268 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



powers, and thus serve to render the mind more fertile and creative. 

 The empyreumatic oils are apt to induce a tendency to melancholy 

 and mental hallucinations. Phosphorus acts on the instinct of propa- 

 gation, and increases sexual desire ; hence it has often been recom- 

 mended in cases of impotence. Iodine seems to have a somewhat 

 analogous influence; but then it often diminishes, at the same time, 

 the energy of the intellectual powers. Cantharides, it is well known, 

 are a direct stimulant of the sexual organs ; while camphor tends to 

 moderate and lull the irritability of these parts. 



" Of the metals, arsenic has a tendency to induce lowness and depres- 

 sion of the spirits ; while the preparations of gold serve to elevate and 

 excite them. Mercury is exceeding apt to bring on a morbid sensibili- 

 ty, and an inaptitude for all active occupation. 



"Of narcotics, opium is found to augment the erotic propensities, as 

 well as the general powers of the intellect, but more especially the im- 

 agination. In smaller doses it enlivens the ideas and induces various 

 hallucinations, so that it may be truly said that, during the stupor which 

 it induces, the mind continues to be awake while the body is asleep. 

 In some persons opium excites inordinate loquacity. Dr. Gregory 

 says that this effect is observed more especially after the use of the 

 muriate of morphia. He noticed this effect in numerous patients ; and 

 he then tried the experiment on himself with a similar result. He felt, 

 he tells us, while under the operation, an invincible desire to speak, 

 and possessed, moreover, an unusual fluency of language. Hence he 

 recommends its use to those who may be called upon to address any 

 public assembly, and who have not sufficient confidence in then- own 

 unassisted powers. 



" Other narcotics are observed to act very differently on the brain 

 and its faculties from opium. Belladonna usually impairs the intellec- 

 tual energies ; hyoscyamus renders the person violent, impetuous, and 

 ill-mannered. Conium dulls and deadens the intellect, and digitalis is 

 decidedly anti-aphrodisiac. Hemp will often induce an inextinguish- 

 able gayety of spirits. Tobacco acts in a very similar manner with ' 

 opium, even in those persons who are accustomed to its use; almost aH 

 smokers assert that it stimulates the powers of the imagination. 



" If the psychological action of medicines were better known, medical 

 men might be able to vary their exhibition, according to the characters 

 and mental peculiarities of their patients. The treatment of different 

 kinds of monomaniacal derangement also might be much improved ; 

 and it is not improbable but that even a favorable change might be 

 wrought on certain vicious and perverse dispositions, which unfortu- 

 nately resist all attempts at reformation, whether in the way of admoni- 

 tion, reproof, or even of correction." Prof. Otto, Medico-Chirurgical 

 Review. 



IS FRESH AIR NECESSARY DURING SLEEP? 



Most readers will be surprised that such a question should be asked ; 

 to ask it, they would say, is to answer it. An eminent French phys- 

 iologist, M. Delbruck, however, has recently doubted the affirmative 

 of the above proposition, in a paper of some merit, presented to the 

 French Academy, in which he propounds a difficulty, arising out of 

 the consideration of some very familiar facts. He thinks that the cal- 



