190 
Proceedings of Societies. 
[June, 
the question. We cannot perceive the force of the objection commonly made to it, 
of the uncouth appearance of the words. Oriental names, written according to any 
system, must appear uncouth to the European eye ; but if the reader is enabled 
to pronounce the word correctly, this signifies little. Or if writters will have, each his 
own mode of spelling, they should add, either in a parenthesis, or at the foot of the 
page, an English or French word, in which the same combination of letters occur, 
the pronunciation of which shall be a key to that of the foreign word. As we have 
heard nothing but objections to our adoption of Sir W. Jones’ system of spelling, 
which some of our readers inform us, make such sad havoc amongst their old fa- 
miliar friends, that they can scarcely recognise them again, we feel half inclined 
to adopt this method ; as it would prevent the possibility of mistakes by any one, 
yet would not interfere with the spelling preferred by each contributor. As thus, 
in the word in question, Mcu-ang , (peu Fr. ; far.) Here it is obvious the eu is pro- 
nounced as in the French word peu, and a in ang, as in the English word far. 
I see, in the July number of the Gleanings of Science, No. 19, my letter to you, 
regarding Mr. Richardson’s visit to Laos, published. But I could have wished 
the Editor had allowed my orthography as to Siamese and Burmese names to stand. 
The ou of La -boun is like the two letters in our , and Labun will not represent the 
sound. The word is Goung-boung also, and not Gung-bting. The Burmese 
grain is N'hyen, and not the odd looking word printed. The Siamese coin is Fhoir 
ang, and not Tkouang. The Siamese and Shan word for a town or country, is 
Meu-ang, the eu being more like the same letters in the French word peu, than any 
English sound. I shall have the critics upon me for the word which has been 
printed by mistake for country, Menang. When I have time, I propose to send 
you a map of Shan, with some observations regarding Dr. Richardson’s map, in 
which he has made Meu-ang, Leng, Loye, etc. far too high, encroaching upon 
China, the frontiers of which have been ascertained, from actual observation, by the 
Jesuits. Will you kindly send these notes to the Editor of the Gleanings , ” 
XIII. — Proceedings of Societies. 
1. — Medical and Physical Society. 
At the meeting of the Society, held on the 4th instant, Mr. J Hall, Dr. D. Russell, 
, J V - . M r or g ar b Dr. H. Mackintosh, and Mr. J. Kellie, were elected Members, 
and Rajah Kalikissen a Corresponding Member. The following communications 
were laid before the Society. A letter from Mr. Heward, of the Medical Board, 
at Madras, announcing Ins approaching departure for Europe, and expressing his 
best wishes for the continued prosperity and welfare of the Society; at the same 
time enclosing a donation of five hundred rupees, to be applied in furtherance of 
the general objects of the Society. The thanks of the Society were voted unani- 
mously to Mr. Heward, and it was proposed that the amount of his present should 
be appropriated to the improvement of the Library. An account of Cholera, by 
fhpVnl^ erSOn r f Dr ' H ’ Mackenzie’s Essay on the employment of Venesection m 
“2 0 n pT St Galt 8 case of fever, terminating fatally by rupture 
ot the heart. Dr. R. Tytler s case of snake bite. Appendix to his former report 
on Vaccination, by Mr. Cameron. 
Atw’ p, “* dl,nso "’ s Es fy on . ft ' ver was then read and discussed by the Meeting; 
Hector nl prefator y, observations principally having reference to the work of 
thaflLi.H °" ,e ?!*““, ° f tr °P ical climates, Mr. Hutchinson remarks, 
the Med.W 7 ““?V f eVer have , be ™ laid down, with sufficient accuracy, bf 
amonl ™ S , tu , r0pe - thc course uf hi* own experience he states, » 
onheadthv JZL P re .': a . lent *. “V°™» , to the ™n at all times, but especially •« 
too freqLnt nr ™’n| Sltt r? m ‘?o P clothes . a too free use of cold washy fruits,* 
O frequent or protracted use of the cold bath, a sudden reduction of the usual 
