New-York daily tribune., 1844-07-31
a New Fluid.

At a recent meeting of the Paris Academy Of
Science. communication was received from NJ.
Thiorier and NJ. Lafontalne, treating on ques-
ton unusual interest, but which has not, 1t is
feared, found solution in the researches oithese
gentlemen They cndcavor to demonstrate the
existence of auid, immediate, operating upon
the nerves. a French paper speaking on the
subject says;
That there is such fluid has long been the
opinion Of some Of the most eminent medical
men OF France and other countries, but they
have been unable to describe its character
and mode OF action they have not yet stated
anything positive to show lis existence; and
hitherto the mysterious action Of the nerves has
been attributed by many TO modification OF the
electric or magnetic fluid. NJ. Ihilorer and
Lafontainc speak OF having ascertained the exls-
tcnce of the nervous fluid by the ordinary galval-
ometer; but this alone would lead US TO infer that
what they take for distinct fluid IS merely that
oil electricity. We wish VIC could think other
wise, for the discovery OF a new fluid having It's
seat in the nerves, and Independent OF all other
agency, would be grand step towards another
and still more important ciScovery-the means
of rendering it available for curative purposes =
Half the meladcs with which mankind are atiilc.
ted are in some way or other connected with the
nervous syeicm; and nervous diseases, although
frequently treated with indifference and even nd
icule, when witnessed in Others, are OF all the Ills
of lie perhsp ps the most deplorahlc. The knowl.
edge OF physicians, great as IL may be on other
subjects, is sadly I'll fault here. They know no
means OF acting in a direct manner upon the
nerves All their remedies are limited to gener-
al action upon the system. They excite or sOothe
the nerves by sympathy, and frequently fail alto
gether, or do worse than fail-aggravate the dis.
order Their stimulans aud their sedatives must
sc, first upon the stomach, and next upon the sys
TEN, generally by absorption. Il is not their
fault if they cannot act upon the nerves; for al
though acquainted with the important, functions
they perform, they know nothing Of the nature OF
the mysterious agent by which they are governed.
Ii there be, the authors of this paper declare,
distinct nervous fluid, (and we are far from assert
ing that this Is not the case,) we may hope that
lis nature will be ascertained and then cures
which are now impossible would be comparative
ly easy. But ii these gentlemen have only fallen
upon the electric or magnetic fluid, we can eH-
pect nothing more from them IN TIE treatment Of
nervous diseases than the practice adopted by the
numerous magneuzefs OF the present day, and OF
this we have nothing 10 say that is favorable
There has not been single instance OF a patient
operated upon BY magnetism to the advantage oil
the general health. All the patients thus treated
have, on the contrary, hac their nerves acted
upon al The cost OF health, and the more the pa
ucnt is lmpressonablc 10 magnetic influence, the
more is The nervous system eyerted at the e1
pence of the general functions.
FIRE AT PIcToS.-We regret to learn that the
large store, owned and occupcd by D. B. Steven
son, Esq. OF Picton, was destroyed by fire early
yesterday morning. This is the second time, We
believe, that Mr. S. has been burned out within
a few years The following particulars we find
in the Picton Sun II is our painful duty 10 re-
cord the total destruction by fire OF that fine brick
building occupied by D. B. Stevenson as store
and dwelling house; and by G. Mortimer, Esq
as registry Office, together with the barn, store
house, quantity OF pork flour, oats and peas, and
about 60 cord OF wood. The fire origlnated IN
the barn, and was discovered about 10 O'Clock
last night. From the barn il communicated with
the storc-house, and thence TO the dwelling house.
all Of which were consumed in less than two hours.
Philadelphia Mercury.