94 REPORT—1846. 
tion was carried on in the liver,—one cause of the general circulation being appa- 
rently absent, namely, the oxygenation of the blood in the arterial system, in the 
portal system the blood being deemed wholly venous. The solution of the problem 
depended, he thought, on the fact that the stomach and bowels were (like the cuta- 
neous) a respiratory surface, by which the portal blood becomes oxygenated to the 
necessary degree. In support of this view he adduced the experiments of Majendie, 
who found eleven per cent. of oxygen in the stomach of criminals examined after 
decapitation, and carbonic acid and nitrogen in the intestines; the source of this 
oxygen he believes to be the air swallowed with the food and saliva, and in combi- 
nation with cold water. This oxygen he believes to be absorbed by the veins and 
lacteals, and communicated as a source of power to the portal vessels. He deemed 
the absorbing power of the gastric and mesenteric veins to be increased by the dimi- 
nution of the quantity of blood in the vessels by the secretion of bile. In conclusion, 
he thought the ruminant animals required an additional supply of oxygen to main- 
tain the respiratory function over their large gastro-intestinal surface, and that this 
was supplied from their peculiar function of rumination. 
On some Diseases resulting from the immoderate Use of Tobacco. 
By T. Laycock, M.D. ° 
The diseased action from the continuous and immoderate use of this poisonous 
substance was observed to pervade the mucous membranes of the digestive and re-_ 
spiratory systems, producing congestive inflammation of the fauces and stomach, 
and of the nares, frontal sinuses, larynx, and bronchial lining of the lungs. Gas- 
tritis with the symptoms of aggravated indigestion and hemoptie were among the 
worst results of these affections ; but it was found in many cases to produce disease 
of the circulating organs and of the nervous system—weakening the force and regu- 
larity of the heart’s action, and diminishing the intellectual and moral powers. In 
conclusion, Dr. Laycock read a report from Dr. Wright confirming his own obser- 
vations, and containing experiments demonstrating the physiological action of the 
drug on animals. 
Diagrams showing the Mortality of Diarrhea concurrently with progressive 
increase of temperature in London. By T. Laycocx, M.D. 
The lines representing temperature and mortality were seen to be persistently, 
and even minutely regular; not coincident in point of time, but those indicating 
the mortality following those of temperature by about a week’s interval. The tables 
extended over five years, and the uniformity of elevation and depression continued 
throughout. 
On a peculiar form of Ulceration of the Cervix Uteri. By Dr. H. Bennet. 
STATISTICS. 
Statistics of Civil Justice in India for four years, from 1841 to 1844, both 
inclusive. By Lieut.-Colonel Syxes, F.RS. 
Tue present returns are supplementary to those published by the Statistical Society 
of London, and are brought forward by the author as well to test the continued work- 
ing of the system of administration, as to afford data for determining the effect of the 
recent politic efforts to improve the intellectual standard of the native administrators, 
by introducing into their body natives who have passed certain prescribed examina- 
tions at the colleges and schools established by the East India Company in their ter- 
ritoriesin India, The returns are decidedly satisfactory. Under the four governments 
of India,—Bengal, Agra, Madras, and Bombay, the whole of the courts, both Euros 
