TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 133 



off from the vessel in the form of a moist powder. These experiments 

 show that there are two compounds of albumen and nitrate of silver, 

 one of which is insoluble and the other soluble in watei- — the one being 

 an acid and the other a basic compound. The author proceeded to 

 state the result of his endeavours to ascertain the operation of nitrate 

 of silver upon the animal economy. After numerous experiments 

 upon the secretions of the mucous membranes of the oesophagus, 

 stomach, Szc, he found that precisely similar compounds are formed 

 by these fluids, — a circumstance which admits of ready explanation, if 

 we consider these fluids as merely solutions of some modification of al- 

 bumen. Tlie same compounds are formed by bringing tlie nitrate of 

 silver in contact Avith the cutis, Avhich is generally considered to con- 

 sist of gelatin, altliough it possesses most of the properties of albumen. 

 Until, however, we know M'hat albumen is and are acquainted more 

 accurately with the nature of the causes which give rise to its modifi- 

 cations, it will be in vain to attempt to assign any definite composition 

 to these compounds ; we can only study their physical and chemical 

 properties ; but this we can do most efl[iciently so as to render the facts 

 of great importance in a therapeutic point of view. From the facts 

 ascertained by the author in respect to the compounds of animal mat- 

 ter and nitrate of silver, he has drawn the following conclusions : — 



1. That nitrate of silver acts as a caustic by combining with the ani- 

 mal matter of the textures to which it is applied, probably in definite 

 proportions. The compounds are partly soluble and partly insoluble in 

 water, which renders them readily separable from the surface on which 

 they are produced. Cauterization is, therefore, the removal of a por- 

 tion of organized matter by chemical means. 



2. When nitrate of silver is taken into the stomach, chemical com- 

 pounds of a similar nature are formed with solid matter dissolved in 

 the secretions, and with the food contained in that organ. Hence, no 

 nitrate of silver can ever reach the blood as nitrate of silver. 



3. The author pointed out the importance of studying the action of 

 these compounds upon the constitution, and the fallacy of supposing 

 that nitrate of silver can act per se upon the animal ceconomy. 



Observations upon Uterine Hcemorrhage and Practical Hints 07i the 

 best mode of arresting it. By R. Torbock. 



After noticing the circumstances attending uterine haemorrhage, the 

 difficulty of sometimes restraining it, and the remedial means devised 

 and recommended by the best writers, Mr. Torbock described an in- 

 strument which he had invented and employed with success in cases of 

 this nature. The instrument for this purpose is simply an India-rub- 

 ber bag, so prepared that it may be greatly distended. When introduced 

 into the vagina (or even into the uterus if necessary), it Avill, by its 

 perfect adaptation, preclude the possibility of blood escaping, and form 

 an effectual plug. Cases were detailed jii support of this statement. 



