498 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1700. 



Ejusdem Disserlatio Academica An Incuho Fcrriim ricbiginosum ? Monsp. 1694. 



12mo. N° 263, p. 365. 



The incubus or niglit-mare is supposed by M. Chirac to proceed from indi- 

 gestion and acidity. He therefore proposes for the cure of it aperients in the 

 first place, and afterwards absorbents, together with chalybeates, such as rust 

 of iron. 



Ejusdem Disserlatio Academica An Passioni lliaciv Globiili Pliimbei Hydrargyro 

 pTieferendi. Monsp. l6g4. 12 mo. N° 263, p. 367. 



In the cure of the ihac passion M. Chirac recommends bleeding, licjuid diet 

 such as broths made of soft and relaxing ingredients, barley and rice cream, 

 decoctions of the roots of marshmallows, adding oil of sweet almonds to the 

 quantity of several ounces, lenient and emollient clysters, with oil of linseed, 

 white lilies, &c. &c. opiates and other narcotics, a tepid bath of water : lastly, 

 such things as by their weight shall make their way through the body, as bullets 

 of lead, gold, or a pound or two of crude mercury. After taking these it is best 

 (he says) to lie for some time on the right side, to allow them to pass 

 the pylorus, and so by turning from side to side to favour their descent through 

 the duct of the guts. M. Chirac thinks crude mercury not so safe as small 

 bullets of lead,* on account of the acid liquors in the bowels, which he ima- 

 gines must corrode and dissolve some of the metal. 



Chrisiiani a Sleenveh Disserlatio de Ulcere verminoso, ad Clarissimiim Virum 

 Godefredum Bidloo. Ltigd. Bat. 1697. 4to. N°263, p. 57O. 



The author recites in this treatise, a very extraordinary case, viz. Mary Bulte, 

 a healthy maiden of 48 years, fell down 12 stairs, and broke her left leg 3 inches 

 above the ankle, so that the tibia bone came out of the skin above an inch, 

 the parts being very much in pain. The wound was dilated, the bone set, and 

 a proper bandage applied. Many pieces of bones of different sizes came from 

 the wound. Care was also taken to prevent a gangrene. Five weeks after the 

 fracture, appeared an ulcer about the prominent part of the ankle, from whence 

 issued matter. This ulcer was healed, and 15 days after it broke open afresh, 

 when they thought the cure perfect, and in the bottom of the ulcer they saw 

 50 worms live, move, and grow. These put into a box in a warm place, 

 changed into chrysalids in 6 days, and after 14 days they turned into flies. 



* British practitioners, on the contrary, think that it is not so safe to swallow bullets of lead as 

 crude mercury. The supposed " acid liquors in the bowels," would act as readily upon the lead as 

 upon the quicksilver. 



