The Sun.
London, England, 1848-10-24 00:00:00

OCTOBER 24, (iiB.

LITERATURE.
1. ON THE ANTIDOTAL TREATMENT OF
EPIDEMIC CHOLERA. By john. .Parkin,
M.D., 6-c.
•
2. FIVE MINUTES COMMON SENSE ABOUT
ASIATIC CHOLERA; or, Short and Plain
Rules for the Prevention, Management, and Treat-
ment of the Early Symptoms of the Disease, intended
for the Unprofessional Reader. By a _bellow of the
Royal College of Surgeons Of England.
The work of Dr. Parkin is entitled to the imme-
diate and serious attention of the medical profession.
Dr. Parkin ailisoiinCei that he has discovered a
specific for cholera, an antidote fiir 'the poison which
generates cholera in the human constitution, andthat
specific and that antidote is no dangerous poison,
like mercury or opium, no ruinously expen-
sive drug to be procUred only. in small quantities,
like musk, but a remedy cheap, of easy access to all
classes, and perfectly innocuous. It is carbon admi-
nistered, either in the form of the powder of freshly
prepared charcoal (Dr. Parkin insists much upon the
necessity of having the charcoal freshly prepared), or
'of carbonic acid gas (the latter is by far the more
pleasant method)- obtained from the decomposition of
some of the alkaline carbonates by means of tartaric
or of citric acid. The following are the directions
given by Dr., Parkin for the preparation of the car-
bonic acid gas :
"As it is absolutely neces:ary that the medicine
should be taken in a proper manner (for, otherwise, the
patient will only be swallowing a simple solution of
tartrate or citrate of coda, instead of a certain portion
of carbonic acid gas) ; it may not be superfluous to
point out what I consider the best 'mode of preparing
the remedy.

" Thirty grains of the powdered carbonate, bicarb

nate, or, as it is now termed,-sesquidarbonate of soda, or
potash, should be put into a large tumbler, with a wine
glassful of water ; to which is to be added a dessert
spoonful of any simple syrup, mixing the two ingredients
together so as to form a homogeneous mass. Then
take twenty grains of citric or tartaric acid, and dissolve
it in half a wine glassful of water, when the solution is
to be poured on the contents of the tumbler, and the
mixture drank off immediately, before the effervescence
has subsided. If more convenient, or when to be ob-
tained, lemon-juice may be substituted for the citric or
tartaric acid—in the proportion of two table spoonsful
of lemon juice to the same quantity of soda or potash.
As the object in giving the syrup is to render the
mixture more tenacious, and to prevent the 'gas escap-
ing so rapidly as would otherwise be the case, it is
nut necessary, when the lemon-juice is used, to add any
syrup."
This remedy given during any stage prior to col-
lapse will prevent the stage of collapse from corning
on, according to the statement of Dr. Parkin, con-
firmed by the statements of various medical prac-
titioners who have adopted this plan of treatment,
which, simple and apparently inadequate as it may
appear to be, has yet proved mere successful than
any that has hitherto been adopted.
" Thus soda water, solution of soda, and effervescing
draughts, were used, in the treatment of the disease, by
the surgeons at Cawood, near Selby, and by the medical
practitioners at East Retford.
"Two cases of confirmed collapse, successfully treated
by Mr. Radcliffe with carbonic acid gas, were inserted in
the Lancet ; while the same remedy, as I have since
learnt, was extensively employed in Devonshire—par-
ticularly at Plymouth—and with such success as to
attract the attention of unprofessional persons."
But it was in Spain more particularly that the
remedy proposed by Dr. Parkin was brought to the
test. When the cholera first broke out in Spain, Dr.
Parkin immediately proceeded to that country; and,
says Dr. Parkin—
"ln answer to some observations which were made
in a newspaper of Barcelona, relative to the effect of car-
bonic acid in one particular case, the attendant physicians,
Dr. Ardevol, Dr. Frau (Professor of Anatomy and Sur-
gery), and Dr. Sauch (Physician to the General Hospital),
the first individuals in that town who adopted the plan
of treatment here pointed out, express themselves in
these' terms:—' The Spanish. physicians, resident in
Barcelona, who hid the honour of meeting Mr. Parkin,
admitted from the beginning, with cordial assent, the
opinions of this gentleman; since, although they were
not entirely ignorant of the good effects of carbonic acid
gas, to this English practitioner (whose name already
belongs to history, adorned with the most grateful re-
membrance of mankind) is to be ascribed the glory of
having established the administration of this medicine.
This chemical agent is a specific remedy for the cure of
the Asiatic cholera, in its first and second periods, ad-
ministered by skilful hands and with medical tact. We
have had the satisfaction of saving, with this remedy, do-
zens of individuals who were brought to the gates of
death.'

" The former of these gentlemdn, in a subsequent
communication, and after a more extended trial, offers
the following strong testimony to the efficacy of this
remedy;—' The carbonic acid gas is a chemical agent
which positively neutralizes the morbific poison of
cholera. Its effects are observable in the first, second,
third, and fourth periods of the disease. In that• of
the preliminary diarrholi it modifies the morbid im-
pression in a perceptible manner; changes the nature of
the discharges, giving rise to bilious secretions; and pro-
duces a speedy alteration in the choleroid physiognomy
of the patient, who soon acquires his normal appearance.
The efficacy of this medicine,' continues the writer, is
most visible at the commencement of collapse, when the
blueness appears, and when there is an alteration and
sinking of the voice. This medical metamorphosis ap-
pears most remarkable in such (otherwise) desperate
cases; since the physician observes with pleasure the
speedy effects of the neutralization of the poison, by the
disappearance of the anxiety; the recovery of the voice;
the animation of the physiognomy; the return of the
pulse, and the removal of the state of depression ; and,
finally, remarks that the patient passes to the period of
reaction with a free development of the pulse, confirming
thereby the hopes of the sufferer for the re-establish-
ment of his health. In the algid state, with blueness,
loss of pulse, suppression of urine, and visible depres-
sion, if the patient preserves his intellectual faculties, its
good effects are also observable to all who have sight
and wish to see. And I will say, finally, that, in the
actual state of our knowledge, the oaateria medics, in
this case, has no other agent which can replace it."
Dr. Pascua, of Mataro, thus describes the effects of
the carbonic acid when administered in cases of
cholera :

" The most immediate effects which I have constantly
observed, from the introduction of the gas into the sto-
mach, have been the following :—lf the patient is labour-
ing under suspicious diarrhoea; loud rumbling of the
bowels; small pulse; slight alteration in the physiog-
nomy, and voice somewhat changed—the third dose
usually suspends altogether the diarrhcea, and the other
symptoms disappear successively the course of the
disease, consequently, being arrested. If the patient has
that continued mortal oppression at the przeoordia, with
burning heat in the epigastric region; vomitings and
rice-water evacuations; remarkable alteration in the phy-
siognomy; without having altogether lost the tempera-
ture of the extremities; it may be said that the carbonic
acid, in these cases, acts miraculously. At the third or
fourth dose the patient experiences a calm and indescri-
bable ease, which makes him exclaim, with all the ve-
hemence imaginable, Give me more of this draught,
for it restores me to life.' Truly it was surprising to
see the rapid amendment of a patient, a little while
before in so dangerous a state."
And, to crown all, we find

" The Commission appointed by the Royal Aca•
demy of Medicine and Surgery in Barcelona, agree-
ably to the order of the Supreme Board of Medicine
and Surgery in Spain, that it should make known what
plan of treatment had produced the best effects, in the
epidemic cholera, in those towns situated in the districts
under the jurisdiction of the Academy, and which had
been attacked by the disease,"
reporting strongly in favour of Dr. Parkin's mode of
•
treatment.

With such testimonials as these in its favour, the
treatment of the disease by carbonic acid gas is enti-
tled to a fair and an extensive trial, and it has this
striking advantage over every other method of treat-
ment that has as yet been proposed; it is incapable of
doing injury.
The second pamphlet in our list is, in fact, what it
professes to be, " Five Minutes Common Sense
about the Cholera." It first appeared in 1831, was re-
printed and extensively circulated in America, and is
now again reprinted, and should be distributed far
and wide, more especially among the poorer classes.
It is clear, concise, and in every way superior to the
ponderous productions which have hitherto proceeded
from the Board of Health.

THE DIALS or PUBLIC CLOCKS.—The dials of the
new clock at the Palace of Westminster are to be thirty
feet in diameter, the largest in the world, excepting a
skeleton dial at Malines, on which the time is shown by
only one•hand, and which makes one revolution in twelve
hours. The dial of St. Paul's clock, which is only
eighteen feet in diameter, is the largest in this country
that is furnished with a minute hand. A few of the
clocks in Flanders strike on large bells, but they require
to be wound up every day, and in some instances twice
in the twenty-four hours.
RII•OPENING OF THE NATIONAL GALLEET.—THR
VERNON COLLECTION OF PICTURES.—Yesterd the Na-
tional Gallery was re-opened, and despite the unfavour-
able state of the weather, was visited by a great number
of persons. This was owing in a great measure to the
exhibition for the first time of Mr. Vernon's collection
of pictures beneath the roof of this national institution.
The rooms selected for the exhibiti:n of these pictures
are situate on the ground-floor of the building, between
the central portico and the entrance into St. George's
barracks from Trafalgar square, and are reached by
descending a flight of steps on the north side of the
grand staircase. The rooms are lighted by eight win-
dows, four on each side, and are divided into aisles by
semi circular arches. One portion on each side is di-
vided into two small rooms about eighteen feet long and
six wide, with one window in each. The other rooms
on each side of the passage are each lighted with three
windows, and in these rooms are hung some of the best

pictures.
THE NEW FOREST TIMBER ROBBERIES.—At the
Southampton quarter sessions, on Friday morning, the
several persons charged with stealing timber trom the
New Forest surrendered to take their trials. There
were a large number of magistrates and the Bishop of
Winchester present on the bench. Several pleaded
guilty. John Light was charged with stealing, at
Buskets, five beech trees and other timber, the property
of her Majesty. The prisoner, who is a timber mer-
chant with a good business, was found not guilty.

HAYMARKET. THEATRE.
The tragedy of the Patrician's daughter (the first
and the best of the tragedies of Mr. Westland
Marston) which, when first published, so attracted the
attention of Mr. Macready that he produced it, at
Drury lane, acting himself the part of the liero
Mordaunt, and intrusting that of the Heroine, the
Lady Mabel Lynterne, to Miss Helen Faucit, was
produced here last evening with the following.cast :
The Earl of Lynterne . Mr. Rogers.
Mordaunt... .... Mr. Creswick.
Lady Lydia Lynterne Clifford.
Mabel .. ...... .......... Miss Laura Addison.
The character of the Lady Mabel is admir-
ably suited for Miss Laura Addison, inasmuch
as she here finds full scope for the display
both of pathos the most tender and of
passion the most intense and energetic. She
infused a degree of dignity and majesty into tier
bearing in the library scene of the second act, whiPh
showed that she was indeed the Patrician's Daughter,
and that though the heart might swell, perchance
might break, no look, nor word, nor act, should bP-
tray to the self-praising Parvenu that he had suc-
ceeded in making an impression on the high. born
daughter of the Earl of Lynterne. The scene at the
end of the fourth act, where she is insulted and re-
jected by Mordaunt, even at the very fbot of
the altar, was a fine piece of acting. Never has
the intensity of the agony of wounded IPoie,
outraged pride, and hopeless despair tweii- mote
effectively, more intensely; more heartrendingly
rendered than by Miss Laura Addison last evening.
The dying scene. of the heartbroken .Lady Mabel,
with which ihe tragedy closes, was given with an
exquisite' pathos which drew tears from the specta-
tors, and Secured' for the accomplished artiste, who
had thus field "the mirror up to nature," the meat
enthsiastic and the most deserved applause; and
such and so deserved applause will be the
fortunate lot of Mr. Creswick whensoever it shall be
his good pleasure to hold the mirror up to nature
instead of holding it up to Mr. Macready. His Mer-
daunt of -last night was a painful exaggeration of
Macready's peculiarities even to the growl which the
"great tragedian" mistakes for passion, and which
'we 'are sometimes tempted •to think he puts on in
.cases' in which • he is not over well " up" in the
word's of his author, in order to render himself pur-
posely inarticulate. Mr. Rogers, as the Earl, was, as
he elways is, accurate and pains taking, and Mrs. W.
Clifford, as Licly Lydia was excellent At the own-
-elusion of the play, Miss Laura Addison was called
for, and was led on by Mr. Creswick, and received
with loud applause. Mr. Welister made his first ap-
pearance this season in Planchil's pleasant comedy of
Who's your Friend ? and was greeted with a hearty
welcome. He never looked or acted better in his life

STORY OF A GUTTER.
The unthinking part of the public conceive that
you are altogether, or principally, concerned in and
takeh up with, litigation: but you and I know bet-
ter; that on the contrary, it is your duty, and ought
ever to be your 'object, to prevent litigation. Were
it otherwise—did you deem yourselves at liberty to
stir up strife, only imagine what a fearful spectacle,
what a conflagration, society would exhibit!
I am strongly tempted to• give you two cases in
point here, one of which came under my notice pro-
fessionally, the other huppened•'to myself personally.
Some years ago, a neat little school was erected by
a few charitable individuals, under the superinten-
dence of an experienced surveyor. The building,
inclusive of the ground on which it stood, cost about
1,4001. Adjoining, on each side, were solve small
tenements, behind which ran a long open ditch, into
which they drained, and all of them belonged to one
individual. Along the back of the school, and in the
course of the ditch, was constructed with great care,
a large barrel drain; repeated application being made
to the owner of the adjoining premises, to know whe-
ther what was done was satisfactory to him as such
adjoining proprietor. He maintained an ominous si•

ence till about six months atter the erection had been
completed; when actions were brought against the
trustees of the school, for an alleged obstruction to
the drainage of the adjoining houses, and to the issu-
ing of the smoke from the chimney of a small wash-
house adjoining the school wall. To prevent litiga-
tion, a small sum was offered to the plaintiff, without
prejudice, and under protest that no injury whatever
had been done to his property. His attorney, how-
ever, rejected the offer, insisting on a sum so prepos-
terous in amount, that the defendants resolved to
resist the actions. The causes came on for trial in
due course. Two gentlemen, one now on the Bench,
the other in the House of Lords, led for the respec-
tive parties, with a formidable array of witnesses,
models, and plans. The causes were referred to
arbitration. After many meetings, and the examina-
tion of a host of witnesses, among whom were six of
the most eminent surveyors in the metropolis, the
arbitrator awarded in favour of the defendants on all
the issues; but the plaintiff succeeded in setting aside
the award, for a technical defect. On this the causes
came on again for trial; were again referred, bat to
a different arbitrator ; and after a still more protracted
reference, the arbitrator again decided in favour of the
defendants, giving them all the costs, which were
swollen to an appalling amount. By. this time, how-
ever, the plaintiff, in his turn, begged for mercy, la-
menting that he had ever been induced to embark in
such extensive litigation. He and his attorney soon
afterwards got, as the phrase is, to loggerheads; I
believe each sued the other • both had reason to regret
the issue ; and as for the defendants I forget whether
they succeeded in recovering the costs from the plain-
tiff. There was really no pretence for bringing the
actions ; and even had there been, the sum offered by
way of purchasing peace was abundantly sufficient to
have obviated any conceivable injury or inconve-
nience to the plaintiff ; but he preferred to take his
chance of eighteen months' harassing and expensive
litigation; and see the result. And what intolerable
injustice and cruelty towards the defendants! A few
months previously, I was not a little annoyed by find-
ing that a leaden gutter, running along the roof of the
stables which were at the back of our little garden,
having given way, let the water run down into the
aforesaid garden. In rainy weather this caused a
nuisance which I resolved to get rid of; so I wrote
to the owner of the stables, a gentleman of fortune,
,who took no notice of three letters, which led to a
fourth, in pretty strong terms. This elicited a very
offensive answer, which I had in my hands, when a
client of mine came to my chambers. That client
was your present President ; and into his confiding
breast I poured my sorrows. I insisted on his in-
stantly issuing a writ, in an action on the case, " to
bring my gentleman to his senses."—"Pho 1 pho
said my friend, "I'll set it right for you."--" But I'll
not be insulted with impunity."—" I'll take care
that you are not," quoth he, but with a smile which I
did not like.—" Upon my word," said I, "I believe
you are going to repair that gutter yourself."—" No,
no," he replied ; I will really take care that the
,matter is settled satisfactorily, both to your feelings,
and your interests; so you may start for circuit, to-
morrow, in peace. The next thing I heard was, that
he had got up a " Case," for the opinion of my
late friend, Mr. John William Smith, who took care
to start such a series of ingenious and perplexing
doubts as to my right of action, as not a little asto-
nished and irritated me. Under these circumstances,
it was said that the thing had better stand over till
my return, as it did; but by that time there was a
capital new zinc gutter running along the entire
length of the stable, and a little packet of letters lying
on my table, headed "In re the Gutter!" and this
consisted of a little correspondence between your
President and the highly respectable attorney of the
proposed defendant, who was a magistrate for the
county of Middlesex, but an irritable person. When,
however our two representatives met, they laughed
heartily at their respective clients, and said that they
would rather put up the gutter at their joint expense,
than suffer us to go to law about it. This, however,
was not necessary. My friend's opponent represented
the matter in its true light to his client; we were, it
turned out, both staunch supporters of the same poli-
tical opinions, and knew several of each other's friends;
and he not only put up a new gutter in the very com-
pletest style, but wrote me a letter couched in the
handsomest terms of courteous apology. When I in-
quired some time afterwards, whet were the costs
which I had to pay, your President said " Pho 1"
And when I told my friend, Mr. John William
Smith, how the Gutter- business had ended, he laughed
(poor soul !) immoderately, and said that he bad taken
uncommon pains with his " Opinion !" Now, gen-
tlemen, suppose my opponent and I had fallen into
the hands of such persons as he who figured in the
foregoing anecdote ! What a God-send each would
have seen, in that same gutter ! What a conduit. pipe
for turbid and expensive litigation 1 I trust, gentle-
men, that you will regard-these two incidents as not
devoid of interest, but as somewhat apt illustrations of
the course of conduct on which I have so earnestly
commented in a previous lecture. What mortifica-
tion and suffering are inflicted or averted by those
who disregard or observe such injunctions 1— Warren
on Attornies and Solicitors.

PoCHET-PICHINGI AT CDURCIFI.--On Sunday last
the lady of Mr. Goodhart, one of the sheriffs, was robbed
of a purse containing several sovereigns and some silver.
The Lord Mayor and the Sheriffs and their ladies at-
tended the charity sermon at the church of St. Cathe-
rine Cree, in Leadenhall street, and, on going to their
carriages after the service, a well-dressed boy, who stool
behind Mrs. Goodhart, slipped the purse out so cleverly
as to get out of sight before it was missed. Of late the
plunder committed by well-dressed boys and females,
who look like respectable mothers of families, have been
innumerable. The cleverness with which the robberies
have been committed is stated by the police to be very
remarkable. _ _

CHILD MllRDER.—Yesterday morning the body of
a child, about two months old, was found in the river
at Lower Rotherhithe, with its skull beaten in, and its
neck tightly compressed bx a cord. The, cl:mewd bas
not yet been identified.