the Chemistry of Geology, 255 



suggested a possible explanation of the origin of* the pyrites so 

 often found in fossil shells, imbedded in clay, which abounds 

 in nodular pyrites. It had been observed that sulphates un- 

 dergo gradual decomposition by the action of organic matter ; 

 and he thought it, therefore, far from improbable that sulphate 

 of iron, generated from oxidized pyrites, might, by the deox- 

 idizing agency of animal remains, be reconverted into sulphuret. 

 — Armals of Philosophy ^ July 1833. 



DR OPPENHEIM ON THE STATE OF MEDICINE IN EUROPEAN 

 AND ASIATIC TURKEY. 



The father of medicine in Turkey was an Ambian, named 

 Lochmann, appointed in the seventeenth century by Mahom- 

 med, to discharge the sacred functions of physician. The mi- 

 racles performed by Lochmann were numerous, and tradition 

 has recorded them in glowing colours : he was a wandering 

 dervise, and taught his art to the brethren of his order, who, 

 retaining to this day the precious secrets he revealed, continue 

 by birth-right the practitioners of Turkey *. As might be ex- 

 pected, this religious order of physicians are greater proficients 

 in superstition than in practical medicine, and exceJ3t being ac- 

 quainted with the virtues of a few plants, they absolutely know 

 nothing. It is true, indeed, that they attempt to acquire confi- 

 dence by appealing to supernatural agency, divination, astrology, 

 tahsmans, and cabalistic figures. 



Sometimes they attribute the origin of disease to the special 

 wrath of God, in others to the interference of devils, but never 

 perform the ceremony of deprecation or exorcism, without a 

 multiplicity of rites and sufficient pay. Where money is given 

 in the expected quantity, their prayers are endless, their beads 

 are told ad hifiyiitum, picked sentences of the Koran are sewn 

 together, and given to the patient lo swallow ; or, when a fluid 



• The Turks, with a happy knack of distorting Frankish names, have 

 confounded Hoffman with Lochmann. Thus Hoffman's liquor they call 

 Loclmiann-llouch. 



