RECORD OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
PATHOLOGY AND PRACTICE OP MEDICINE.
7Veai?neni of Typhoid Fever in Paris.—An epidemic of Typhoid
Fever is very prevalent in Paris at present, and it is seen in all the
Hospitals. In these it is quite interesting to witness the variety of
treatment adopted by each physician of note, as his medical tendencies
incline; that pursued respectively by MM. Bouillaud, Briquet and
Louis, whom I have followed, presents many points of difference, and it
has been difficult to determine on which side the scale of success leans.
We hope, however, to be able to send a paper by a medical friend who
has watched closely the service of the former, and who can furnish some
testimony with respect to his mode of employing the lancet in this
disease. M. Louis very generally administers seltzer water, vinous
lemonade, and adopts, to a certain extent, the expectant system. M.
Briquet at La Charite pursues to me rather a middle course, tie ab-
stracts blood in the early stage of some cases which seem peculiarly
fitted for it. I may observe here that I also have heard M. Trousseau
say, that even as late as during the second and third septenary period,
he was in the habit of bleeding to prevent the increase, or destroy the
congestion of the lungs which so often exhibits itself, its approach and
presence being of course easily discoverable by the physical signs. M.
Briquet relies with much confidence (and my own observation in his
wards can sustain him) upon the application of cups and scarification to
the mastoid region during delirium and coma of Typhoid. It completely
checks the increase of these dangerous symptoms, as I have repeatedly
witnessed. He does not give mercury internally, but applies plasters of
mercurial ointment over the entire abdomen until the secretions become
active, or the tongue and skin exhibits the desired moisture. This
method of using the remedy might more easily reconcile itself to those
who so much doubt respecting the advantages of its internal administra-
tion. He gives ordinary Bordeaux wine, during the period of conva-
lescence. These means, thus generally expressed, are often associated
in his practice with the use of ice, administered in every possible way,
and through every channel—bladders filled with it are applied to the
scalp, it is dissolved in the mouth and given with eneinata. One of his
Internes mentioned to me this morning, that he had lost but one case
wfithin three weeks. There are between twenty and fifty sick of the
disease in each service of the Hospitals, and few of these fail to present
gargouillement, the character rose mark and sudamina.—Paris Corres-
pondence Charleston Med. Journ., June, 1853.