Medical Science. 409 



chloride of soda in fever. In conclusion, the author read a let- 

 ter from Dr Stokes, in which he, from experience, stated his 

 high approbation of the remedy. — The second paper was from 

 Dr Houston, Demonstrator of Anatomy, Royal College of Sur- 

 geons, Ireland, on certain peculiarities of the circulating organs 

 in diving animals. Though principally carried on and con- 

 tinued by the vital principle, and ceasing altogether when that 

 principle becomes extinct, yet circulation is, to some extent, 

 amenable to the laws of hydraulics. The circulation through a 

 limb is affected by position ; the removal or increase of atmo- 

 spheric pressure is known to affect the circulation in the skin ; 

 the action of the air and chest, during respiration, also modify 

 the circulation. It is a well established fact, that a whale can 

 suspend respiration for twenty minutes, and sink to the depth 

 of an English mile In the ocean. The effect of the interrupted 

 respiration, and increased external pressure, must necessarily be 

 an alteration in the circulation, which, unless met by a suitable 

 provision, must prove inconvenient, if not fatal, to the animal. 

 That such a provision existed, Mr Houston was prepared to 

 prove ; it existed in the enormous size and complexity of the 

 venous system, particularly in the right cavities of the heart, the 

 venae cavae, the hepatic veins, and those of the abdomen and 

 spinal canal. These facts were illustrated by some elegant pre- 

 parations of the injected venous system of the seal and porpoise. 

 The subject was farther pursued, and the circulation of some 

 animals possessing the power of suspending respiration for a less 

 considerable time was examined ; the result was highly satisfac- 

 tory ; and it was proved, by demonstration from several speci- 

 mens, that the enlargement of the right side of the heart and 

 venous system was proportionate to the power of suspending re- 

 spiration. 



Tuesday r , 11th August. — 2. The first paper was Report of 

 the Dublin Committee on the motions and sounds of the heart, 

 which gave rise to a long discussion. 



Wednesday 12th August.— 3. Dr M'Donnell of Belfast read 

 a paper on the pulse and breathing in early life. After some 

 preliminary observations on the importance of paying strict at- 

 tention to the posture, in all cases where the pulse is concerned, 

 as it was a well ascertained fact, that the number of pulsations 



