authors remark the exteme virulence of this substance; one-tenth of a grain killed a bird "avec la rapidité de l'éclair.”

The ancients were well aware of the use of stimulants in the treatment of poisoning by Aconite: rue, horehound, opobalsam, chamæpitys, castor, pepper, garlic wine, ammonia, &c., all are mentioned. One species, the A. Anthora, is said to be an antidote to the A. Napellus.

In later days, the same principle of treatment has been carried out, and after emetics, stimulants-even carried to excess-mustard to the epigastrium, and frictions, have been found the most useful.

The medicinal properties of Aconite were early understood and used. Pliny and Dioscorides mention it as anodyne for the eyes. Galen and Tragus assign a corrosive property to it. Melchion Friccius, of Ulm, used it in tertian and quartan fevers. Bocler, of Utrecht, as a blister.

In 1762, Baron Stoerck introduced it as a remedy, and found it useful in scirrhus, pain of the joints, ulcers, intermittent and quartan ague, in gonorrhoea, in tic, rheumatism, &c. He gives many illustrative cases.

In Germany and Sweden, it has also been extensively used in rheumatism by Rosenstein, Blom, Odhelius, Ribe and others. Foderé recommended it in the case of Charles IV. of Spain, in rheumatic gout. Sigmond and Walkins (THE LANCET, 1836-39) gave the extract in quarter-grain doses in deep-seated rheumatic affections. Dr. Gebel (Med. and Phys. Jour.) gave two grains, night and morning, in rheumatic cardialgia. Dr. Chandru (London Med. and Surg. Jour.) gave two grains of the extract, increased to twelve grains in articular rheumatism. Nysten (Dict. des Sc. Méd.) gave thirty-two grains of Stoerck's extract with great advantage in rheumatism and gout. Schultze, Vogel, Lombard of Geneva, Craigie of Edinburgh, all speak highly of its use in this complaint.

Skey gives illustrative cases of its use in tic, (THE LANCET, 183637.) M. Ribe and M. Delens also testify to its power in relieving facial neuralgia. Mr. Radley, (THE LANCET, 1836,) Dr. Burgess, (Lond. Med. Gazette,) gave it with great benefit in nervous headaches. Brera mixed Aconite with hemlock and calomel in angina pectoris. In glandular obstructions, Bergius gave five grains of the extract every two hours; and Dr. Collins, of Vienna, has given half a drachm in the course of the day in similar cases. Aconite has also been given in syphilitic pains, by Borda; in phthisis, by Busch and Portal;

in pneumonia, and diseases of the heart, by Lombard; also in acute enteritis, from its supposed sedative action; as a diuretic, by Fouquier; in many skin diseases, by MM. Biett, Brera, and Professor Tommasini; in herpes, both internally and externally; in lepra, by Avicenna; in inveterate psoriasis, by Dr. A. T. Thomson; in erysipelas, (THE LANCET, 1836;) by Klitton, of Wittemberg, with calomel, in some of the sequelae of scarlatina; in amenorrhoea, by Dr. West, of Strasburg; in various diseases of the eye, as opacities of the cornea, cataracts, &c., by Dr. Turnbull; by the native practitioners of Bengal, as a last resource in cholera.

It is probable the use of Aconite will not extend beyond its employment in rheumatism and nervous pain, over which, when taken internally or applied externally, it exerts a most powerful and beneficial effect, as the cases on record, as well as my own experience, fully warrant me in speaking in the most positive terms.

The tincture of the root, or the active principle, aconitina, mixed with lard, appears best suited for external application, and as such have been used with decided advantage.

The internal use of Aconite as a medicine has not become general, owing, probably, to the uncertain action of its various preparations, which depends not only upon the part of the plant used-the age and mode of preparation of the extracts and tinctures-but, above all, upon the varying per-centage of the active principle, aconitina, yielded by different plants, some specimens giving three times the quantity others do. Aconite cannot, therefore, be extensively used till we have some certain and uniform preparation.

On the Pulse of Infants.

By MM. SEUX and ROGER.

M. Seux, Physician to the Charité at Marseilles, has recently made a series of examinations of the pulse in forty infants, from the period of directly after birth to two months, and compared the results with those derived from the examination of thirty-five others made by a colleague. He tabulated these combined results, and draws the following conclusions:-1. The pulse of infants may vary when in a state of health and quietude, from 80 to 164; but in more than half the examples it ranged from 120 to 140; then came from 110 to 160, 100 to 120, then above 160, and lastly below 100.

2. It is generally regular, but sometimes several quicker pulsations are felt in succession, and sometimes several slower. 3. The sex, constitution, salubrity of residence, or time of year, exerted no influence. 4. The pulse was observed to be most frequent during the first few hours after birth, but from after a day to two months there was no difference attributable to age. 5. The hour of the day exerted no effect. 6. The pulse was somewhat quickened during and for about a quarter of an hour after suckling. 7. Sleep or waking, calmness or agitation, were attended with marked differences. During sleep the pulse was less frequent, becoming somewhat quicker when the child waked quietly, and still more so when it was agitated and cried. Thus the pulse might be at 104 during the first of these conditions, and at 120 and 134 during the second and third. 8. A sudden impression or effort increased the pulse 20 or 25 beats or more.

M. Roger, reporting on the paper, observes that these conclusions are for the most part conformable with those deduced by other observers. Thus, the increase in frequency of the pulse during waking efforts, sucking, etc., has already been noted and insisted upon in relation to the diagnosis of fever in infants. On the other hand, these observations do not confirm the statement made by Knox and Guy, that there is a slight increase of frequency in the mornings; nor that made by Guy and Valleix, that the pulse is somewhat quicker in females. Valleix found the influence of sex prevalent, even among young children; but Trousseau only found it operating after two months, and M. Roger's own observations lead to the same conclusion. M. Seux's investigations, however, confirm all previous ones in the fact of the physiological frequency of the infant's pulse, and the great amount of oscillation that may take place consistently with health. The limits of this oscillation, however, become less and less as the child grows older. While the pulse of the new-born infant may range from 76 to 208, it contracts to between 80 and 120 during early infancy, and to between 70 and 110 in second infancy. In spite of this amount of oscillation, and although the high figure 150 and the low one 70 are compatible with health, we must remember that the ordinary figure varies from 100 to 120; and we may state generally that there is at least presumption of disease when the pulse, examined during repose, mounts up to and is maintained for some time at 140 or 150; and there will be certainty on this point if this figure be observed in a child in whom

it had been observed to be less. Especially is this deduction to be drawn when such frequency is accompanied with an increase of temperature-a point to which M. Roger attaches great importance. On the other hand, a notable diminution below the mean leads to the fear of cerebral affections, especially meningitis. A very rapid pulse in infants, even when continued, does not lead to so unfavourable a prognosis as in the adult; for, while the life of an adult, when the pulse has exceeded 150 for several days, may be usually considered as highly endangered, the pulse of the infant may rise to and be maintained at a very high figure, and yet recovery take place.-L' Union Méd. 1855. No. CXXX.

The New Medical Bill.

Although the Medical Bill has shared the fate of the massacred innocents in the last Session of Parliament, still as it is likely the present draft of a bill will be brought forward in the next Session, we deem it right to lay it before our readers in order that they may have ample leisure to consider all its provisions.

A Bill as amended by the Select Committee to alter and amend the Laws regulating the Medical Profession.

Preamble: Whereas it is expedient to amend the laws relating to the Medical Profession: Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

I. Short Title: This Act may for all purposes be cited as "The Medical Act, 1856."

II. Repeal of Acts: From and after the passing of this Act, the several Acts and parts of Acts set forth in the Schedule (A.), to the extent to which such Acts or parts of Acts are by such schedule expressed to be repealed, shall be repealed, except as to the recovery and application of any penalty for any offence which shall have been committed before the passing of this Act.

III. Council of Medical Education Established: A Council shall be established, which shall be styled "The Council of Medical Education of the United Kingdom," and shall consist of the President for the time being of the General Board of Health, and such twelve other persons as her Majesty, with the advice of her Privy

Council, may appoint, of whom not less than nine shall be appointed from among persons qualified to be registered under this Act, not less than two of them being persons so qualified who are resident in Scotland, and not less than two of them being persons so qualified who are resident in Ireland.

Of the persons to be so appointed by her Majesty, three shall be so appointed for a term of four years, three for a term of five years, three for a term of six years, and the remaining three for a term of seven years.

The said Council of Medical Education is hereinafter referred to as "The Council."

IV. Appointments to supply vacancies, and term of Office of Persons so Appointed: Upon every vacancy among the members of the Council appointed by her Majesty under this Act, her Majesty may, with the advice of her Privy Council, appoint a person to fill such vacancy.

Any person going out of office may be reappointed.

Every appointment on any such vacancy shall be so made as to keep up the whole number of members of the Council qualified as aforesaid to not less than nine, and the number of such qualified members resident in Scotland and Ireland respectively to not less than two.

Every member appointed by her Majesty to fill a vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the term of office shall be appointed for the term of four years, and every member appointed to supply the place of a member whose office has become void otherwise than by the expiration of his term of office shall be appointed for the remainder of the term of office of such last-mentioned member.

The Council may act notwithstanding vacancies therein.

V. Meetings of the Council: Quorum: The Council shall hold meetings from time to time, at such place and time as the President of the General Board of Health shall appoint, and all powers and duties vested in the Council may be exercised and performed at any such meeting at which not less than five members are present.

VI. Chairman: The said President shall be the chairman, and shall from time to time nominate one of the other members to be the vice-chairman of the Council, who shall act as chairman in the absence of such President; provided that at any meeting of the Council at which neither the chairman nor the vice-chairman is. present, the members present shall elect out of their number a chairman for the occasion.