1327.] Monthly Medical Report. 105 



observation, and he is inclined to think that this form of thoracic disease will speedily 

 shew itself more generally, und require the utmost exertion of medical skill both in 

 detecting its insidious approach, and in checking its gradual but certain and formidable 

 advances. It is at this season of the year when the. foundations of consumption are for 

 the most part laid; and there is no principle in medical practice so universally acknow- 

 ledged, as the necessity of combating these cases (if they are to be combated at all \\iih 

 success) at a very early period of their course. When the blood-vessels of the lungs 

 have once begun to throw out (however slowly) inflammatory deposits, the danger is 

 certainly great. The practitioner, therefore, cannot be too much on his guard against 

 allowing the disease to gain that ascendancy when such a termination is inevitable. But 

 though fully ready to acknowledge this, the reporter is inclined to believe that, upon the 

 whole, medical men are too much alarmed in this respect, and are unwilling to place 

 sufficient reliance on the efforts of art in the relief of this state of disorder. Frequent 

 blistering, farinaceous diet, perfect, quiet of body and composure of mind, with the use 

 of deobstruent and diuretic remedies, have, in the reporter's practice, been of infinite 

 service in restoring persons who were evidently far advanced towards consumption. But 

 of all measures the most important is the defence of the body from external cold, and 

 knowing this, it is truly melancholy to observe how systematically this rule is broken 

 through, especially by females of the upper ranks of life. Their evening dresses 

 appear, indeed, to be contrived for. the especial purpose of extending the empire of con- 

 sumption in this island. 



General fever is still to be met with in tlie metropolis, but it has lost all that character 

 of intensity which caused it to be so much noticed of late in these, reports. The fever 

 now prevailing is of the kind called common continued, and is usually accompanied by 

 headache, -yielding, for the most part without difficulty, to the application of leeches. 

 The eruptive fevers also are both mild and rare. The admissions into the Small Pox 

 Hospitals during the last month have been greatly below the usual average. 



The only other kind of disease which can fairly be ranked among the epidemics of the 

 season is Rheumatism. This complaint has lately exhibited itself in more than its usual 

 proportion, some cases being accompanied by, and others altogether devoid of fever. 

 The side of the face has been one of the most frequent seats of this rheumatic affection, 

 which has been designated therefore under the several titles of tooth-ache, ear-ache, and 

 face-ache. 



A case lately fell under the reporter's observation sufficiently curious to deserve some 

 mention. A child, three years old, was brought into the Small Pox Hospital, and died 

 the following .day. Gu .examination of the body, the 'liver was found enlarged to an 

 enormous size. In the language of the common people, the child was liveryrown. 

 Little doubt can be entertained that this disease was congenital, for within three months 

 after birth the enlargement of the body was plainly perceived by the mother, who soon 

 afterwards contrived a pair of stays for the child, which appeared to afford it much 

 comfort. . The singularity of the case consisted in this, that up to the day of its seizure 

 by small pox, the child's appetite, general aspect and health were unimpaired. The 

 child had never spoken, but was lively and good-tempered. The parents appear healthy 

 nor has any similar disease appeared in their other children. 



. GEORGE GREGORY, M.D. 



8, Upper John-afreet) Gulden-square, December 22, 



MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



DURING the present week will depart this mortal life, one of the most favourable 

 autumnal seasons for all the operations of agriculture, which' the oldest living man 'has 

 witnessed. Some inconveniences, however, must of necessity have been expe- 

 rienced. In the maritime counties, there has been so much, moisture from rain and 

 fog, that the lands have poached, arid the grasses have become sodden and innutritions, 

 indeed unwholesome. This has, in course, accelerated the period, of home 

 folding; but we do not find that, the former earnest and practical recommendation 

 of the continental, indeed old English practice, of including sheep in the winter pro- 

 tection, has yet had any influence with the flockmasters of the noble county of Kent ; 

 notwithstanding their recent bitter experience of the ROTS, and the certainty of its re- 

 currence, should the winter prove moist. On favourable soils, the stock of all kinds 

 have done well, the stubbles have been eminently productive, arid cattle are still abroad. 

 Some light lands are yet dry and firm, notwithstanding the great quantity of rain that 

 has fallen, and the springs even are yet defective. There has been little frost, and that 

 of short duration. Wheat-sowing finished successfully, excepting on some wet apd 

 poachy soils, further retarded by the drill process. A vast breadth of wheat and winter 

 tares sown ; the early sown is equal to any thing ever witnessed, for luxuriance and 

 stoutness, .. Much of the forward wheats fed down by sheep.. The great plenty of green 

 food has economized the hay and straw, and prevented an inordinate rise of price'.' The 



M. M. Nsw Series. VOL. 1 1 1. No. 13. P 



