430 Miscellaneous Intelligence* 



without producing irritation or unpleasant consequences, and that 

 for an indefinite period. 



Mr. Lerut laid bare the right carotid artery of a dog, and after 

 separating it carefully from its accompanying nerve and vein, 

 passed under it a leaden wire, which was then firmly tied. Both 

 ends of the wire were cut off, and the sharp point bent down. The 

 wound was then drawn together by a few stitches and adhesive 

 strips. The animal was left at liberty, and being examined after 

 some days, the stitches were found ulcerated out and the wound 

 open ; it had filled up from the bottom with granulations, but the 

 edges were wide apart. With tight dressing it healed entirely, in 

 about ten weeks. A few weeks after, the animal was killed and 

 examined : a small cicatrix existed in the skin ; the lead was found 

 in the situation in which it had been placed, by the side of the vein 

 and nerve, perfectly encysted. The artery had been removed 

 entirely, for the space of half an inch. Not the slightest trace of 

 inflammation existed in the neighbouring parts ; on the contrary, 

 they appeared perfectly natural. The lead was inclosed in a dense 

 cellular substance, which formed for it a complete cyst. 



In four other similar experiments, not the slightest departure 

 from the former appearances occurred. In every case the lead 

 became inclosed in a cyst, and the neighbouring parts remained per- 

 fectly healthy and natural. The lead having answered so well, the 

 experiments were continued to ascertain whether that metal was 

 peculiar in this respect, or whether other metals were as innocuous 

 in similar circumstances. Trials with gold, silver, and platinum had 

 exactly the same results ; from which Dr. Lerut concludes, that the 

 plan of tying the arteries with lead and the other metals is free from 

 danger, and may be productive of some peculiar advantages. — 

 Amer. Journ. Med. Sciences. 



15. Metallic Silver in the Animal Tissue. — A person who had 

 taken nitrate of silver for epilepsy, was cured, but afterwards died of a 

 diseased liver. His skin had, however, previously acquired the 

 bluish tint now so well known as communicated by the medical use 

 of nitrate of silver, and therefore, after death, the body was ex- 

 amined : it was found that the internal parts, also, had undergone 

 more or less change in colour, as well as the skin. M. Brande 

 undertook the chemical examination of the plexus chorioid and 

 the pancreas, and found both to contain notable quantities of silver. 



16. On the Ergot of Mais, or Indian Corn. — M. Roulin has written 

 on this subject, and his memoir has been reported upon to the 

 Royal Academy of Sciences. This ergot does not resemble that of 

 rye in its appearance, but produces similar effects. Pigs who feed 

 upon it, lose their hair, and their posterior limbs frequently 

 become paralyzed. With mules the hair falls off, the feet swell, 

 and they frequently lose one or more hoofs ; the latter are, gene- 



