310 Scientific Intelligence. [Oct. 



Dr. Williams gave an account of similar experiments. His deduc- 

 tions were coincident. 



Wednesdaij, 12//i August. — 4. Dr. ]Mc.Donnell read a paper on 

 the pulse and breathing. He affirmed, that the number of pulsations 

 varies with the posture. This he terms the differential pulse. 

 When it is absent, it may be concluded that diseased action is present. 

 The pulse of the foetus is very slow, and is doubled at birth. He 

 concludes, that as little inconvenience is experienced by considerable 

 fluctuations in the quantity of carbonic acid exhaled from the lungs 

 that the decarbonization of the blood is the least important part of 

 respiration. 



5. Dr. Harrison read a paper on '* Bones in the heart of Rumi- 

 nantia." He exhibited specimens of bones obtained from the heart 

 of the common ox, and shewed that they were not accidental ossifica- 

 tions, but are constantly present. They exist also in the calf. They 

 have not been detected either in the horse or the stag. Their prin- 

 cipal uses appear to be to preserve the patency of the aorta, to serve 

 as a fixed point of action to the muscular fibres, to prevent the ven- 

 tricles from being totally closed, and to protect the large sinuses from 

 the powerful resiliance of the aorta. 



6. Mr. Houston described the habits of the Cistocircus tenui- 

 cotlis, a hydatid found in living animals, but especially in the omen- 

 tum of the deer. They are enclosed in cysts to which they do not 

 adhere. The specimen exhibited, possessed a head with a long nar- 

 row neck and caudal vesicle. The author considers that the opinion 

 which asserts that the antazoa are the consequence of disease is un- 

 supported by any facts. 



Dr. Harrison stated that he had found these animals pervading 

 the muscles of voluntary motion, each animalcula being coiled upon 

 itself in about two whorls, and enveloped in a white capsule. A spe- 

 cimen of the biceps muscle was exhibited which was completely studded 

 with them. Muscles in which these exist are invariably wasted. 



7. Dr. Jacob read a paper on the mammary glands in cetacese, in 

 which he controverted the opinions of St. Hilaire, and proved that the 

 process of suction can be performed under water. Hence, it is un- 

 necessary to suppose that the subcuticular muscle assists by pressing 

 on the gland. 



8. Dr. Collins read a report of the Lying-in-Hospital. 



9. Sir James Murray read a paper on atmospheric pressure as a 

 remedial agent. 



Thursday I3lh. — 10. A report was read from Dr. Roupell on 

 ■the effects of poisons upon the stomach. 



1 1. Dr. Alison read a paper on the state of the arteries in inflam- 

 mation. He deduced from his experiments that the arteries in the 

 seat of inflammation are weakened and dilated, while those in the 

 immediate neighbourhood are in a state of increased action. 



12. Mr. Walton described an operation practised by him for the 

 cure of caries in the bones of the foot — consisting in a removal of 

 the lateral half of the foot. 



13. Dr. Stokes read a paper on the diagnosis between accumula- 

 tions in the chest of fluids and of air, in which he pointed out a new 

 ground of distinction arising from paralysis of the respiratory mus- 

 cles, in consequence of the inflammation existing near them. 



