82 REPORT 1841. 



in hydrocephalus, and both were remarkable for the universality or extension of dis- 

 ease to almost every important organ of the body. 



[The following are the titles of cases communicated to the Glasgow Meeting of the 

 Association, by Sir D. Dickson, abstracts of which were not transmitted in time to 

 be inserted in the last volume of Transactions, viz. 



" Case of a fatal wound of the intestine, accidentally inflicted by the opening of 

 a clasp-knife during gyration ; of marked and rapid pericarditis and pleuritis : and 

 also two very remarkable cases — the one of jaundice from occlusion of the ducts, 

 with distention of the gall-bladder, by a colourless fluid destitute of bile ; the other, 

 of ulceration of the right and total disappearance of the left kidney ; intended to 

 illustrate the conservative efforts of nature to avert danger by means of compensating 

 organs and vicarious functions."] 



On Empyema. By Dr. Macgowan of Exeter. 



The case was successfully treated by the operation of paracentesis thoracis. But 

 as the secretion of pus still continued it became necessary to repeat the operation, 

 and finally to keep a silver canula in the opening, to procure an easy discharge. 



Case of Empyema. By William Joseph Square. 



E. C, sempstress, set. 27 years. — The peculiar features of interest in this case were 

 the development of empyema, with copious expectoration of pink foetid pus, the 

 formation of external abscess, discharge of the pus contained within the cavity of 

 the pleura, immediate cessation of the peculiar expectoration, and the eventual re- 

 covery of the patient. The physical signs of the disease before the evacuation of 

 the matter were the ordinary ones of empyema, conjoined with gargouillement, 

 pectoriloquy, and cavernous respiration under the clavicle of the disetised side ; 

 these, the physical signs of a cavity, ceased after the evacuation of the pus, and im- 

 mediately on such evacuation, metallic tinkling was developed. 



The therapeutic operations of nature were principally relied on, in conducting the 

 case to a favourable termination. 



On the Ventilation of Ships. By Dr. D. B. Reid. 



STATISTICS. 



On the Statistics of Plymouth, Stonehouse, and Devonport. By H. Wooll- 



COMBE, F.S.A. 



Though some Roman and British coins have been found in the vicinity, there are 

 no traces of the existence of any Roman settlement, or of any town, here or in the 

 immediate neighbourhood, in the Anglo-Saxon times ; in Domesday Book, Sutton, 

 the ancient name of the township, appears to have been tenanted only by serfs and 

 fishermen. In the reign of Henry I. a part of Sutton was granted to the Valletort 

 family, and bore their name, in order to distinguish it from Sutton Prior, which was 

 granted to the monks of Plympton. It soon became known as a naval port, for a 

 fleet of 325 vessels assembled in its waters in the reign of Edward I. under the com- 

 mand of Edmund Earl of Lancaster. In the 26th of Edward I. deputies were sent 

 from the town to Parliament. The name of the place was changed to Plymouth 

 about the reign of Edward III. In 1346 it sent a quota of 26 ships and 613 men 

 to the blockade of Calais, but having been subsequently burned by the French, it was 

 so reduced, that in 1414 it did not send representatives to Parliament, though mem- 

 bers were returned by Totness, Plympton, Exeter, and Dartmouth. The population 

 of Plymouth, in the last year of Edward III., is stated at 7000 in the record of the 

 poll-tax levied by that sovereign. In 1439 the borough was incorporated by Henry 

 VI., and has ever since ranked as a corporate town. The corporation early paid at- 

 tention to the instruction of youth, for there is a record, in 1501, of their having en- 

 gaged a master at a salary of 10/. per annum, to teach grammar to the children of 



