116 ALLEGED DISCOVERY OF 
general bleedings; and these chiefly from the coccygean arteries, 
and the saphena or thoracic veins. 
Blisters, also, were used at a distance from the head. When 
any engorgement of the stomach was suspected, recourse was 
had to stimulating embrocations, and to castor oil, administered 
as a purgative. 
In cold weather, when the skin was of an icy coldness, and 
the vital power rallied round the centre, we had little recourse 
to bleeding. Dry rubbings, stimulating fumigations, blisters, 
and warm clothing, were used to recall the natural warmth to 
the skin; also purgatives, combined with antispasmodics, were 
given. 
Lastly, when the weather was warm, and the patient was 
strong and in good condition, and cerebral symptoms had suc¬ 
ceeded to stomachic or abdominal irritation, we had recourse to 
more copious bleedings. We did not then hesitate to apply se¬ 
veral setons; first on the loins, then on the breast, and on the 
sides. Cold water was plentifully applied to the head of the 
patient by means of a sponge or tow; emollient drinks and injec¬ 
tions of the same nature were used ; but we must confess, that 
notwithstanding all these modifications of treatment which the 
cases seemed to require, we were not able to save a third part of 
our patients. 
Alleged Discovery of an Extraordinary Styptic. 
Our readers have probably heard of the supposed wondrous 
power of an unknown styptic, discovered by Messrs. Talrich and 
Halma-Grande. Full and fair trial of it seemed to be made at 
the Academy of Sciences in Paris. The carotid arteries of fifteen 
sheep were opened—four of them were cut lengthwise, and two 
across—from each of them an oval piece of the vessel was taken 
out; and yet in five minutes after the application of the styptic, 
the effusion of blood was staid; and in a few days the wound 
was completely healed. The carotid artery of a horse was 
opened, and the styptic had the same magical effect. 
