The bladder, from the same cause, is often enormously distended. When the pylorus is affected with palsy, the food descends simply by its gravity. In cerebral affections, our strongest drastic purges fail to procure stools, although the inflam mation which they cause of the mucous membrane shews, that it is still sensible to their stimulus; the want of motion in the bowels, therefore, obviously depends on want of contraction in the muscular coat. We often, from the same cause, find the intestines distended with fluid matter. But in the last case, to what are we to ascribe the gradual wasting of the flesh and strength? Was digestion ill performed in the stomach in consequence of defect of the nervous power? Or was chymification performed, but in conse quence of only a very small quantity of chyme being transmitted into the intestines, was there a want of sufficient assimilation? Experiments upon the Roots of the Spinal Nerves, by M. MAGENDIE. M. MAGENDIE has been following out the path of investigation pointed out by Mr. Charles Bell, of ascertaining the peculiar functions of different nerves, by means of dividing them. Those which he chose for experiment were the anterior and posterior roots of the nerves of the spine. He made many fruitless attempts upon grown animals, but the great injury occasioned by opening the completely ossified vertebræ, proved fatal to the animals before the result of dividing the nerves could be ascertained. Having procured, however, a litter of eight whelps, he set to work anew. In one, he laid bare with ease the posterior half of the spinal marrow, surrounded by its membranes, a; the origin of the lumbar and sacral nerves, and raising upon the flat part of a pair of small scissars the posterior roots, he divided those upon one side, without wounding in the least the spinal marrow. He now watched the animal attentively. At first, he thought the corresponding limb to the divided nerves was completely paralytic; it remained quite insensible to the strongest pricking and pinching; but what was his surprise, in a short time, to perceive the limb begin to move in the most apparent manner. Upon a second and third trial, he observed the same circumstances, namely, total loss of sensibility of the limb corresponding to the nerves, the posterior roots of which he divided, while the power of motion continued. He now began to think that perhaps sensibility was communicated by the anterior, as the power of motion seemed to be by the posterior roots. He found great difficulty to reach the anterior roots without injuring the posterior; but by pulling gently at the dura mater covering the spinal marrow, he succeeded in bringing the anterior into view, and dividing them with a very narrow knife. In this case also, he divided the roots of one side only, that he might judge of the effect, by comparing the two limbs. The effects of this division were not long doubtful; the limb became immediately motionless and flaccid, while it continued to manifest the most unequivocal symptoms of sensation. In the next case, he divided at once both the posterior and anterior roots, when absolute loss both of motion and sensation took place. These experi ments he has repeated upon many kinds of animals, and always with the same re sult; so that he thinks he has ascertained, beyond doubt, that the posterior roots of the spinal nerves communicate the powers of motion, while the anterior are in a special manner connected with sensation. He is still prosecuting this most inte resting department of physiology, and promises to communicate some new results in the following number of his Journal.-(Journal de Physiologie, &c.) On the Lymphatics. M. ANDRAL, Assistant to M. Lerminer, of the Hospital of the Charity, Paris, has, for two years back, been in the habit of examining the lymphatics of the abdomen and thorax, in almost all the patients who have died during that time in that hospital. Even in those cases where there was the greatest probability of his find ing foreign matters in the lymphatics, he either found them empty or filled with a colourless transparent fluid, like that which is found in serous cavities. In a very small number of cases, the fluid in the thoracic duct was of a slightly reddish tinge, such as is observed in animals that have been long fasting. Mascagni asserts, that he has seen the lymphatic vessels filled with reddish fluid, resembling blood, in those individuals who had died with effusions of blood in the thoracic or abdominal cavities. So far as M. Andral's observation goes, (and he examined great numbers who died of sero-sanguineous effusions,) the contents of the lymphatics were perfectly colourless. Sommering says, that he has seen calcareous concretions in the lymphatics of individuals who had been affected with caries of the vertebra. M. Andral dissected with care the lymphatic system of an individul who had been affected with caries of the most of the vertebræ, and also extensive caries of the ribs and arms, and in consequence of which, numerous large abscesses had formed; but in the lymphatics there was neither pus nor osseous matter. In many cases, when the caries was less general, but yet where there was considerable destruction and softening of the bony structure, he was not more successful. He is inclined to doubt, therefore, the correctness of Söemmering's observations on this head. Sʊemmering also mentions his having found in hydropic patients the glands to be swelled and the lymphatics considerably dilated. M. Andral also doubts the accuracy of this observation. He examined great numbers of patients who died with engorgement of the mesenteric glands, and also with these in a cancerous or tuberculated state, but he never observed the lymphatics to be the least increased in volume. These glands often form enormous diseased masses in the abdomen, without causing ascites. Many authors have affirmed, that they have found bile in the lymphatics of the liver. M. Andral never, even in icterous patients, could detect this. He often fouud, however, in such patients, the liquid in the thoracic duct to be distinctly yellow, but he does not believe that this depends upon absorption by the lymphatics, because all the other liquids in the economy are of the same colour, and even the fibrous and fibro-cartilaginous tissues. Dupuytren, in dissecting an abscess at the top of the thigh, however, found real pus in the lymphatics of the groin—(MAGENDIE, Journal de Physiologic.) Experiments on Caloric. In a memoir read to the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris, by M. Pouillet, we have an account of some interesting experiments upon the nature of caloric. He employed thermometers capable of indicating the hundredth part of a degree: The first set of experiments was made on metals reduced to powder, oxides, and other mineral compounds; and the result of these experiments is, that when such substances are brought into contact with liquids capable of moistening and softening them, heat is disengaged. When water is the liquid employed, the rise of temperature is from a fourth to half a degree. Bodies which disengage most heat with one liquid, are those sometimes which disengage least with others. The action of a liquid upon a solid reduced to powder is not different from the action between any two bodies, which, being brought together, adhere more or less strongly; hence M. Pouillet infers, that simple contact may disengage heat, as it exhibits electric phenomena. Similar experiments were made upon various vegetable and animal substances, as woods, fruits, grains, sponge, silk, tendons, different animal membranes., &c. All these substances are known to have the property of absorbing a great quantity of water or other liquids. In all the phenomena of absorption, M. Pouillet observed that heat was disengaged, and in some cases, to a surprising extent; often to six or seven degrees, and sometimes even to ten. In mixing the liquids and solids, and in the phenomena of absorption the combinations were purely mechanical; the disengagement of heat, therefore, is to be attributed solely to the moistening in the one case, and to the absorption in the other: there is no chemical combination in either case. It is to be remarked also, 4 C VOL. IV. NO. XVI. that any body,-a tendon for example,-disengages as much heat, whether it absorbs water, oil, alcohol, or acetic ether. Salts deprived of their water of crystallization absorb water and disengage heat, but here there is a true combination in definite proportions. On this subject, and on the disengagement of heat, which is observed in numerous cases of solution, M. Pouillet promises soon to communicate some new results. Case of Sacro-Rectal Hernia. IN the Report of the Royal Medical Society of Toulouse, there is an account of a singular case of Hernia, by M. Lacoste, which he calls sacro-rectal, and of which he says, there is no account in any author. It occurred in a child of a month and a half old, and consisted of a tumour as large as a walnut, on the middle and posterior part of the sacrum, an inch and a half above the anus; it was fluctuating without transparency, and received, an impulse when the child coughed or cried. It was reducible by the taxis, and when this was done the fæces issued by a jet, and with force from the anus. As the opening of the sacrum depended upon incomplete ossification, M. Lacoste attempted the cure by reducing the tumour, and maintaining it in that state until the osseous parts consolidating, the opening was closed, and issue of the gut prevented. If such cases occur, we must beware of confounding them with spina bifida or caries of the vetrebræ. Case of Evacuation of pure Fat by the Rectum, communicated by Dr. KUNTZMANN of Berlin*. This CASE, which seems to throw some light on the formation of fat, and the functions of the liver, occurred in a baker, in Berlin. He was 35 years of age, of a meagre person, and of regular habits. In the year 1814 he had, from cold a severe rheumatic affection of the limbs. In the spring of 1815, without any apparent cause, he was seized with jaundice. During its continuance, which was of some weeks, the rheumatism departed, but returned again so soon as he got well of the jaundice. He continued in this manner to suffer alternately from these two complaints till November 1818, when Dr. Kuntzmann was first consulted. He found him with every symptom of jaundice which he conceived to have its origin from the rheumatic affection, and prescribed equal parts of the powder of gum guaiac, and of the leaves of senna, two table spoonsful to be taken daily. This mixture, which is highly extolled by Dr. Kuntzmann as a remedy in jaundice, removed and kept away both diseases until May 1820, when there was a slight return of rheumatism. In October of the same year, he was again called to the patient, and found him having all the indications of hectic fever, by which he was reduced to a state of debility. All these symptoms, in the opinion of the patient, arose from a discharge of slime, as he termed it, from the rectum, which often came away involuntarily, so that his clothes were soaked with it, and smelt very much like rancid fat. O¤ * Journal der Practischen Heilkunde. Von HUFELAND. July 1821. The distinguished Editor of the above Journal remarks, in a note, that this case appears to him to have an important bearing on our imperfect notions of the func tions of the liver, and of the share which it has in the generation of fat. He has also met with cases in persons suffering under constipation, in which substances were evacuated, in every respect resembling tallow, and having frequently the shape of the tube of a tobacco pipe. examining the substance evacuated, Dr. K. found it to have all the apparent qualities of fat, and that, when exposed to cold, it hardened into a yellow mass resembling tallow, or yellow wax. This discharge, the patient had observed after the first attack of jaundice, and since that period, but had not paid much attention to it, only he had remarked, that when the jaundice was at it its height, the discharge ceased. At this time it had continued two months, and occurred once or twice a-day, either alone or mixed with excrementitious matter, of a greyish brown colour. Half an ounce of this fatty substance was given to Mr. Bergmann, apothecary at Berlin, to be analysed. Water impregnated with it, slightly reddened litmus paper. It dissolved in sulphuric ether, forming a pale yellow fluid, in which a filamentous substance floated. Treated with alcohol, a substance was obtained similar to adipocire. From the same solution of it in alcohol, a yellow oil was obtained, of the consistence of olive oil, which dissolved in alcohol, being again decomposed by the addition of water. This oil is found in every other species of fat. Ten grains of this fat were dissolved in turpentine, without the aid of heat, a fine filamentous substance floating in the solution, which was troubled by the addition of water. It formed a soap with alkalies, which combined in any proportion with water. The other trials made with this substance all proved that it could be nothing else but fat. The question whence this fat had its origin is important. That it was not fat taken into the stomach, and passing through the bowels undigested, is proved from the dislike which this patient always had to fat meat, so that none was ever cooked for him. The circumstance that the discharge increased so much on the cessation of the periodical attacks of jaundice, and that when the jaundice was at its height it was found to cease, shew, that both had their origin in a diseased state of the liver, and of its functions, and presents a new proof of the influence of the gall in the formation of fat. By the use of the extracts of taraxacum, of grass, and of chamomile with cascarilla, all symptoms of the hectic fever were removed, so that by the end of January he could attend to his business; but he remained lean and his flesh flabby, and the fatty discharge continued, though not in the same quantity as formerly. It was remarked, that it increased on cating animal food, and diminished with vegetable diet. [The reader will find references to similar cases in our last Number, page 381.-EDITOR.] New Researches into the Internal Ear. M. RIBES in investigating the internal ear, describes at the anterior and inferior part of the vestibule, a round opening covered by a white, thick, brittle membrane, into which, when a probe is thrust, the instrument descends to near the centre of the fenestra rotunda, so that these two openings seem to be the extremities of a little canal which traverses the base of the internal stair of the concha. In the internal auditory canal, there are three openings; one at the top, which is the internal opening of the aqueduct of Fallopius; a second upon the anterior wall, which is the commencement of a little canal, which runs in the centre of the common newel of the concha; and the third opens upon the posterior wall, and runs to the anterior and inferior part of the vestibule. These two last openings give passage to two of the branches of the nerve of hearing; these branches terminate upon the spiral membrane of the concha, and upon the portion of the membrane which shuts the opening which is in the vestibule. The nerve does not appear to go farther. * Journal de Physiologie, par. M. MAGENDIE, &c. Number for August, 1822. The labyrinth usually contains a particular humour, which sometimes fills it only one half or two thirds; and in individuals who heard perfectly during life, it was found empty of this liquid, there being only enough simply to lubricate the interior of the concha, the vestibule, and the semicircular canals. The aqueducts of the vestibule and of the concha, give passage to vessels to be distributed in their cavi. ties. These vessels are often found gorged with blood in individuals who have died of apoplexy. Extraordinary Case of Steatomatous Tumours. The sixth, The seventh, The eighth M. DAGORN, Physician, at Morlaix, met with a singular case of steatomatous growths, the largest weighing forty-six pounds, upon a young woman aged 18, whose constitution was not in any way remarkable. The largest tumour made its appearance in 1810, and the others appeared successively till 1817. Although very lean and of the middle stature, she weighed 167 pounds. Between the shoulders there were two tumours eight inches long and three broad, uneven, and interspersed with white lines. A third, of a less size, round and soft, was situated on the right arm near to the arm pit. A fourth, sprung from the inferior angle of the shoulder blade, and was fifteen inches long and six broad. The fifth was lower down than the last, and was six inches long and five broad. which was larger than a man's head, was situated upon the right hip. a very small one, was situated below the trochanter of the same side. was a prodigious one; it arose from the left hypochondrium, and hung down as low as the middle of the calf of the leg, being two feet long, and three feet and an inch in circumference at its base. All these tumours were of the steatomatous kind, soft, uneven, and having no attachment whatever to the internal organs or the muscles. There seemed to be no constitutional cause for their origin; they ap peared to be altogether local in their nature,-disease of the cellular tissue, and the integuments. As the girl had never been benefited by any treatment, and as her strength was declining, M. Dagorn recommended extirpation of the largest. This was done on the 20th of July, 1819, and from the extent of the wound, the twisted suture was employed. The tumour weighed 46 pounds; the integuments covering it were exceedingly thin; the cells of the cellular tissue were greatly enlarged, and filled with serum mixed with yellowish flakes of fat; from the summit to the base of the tumour, the ramifications of an arterial and venous trunk, as well on the surface as in the substance of the mass, were exceedingly manifest. The wound cicatrized at the end of two months and six days; but shortly after, the other tumours, which had for some time been stationary, began to increase prodigiously; which rendered the utility of extirpation doubtful.—(Revue Medicale Française.) Cases of Acephalic Infants. M. BRESCHET, in M. Magendie's Journal of Physiology, gives an account of two hydrocephalic infants, in whom the cerebrum was wanting. The first occurred at the Foundling Hospital, in an infant apparently ten days old. The child lived two days in the Hospital in an extremely feeble state, with laborious breathing, and occasional convulsions. The form and size of the head were natural; the only thing which led to a suspicion of internal derangement, was, that the sutures were not in the least degree ossified. On opening the arachnoid coat, fifteen ounces of clear serum flowed out. The dura mater was natural, but the arachnoid and pia mater were very vascular. The cerebrum and its anterior prolongations were wanting ; but there was seen before the annular protuberance, a small greyish, soft, irregular nipple-like substance, of the extent from right to left, and from before |