TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 83 
been used, and in none was the quantity sufficient to account for its occurrence. The 
importance of distinguishing the two affections must be obvious to every one. The 
_ diagnosis rests principally on the ulceration being partial and not general over the 
_ action of a condensing and exhausting syringe, and proba 
whole gums, as is the case in mercurial action, in the accompanying ptyalism being 
moderate in quantity, in the foetor of the breath being destitute of the peculiar odour 
of the mineral impregnation, and in the tendency to hemorrhage. This last seems 
to connect it rather with Purpura hemorrhagica than with the former affection. The 
sanguineous discharges were not confined to the gums, but extended also to the rectum 
and intestines; and the author related a remarkable case of two children, one of whom 
had the affection of the mouth and the other Purpura hemorrhagica. But the im~ 
portance of the diagnosis is still further shown from the circumstance that in this 
disease mercurial remedies can be administered, not only without risk, but even with 
advantage. The treatment found of greatest benefit was not local but constitutional. 
The former seemed to exercise very little impression even upon the parts to which it 
was applied; the latter alone was productive of relief. Acidulated infusions of bark 
and calumba were particularly serviceable, but the application of a tolerably large 
blister over the abdomen after it had been stimulated by the mustard poultice, and 
left on for about an hour, was more effectual in checking the accompanying diarrhcea, 
lowering the fever and improving the general condition of the patient than anything 
else. 
On the Influence of Galvanism on Endosmose and Exosmose. 
By H. B. Lerson, M.A., M.D. 
“Whether endosmose and exosmose are dependent on electricity, capillary attraction 
or chemical affinity, or on some mechanical condition having relation to the magnitude 
of the particles of the fluids, subjected to its influence and to the pores of the membrane 
through which they pass, has not at present been satisfactorily determined. 
The first idea of Dutrochet, that electricity was the more immediate cause*, is now 
generally abandoned; nor can we be surprised that Dutrochet himself should have 
felt some misgivings on the subject, if we refer to the experiments of Porrett and him- 
self, on which that opinion was founded. 
The author entered into an examination of these experiments, and then proceeded 
to explain those in which he is at present engaged. After adverting to the fact now 
familiar to most persons accustomed to the use of the sustaining galvanic battery, viz. 
that the liquid on the one side of the porous diaphragm was considerably increased 
or elevated by the action of the battery, the author explained that such increase could 
not depend, as had been supposed, upon any mere variation of the specific gravity of 
the fluids, inasmuch as that the height attained by the liquid, as exhibited in the 
arrangement of an experiment then exhibited, was much greater than could be due 
to any alteration of specific gravity, and amounted in some of the author’s experi- 
ments to several feet. ‘The author then alluded to his experiments, as proving that 
endosmose and exosmose were greatly promoted by electricity, more especially ob- 
serving that sulphuric acid, a substance mentioned by Dutrochet as inimical to the 
influence of endosmose, was in the experiment before them rendered amenable thereto, 
The author also observed, that although endosmose and exosmose may be induced 
without any galvanic influence, and are not therefore absolutely dependent upon it, 
still, inasmuch as the action took place more readily under the influence of the cur- 
rent, and almost ceased when the current was) interrupted, we must conclude that 
endosmose and exosmose are powerfully promoted by it. . 
The great amount of force or motion generated by the action of endosmose and 
exosmose was then observed. Endosmose and exosmose continually going on in so 
many parts of the animal ceconomy may be regarded as ee nye to the continued 
ly contribute to promote 
the action of the heart, as stated by the author some years ago in a thesis upon the 
blood, read by him at Oxford. 
_ The author then adverted to the relative alkaline and acid state of the fluids secreted 
from the surfaces of different membranes, as presenting conditions favourable to the 
production of galvanic currents, The author also adverted to the experiments of 
»*  Ainsi ’endosmose et l’exosmose dépendent enti@rement de |’électrité.”—L’ Agent im- 
_ médiat du Mouvement Vital, 1826. 
G2 
