The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-24

all communication with Camargo and Matamo-
ras He will be placed in very critical position,
unless the place is well furnished with provi-
sions; he, indeed, besieged. But the troops
now en- roxts for the Brazos, and the ten regi.
ments which he is said to have called for, may
reach him in time to save his army from serious
injury.
We think we now discover a clue OF the future
intended movements of the Mexicans. After
covering the posts the Rio Grande, they will ad
vance upon Tampico. Vera Cruz taken, they may
not, possibly, attack Tampico, but pass on to
Vera Cruz, and by that means get into the rear
of General Scott. when he shall leave that place
for the mountains. We expect, however, ali
this speculation may yet be succeeded by
intelligence of the total discontinue and route
of the forces Of Santa Anna, Notwithstanding
their great numerical strength. If, on the other
hand, the latter re-establish ascendancy on the
Rio Grande, the interest of the war will be in
creased in the ratio OF the possibility of his spur
ring the national feeling to add to the facilities of
continuing the war
The movement of Santa Anna against Taylor
is desperate one. If he should succeed in it,
it will give him immense sway over the dest-
MES of Mexico
VEGETABLE CHKMJsTRY.-We made few re.
marks last week on the rapid advances OF the SCI
ence of chemistry in the world OF organised mat
ter, and OF the service that these Investigations are
rendering in the cause of medical science more
particularly. At the same time we remarked that
the diseases and arrangements ofthe nervous sys-
tenn still sealed books to the physician. This
is undoubtedly the case as far regards any
knowledge of the nature of the morbid changes
in the system giving rise to these complaints; COM
plants the most formidable and fpalling that be-
fall the human system such rs lock-jaw, epiep-
sy, amaurosis, inducing total blindness without
any appreciable change in the structure Of the
eye-neuralgia or tic doloreux, giving rise to the
most excruciating and unremitng pain that the
mind can conceive, and many other disorders, all
tending to curtail human life, andabsolutey wear
ing tout the system with the pain accompany
ing them. ALI these disorders are wrapped in
mystery as regards their cause, for, in the great
majority of cases the examination of the bodies of
the poor patients after death fails to disclose any
appreciahe deviation or alteration from the natu-
raj structure or appearance.
Vegetable chemistry, however, has been sue
cessful in some measure in wrestling, as it were,
remedy for these complaints, from the inmost re.
cesses of certain plants we allude to that class OF
substances known as the vegetable alkalods--
among these we may instance morphine, quinine,
strychnine, !aconitine, veratrne, &c. Morphine
and quinine are well known, and the efficacy of
the latter in the of fever and ague, is one of
the greatest blessings to the human family that
could have been granted. 1t is the active princi-
pie of the Peruvian bark, and few grains ofths
beautiful white crystalline substance is effica-
oious pound Of the nauseous woody powder,
which was the form in which it had to be admit
nistered, until within, comparatively speaking, a
very few years past. But the vegeto-alkalies
which have been more recently isolated from their
parent plants, have been all of a much greater
power than quinne and morphine They occur
here and there in few plants, and always in
very small quantities, but their extraordinary
powers over the animal system, claim for them
with justice prominent place. They are fearful
poisons or valuable indictments according to the
hands they fall into; they exert the most power
full influence over nervous diseases; and lockjaw
and amauross, two of that class which have
long been considered as impregnabe to me-
dicine have yielded beneath their use. From
their extraordinary power, Che 40th or even Goth
parto grain Of strychnne being tolerably large
dose) there is reason to hope that when the whole
series of them, which undoubtedly exist in nature,
shall have been thoroughly explored, many of
them will be found complete specifics Tor diseases
at present considered incurable. The great ex-
pense attendant on their preparation is one great
drawback at present, for many of them cannot be
sold for less than $50 to $40 per ounce-but this
will doubtless be obviated hereafter.
Meantime, let us hope that the more universal
attention which is now being given to the various
branches OF chemistry, will be the means of
bringing to light many more Of these hidden trea-
sures of nature.
The GOVERNMENT STEAMER SCoRPIoN.-We UNI
derstand that the difficulty attending the sailing
of this vessel, lately the Aurora, and the alleged
impertections of her machinery, which would
tend, if true, to injure the reputation of the con-
structors, attributed other causes than those
assigned, and that the reasons why she does not
yet fulfil the antcipations of those who, from OBJ
servation and critical inspection, considered her
perfect in model and construction, will, in time,
be satisfactorily given.
She was constructed, we understand, by ship
ping house in this city Of the highest respectable
ty, for their own use, without any idea Of a
sale; and all the work performed by the best me-
chanics, under the most careful supervision.
steam vessel, however perfect, may be greatly in
jured by alterations in adapting her to new duty
or by over lading; and, above all things, required
to be well engineered to carry out the views other
projectors.
of course, a new grade of officers, whose duties
are, in the highest degree, important, and in
whom any want of skill or mechanics would lead