tion of the system being in most cases spontaneously restored in a short time without any assistance whatever. The remedies are anti-spasmodics and stimulants; those which are the most volatile are to be preferred, as spirits of red lavender, sal-volatile, sulphuric æther, and compound tincture of valerian, each of which may be administered in doses of a tea-spoonful mixed with a wine glass of water. The hands should be immersed in cold water, the face plentifully sprinkled with it, and the patient exposed to a current of pure cold air. Vinegar, or Eau de Cologne may be applied to the temples and behind the ears. Pungent salts are likewise to be held to the nostrils. bent position is invariably to be observed, indeed, if the patient is laid down the fit seldom becomes complete, at all events, it is sure to very considerably relieve it, by equalizing the circulation of the blood; whenever there is a disposition in the habit to faint all violent emotions of the mind and sudden surprises are to be carefully guarded against.

PILES

A recum

ARE by no means a dangerous, though frequently a very painful and troublesome malady; they were be

lieved by the ancients to be a provision of nature for the advantage of the constitution; whatever is capable of obstructing the circulation of the blood in the vicinity of the parts may occasion this affection, thus those who are habitually costive, or who sit long in the water-closet, strain much, also pregnent women who have difficult or protracted labours are liable to the complaint; generally speaking they are symptomatic of febrile excitement in the system. When piles are once formed they rarely ever disappear entirely; they may also be produced by food of too stimulating a quality; the abuse of wine, spirits, and violent purgatives, particularly such as contain aloes; horse exercise, sedentary habits, and diseased liver are likewise frequent causes. The treatment consists in carefully regulating the state of the bowels, for which purpose small doses of castor oil or lenitive electuary will answer best, also emollient clysters. The patient should be recommended a recumbent position and the use of cold astringent lotions. Ward's paste, which is chiefly composed of black pepper, fennel seeds, and the root of elecampane has frequently succeeded in relieving very urgent symptoms, when everything else has failed, as have small doses of bal

sam of copaiva and tincture of myrrh, namely, from twenty to thirty drops in a glass of cold water twice or thrice a day, the copaiva is best taken in soft sugar. Females who are the victims of piles ought to avoid food difficult of digestion, violent exercise, exposure to damp, and pay particular attention to keep the feet dry and warm.

FALLING DOWN OF THE FUNDAMENT. THIS very common and troublesome affection is rarely attended with serious consequences, provided common care and attention be paid in the first instance, and it is generally capable of a perfect cure. It is a very usual occurrence in infancy and indeed at any period of life, general as is the disease from local or constitutional debility, it is perhaps still more frequent from an habitual or accidental excess of contractile power, in the sphincture of the lower bowel. If the tumour be permitted to remain down, it becomes swelled, extremely irritable and much inflamed. In the reduction of the part, very little skill is required: the fingers well oiled, should be firmly pressed against it, or a warm napkin with a little spermaceti ointment or lard spread over the part that is brought in immediate con

tact with the swelling, may be applied between it and the hand; sitting on a hard seat with a compress, will sometimes suffice, but when neither of the above will succeed, the fore finger well oiled, is to be steadily carried forward with the part, afterwards gently withdrawn, and a compress applied; the cure is to be effected by local tonics and astringents, cold water dashed daily over the buttocks, injections of alum, sulphate of zinc, copper, infusion of oak bark, nutgalls or catechu; in some instances it may be necessary to administer tonics internally; the bowels must be carefully attended to in every case of this nature. Castor oil is the best and safest medicine; every kind of aperient containing aloes or other drastic remedies will to a certainty produce great aggravation and distress, on the whole perhaps, enemas of warm water will be the most desirable method of evacuating and keeping the bowels soluble.

DISEASES OF THE OVARIA AND WOMB.

THE ovaria are two flat oval or oblong bodies about an inch from the womb, behind, suspended by broad bands, termed ligaments, the literal explanation of the term is an egg, they contain a number of vesicles or

ova, frequently to the number of twenty-two, of various sizes, joined to the internal surface of the ovaria by fine threads; they contain a fluid which has the appearance of thin lymph. The very remarkable and well-known changes produced in the female constitution at the age of puberty are induced by the development of the ovaria; diseases of these organs have of late years been very common, probably the artificial state of society may have had its influence.

INFLAMMATION OF THE OVARIA

MAY arise after delivery, and the symptoms are in many instances extremely severe; there is pain in the groin, side, and lower part of the belly, shivering fits, and the other attendants on fever and inflammation; it is, however, an affection of very rare occurrence.

TREATMENT.

THE feet should be immediately put into warm water, in which a little mustard has been dissolved. Fomentations of poppy-heads applied to the loins and belly, gentle emetics, mild aperients, or enemas with medicines which act on the skin are the general indications.