Large Doses of Calomel. 
79 
the wound, the effects were at once apparent. A small pellicle formed 
over its whole surface, which was shortly replaced by a firm, consistent 
cicatrix. 
In one or two cases operated upon by Dieffenbach, much swelling 
took place in the new formed nose the day after the operation, arising 
from the difficulty of the blood, which had entered by the arteries, being 
conducted off by the veins. In one case the nose became so enormous- 
ly distended, that it was feared the adhesions would be entirely destroy- 
ed, and it was only by the repeated application of leeches, 70 or 80 be- 
ing employed in the course of 48 hours, that this danger was finally 
avoided. In the present case, from the extension given to the incision 
on the left side, care being taken that traction should not be made too 
forcibly on the part, so as to compress the pedicle at its base, the circu- 
lation was, from the first, unobstructed. 
In the account of the foregoing case, it has been attempted to bring 
forward some of the most important points which might be of service as a 
guide io future operators ; and if the author has been so fortunate as to 
throw any new light, however small, on the operation, he will feel that 
he has rendered a service to science and to humanity. 
Boston, March, 1837. J. Mason Warren. 
LARGE DOSES OF CALOMEL. 
To the Editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. 
Dear Sir—The author of “ Remarks on Itinerants,” in his third num- 
ber, speaking of mercury and its preparations, says he has used it after 
all other remedies had failed, in doses of a teaspoonful heaped up, once 
in six hours, for a week, as a vermifuge. He says his patient was a lit- 
tle girl, five years of age. Now, Sir, I wish to inquire whether calomel 
was the preparation he used, and if so, was the article genuine ? If he 
gave it internally, as is probable from the reading, what effects attended 
its operation besides the expulsion of one hundred and twenty-five 
worms ? In other words, did it, or did it not, produce much impression 
on the system ? 
If, Mr. Editor, you do not deem these interrogatories unimportant, or 
in other respects objectionable, I wish them to be proposed, through the 
Journal, to the author of those remarks. N. 
Vermont, Feb. 13th, 1837. 
BOSTON MEDICAL AND SURGICAL JOURNAL. 
BOSTON, MARCH, 8, 1 8 3 7. 
STATE LUNATIC ASYLUM. 
The following are extracts from the report of the Chairman of the Leg- 
islative Committee on Charitable Institutions, which is a document high- 80 
State Lunatic Asylum. 
]y honorable to his character as a man of enlarged feelings and true be- 
nevolence. The result of the application to the General Court, will 
hereafter lie gfien. It seems impossible that the claims of the Insti- 
tution should be neglected in any respect. 
“ The State Lunatic Hospital is indeed a ‘ noble charity,’ founded by 
a philanthropy and sympathy which are the offspring of an enlightened, 
liberal and benevolent spirit ; ‘ to minister to a mind diseased,’ to restore 
the aberration of intellect, and to revive the faculties of the soul, these 
are its objects, and these its heavenly offices. In the progress of mental 
and medical science, improved plans of treatment have been introduced 
into the lunatic hospital, followed by the most gratifying success. For 
chains and fetters, freedom is now allowed, kindness for severity, and for 
the cold, damp dungeon, the pleasant light of day. With the view of 
obtaining the necessary information, to enable the Committee to decide 
on the several subjects referred to them, they have visited the State Lu- 
natic Hospital at Worcester, and made such personal examination as 
the opportunity offered. Of the general state of things, they can speak 
in terms of the highest approbation. 7 he systematic order and regulari- 
ty which prevailed throughout the institution, the attention to cleanliness, 
the devotion of the attendants to the duties of their places, all indicate 
a judicious system ol management on the part of the superintendent.” 
“ From the report of the trustees, and the investigations of the Com- 
mittee, there are several subjects which they deem deserving the atten- 
tion of the Legislature. First, respecting the purchase of more land, 
for the accommodation and benefit of tiie hospital. The Committee 
agree with the trustees, that it is indispensable to the completion of the 
general system of management, which has been so successfully pursued 
in this institution. Exercise of some kind is absolutely necessary, both 
for the restoration and continuance of health ; mechanical occupation is 
well adapted to the condition of some, while to many the cultivation of a 
farm would lie decidedly more beneficial ; while this employment invigo- 
rates the physical powers, its moral influence is peculiarly favorable to 
the faculties of the mind—interest is excited, and feelings and sentiments 
infused and cherished, which no other agency can produce. Besides the 
high value it possesses as a remedial means, its importance on the score 
of economy ought not to be disregarded. 
“The next subject deserving the consideration of the Legislature, is the 
importance ol religious instruction, and public services on the sabbath 
The evidence of the great advantage to he derived from this source is of 
recent date, hut the facts are of the most satisfactory character ; the re- 
sults of actual experiment exhibit proof conclusive of the benign influ- 
ence of the truths of divine revelation, in arresting the wandering mind, 
and in fixing the distracted thoughts. When no considerations which re- 
late exclusively to this world, can make an impression upon a mind in- 
sane, the presentation of right views of the world to come, exhibiting 
higher motives for action, may produce a deeper and more lasting effect. 
As a most important appendage to the hospital, and affording a most effi- 
cient remedial agency, the Committee recommend the erection of a 
chapel. 
“ The sum charged for supporting a patient at the hospital has noLbith- 
erto exceeded the sum of $2,50 per week, notwithstanding the high pric'e 
of provisions ; in some few cases it has been less, whereas the actual ex- 
pense has, for the past year, been more than $3,00 per week. Medical Premium. 
81 
“The whole number of patients admitted into the hospital is 510 ; of 
this number about one half have been supported by themselves, or their 
friends ; the other half is made up of state and town paupers. That 
this charity ofthe State may be enjoyed by all, it is desirable that the ex- 
penses for support should not be increased, but that indigent persons, not 
paupers, should have the benefit at even a less charge than $2,50. With 
this object in view, the Committee suggest the propriety of paying the 
salaries of the officers of the hospital from the treasury of the Common- 
wealth, thus avoiding the necessity of annually voting a sum for contin- 
gencies, to supply the deficiency, which in the present arrangement must 
necessarily be done. 
“The Committee would respectfully ask the attention of the Legisla- 
ture, to the communication of His Excellency the Governor, on the sub- 
ject of this interesting institution ; also, to the report of the “commission- 
ers for enlarging the State Lunatic Hospital,” for a satisfactory exposi- 
tion of the causes and circumstances which have rendered it necessary 
that an additional appropriation be made, to enable them to complete the 
object designed by their commission.” 
“ The sum of $10,000 is estimated by the commissioners, as sufficient 
for the completion of the building, and furnishing it ready for occupancy ; 
and from its present state of forwardness, it is confidently expected that 
it will 1)e prepared for the reception of patients by the time fixed in the 
original contract, the loth of June, 1837. 
“ The number of patients which can then be well accommodated is 
from 230 to 250, and in the successful progress of improvement fondly 
anticipated, and by adopting a judicious system of classification, a stiil 
greater number may participate in the enjoyment of its privileges and 
blessings. Thus the bounty of the government will be extended, and be 
productive of an amount of good far exceeding all pecuniary considera- 
tions. H. H. Childs, Chairman.” 
MEDICAL PREMIUM. 
The New York State Medical Society, at a recent meeting, passed the 
resolution that one hundred dollars be offered for the best dissertation on 
the following subject :— 
“ Diseases of the Spine, their causes, symptoms, and best mode of 
treatment. 
The following gentlemen were appointed the committee on Prize Ques- 
tions, for the ensuing year. 
Drs. John B. Beck, James R. Manly, Richard Pennell, John C. 
Cheeseman, Thomas Downing. 
The Dissertations to be sent to the committee before the first day of 
January, 1838. P. Van O’Linda, Secretary. 
Poisoning with Yew Berries.—A fatal case of poisoning with the berries 
or seeds of the yew (Taxes baccata), is related in the London Lancet. 
Of five children who had been seen under a yew tree, the youngest, aged 
three a half years, was soon after seized with vomiting, throwing up some 
ofthe yew berries. Before medical assistance could arrive, the child had 
been convulsed and died. The other children were slightly affected, and