SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
323 
There was also ptosis of the left lid. When examined by the ophthalmo- 
scope, hmmorrhagic spots were found on the optic discs of both eyes, but 
most extensive on the left. The ball was lodged in the head still. The 
inference was that the course of the ball was below the brain, but sufficiently 
near to it to injure the orbital nerves. The pupils of both eyes were dilated, 
and did not respond to light. 
Experiments on the Brain of Monkeys. — This is the title of a most 
valuable paper by Dr. D. Ferrier, of King’s College. It is impossible to 
abstract it, but we commend it to our readers’ notice. It was read before 
the Royal Society April 29. 
The Sounds of the Heart . — Curiously enough, this point is still a debate- 
able one, notwithstanding the immense importance of its being settled. 
Dr. G. Paton has a paper on the subject in the “New York Medical 
Journal ” (May). In conclusion he says : “ The following plan will more 
fully illustrate the manner in which the sounds of the heart are produced, 
premising that the statements made in reference to one side of the heart are 
•equally applicable to the other. 
“ First sound, produced by ventricular contraction and aortic reaction. 
“ Second sound, produced by auricular contraction as the ventricle dilates. 
“ The first sound of the heart is produced at the origin of the aorta, but 
heard most distinctly towards the apex of the ventricle, where it approaches 
the walls of the thorax during the systole. 
“ The second sound is best heard towards the base of the sternum, over 
the right auriculo-ventricular foramen, as the auricles contract and pour 
the blood into their respective ventricles. It appears to be seated lower 
than the first sound of the heart.” 
Invalids sent by Railway in Tioine Hammocks. — The “ Lancet ” (May 29) 
says : “ When the Ashantee campaign was going on we called attention to a 
simple and very portable form of hammock, which was capable of being 
turned to many accounts in the field. On the 20th inst. a girl, who had 
lately been under treatment in the Westminster Hospital for a severe burn, 
was conveyed by railway in one of Seydel’s twine hammocks from Victoria 
station to Margate. The hammock was slung in a parcel van, its points of 
suspension being nine feet apart ; and the patient was placed in it with her 
feet towards the engine, and was very safely and comfortably transported 
to her journey’s end. The chaplain and one of the sisters accompanied the 
patient, who was in charge of Mr. Richard Davy ; and they all concur in 
praising the hammock as a pleasant and easy means of transport, very well 
adapted for invalids undertaking a journey by rail.” 
METALLURGY, MINERALOGY, AND MINING. 
Crude Copper from Washiu . — The third annual report of the Director of 
the Imperial mint in Japan is an interesting document recently published. 
It is instructive from the light it throws upon the progress of chemistry and 
metallurgy in Japan. The chemists, engineers, assayers, engravers, &c., 
appear still to be all Englishmen. From the special memorandum of the 
