SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
281 
ail obturating- (closing-up) than an absorbing agent, being wetted by the 
discharges from a wound only at the point of contact, its substance never 
being traversed ; and thus the passage is obstructed rather than favoured. 
Picked oakum, on the contrary, becomes soon saturated, and keeps the 
surface of a wound clean and dry. It drains off the discharges like a 
syphon, rendering it necessary to place india-rubber sheeting or oiled 
muslin under the wound. When there is much inflammation, if the 
oakum be wetted in cold water, and the air excluded by wrapping 
a little oiled muslin round the part, a neat and comfortable poultice 
is secured. When a ball has traversed the parts through and through, 
a few fibres of oakum passed through by means of an eyed-probe will keep 
the wound fresh and clean. The insignificant price of oakum is another 
strong recommendation.* 
Removal of Tumours from the Windpipe by the Aid of the Laryngoscope . — 
The Laryngoscope is an instrument, the honour of inventing which is 
claimed by some for Professor Czermak, by others for Signor Garcia, the cele- 
brated singer. It consists essentially of a little square steel mirror, and a re- 
flector. The mirror is pushed to the back of the throat above the opening 
of the windpipe, and light thrown on it from the reflector : the reflector 
itself being illuminated by a lamp. By this means, the interior of the 
larynx (i.e. the upper part of the windpipe) may be clearly seen reflected 
on the mirror. The subject of the above operation applied to Dr. Gibb, 
of Portman Square, for hoarseness and partial loss of voice, which had 
existed for twelve years, and had resisted every tried method of treatment. 
By the aid of the laryngoscope, Dr. Gibb discovered two small tumours, 
the size of peas, situated within the windpipe. These were removed ; 
and the complaint that had existed for twelve years completely dis- 
appeared. 
Astigmatism . — -This is an affection of the eye, which has hitherto been 
considered rather a rarity, but which Professor Donders has lately shown 
to be not uncommon, occurring in about two out of every hundred that 
have been seen by him for weakness of sight. It consists in an unequal 
degree of curvature, on comparing two principal sections (meridians) of the 
cornea. The result is, that objects are seen further off in one meridian 
(say the vertical one) than in the other (the horizontal). In the case of 
the present Astronomer Royal, the furthest point of distinct vision in the 
erect meridian was three and a half inches, whilst in the transverse 
meridian it was five inches. As a consequence, points are seen as lines : 
whence the name, from a, without, and stigma, a point or mark. The 
following proceeding will make manifest the affection, if present : — A 
luminous point, as the sunlight streaming through a small hole in the 
closed shutters, is looked at ; and between the eye and this point are 
passed in succession, a slightly convex and then a slightly concave lens. 
The point of light will alternately appear extended in two opposite direc- 
tions, that is, vertically and horizontally : the direction of the line, undet 
* “ Atneriean Medical Times,” vol. v. No. 6. 
VOL. II. — NO. VI. 
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