The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1874-01-15

Ny first object was to secure the re-
mains of the solution OF silica left In
the pitcher, there being about an ounce.
which carefully put into a vial, cork
ing closely. Portions of this have been
variously tested, the result each
time showing simply very strong so
luton of silica In pure water. The
few drops which had been left in the
tumbler, exposed to evaporation, be-
came IN short time hard, clear con-
crete, resembling flint, or rather trans
parent quartz, yielding sparks on being
struck against steel.
TEE CAUSE OF THE PErRRAcTIoN.
The pathology in this case, while it
IS very striking, it very plain, although
differ with my confreres in regard TO
the final or ultimate cause. It is well
known as q geological fact that petrifac-
tlons are due to the infiltration of Slice
GUS earth or lime into the interstitial
spaces of the substance undergoing the
process. It is well known also, as
physiological fact, that various substan-
ces, usually medical agents, when taken
into the stomach are rapidly conveyed
into every portion of the human body,
II some instances in the space of tive
minutes. In this instance the flint of
quartz (caIcareOus earth) was held
IN solution and being swallowed
throughout the body, filing
the interstitial spaces, and the
necessary result was almost instantane-
GUS petrifaction, solidifying the tissues
and ending in death, the process being
that of infiltration.
This is the geological view and while
1t Is in the main correct, it wholly fails
to explain why so small an amount of the
solution should petrify so large body
and should do so in such a brief time.
do not belive that on the hypothesis
of infiltratiOn alone petrifcation would
takeyplace so rapidly. There is no
doubt of the absorption of the dissolved
silica and of its rapid conveyance to ev-
cry part of the body, but that the pei
ritication is owing to the infiltration L
cannot admit. 1t must be explained
upon
DIFFERENT HYPToHEsIs.
1t is well known by Psychologists that
those proteine Ompounds-albumea,
fribrin, casein sand gluten-are the
proximate of organic elements, which
constitute the compOnents OF the human
body. The proteine compounds
are formed by carbon, hydrogen
nitrogen and oxygen in definite
proportions, according to my distin-
guished coUntryman, Prof. Kolliker,
thus: @ 40 81 81 n o II, each having
different amount of phosphorus and
sulphur; this combination forming so
many malecules.
Now silica is a compound of oxygen
I'd silicon. In a very small amount
of silica the number of atoms of silicon
is immense. The very moment the 81
lica enters the circulation and is dis
tributed throught the capilliaIies it
parts with its oxygen, and each atom of
silicon being set free, combines with q
proteine molecule. The prOtejne mole
cules which form respectively the albu-
men, the fribein, the casein and the glu-
ten, at once change tn, Sc organic ele-
ments into what might be termed petri-
factiYe elements, destroying, as it were,
the vital germs, and substituting inor-
ganic protemaceous principles. I sub
NIT this as the most philosophical IA
tionale,
TO ALL NQUIRERs.
In conclusion, would say that have
| invariably answered all correspondents
who have sought information from me
| In regard to this case who have written
in candid manner searching after the
| truth, and who did not seem to write
out of mere idle curiosity. One cor
respondent went so far as to ask
whether the body could be obtained for
exhibition, Offering large sum of mon
ey. Such unfeehng wretches are not
worthy of being replied to. I will add
that may still be addressed at Marks
vile, La, but that after the Ist of
March shall be for the greater part of
next year at Parchim, in the province of
Mecklenburg- -Schwerin.
s. GHYwR JoRsDHK, M. D.
2. S.-That this case is not altogeth-
er anomalous, I will cite a passage from
DR.. Austin Flint's recent ''Treaties upon
the Practice of Medicine" page 80:
A change in composition, due to the
deposit OF earthly salts, in more or less
abundance, constitutes what is called
caJcdreOtes degeneration, calcifcation
or creteraction. As Just stated, this is
apt to suCervene upon the atherOmatous
deposit in the large art=ries and within
the heart, leading Ia the latter situation
to various deformations of the valves.
The term ossificafion is in general in
correctly applied to this change. Fir-
| chow prefers the name petrif0ctiOn.
The italics are the authors own. Fur
ther down on the same page he adds:
have met with an old case of plenri-
tbs in which the plura had become hard
ened by calcareOus deposit to such an
extent that it was removed entire, with
several quarts of liquid which it con-
tanned, and when opened and the liquid
remomoved it did not collapse, but re-
| tainod the form of a solid box.
This was evidently a case of partial
petrifaction, not extending throughout
the entire system, and not to any vital
parts so as to produce immediate death.
S. G. J.