134 EIGHTH REPORT 1838. 



On the occurrence of Crystals in the Human Intestines. By 

 O. B. Bellingham, M.D, 



The author prefaced a description of the circumstances attending a 

 case of this nature by a short review of the previous observations of 

 Ehrenberg, who found microscopical crystals in tl^e meconium ; Schon- 

 bein, wlio found small crystals in the intestinal discharges of typhus 

 patients, and imagined they might be considered as a diagnostic of ty- 

 phus ; and Muller, who detected them in persons that died of various 

 disorders. 



Dr. Bellingham's case was that of an individual (male), set. about .40, 

 who died of pleuropneumonia and gastritis, in St. Vincent's Hospitalj 

 Dublin, after being admitted only a few days. On examining the in- 

 testinal canal, the contents of the colon were found to be very fluid, 

 and of a lighter colour than usual. Suspended in the contents were 

 numerous small hard parts, which jiroved to be crystals, somewhat less 

 than the third of a line in length. Their colour was white (superfici- 

 , ally yellowish), their form a slender four-sided prism, terminated by 

 four-sided pyramids. On analysis, Dr. Apjohn found them to be com- 

 posed of phosphate of ammonia and magnesia, or the triple phosphate. 

 They were found only in the colon. 



The author remarks, that the ammoniaco-magnesian phosphate found 

 in the urinary bladder is usually formed in short three-sided prisms, 

 terminated by three or six-sided pyramids. 



The composition of the crystals found by Schonbein was very differ- 

 ent from these, consisting chiefly of phosj^hate of lime, some sulphate 

 of lime, and a salt of soda, and presented the appearance of rhombs or 

 rhombic prisms. In one case, however, he found four-sided prisms, and 

 Dr. Bellingham remarks, that the triple phosphate has been frequently 

 noticed in the intestinal secretions of quadrupeds, as by Fourcroy, 

 Vauquelin, and Marcet. 



On Abscess of the Lungs. By Thomas Barnes, M.D. 



Regarding the frequency of this disease, a difference appears between 

 the statements of ancient and modern medical authorities, the former 

 affirming it to be of common occurrence, the latter uniformly asserting 

 its rarity. The formation of an abscess in the lung being now con- 

 sidered so very rare, Dr. Barnes thought a brief account of two cases 

 which lately occurred to himself worthy the attention of the Meeting. 



The first case was of a gentleman 40 years of age ; his disease ori- 

 ginated in influenza (Feb. 1837). He was of a sound and healthy con- 

 stitution, without any predisposition to phthisis or pulmonary disease, 

 and in Aug. 1838 he had recovered ; but the symptoms he had suffered 

 left no doubt in the minds of Dr. Barnes, Dr. Headlam, and Mr. Ed- 

 monson of the true nature of the disease. 



The second case is that of a stone-mason, aged 45, whose illness 

 commenced ou the 28th March, 1 838, and was attributed by himself to 



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