1835.] Scientific Intellicjcnce. 309 



Article IX. 



SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 



I. — British Association. — Continued from page 224, 

 Anatomy and Medicine. 



Monday, August \Oth. — Dr Graves read a paper on the employ- 

 ment of chloride of soda* in fever. This preparation was first em- 

 ployed internally in 1827, by Dr. Read. The author began to use 

 it in 1832, and has found it a powerful remedy. It is most advise- 

 able in collapse following re-action, to the extent of 15 or 20 drops 

 of the saturated solution in an ounce of camphor mixture, and re- 

 peated every 4th hour. Its use is to be avoided in re-action, and 

 when any symptom of local inflammation is present. The beneficial 

 effects are evident in its warding off inflammation of the tympanum, 

 restoring the secretions, especially of the skin, mucous membranes 

 and liver. A letter was read from Dr. Stokes, in which this remedial 

 agent was highly approved of. 



2. Dr. Houston explained the provisions in the structure of diving 

 animals, by which they are enabled to undergo emersion in water. 

 He argued that no state in which animals can be placed is so inju- 

 rious as that where respiration is suspended, and that whales which 

 can remain 20 minutes under water, as well as all diving animals, 

 have a temporary provision established by means of the great size 

 and complexity of the veinous system, especially in the right cavi- 

 ties of the heart, venae cavae, hepatic veins, and those of the abdomen 

 and spinal canal. The observations were illustrated by preparations. 



Tuesday^ August \\th. — Mv. Harrison read the report of the 

 Dublin Committee on the motions and sounds of the heart. It con- 

 sisted of three divisions. The first detailed a number of experiments, 

 which were made for the purpose of elucidating the motions of the 

 heart. The second part was devoted to the results of an experimen- 

 tal inquiry into the causes of the sounds of the heart ; and the third 

 consisted of inferences deduced during the examination of the various 

 phenomena. The experiments were instituted on calves. On re- 

 moving the sternum the heart was observed to beat with a vibratory 

 motion on longitudinal axis, 80 pulsations in a minute, the apex of 

 ventricles becoming elevated on their contraction ; the auricles swelled 

 up, then subsided, and the ventricles contracted. The prolonged 

 and dull sound of the heart began and terminated with the contrac- 

 tion of the ventricles, and was instantly succeeded by the second sound 

 sharp and quick. When the heart was laid on a table the first sound 

 was distinct, the second absent. When the semilunar valves were 

 confined in close apposition with the walls of the vessels, the second 

 sound was lost. The first sound, it was concluded, arose from the 

 flow of the blood over the rough surfaces of the sides of the ventricles, 

 increased by the muscular contraction. The second sound was attri- 

 buted to the elasticity of the coats of the arteries, in connexion with 

 the heart, and depends upon the semilunar valves. 



* From the experiments of JJalard we may infer, that this compound consists of 

 chlorite of soda, and chloride of sodium. — Edit. 



