The National Register.
London, England, 1816-02-25 00:00:00

lIALUS PONILI SUPREMA EST LEX.

DISEASES, so far as regards a popular view of them,
maw be divided into two classes—those which are ale-
pendent upon atmospherical changes, or arc influenced
by the particular state of the circumumbient air; and
into those, the causes of which arc not at. all, or in a very
slight degree, connected with these changes. The for-
mer again may be subdivided into two species,—those
which obviously depend upon, and are usually produced
by exposure to atmospherical influence, as colds or
catarrhs, inflammation of the lungs and rheumatism ; and
those whose character is only modified, or virulence aug-
'melded, by certain states of the air, or progression of
seasons, as small-pox, measles, and scarlet-fever ; although
the mode in which such influence is exerted, is yet undis-
covered by us. The former of these two last sets may
be thought to depend upon the simple qualities of the air,
us coldness, moisture, or dryness; the latter to derive their
origin or propagation from some peculiar combination, or
chemical state of the elastic vapours by which we arc sur-
rounded. Each of these claims our attention, but not
with an equal degree of interest ; and accordingly each
class shall obtain that share of notice which its import-
ance seems entitled to demand.

The present is a season of the year, in which those dis-
eases, the offspring of cold and moisture, are usually pre-
valent ; and the vicissitudes of weather that we have lately
experienced have not only multiplied their number, hut
aggravated their violence. Catarrhs, therefore, pulmonary
complaints, and rheumatism, occupy a large proportion of
our present list. The. contagious diseases a children,
also, have, in no inconsiderable degree, been influenced
by the state of the weather. Moping Cough and Measles
are at present frequent among this interesting part of our
population, many of whom full victims to the severity of
their attack, notwithstanding the most appropriate treat-
ment. It has been complained, and perhaps with some
degree of truth, that the diseases of children have not ob-
tained their full share of consideration among the gene-
rality of medical practitioners, who are represented as
taking less interest in, and concerning themselves less
about, the welfare of such very young patients, than for
those of adult or maturer age. Should this charge be
true, we may account in some measure for the practice,
so universal, of drenching the young subjects with some
advertised specific, or committing them to the manage-
ment of some ignorant old nurse, whose ill-timed officious-
ness too frequently increases that disease which she knows not
how to cure. In their slightest degree, however, hoop-
in., cough and measles should become the objects of
serious attention, lest irreparable mischief be done by
themn to so important and vital an organ as the lungs.
The ffirmer, in particular, requires a nue portion of skill
in its treatment, since it has unquestionably a two-fold
character, inflammatory and spasmodic ; and according to
the predominance of either of these, must its treatment.
be varied. lit its incipient stage, however, it may be
alwaysconsidered as inflammatory; and the .safest mode to
adopt is, to withhold from the subject of its attack, what-
ever may increase the circulation, or stimulate the sys-
tem. Animal trod is in general to be finbidden, and the
mildest diet only allowed. By moderating inflammation
in the early stages of the disease, the subsequent spasmodic
state is rendered much milder, and any lasting injury to
the lungs is much kss to be appr4ended. It may be some-
times necessary to effect this intention by the exhibition
of appropriate medicines; but all attempts to remove or
cure the disease at its commencement, are worse than_
useless. Arising from a specific contagion, it fhllows
the general laws of contagious diseases : un assimila-
tion of some of the humours of the body into its own
nature, and u constitutional disturbance for their expul-
sion. Like all other contagious diseases, it has regular
periods of increase, height, and decline; and will, in its
milder attacks, naturally and gradually wear itself out,
without any interposition of art, and, indeed, In spite of
all interference. This character, in the history of the
disease, has been abundantly favourable to the reputation
of certain nosirums, which, when exhibited in the decline
of the disease, have been ffillowed by the most wonderffil
cures. From what has been said above, however, it up-
pears, that each separate stage of the disease requires its
distinct treatment; and that to substitute, in the first and
early stage of the disease, those medicines which are sin-
gularly useful in the lust stage, might be doing incalcula-
ble mischief to the little patient. As a general rule, it
may be sufficient to state, that in the commencement of
the complaint, in mild cases, any further interkrence
than a strict attention to diet, and occasionally relieving
the stomach by an emetic, is quite unnecessary; when
the lungs shall have been attacked by serious inflamma-
tion, more active remedies are required, the extent of
which can only be judged of by a skilful practitioner.
When the febrile state is over, and nothing but the
spasmodic cough remains, it will be useful to attempt its
nmioval by suitable antispasmodics and tonics; but nothing
in this period of the complaint is found to be so effica-
cious in general, us change of air,— a mild and dry situ•
ation being of course entitled to a preference.

ERRATUM in 'Atrn. Mox. No. 1.-3 d line- from Lotioni, lot
improper, read inwerjeci.

FER. e 5.,

DRAMATIC REGISTER.

Measare Jbr Measure is got up this season at Covent
Garden, with great attention to costieme, and a general
propriety in the performance of all the actors, svhieli ren.
ders it Justly it very attractive piece, and entitles us to
scy, that in the total effect of the play there is scarcely
say thing further to bo desired. But we have seen it in
other times, whenilnge/o was played by PALMER instead
of TERRY ; the Duke by Jolts; KEMBLE;und Isabella by
Mrs. SIDDONS. We wish not to detract from the Merit
of our modern actors, by comparing them with those that
are gone by; but we hardly knew the value of those who
delighted us ffinnerly, till by comparison with what we
must still call the excellence of modern times, we had
found how much their actual merit would transcend our
praise. With a better voice than KEMBLE, YOUNG is
still a mannerist, and his manner is borrowed from ano-
ther. He has studied in the school of his predecessor,
and only follows in his steps ; but the artificial tunes of
KEMBLE, in passages of level speaking, was more than
endurable ; it became habitually respectable —rmy,
satisfactory, because we felt that it was, necessary—
that it was natural to him. In Mr. YOUNG, who has
nu defect of voice to conceal, we look fur inure of ease,
and expect him to speak on the stage us he would at his
table. Whenever, therefore, we catch the faintest
note of Mr. KEMBLE'S intonation, our ear rejects it as
Malty, because it not only gives a stiff unwieldy manner
Lis dechunation, but we condemn it us unnecessary.
Mr. Yoe so and Mr. BARRVMORE possess the finest
voices fur declamation on the stage, and yet they do not
produce an effect equal to the thick muffled tone of
KEAN. Youso is certainly not to be compared with
BARRYMORE in any thing else, but we caught u mixture
of both his voice and that of KEMBLE in many of the
sermons of the Monk. This character is not one in
which an actor run exhibit much pathos, nor are there
any scenes which give scope fir theatrical cflivt in point
of situation. It is one of calm dignity, and imposing
grandeur. In this, KEatBLR was unrivalled; and though
we would not call Mr. Youxo deficient, yet he fell short
of his great master. When the cowl was torn from his
shoulders by Lori°, we thought that a part of his dignity
was removed. The grave habit, the sententious manner,
the bald head, and ample beard of the Monk, had an awe
and solemnity, which we sought in vain among the
gildad taggs and silken tassels, of the white Hussar
dress of the Duke—brilliant, rich, and glittering as it
was. The fool, it was said, had made a Duke; but by
unstripping the Monk, we did not feel that he had pro-
duced any thing much above his own foppery ; and if we
regretted any part of Mr. YOUNG'S delivery, it was the
vehemence with which he imposed silence upon Lucia
Mr. TERRY also performed his part well, speaking
with due consideration of his actual powers ; for with
his small figure, and harsh, unwieldy voice, he has many
difficulties to encounter. There is a hardness about his
manner, which suits well enough with characters of blunt
honesty, or of low cunning; but which does not become
the lofty mind, yet frail character, of Angelo.

Miss O'NEILL was the great star of 01 night„to whom
all eyes were attracted, and round whom all the rest of
the actors seemed to move as mere satellites about a
planet of the first order. She is an actress of such great
merit, that it requires the coldness and the experience of
a critic to discover her defects ; and if she compares our
judgment with the plaudits which she received, and in
many of which we joined, it may happen probably that
she will appeal from our sentence. But on this head,
we would have all ac tors understand, that mere ap-
plause is not the test of positive excellence, and that it is
as often bestowed on the poet as on the actor. The cha-
racter allotted to Miss O'NEILL was evidently the favourite
one of SHAKESPEARE in this play; but it is of a peculiar
east, and one not within the fork of' Miss O'Netu.'s
powers. In person she is fascinating, rather than grand;
in voice,powerful and impressive ; but in wind, truly fe-
minine, and not metaphysical or poetic. In characters of
feminine sweetness and affection, she is irresistible ; she
looks and speaks, and seems to think and feel, as a wife
would, at the distress of a beloved husband; and we think
it more than probable that many of her audience have said
mentally—. would that !leaven had made Me such a wife!'
Isabella is an affectionate sister, but a cold nun. The
pride of maiden purity animates her with a philosophic
dignity, a commanding enthusiasm, a haughty inspiration,
which belongs only to a mind of the highest intellectual
vigour. She is a philosopher; a female Hamlet, a me-
taphysician in petticoats; a Made. Dc Sind in veil. This
the charming Miss O'NEILL is not ; but this, the awfid
and the majestic SIDDONS, upon the stage at least, could
be, and was with a superiority which defies all rivalahip,
and leaves room only for imitation. In the beautiful
passages of poetic enthusiasm, and lofty declamation,
Mrs. Sinnovs exhibited a skill which was justly charac-
teriscsl by the deputation of the English lair, When they
thanked her for the lessons they hal received in eloquenee.
She delivered them with a grace and dignity which we
have never seen equalled by any orator, living or dead,
in the senate, at the bar, or in the pulpit. In her voice.
the tragic muse seemed to speak with all the enthusiasm
of poetic inspiration. if we say, then, that in these pas-
sages we beheld Miss O'Nen.a. with other feelings than
we have done in listening to Mrs. StnnoNs, we only say.
that below the highest degree of excellence in this cast of