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MALFORMATIONS OF THE CEREBELLUM. !

Mr. Carlisle, of Dublin, presented twovery remarkable examples of malformationof the cerebellum, upon which he deliveredsome interesting observations.

In one case, that of a female, of weak in-tellect, the cerebellum lay completely infe-rior to the cerebrum, and was not largerthan an ordinary sized walnut. The case

iwas a very interesting one, in a phrenologi-cal point of view, inasmuch as the organs ofreproduction were remarkably well deve-loped. The uterus and fallopian tubes werevery large.The second example was that of deficiency

of one half of the cerebellum, while the otherhalf was comparatively small; the subjectof this case was known to have possessedstrong animal passions. In commentingupon these two cases Mr. Carlisle pointedout the little relation which exists betweenthe size of an organ and the function depen-dant on it, and endeavoured to show that hiscases were subversive of Gall’s doctrine.

Dr. Mackintosh read a paper " on themorbid anatomical appearances of somecases of cholera;" which, however, containednothing that was not previously known onthe pathology of that disease.

Sir James Murray presented an account ofa machine for removing atmospheric pres-sure from the surface of the body. All thefacts connected with this modus operandihave long since been placed before the Pro-fession by Sir James Murray, through thepages of THE LANCET.

Professor Evanson delivered rather aneloquent discourse in favour of phrenology.

LEPROSY.—An paper was presented byDr. Hancock,on tubercular leprosy, the lepraarabum, or cocobæ of the Africans, which theDoctor identified as the ara-apatta of theCaribs, and the radisyge of the northern na-tions of Europe. This disease is, unfortu-nately, very prevalent in the West IndiaColonies and British Guiana. The nativeIndians of Guiana and Orinoco, amongwhom Dr. Hancock sojourned during manyyears, employ, the Doctor says, very effec-tive remedies and modes of treatment in thisand other inveterate maladies which at homeare regarded as the opprobria of the healingart.

Finally, Dr. Warren, of Boston, commu-nicated some highly interesting observations" on the crania of the Mound Indians ofthe interior of North America."

DR. ELLIOTSON ON CLINICALINSTRUCTION,

AND ITS IMPROVEMENTS ; THE

EMPLOYMENT OF NEW REMEDIES ;GOOD AND BAD EXPERIMENTS, AND

ANIMAL MAGNETISM.

IN his introductory lecture on clinicalmedicine, this session, at University College,Dr. Elliotson made some remarks on the

importance‘of the clinical portion of medicaleducation, and on the propriety of pursuingimprovements in the methods and means oftreating diseases. ’"’

Without the assistance of clinical instruc-tion, he observed, all other branches of medi-cal education must be very imperfect; but,by the addition of this important branch,the advantages were several. First, thestudent had placed before him individualcases-living illustrations of all that he hadheard described in the lecture-rooms. Se-condly, he was enabled to test the accuracyof the lecturer’s descriptions, and his diag.nosis ; and to observe the success attendingthe treatment recommended. (The learnedProfessor here advocated the connexion ofa hospital for clinical instruction with theCollege.) Had it not been for opportunitiesof clinical instruction, he (Dr.E.) never wouldhave been able to stand his ground againstattacks which had been, from time to time,levelled against him by the idle, the ig-norant, and the envious, because he hadalways been strenuous in teaching newtruths. He had been enabled by means ofit to prove the truth of what he advanced,and thus eventually to establish many im-portant facts. For instance, in his employ=:ment of particular remedies, attempts hadbeen made to laugh at him. When thestethoscope was introduced into this country,it was called an absurdity, but the stu-dents at the hospital in which he was thenphysician, found that what had been statedof its use was true, and asserted this allover the country, and now the stethoscopewas in the hands of almost every practi-tioner. For his employment of new reme-dies he had been denominated " an experi-menter," but he had always felt it to be hisduty to try new remedies, when they came Brecommended on the authority of intelligentand repectable men; indeed, of what usewas it for practitioners to publish their ex-_ perience of new medicines, if the results Bwere never acted on. The art of practisingwas better understood now than it had everbefore been, and the great means for itsfurther improvement consisted in employingjudicious experiments in cases in which, atpresent, medical men were at a loss for ameans of cure, or were dissatisfied with pre-

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,sent modes of treatment. There was a good, was now established. It was a fact worthand there was a bad kind of experiment, mentioning, that he had never, in UniversityWhen satisfied with the remedies already College Hospital, used a single medicinepossessed, the trial of new remedies was which he had not employed before. Creosotehighly culpable; but the case was different he had often employed at St. Thomas’s; andwhen new remedies came properly recom- prussic acid at least fifteen years ago. Inmended for diseases in the present modes short, all the medicines, and all the appli-of treating which (though more or less sue- cations of medicine, which he had recom-

: cessfnl) we saw that there was still room mended, had stood their ground ; and be-for improvement; or when all the usual re- cause his labours were invariably mademedies in any case had been employed with- known to the profession lie was called "an

. out any beneficial result. He (Dr. E.), in experimenter! " In this sense, so long asfact, had not tried twelve new remedies in he lived he should feel it his duty to con-all his life. He had made very few expe- tinue to experiment. He should, as a mat-riments, compared with many other persons, ter of conscience, try such medicines as

who were continually trying new remedies, came to him well and properly recommend-and yet were unknown to the world as im- ed, or when he was not able to cure diseaseprovers, they having no good grounds for by the usual remedies. He should do withtheir trials. The experiments which he had patients just as he would wish himself tomade, had, however, been successful, and, be done by,-tlxat is, when all the usualbecoming generally known, had given rise means failed, to give them the advantage ofto the charge that he was all experi- some new remedy, or mode of treatment,menter;" although, in fact, he was very which afforded a hope of relief. This Wasslow in trying medicines, for he placed so experimenting in a good sense.little confidence in most accounts of new In addition to lecturing on every case asmodes of treatment, that it was in general it left the hospital, a plan which he hadlong before he was induced to employ anew always pursued, he should, for the future,one ; but when satisfied that there were in his clinical lectures, on the admission ofgood grounds for the trial, he went to work each case, relate the particular history of it,in earnest, and thus had been able to com- point out the present state of the patient,municate to the profession some important and give his views of the nature of the dis-facts. He had tried very few, from want of ease, the treatment that should be adopted,confidence ; but, by selecting, carefully lie and the prognosis. The students wouldhad been successful. Some persons were then be able to test the accuracy of whatalways trying this and trying that, even in he said, whether the patient recovered orcases where they already possessed good and died. They would never see him employestablished means. This was wanton and new means of cure if not necessary; norunpardonable. Such persons never con- would they ever witness experiments con-ducted their investigations perseveringly ducted by him, unless better means wereand philosophically ; but often went on a evidently required than those already in use,little with one thing, then relinquished it, or when he was unable to do good at all bythen substituted another for it, and then their employment. In such cases, and in

j changed again, as Lord Bacon had said, those in which all our presentremedies werequid pro quo substitutendo." The first new powerless, he should, so long as he prac-medicine which he (Dr. E.) tried, was tised, reflect, and, following the best proba-prussic acid, which had come strongly re- bilities he could adopt, give the patientscommended, both from abroad and at home, the chance of benefit from those means whichas a remedy in pulmonary affections. It seemed most likely to cure the disease, inchanced during his trial of this medicine in spite of all that ignorant and lazy personsSt. Tltomas’s Hospital that a patient who chose to say on the subject. One new thing,was suffering from gastrodynia had this me- and one only, had he of late tried, and, in-dicine (which was intended for a phthisical deed, that he slightly tried, at St. Thomas’s,patient) administered to him by mistake. some years ago. He alluded to mesmerism.The gastrodynia was cured, and it became It had been said that certain motions, madeinteresting to know if this cure was with a certain intention, before patients, hadaccidental, or the result of the adminis- produced certain effects, and the testimonytration of the medicine. He consequently to those effects, and in their favour, was verygave the medicine to other patients affected great. He had thought the subject worthywith gastradynia, and the result was the of being investigated,and he commenced theestablishment of this medicine as a valuable inquiry many years since at St. Thomas’sremedy in this affection. The next new Hospital; but owing to the death of the gen-medicine which he had employed was qui- tleman who then practised the system, henine. This also came highly recommended, was unable to prosecute his inquiries intoand,’after twelve months, he was enabled to it, but he was satisfied that there was some-give a favourable report of its qualities to thing in mesmerism, and he had again, dur-the public. Yet for this, at that time, he ing the vacation this summer, put it to thewas laughed at! The medicine, however, test; and he now repeated firmly what he

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had declared before, namely, that he wascertain that there was something, and a greatdeal, in it. Not that he believed a ten-

thousandth part of what had been assertedrespecting mesmerism. He was naturallyvery incredulous,—a sceptic in matters ofvarious kinds on which most people enter-tained no doubt: but, from what he had seenof mesmerism, his conclusions were, thatcertain circumstances which were observedto take place in health and in disease, suchas sleep, coma, and somnambulism, might beproduced by mesmerism. In things whichhe had not witnessed he would not placecredence; such, for instance, as seeing withthe fingers, smelling with the stomach, &c.He never believed in the existence of these,nor professed them, or any other things whichwere contrary to present experience. Hedid not believe in the extraordinary effectssaid to be produced by animal magnetism inMr. Colquhoun’s work on the subject. His

experiments had given rise to a series ofunfounded statements, and of the exhibitionof a malignant and disgusting spirit, whichwas not worthy of the profession, and whichwas sufficient to distress a man if he hadnot a firm confidence in himself, a conscious-ness of integrity, a love of truth for its ownsake, and a perfect indifference respectingall those persons who to ignorance addedfeelings which were unworthy of men. His

opinion of mesmerism, and an account of theopposition with which he had met in hisprofession from those who should haveacted otherwise, and who pretended to besuper-eminently respectable, would be foundin the next part of his "Physiology," whichwould appear in a few days. The wholewas in type before he left England at theend of August, so that his opinions, at thevery time of the credulity imputed to him,might be seen. Those who doubted the

reality of mesmerism had only to witness itseffect upon the patient now in the hospitalwith ecstatic delirium. In a very short timeafter it is begun, she falls asleep for a fewmoments, and then wakes, with a sigh, inher perfect senses. The process makes nomental impression upon her, for she disre-gards it, and talks incoherently during themanipulations. The delirium never ceaseswithout mesmerism. She was once allowedto continue in it a week; mesmerism wasthen performed, and in a few minutes itceased. He (Dr. E.) defied any one to

doubt mesmerism who witnessed that case.

THE LANCET.

London, Saturday, October 21, 1837.

ILL CONDUCT AT APOTHECARIES’ HALL.

NOTWITHSTANDING the frequent and ener-getic protestations of the independent medi-cal press, seconded by the voice of the

honest and well-thinking portion of the pro.fession, the proceedings at Apothecaries’Hall continue to exhibit that character of

ignorance and unfeeling brutality, whichhas gained for the Examiners universal con-tempt and execration.Some persons may think that we have

dealt rather harshly with these individuals,but we fearlessly point to the authenticated

reports of " Examinations at Apothecaries’Hall," published in the last few numbers ofthis Journal, in proof, not only that all whichwe have advanced concerning the Worship-ful Examiners is strictly true, but that anylanguage, however strong, must fall far be-low the standard of expression mete for

their unjust and inhuman proceedings. Wehave every reason to be assured that these

reports faithfully represent the atrocities

which are being weekly perpetrated at theden in Water-lane. They have been furnish.ed by a gentleman familiar with the secret

doings of the Company, and, for that reason,most desirous of effecting a reformation

which cannot much longer be deferred.The examination reported in our last Num-

ber presents such a specimen of concentratedinjustice, and ruthless disregard of even thecommon feelings of humanity, that we can

scarcely command our expressions. Of whatstuff are these men made? or have they everheard of the rule, " Do as you would be

done by " ? Do they imagine that a studentis placed before them merely for the pur-

pose of being intimidated and brow-beaten?Do they think themselves entitled, on’ac-count of the sec1’ecy of their proceedings, to

act as beasts, rather than as men, and inflicton the youths placed by law under their con.

trol, a species - of torture,—long-coutinued