On the Nature of Simple bodies. 121 
the commission has bestowed its attention principally on the experiments 
and observations of this naturalist relating 1st, to the circulation of the 
nourishing fluids in the Dentalia; 2d, to the developments of the respira- 
tory apparatus in mussels (My tili) ; and 3d, to the structure of the urinary 
glands and the organs of generation of a considerable number of other 
mollusks 
The Bréant Prize—We have already several times spoken of the 
prize of 100,000 francs instituted by Mr. Bréant in favor of the person 
who should discover a mode of medical treatment which would cure the 
cholera in the majority of cases, or who should point out satisfactorily the 
causes of Asiatic cholera so that by removing these causes, an end would 
be put to the epidemic; or lastly, to the person who should discover a 
ah io preventive of it, as evident, for example, as that of vaccination for 
small-pox. 
Foreseeing that this prize of 100,000 fr. would not be awarded very 
n, Mr. Bréant grants the interest ‘of this sum to the person who shall 
have promoted the progress of science as regards the cholera or any other 
epidemic m alady. 
patients during the last moments of life. Mr, Doyére has proved the fol- 
lowing points: 1st, the more severe the attack of cholera, the larger the 
amount of oxygen in the air expired; 2d, the proportion of carbonic 
acid thrown out by cholera patients is very inconsiderable ; ; 3d, notwith-, 
standing the diminution of the activity of the respiratory functions, the 
temperature of the body increases till it reaches the point of 43° C, 
(110° F.) in the region of the armpit. 
It is but justice to state that of these three results, the first was an- 
nounced in 1832 by Mr, Rayer; the last was proved in 1830 by the French 
: lungs than in ns normal state of the body, and Pe late Mr. Doyd 
sam 
fever and ae pours pneumonia. As far as concerns the latter at 
r tevak betacs ba age it has been eve with 
the utmost interest by all who are engaged in the physical sciences, 
Doubtless it has not changed the opinion of either Despretz or Dumas ; 
and this is pa for the latter chemist at least, for all competent observers 
_ Yegard Dumas as representing in this case the cause of progress. 
__ While the discussion has been useless in this—that it has only brought 
out ideas which hare been current in pee, and in the elaboration of 
“SECOND 
16 
ee eT ee ee 
No. 82.—JULY, 1859 
