Report upon a Memoir on the Nitrous Ether, 177 



ternal lamina of that membrane^ a granulated substance ap- 

 peared, like a great number of small tumours adhering to the 

 dura rtiater, tunica arachnoidea, pia mater, and even to the 

 cortical substance of the brain, aboui two inches in length, 

 half an inch in breadth, and nearly half an inch thick. The 

 other part of the dura mater was of the natural appearance. 



The arachnoid membrane was more opake than usual, 

 arising partly from lymph deposited on its Under surface, 

 and partly from an effusion of a serous fluid between that 

 membrane and the pia mater. 



The cerebrum and cerebellum appeared natural, but the 

 lateral ventricles contained about four ounces of a straw-co- 

 loured fluid ; the surface of these cavities was every where 

 covered with a layer of coagulable lymph, having that aspe- 

 rated appearance peculiar to recent inflammation. Many 

 small hydatids were attached to different parts of the cho- 

 roid plexus. 



Is it not highly probable that the symptoms of insanity 

 took place in consequence of the pressure produced by the 

 tumour upon the brain? and also that the inflammation 

 was excited by the same cause? If these positions be ad- 

 mitted. Would not the antiphlogistic mode of treatment, 

 carried to an extent agreeable to the apparent stamina and 

 strength of body, which have been rarely exceeded, have 

 produced a more favourable termination ? 



Since I exainined this case, I have heard from the medi- 

 cal gentlemen who dissected the body of Simmons, the 

 murderer, that half an ounce of water was found in the la- 

 teral ventricles of the head. I believe it was never doubted 

 that this unhappy person laboured under a brutal and fero- 

 cious insanity from his infancy. 



XXXVIII. Report upon a Memoir read at the French Insti- 

 tute fly M, Thenard, tip07i the Nitrous Ether. By Messrs. 



GUYTON, VAUaUELIN, and BbRT HO LLET*. 



iJiFFERENT kinds of ether have been formed by the action 

 of some acids upon alcohol. Volatility, inflammability, 



* Ann. de Chimie^ torn. Ixi. p. 2 ^. 



Vol. 30. No, 1 1 8. March 1 808. M and 



