American Watchman And Delaware Advertiser

We are permitted by the politeness of Dr. THOMAS, to extract from the August number of the "Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences," edited by Dr Chapman, an article on DYSENTERY. It is only necessary to mention the authority on which it is published to ensure it the attention of medical men.

Village Record.

In one of our late numbers, we alluded to the use of the saccharum saturni in several of the affections of the bowels We have for many years occasionally employed it both in cholera infantum, and dysentery. though never to the same extent or with as much success, as during the present season- These two diseases have prevailed in this city in a very unusual degree for the last month, which has afforded us ample opportunities of testing the powers of the medicine Evacuations having been premised. by venesection, and purging, we have found no one remedy more effectual to relieve tormina and tenesmus. to correct the morbid secretions of the intestinal tube, to allay febrile excitement, or to conduce to the comfort and general improvement in the condition of the patient These remarks apply especially to dysentery. though in the cases of cholera infantum approaching the same character, we have derived nearly equal advantage from it 'To an adult we give from half a grain to a grain of the lead, with five drops of laudanum, every hour or two, according to the urgency of the symptoms, either in solution or pill. In some instances, where we were desirous of acting on the surface. we have added a small portion of ipecacuanha, with utility, to the preceding prescription It meets exceedingly well this particular indication, without at all impairing the specific properties of the lead In the progress of some protracted cases. it will be necessary about once in the twenty-four hours, to intermit this course of treatment in order to interpose some purgative. to remove any foul accumulations, which may take place in the bowels.

By whom this practice was originated we know not with certainty It has been vaguely spoken of, and we suspect, as loosely tried, for many years, among us. We have however. reason to believe that the credit is due to Dr Irvin of Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most intrepid, original. and accomplished physicians of our country.

To calm gastric excitement as malignant or ordinary bilious fevers. and cholera morbus, the saccharum saturni, proves exceedingly useful for which suggestion. we are undoubtedly indebted to Dr, Irvin - We have also on the authority of Dr Dewees of this city, used for similar purposes, with the greatest advantage, a strong decoction of coffee, without cream or sugar. It is particularly serviceable in the cholera of children.

The intermittent fevers, which so widely prevailed during the last autumn in the neighborhood of this city and elsewhere, has again recurred, and. for the most part. with great obstinacy. In many instances it is attended with a singular irritable stomach so as to preclude the use of bark. and the ordinary remedies. We have found such cases sometimes to yield to emetics repeated for three successive times, on the days of the anticipated paroxysm

There is another practice which has proved very successful under similar circumstances. It is to keep the patient in bed for several days, repeating a dose of opium every six hours. so as not to allow the impression of that article to wear off.