146 Proceedings of the British Association, 



the ventricles had ceased ; he, therefore, recommended insufflation 

 with this gas in extreme cases of asphyxia. 



The Secretary read a paper by Dr. Heming, on a disease of the 

 tongue. The author described the disease, the appearances of which al- 

 though varied in degree, were uniform in character. In the early symp- 

 toms the tongue is cedematous, sulcated, and prone to become ulcerat- 

 ed on the borders of the sulci, or in parts which may be irritated by 

 the contact of a decayed or ragged tooth ; the surface then becomes 

 morbidly smooth in longitudinal streaks, the papillae being appa- 

 rently obliterated ; the whole organ assumes the same character, 

 becoming dry and hard in its texture, the ulceration becomes more 

 marked, is sometimes superficial, and in some cases forming deep 

 ragged ulcers ; in one case the ulcers had pierced entirely through 

 the organ. The author detailed five well-marked cases ; they all 

 occurred in females, and the general constitutional health was much 

 impaired, the patients suffering from sick head- aches, deranged diges- 

 tion, cedematous ancles, &c. In some cases the disease was of many 

 years continuance. In the treatment, the author deems the restora- 

 tion of the general health of primary importance : after the ordinary 

 aperients, he gave soda and cicuta, and continued these remedies 

 many weeks. The local application found most useful was nitrate 

 of silver ; by perseverance in the treatment every case got well. 



Evening Meeting — Thursday. 

 The Earl of Rosse, on taking the chair, directed attention to the 

 provision made for the continuance of the business of the Association 

 by means of the Council, in the intervals between the annual 

 meetings. This arrangement rendered it necessary that he should 

 be present to resign his seat to his successor, and it delighted him 

 to witness a meeting of the Association under such auspicious 

 circumstances. After an interval of thirteen years their body was 

 revisiting its birth place, having achieved many great triumphs, and 

 having still greater in progress j all their exertion had been directed 

 to the intellectual improvement of mankind ; and the increase of in- 

 terest in their proceedings manifested by the increase of numbers, 

 was at once evidence that these efforts had been successful, and 

 had been appreciated by their countrymen. It was gratifying to 

 designate as his successor in the chair one of the first of living 



