takes place in the air on the approach of night, will be capable of bringing on an asthmatic paroxysm, and such a state of system will also prevent the specific action of the remedy. In such case, depletion by abstraction of blood, an active purgative, and a soothing stomachic medicine, with a low diet, will be necessary to ensure the specific operation of either of the preparations of the Lobelia Inflata. If, on the contrary, the vital powers be considerably reduced, the stomach disordered, the bowels irregular, the secretion of urine diseased and deficient in quantity, the use of a tonic and diuretic medicine for two or three days, with attention to the intestinal canal, will be necessary, in order to prepare the system for the exhibition of the ethereal tincture, or the oxysyrup of the Lobelia Inflata."

Dr. Reece is of opinion that, for asthmatics, the oxysyrup of the lobelia inflata, or of the squill (made with the sugar of whey), is a great improvement on the oxymels. The Chirayita, or Cherrattah herb, has long been highly esteemed by the natives of Bengal as a stomachic, deobstruent, and antiscrofulous medicine; and for the last fifty years by the European medical officers in the East Indies. It has only lately, however, been introduced iuto practice in this country.

"It is not only a most valuable stomachic or tonic medicine, but it evidently deterges the abdominal viscera, and on this account its beneficial effects are generally permanent. It corrects the secretion of bile, as is evident by the healthy bilious appearance of the feces, and prevents that accumulation of feces in the colon, which so frequently gives rise to a variety of distressing affections, particularly headach, giddiness, indigestion, flatulence, piles, glandular obstruction, &c. On the liver, &c. it acts more effectually, by removing obstruction, and the cause of sluggishness or vitiated bile, than blue pill, calomel, or any other preparation of mercury, and is entirely exempt from the serious objections to the employment of the bluepill or any other mercurial preparations in nervous subjects. The Chirayita herb, in fact, possesses the very important advantage over all other stomachic medicines, of purging or cleansing the liver and the other viscera, and at the same time strengthens the stomach; and, by producing healthy chyle, corrects the whole mass of blood."

Of the latter remedy we have no experience, but we know the merits of the Lobelia Inflata are not overrated by Dr. Reece. His observations upon both these medicines, as well as the opinions he offers upon asthmatic complaints in general, deserve the attention of the profession and public.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

An Encyclopædia of Practical Medicine is preparing for publication. It will comprise treatises on the Nature and Treatment of Diseases, including Pathological Anatomy, and also some practical parts of Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence. It is to be published in octavo parts, with double columns, to form a volume of 1800 pages, when complete. Many able contributors are mentioned to this work: Drs. Carswell (Paris), Conolly, D. D. Davis, James Clark, Darwall (Birmingham), Forbes (Chichester), G. Gregory, Marshall Hall, Roget, A. T. Thomson, A. Tweedie, Pritchard (Bristol), &c. Such a work has long been wanting in this country, and we cannot doubt that the one now announced will be highly creditable to our medical literature, and very valuable as a book of reference to both students and practitioners.

570

MONTHLY LIST OF MEDICAL BOOKS.

Some Observations on Fumigating and other Baths; with a Summary of Ninety-two important Cases, treated at the Establishment, 40, Great Marlborough street, and with Remarks thereon. By Jonathan Green, Surgeon, &c. -London, 1830.

The evidence Mr. Green offers in proof of the beneficial effects of his baths, in cases of rheumatism, cutaneous affections, &c. is very satisfactory. Cases illustrative of the Efficacy of various Medicines administered by Inhalation in Pulmonary Consumption; in certain Morbid States of the Trachea and Bronchial Tubes, attended with distressing Cough, and in Asthma. By Sir CHARLES SC DAMORE, M.D. F.R.S. &c.-8vo. pp. 113. Longman, London, 1830. The Dub in Hospital Reports and Communications in Medicine and Surgery. Vol. V.-80. pp. 631. Plates. Dublin: Hodges and Smith, 1830.

METEOROLOGICAL JOURNAL,

By Messrs. HARRIS and Co. Mathematical Instrument Makers, 50, High Holborn.

The quantity of Rain fallen in October was 1 inch and 4.100ths.

Fine Fine

63 SSW

62 SW
W

W
SW Fine

Rain

Communications received from Dr. and Mr. D. GRIFFIN, Dr. BARRY, SANITARIUS, &c.

ERRATA in our last Number.-Page 385, note, for "Vitalba," read "Vilalba." P. 390, line 2, for "the other nine members," read "the other eleven members."

With referenee to the note at the foot of page 390, in our last Number, Dr Barry requests us to state, that, from a memorandum he has since found amongst his Gibraltar papers, he has reason to believe that the hospital of the 73d regiment was not established on Windmill hill until after the period alluded to in the note.