200 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO J7'27. 



large quantity of extravasated lymph was found between the pia mater and brain, 

 and the anterior ventricles of the brain were almost turgid with the same fluid. 

 In the choroid plexuses were found a number of whitish pellucid eminences, or 

 vesicles, filled with serum, and of different sizes, the largest of the size of a 

 hempseed. 



3. In a third epileptic subject, an old woman, there was found some effusion 

 of serum between the pia mater and the brain; and the anterior ventricles of 

 the brain were so much distended with the same fluid, that they seemed ready 

 to burst. Both the choroid plexuses exactly resembled a bunch of grapes. 

 They were studded with numerous round, pellucid vesicles of different sizes, 

 looking like the most beautiful pearls. 



Then follows the account of a cataract in the left eye of a woman about 50 

 years old. During life, the cataract was of a pearly appearance, and of a mid- 

 dling size, occupying the middle part and rather more than the half of the 

 pupil. Previous to the examination of the diseased eye after the woman's 

 decease, Mr. W.'s correspondent was asked by Professor Santorini of Venice, 

 where the dissection took place in the presence of about ten other physicians, 

 what his opinion was respecting a cataract .'' whether it was owing to the forma- 

 tion of a film (cuticula) or to a fault in the crystalline humour? Having 

 replied that he conceived it to be occasioned by a film or membrane, the Pro- 

 fessor, who espoused Heister's doctrine* on this subject, smiled. On opening 

 the eye, it is stated that the crystalline humour was found pellucid, and with- 

 out spot or obfuscation. It was, however, very slightly and uniformly tinged 

 of a citron colour throughout; but this citron tint was so very slight that it 

 was scarcely perceivable while the woman was living. There was found in the 

 second chamber of the eye a film (cuticula) which was only connected to the 

 uvea by two very slender fibrillae, being loose every where else. No other 

 morbid appearances were observed ; though the pupil was rather larger than 

 common. 



Two Surgical Questions, stated and anstvered hi/ John Doug/as, Surgeon, F. R. S. 

 N° 399, p. 318. 



Quest. I. Whether it be not possible in some measure to relieve those persons, 

 who by reason of their great age, bad habit of body, &c. cannot submit to any 

 of the great operations for the stone with tolerable hopes of success, by making 

 an artificial fistula in the perinaeum ? 



* Namely, that the disease of" the eye, termed cataract, consists in an opacity of the crystalline 

 humour. 



