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460 



MEDICINE AND MEDICAL STATISTICS. [Sect. XIV,. 



of the atmospiiere, or by mecus of fomites, are still 

 question- of paramouBt interest to every nation wliieli lias 

 commumcation with the shores of the Mediterranean. 

 Vv^ith respect to malignant cholera, it would be difficult 



to say in what particu 



icti 



it is most deserving attention 



the causes essential to its production, the manner in which 

 the fluids become poisoned, and the vital functions de- 

 rano-ed are unfortunately about as little understood as 



they 



were 



the first day the malady came under the 

 observation of the European physician. This disease, 

 therefore, toget^Hr with the modes of treating it, offers a 

 wide field for medical inquiry. 



Some curious information may be occasionally obtained 

 in distant countries relative to the m.odes of treating 



diseases amongst uncivilized tribes ; not that it is likely 

 to prove of much value, but as a matter of history it 

 may be worth recording. It would even be interesting 

 to know the virtues attached to charms and amulets, 

 as well as the manner in which they are obtained, of what 

 they consist, and how they are worn ;' nor would the 

 methods of performing surgical operations be of less 

 interest. The Alljanians, it is reported, without the 

 slightest knowledge of the anatomy of the parts, perforin 



the operation of lithotomy with as much dexterity and 



as has ever vet been reached in this country. The 



succes 



Af] 



may be found, with little display, performing the initiatory 

 rites of Mahomedanisra on the assembled youths of an en- 

 tire village ; while the Fetish man, on another part of the 

 continent, ministering to the pride of caste, makes su(^li 



fearful gashes on the faces of his patients as would 



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