SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
99 
the act of deglutition ; for when any substance conies into contact with 
it, it excites the action of all the neighbouring muscles until it is got rid of. 
But it possesses a function of not less importance, in holding the soft 
palate tense and firm in the medial line against the wall of the pharynx 
during the act of deglutition itself, and thus prevents the passage up- 
wards of fluid or solid substances behind the nose. This was supported 
by experiments upon a person who had lost the bones of the nose, permitting 
of a view of the action of the soft palate from its nasal aspect during 
deglutition with or without food. Under either circumstance, a double arch 
was seen in the form of two convex swellings, held in a state of firm 
tension by the action of the uvula passing down the centre of the soft 
palate, with its end resting flat against the wall of the phaiynx. The 
tension ceased the moment that the constrictors of the pharynx had fully 
exerted their influence over the substances swallowed. Whilst the uvula 
has its special uses in the act of deglutition, it exerts a not less decisive 
influence upon the voice when uttered in a very loud tone, or in singing the 
higher registers, in both sexes. Then its character as a levator or shortener 
is exerted. If this power is impaired by removal of the muscular (not the 
membranous) end, then the singing powers are damaged. Some, remarks 
were made upon elongation of the uvula and its effects, a distinction being 
made between its elongated membranous end and the true muscular tip, 
which should not be meddled with. Speech, the author said, was modulated 
by the soft palate and uvula, and the motor power of the latter is un- 
questionably exerted in pronouncing the letters K, Q, and X, with their 
associations, more especially the gutturals of the various languages. 
Sir Thomas Watson on the Treatment of Cholera. — The a British 
Medical Journal” contains a communication from Sir Thomas Watson 
on the subject — now exciting so much attention — of cholera. Sir Thomas 
has altered his opinions as to the treatment of this disease. The fol- 
lowing concluding passage will show this effectually: — ‘‘In the face of 
this and of much similar evidence, I feel bound to say that the rules laid 
down by Dr. Johnson for the treatment and prevention of diarrhoea and 
cholera seem now to me safer and better than the less discriminating advice 
which heretofore I gave you : ‘ whenever a suspicion arose that cholera was 
present in the community, not to try, in cases of diarrhoea, to carry off the 
presumed offending matter, but to quiet the irritation and to stop the flux 
as soon as possible, by astringents, aromatics, and opiates.’ No doubt, the 
true indication of treatment is, to stop the flux as soon as possible ; but this 
may sometimes be best effected (as also in 1 crapulous diarrhoea,’ and in the 
summer cholera of Sydenham) 4 hy carrying off the offending matter.’ ” 
Muscle-grafting. — Skin-grafting came into fashion a few years since, and 
has made much progress among advanced surgeons. Now muscle-grafting ap- 
pears to be making its way. The New York Medical Journal for November 
contains an article upon the subject by Dr. B. Howard, and relates some 
interesting cases in which, by grafting, he obtained increased power of 
healing in several wounds. These were cases in which skin-graft had been 
first attempted, but without sufficient success. The paper is of some im- 
portance. 
Nucleated Blood-cells in the Leucaemia of Infants. — Dr. Neuman has done 
