[65 } 

 X. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



SOCIETY OF SCIENCES OF HAERLEM. 



Xhis society has renewed its prize question on the utility of 

 fumigation with chlorine gas (oxygenated muriatic acid) for 

 Jan. 1st, 1822 — see our 52d Vol., p. 223 — and requires, in ad- 

 dition " that a succinct enumeration be given of the cases in 

 which such fumigation has proved effectual in preventing various 

 contagious diseases." 



It has also renewed to the same period the question on the 

 gastric juice — See as above. 



The following questions have likewise been proposed by this 

 society : 



*' How far does the physiology of the human body furnish 

 just grounds for liolieving, or has experience satisfactorily proved, 

 that oxygen gas is one of the most efficacious remedies for reco- 

 vering persons who are drowned, suffocated, or in a syncope? 

 And what are the most prompt and certain methods to be em- 

 ployed for this end ?" 



" How far are we acquainted, from the chemical experiments 

 of Vauquelin and others, with the various species of cinchona. 



1. What is the different nature and quality of their constituents ? 



2. To what particular principle should we ascribe its febrifuge 

 powers? 3. What criteria can we deduce therefrom to distin- 

 guish the best species, and the best barks used as substitutes ? 

 4. Are any rules to be obtained for preserving the principle, in 

 which consists its febrifuge power, entire in the various prepara- 

 tions of cincliona?" 



** Though vaccination has almost every where put a stop to 

 the epidemic small-pox, that disease has re- appeared within 

 these few years here and elsewhere : and a species of variolous 

 pustules having recently shown themselves in some who have 

 been vaccinated, it is required — 1. Of what description are these 

 pustules ? In what do ihey differ from real small-pox ? Is it the 

 latter that is produced in those individuals who have been pre- 

 viously vaccinated? Does it arise from constitution, from indis- 

 position, from the matter employed in vaccination, or from other 

 circumstances, and how is it to be prcventLd ? 2. What can, with 

 truth, be asserted, with regard to the duration of the preservative 

 virtue of vaccination ? Would it prove of service to re-vaccinate 

 on the re-appearauce of the disease? Are the methods employed 

 by us for encouraging vaccination sufficient, ami do they tend to 

 cause the entire disappearance of the sniall-])ox ? In case tiiey 

 are not, what more cliicacious means could be adopted ?" 



" What is the cause why ovsters are occasionally prejudicial to 

 Vol. .57. No. 273. Jan. \H2l. I hcaltl; ? 



