal direction downwards through the masonry, to a door in the lower story which it shattered and blackened, (and knocked down a native) thence it flew horizontally across to an opposite door, (knocking another native,) on which it acted the same, ran round the room in which three natives were writing, came out at a centre door, thence flying outwards, it was attracted by the iron bolts of another door, up which it ran and continued vertically up the masonry of the wall, and escaped evidently through the roof near to the spot which was first struck. The direction of the fluid is traced through the masonry of the columns and walls by holes, having the appearance of having been perforated by nailrod iron, of half an inch square, and are scorched; these holes are seen not only horizontally through the columns, at the hand-rails and plinthbut in that which was destroyed in a vertical direction.

There is a lightning rod, within 30 feet of the spot first struck-(as was the case at the Calcutta Hospital,) which would argue the inutility of such an appendage to a building of large dimensions.

It is evident that the fluid was not attracted by the iron-rails in the first instance, but in the descent they certainly altered its course by an horizontal direction, and therefore may tend to incalculable mischief. The iron rails in this case are composed of vertical and scrolled pieces, fixed in wooden horizontal pieces of 24 inches square, which are let into the columns only 3 or 4 inches; they must, however, have acted as conductors, and the fluid must have played up and down the irons, for at each junction with the wood it is scorched. I would certainly, from personal observation of effect on both these buildings, condemn the use of iron rails in India-for the least defect in pillars, of a long verandah might, by such a visitation, cause the destruction of the whole edifice.-Govt. Gaz.

CIVIL APPOINTMENTS.

[FROM THE 22D MARCH TO 12TH APRIL.]

JUDICIAL AND REVENUE DEPARTMENTS.

Cartwright, C. R. mr.; magistrate of the city of Benares, april 5.

LaTouche, C. mr.; assistant to the commissioner of revenue and circuit of the 8th or Benares division, april 12.

Morrieson, D. B. mr.; joint magistrate and deputy collector at Benares, april 5. Neave, R. mr.; register of the zillah court and assistant to the magistrate and collector of Ramgurh, march 22.

Udny, C. G. mr.; deputy register of the courts of sudder dewanny and nizamut adawlut and preparer of reports, april 12.

Wilkinson, J. E. mr.; magistrate of the district of Tirhoot, april 5.

GENERAL DEPARTMENT.

Crawford, J. H. mr.; assistant under the commissioner of revenue and circuit 14th or Moorshedabad division, april 5.

Deane, H. W. mr.; assistant under the commissioner of revenue and circuit 12th or Bhaugulpore division, march 1.

James, H. F. mr.; assistant under the commissioner of revenue and circuit 10th or Sarun division, march 8.

Lindsay, C. mr.; collector of land revenue, customs, and town duties at Mirzapore, april 5.

Macnaghten, Francis, mr.; secretary to the board of trade, april 5.

Morland, E. H. mr.; assistant under the commissioner of revenue and circuit 10th or Sarun division, March 8.

Tottenham, C. mr.; assistant under the commissioner of revenue and circuit 19th or Cuttack division, march 22.

MILITARY APPOINTMENTS, &c.

[FROM THE 25TH MARCH TO 15TH APRIL.]

Abell, Thomas, lieutenant; from the 2d west india regt. to be lieut. 12th june 1830, march 10.

Alexander, James Edward, lieutenant; from the 16th light dragoons, to be captain of infantry by purchase, 18th june 1830, march 10.

Alston, W. lieutenant; 68th regt. n. i. acting interpreter and quarter master to the 16th regt. n. i. is permitted to resign that appointment, and to proceed to rejoin his corps at Dinapore, march 10.

Alston, J. S. lieutenant; pioneers, leave from the 15th april to 15th oct. to visit the hills North of Deyrah, on urgent private affairs, march 31.

Andrews, Robert Alexander, captain; 46th foot, from the half pay, to be captain, vice Cuppage, exchanges, 11th june 1830, march 10.

Anderson, William, 1st lieutenant; to be adjutant and quarter master to the lat brigade horse artillery, vice Mackay, appointed brigade major, march 26.

Apperley, W. W. lieutenant; 4th regt. 1. c. leave from 1st march to 30th april to visit Shajehanpore, on urgent private affairs, march 2.

Archer, Edward Caulfield, captain; brevet, 45th foot, to be major in the army 15th june 1830, march 10. ·

Atherton, John, captain; 6th foot, from the half pay to be captain, vice Campbell, appointed to the 47th foot, 27th sept. 1830, march 31.

Aubert, J. lieutenant-colonel; (new promotion) to the 70th regt. n. i. march 1.

Barr, Marcus, lieutenant; 3d foot, to be captain by purchase, vice Courtayne, retired 11th june 1830, march 10.

Barrell, Frederick William Edward, ensign; from the 44th foot, to be lieutenant, 13th june 1830, march 10.

Barstow, John Anderson, lieutenant and brevet captain; 37th regt. n. i. to be captain of a company from the 31st march 1831, vice Sir J. W. Prideaux, bart. retired, april 15.

Barker, T. B. surgeon; to rank from 28th July 1829, vice S. Durham, retired, april 8. Bayly, George, ensign; 44th foot, to be lieutenant without purchase, vice Wilson, deceased, 17th april 1830, march 10.

Beavan, R. lieutenant; 31st regt. n. i. leave from 15th march to 15th sept. to visit the presidency on private affairs, march 1.

Beatson, J. assistant apothecary; to officiate as assistant steward, to the garrison, European hospital at Allahabad, march 3.

Beaty, F. lieutenant; European regt. leave from 25th april to 25th oct. to visit the hills in the vicinity of Simla, on urgent private affairs, march 26.

Beers, Philip Grove, ensign; 3d foot, from the 29th foot, to be lieutenant by purchase vice Barr, promoted, 15th june 1830, march 10.

Bell, T. ensign; 15th regiment n. i. leave from 15th march to 15th sept. to visit Benares, and Goruckpore, on private affairs, march 14.

Best, John James, ensign; to be lieutenant by purchase, vice Conry, promoted, 29th june 1830, march 10.

Bignell, William, lieutenant; 63d regt. n. i. to be captain of a company from the 28th march 1831, vice E. E. Isaac, deceased, april 2.

Blackwell, Thomas, lieutenant; from the 13th foot, to be captain of infantry by pur. chase, 29th june 1830, march 10.

Blake, Bryan Higgins, gentleman; to be cornet by purchase, vice Scott promoted, 8th june 1830, march 10.

Bonham, Pinson, cornet; 16th light dragoons to be lieutenant by purchase, vice Alexander, promoted 25th june 1830, march 10.

Boyd, Uriah, ensign; 54th foot, from the 29th foot, to be lieutenant by purchase, vice Johnson promoted 15th june 1830, march 10.

Boyd, Francis, ensign; from the Cape mounted Riflemen, to be lieutenant, 13th june 1830, march 10.

Bradford, J. F. 1st regiment 1. c. to officiate as deputy judge advocate to a native general court martial, directed to assemble at Muttra, march 14.

Bramley, assistant surgeon; to officiate as assistant surgeon to the residency at Katmandhoo, april 8.

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Brind, F. 1st lieutenant; 2d battalion artillery, leave from 25th april to 25th oct. to visit the hills in the vicinity of Simla, for the benefit of his health, march 2. Bristow, Frederick, gentleman; 6th foot, to be ensign by purchase, vice Home, promoted 8th june 1830, march 10.

Brittridge, R. B. captain; 13th regt. n. i. leave from 15th nov. 1830, to 15th april, on urgent private affairs, march 26.

Brock, Eugene, ensign; 20th foot, to be lieutenant by purchase, vice Rae, retired, 18th aug. 1829, march 10.

Brock, Saumarez, major; 55th foot, to be lieutenant-colonel without purchase, 12th june 1830, march 10.

Brooks, William, gentleman; 16th light dragoons, to be cornet by purchase, vice McMahon appointed to the 6th dragoons, 26th june 1830, march 10.

Brown, James, lieutenant; 48th foot, from the 10th foot, to be lieut. vice Hull, ap. pointed to the 69th foot, 28th sept. 1830, march 31.

Browne, J. superintending surgeon; appointed to the cawnpore circle of superin-. tendence, March 28.