The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-15 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Among the Contradictory opinions of the medi-
cal profession on the treatment of cholera, I find that
ordinary friction is the only one on which they, one and
all, agree. There oan be no such friction without mes-
meric influence being conveyed, yet ordinary friction is
not the most efficient method of applying mesmerism,
and for this reason I beg to add my mite of experience
in allaying the scourge of the human race.
Having attended many cases of cholera in Exeter, in
1832, as well as since that period, I beg to offer a few
re► Larks for public consideration.
As complete prostration of strength from the loss of
nervous energy and severe cramps are the most constant
and prominent symptoms of cholera, I am induced to
think that the vomiting and diarrhoea are only the effects
of the malady, as both of these accompaniments are
sometimes wanting in the most rapidly fatal cases
of cholera. The exudation of the most fluid part
of the blood from the whole of the alimentary
canal is accompanied with the most insatiable thirst,
which must be gratified by some harmless fluid,
such as cold water in quantity, even by gal-
lons. The powers of digestion are so much suspended
as to be insensible to the salutary action of food, calomel,
brandy, laudanum, or other medicinal substances, and I
believe that much of either of them impedes the recovery
of the patient. As the nervous system is so much ex-
hausted, we must endeavour to restore that from a
healthy and congenial source, which can be most effectu-
ally and naturally done by mesmerism or friction down-
wards, by a relay of four or five vigoious and healthy
persons, to succeed each other at the end of 20 minutes,
one only of them to remain with the patient during the
time. Mesmerism should be also applied by breathing
warm air vigorously over the heart. A few grains of
bi-carbonate of soda, with mint, may be added to the
water in cases of excessive thirst. The cramp of preg-
nant women is relieved in a few minutes by mesmerism,
and I have known patients in the collapsed state of
cholera, and considered as hopeless, completely restored
by adopting the above means,—l remain, sir, &c.,
JOHN BATTISHILL PARKER.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

SCOTTISH CENTRAL.

The report of the directors of this company states that
the sum expended on capital account during the half-
year amounted to 12,2111. less 3,3501. for land sold to
the Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee Railway Company,
leaving 8,8611. The directors recommend that the
outlay to be incurred for the extension of locomo-
tive workshops and new machinery shall not exceed
what is absolutely necessary for the requirements of
this company, taking into consideration the obligation
incurred by them for working the Forth and Clyde
Junction and Crieff railways, when completed. The rum
of 4,0641. has been expended on waggons to meet the
rapid increase of traffic. The net amount of expendi-
ture on the capital account to the 31st of July last was
1,615,8561. Of this sue. 1,018,5101. bad been raised on
original stock, 152,5181. on preference stock, and.
417,8781. on loans, together 1,558.9071. leaving a ba-
lance against the company of 26,9491. The estimated
expenditure for works and plant to be added to this
amounts to 70,0001., so that the total deficiency on capital
account amounts to 96,9481. To meet this there remains
97,481/. to be raised on preferenceshares,l6,oool. on loans,
and 1,490/. arrears of calls on original stock, making toge-
ther 114,9711., leaving a surplus, after providing for every
contingency, of 18,0221. The directors estimate they
will be able to close the capitalaccountat 1,685,8561.,
or at an outlay of 70,0001. beyond the present expen-
diture. They state that the shareholders may rest as-
sured that every effort will be made to reduce this
estimate and close the capital account below the figures
stated. The estimate of the expenditure is made on a
wide basis, in order to provide fully for all that is
necessary to complete the line. The revenue account for
the half-year shows an increase of 2181. in the passenger
traffic, and 7,0601. in the goods traffic, together 7,2781.
over the corresponding period of 1853. The working
expenses amount to 41i per cent, of the receipts, being
21 per cent. less than those at the corresponding period
of 1853, which amounted to 44 per cent. That reduction
was made notwithstanding the greatly increased cost of
labour and material. The train miles run during the half-
year were 239,672, of which 148,143 were by goods
trains, and 91,529 miles by passenger trains. The re-
ceipts per mile per goods train amounted to 4s. 5d.,
against 3s. 91d. at the corresponding period of 1853; and
for passenger trains to 65., against ss. 10id. per mile at
the corresponding period of 1853. The increase in the
receipts per train mile is most satisfactory, and is
to be attributed, in a great measure, to the general rise
of rates to which allusion was made in the Last report.
The balance from the last account amounted to 9,2341.,
and the surplus profit on the half-year to 20,916/.
making a disposable sum of 30,1501. The directors re-
commend that a dividend at the rate of four and a half
per cent. per annum on the consolidated stock should
be declared payable on the 29th of September, which
will amount to 22,9501., leaving a surplus to be
carried forward of 7,2001. The dividend of 4s. 2d. per
share on the preference stock will be paid at the same
time. The net revenue for the year ending the 31st of
July amounted to 44,4551., and the dividend, at the
rate of 4 per cent, in March last, and the proposed
dividend of 4i per cent. now, to 43,350/., leaving a
balance of 1,1051. ; the dividend for the year averaging
4i per cent. The directors regret the failure of the mea-
sure for amalgamating the Scottish Central and Scot-
tish Midland Railway Companies. A traffic ar-
rangement has been concluded with the Edinburgh,
Perth, and Dundee, Scottish Midland, and Dundee and
Perth Railway Companies, for a period of seven years,
under which the evils of competition are avoided.
capital account shows that 1,712,9841. had
ex-
pended, and 1,686,0351. received,
leaving a balance
against the company of 26,9481. The revenue account
b
85/b an rd
for the half-year shows that 59,0 •
hadalnceee eceive
of 34,492/.
and 24,5931. expended, leaving a
trainsbeen
6 is at the rate
The cost of working the passenger
of 10 62d per mile, and of goods trains . . per mile 2d 9 .
the average number of carriages in a train being 6 69,
surd of waggons in goods trains 18:63.