TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 107 
_ other diseases of irritation, caused by acrimony and elementary de- 
_ rangement set up by the presence of urinary or other untoward im- 
_ pregnations in the blood and lymph.” 
In proof of this proposition it is stated, that certain minute crystals 
__ lately observed in various tissues of the human body, have probably 
_ resulted from the deposition of urinary salts, when their elements have 
been evolved in excess at some previous period, and that in some cases 
these crystalline particles have irritated the nerves of sensation and mo- 
tion. Crystals were found by the author in the tissues investing the 
principal nerves of the testes, in a case of neuralgia; by Professors 
Harrison and Apjohn in the membranes of the alimentary canal; and 
_ since, by other observers, in the heart, brain, stomach, and other organs 
and tissues. The author adds the case of crystals found in a thumb 
afflicted by tic-douloureux. The crystals examined by Dr. Apjohn 
were composed of earthy phosphates, but those found in Sir J. Murray’s 
dissections afford traces of uric or lethic salts. In cases of impetigines, 
tinea capitis, lepra, &c., the scales were found to contain urinary salts, 
and the ichor of ill-conditioned ulcers contained several saline quali- 
ties of the urine. The author attributes these and other phenomena 
to the reabsorption of urine from the bladder into the circulation; the 
lymph thus becoming saturated with foreign ingredients, it will be easy 
to account for the generation of crystalline scales in the tissues. 
The author considers the opinions expressed by physiologists as to 
_ the origin of the saline ingredients found in the solids and fluids ; no- 
_ tices the explanation which his researches appear to afford concerning 
violent local pains unaccompanied by inflammation or heat; particular- 
izes some of the excretions which, when in excess, cause acrimony of the 
fluids, irritability of the solids, and perverted combinations of various 
elementary atoms in the animal economy; and suggests the employ- 
ment of acid or alkaline remedies by the stomach or by baths, accord- 
ing to the indications observed in each case. (See, for a preliminary 
paper, the Dublin Medical Journal, 7th July, 1836). 
_ Sir James Murray exhibited apparatus for varying the atmospheric 
pressure on the whole or a part of the body. (See Reports of the 
_ Association, vol. iv. p. 96.) 
On Cholera. By Dr. MacktntTosu. 
The facts which Dr. Mackintosh stated regarding the condition of 
the organs of the body under the influence of cholera, were supported 
_ by a great number of preparations and drawings, the fruit of 300 dis- 
_ sections in cases of cholera in the first year of its appearance in a ma- 
_lignant form. 
On Morbid Preparations relating to Dysmenorrhea. By Dr. 
MACKINTOSH. 
