468 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
inflammation makes most progress along the line of hepatic cells, and is less 
or more impeded by the connecting tissue. — Vide L'Institut, August 28. 
Experiments on Inflammation of the Trachea. — M. W. Reitz, of St. Peters- 
burg, has published a paper on the croup-like inflammation of the trachea 
(windpipe) produced artificially. The experiments made by the author are 
of interest. The membrane was irritated artificially, and the inflammation 
followed the irritation in about half an hour. The first effect was the 
production of a series of new cells, which, according to the author, were 
evidently derived from the epithelium of the trachea. Subsequently there 
occurred coagulation of fibrine in the interstices of these cells. Thus there 
was formed a network of delicate filaments, whose meshes contained cells. 
These cells, when separated by means of needles, and examined under the 
microscope, were found to be simple spherical bodies unprolonged into 
filaments, as is sometimes seen. It was found that at a later period the 
tracheal rings became also more or less affected. 
Poisonous Action of Bromide of Potassium. — The experiments of MM. 
Eulenberg and Guttman show that the action of bromide of potassium is 
upcn the heart, which, in larger doses, it paralyses. These physiologists 
injected a solution of the bromide, containing 2 to 4 grammes (from 30 to 
40 grains troy) beneath the skin of dogs, and found it produce considerable 
disturbance of the heart, together with diminution of sensibility, and of 
the power of voluntary movement. Death followed in from ten to forty 
minutes, being caused invariably by paralysis of the heart. This result was 
confirmed by a large number of experiments on frogs and other animals. 
Liebig' s Food for Infants. — The statement made to the French Academy 
some weeks since concerning Baron Liebig’s soup for children was likely to 
injure the reputation of this excellent form of artificial diet. M. Depaul 
alleged that four children, fed from their birth with Liebig’s food, had all 
died from its effects. The Academy, having communicated with Baron 
Liebig, received the explanation of the deaths. The food had been improperly 
prepared. As the preparation is, therefore, one of importance, we are glad 
to see that all the difficulties and possible errors are fully gone into in a 
recent paper by Herr Pfeuffer. This paper is styled Liebig's iSuppe fur 
Sauglinge , and is published in Aerztliches Intelligenz-Blatt , No. 31. 
Foes Mercury produce Increased Secretion of Bile? — This was the question 
asked, but not answered, by a committee formed last winter in Edinburgh. 
The committee was composed of Professors Christison and Maclagan, of the 
Edinburgh University ; Dr. Rogers, formerly of St. Petersburg ; Drs. 
Rutherford, Gamgee, and Erazer, assistants in the Edinburgh University; 
and Professor Bennett, the Chairman and Reporter. After studying all that 
had been previously published *by authors (an account of which was fur- 
nished by Dr. Rogers), the Committee proceeded to make further experi- 
ments on dogs, the animals which had been found best fitted for the purpose. 
These experiments were carefully conducted by Drs. Rutherford and Gamgee, 
occasionally assisted by Dr. Erazer, and superintended by the Committee. 
Professor Bennett gave the results of four series of experiments as to the 
amount of bile secreted, with and without mercury. In each case the 
weight of the animal was ascertained, a tertiary fistula formed, the amount 
of food ascertained and analysed, and the secretion of bile for twenty-four 
