446 Monthly Medical Report. [APRIL, 



sudden effusion of blood. The sac of the aneurism was thick nnd strong; and, but for 

 pressure on the windpipe, the patient might have long survived. An occasional patient of the 

 Reporter's has for many years had an enormous aneurismal tumour of the same kind ; in 

 spite of which he follows his employment as a carpenter, and uses the hammer freely and 

 without fear. 



The only other case which the Reporter will now mention is one which is interesting, as 

 shewing the occasional inefficiency of the mo^ scientific investigations into the origin of 

 disease. A woman, of about thirty-six years of age, had, for a very long time, complained 

 of weakness and indigestion. She had consulted many doctors, had taken mustard -seed, 

 blue-pill, and almost every drug, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that groweth on 

 the wall. Inflammation ol the bowels at length carried her off; and it was discovered, upon 

 subsequent examination, that the cause of her co/mplicated sufferings was the growth of 

 various masses of hydatids in the abdominal cavity. It is perhaps worthy of note, as evi- 

 dence of the instruction to be derived from close attention to the feelings of the patient, that 

 this person frequently expressed to those around her, her belief that sbe had something alive 

 within her. 



8, Upper John Street, Golden Square, GEORGE GREGORY, M.D. 



March 22, 1827. 



MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



A HENEWAL of the frost for upwards of a week, and variable weather, again put a stop 

 to getting-in the spring crops, for which the lands universally were in a forward state, work- 

 ing remarkably well, from the effects of a dry summer and a sufficiency of frost, though late 

 in the winter. The farmers, in course, were under the necessity of a temporary suspension 

 of the field culture, and of a return to their usual occupations, in such case, of carting 

 manure, threshing, or any object of immediate interest in the various business of the home- 

 stall. Notwithstanding the heavy rains, the field culture has since recommenced ; and, on 

 the best soils, sowing the spring crops is, in general, in a considerable state of forwardness, 

 and the seed well got in. On the other hand, in low-lands subject to be flooded, and in those 

 northern districts where the late high winds and snow-storms have proved so injurious, field 

 business has been much retarded, and its conclusion will necessarily be somewhat late. The 

 great desideratum at present is a good cover of March dust, to absorb the superfluous mois- 

 ture of the late rains, which, however, have beenscarcely even yet in quantity sufficient to 

 replenish and renew the springs in those counties where they were completely exhausted by 

 the summer's drought. If the wheats on the ground have really received any damage from 

 the severity of the weather, it will most probably be experienced in Scotland, and in the 

 northernmost and most exposed parts of the country. Taking the crop generally, it may be 

 pronounced thus far safe and of good promise ; for, standing thick upon the ground, as for the 

 most part it did, thinning of it, in a slight degree, may prove rather beneficial than otherwise. 

 The clovers and various seed crops are said not to have escaped considerable damage. One 

 very unfortunate effect of the above impediments from the weather, has been the withholding 

 employment from that mass of wretched and starving labourers, which has long burthened 

 so many parts of the country, and for which no remedy seems even in prospect. The lambing 

 of the Dorset ewes, the most forward breed, has, on the whole, been successful, notwith- 

 standing the difficulties of the season and the shortness of provision. From ihe South-downs, 

 likewise, the accounts are favourable more so, indeed, than can be expected from less 

 favoured districts, where the ewes have suffered greatly from exposure and want of due 

 nourishment, and where yet a long interval of want and almost starvation must be gone 

 through. Root crops have been long since exhausted, where most wanted ; and all-mighty 

 custom has likewise, too long since, forbidden the storing of them, as a winter and early 

 spring resource. Hay is quoted in Derbyshire, and various other distant counties, at from 

 6/. to 14/. per ton ; straw as high as 6/. 65., and to be obtained with difficulty even at those 

 unheard-of prices. The almost insuperable difficulty of supporting live stock must natu- 

 rally reduce the price of lean stores : yet cattle, in good condition, and particularly good milch 

 cows, maintain a considerable price : but sheep and lambs are not equally saleable. Fat 

 stock is every where in request, and dear, and must continue so ; bacon, butter, and cheese 

 advancing in price. The horse- market much the same as it has been throughout the winter; 

 ordinary horses not easily saleable, but the young and of high qualification not to be 

 obtained but at a high price. The import of cart-horses has again commenced on the coasts 

 of Kent and Sussex ; 100 two and three years' olds have been lately landed. The wool mar- 

 ket remains in statu quo, and must so remain, until manufactures and commerce regain the 

 status quo ante, or that flourishing state in which they were before bedlamite speculations 

 brooded and hatched the late crisis, which the delinquent, in the vain hope of shielding itself 

 from due shame and reproach, has vainly endeavoured to lay at the door of currency, the 

 need of an equitable adjustment, and other profundities ! The seed market, in advance for 

 every article: seed oats, peas, and beans have obtained great prices. Government, after the 

 most painful and long-continued efforts to come at a right understanding of the great question 



