ART. I.-ON SOME FORMS OF CEREBRO-SPINAL DISEASE: INSANITY-FOLLOWED BY GRADUAL LOSS OF NERVOUS POWER-PARALYSIS AND DEATH-EPILEPSY-PARALYSIS PRODUCED BY THE ACTION OF MALARIA. An outline of clinical lecture delivered at the Charity Hospital. By JOSEPH JONES, M.D., Professor of Chemistry in the Medical Department of the University of Louisiana, New Orleans, and one of the Visiting Physicians of Charity Hospital.

After an examination of several cases of phthisis pulmonalis, accompanied by observations upon the pathology of tubercle, Dr. Jones directed the attention of the medical class to the great importance of the careful study of diseases of the nervous system.

The force of this recommendation is evident, when it is remembered that the nervous system is not only the centre and channel of sensation and motor impulses, conducting the motor influence of the will, to the muscles, receiving and transmitting to the cerebral ganglia sensitive impressions, from the exterior world, and balancing

and coördinating the motions of the body, but is also intimately related to the acts of circulation and respiration and the nutrition and secretion of the organs.

If the statements of pathologists are to be credited, there is a steady and marked increase of diseases of the brain and nervous system; which appears to be referable to the excitements and vices of the present form of civilization. The ever restless ambition engendered by the enterprise and mental and physical activity of the present day, in the fierce struggle for wealth and preeminence, necessitates a constant wear and tear of body and mind, in this great and never-ending battle of modern civilization. At the present day, the brain is unduly strained and taxed, in the severe struggle for existence and for intellectual supremacy and professional emolument. At the South, the entire labor system, the growth of two centuries, has been overthrown; the richest have become the poorest and the poor have become poorer. Under such circumstances, it is not a matter of surprise that paralysis, insanity, and other nervous diseases, should be on the increase. And it is worthy of note, that the increase of these diseases, and especially of insanity and paralysis, has been observed chiefly amongst the colored race, who have been, to a great extent, deprived of the kind support and advice of their former friends.

The soldiers of the Confederate army, who endured the privations and toils of four years of unexampled war, have calmly met its reverses and quietly directed their energies to the most healthful and peaceful pursuits. In looking over the last reports of this great and noble Institution, we find that of the entire number of patients treated during the past year, from January 1, to December 31, 1868, viz: 4,981; about three fourths, or 3,422 were foreigners; and of the remaining number, 1,559, Louisiana furnished only 524, Virginia 88, Georgia 87,

Florida 13, Alabama 52, Texas 30, North Carolina 23, South Carolina 28, Arkansas 5, Mississippi 62; so that the Middle, Western and Northern States furnished very nearly an equal number, viz: 717. The remark is applicable to all the large hospitals in Southern cities; they are not occupied by the native white population, and in those wards which are devoted to the treatment of female venereal diseases, there are one hundred foreign born women to each white native of the South.

The importance of the study of diseases of the nervous system, is well illustrated by the force of imagination and the power of fear over the animal economy.

Schenckiers relates the instance of a noble Spaniard, Don Diego Osorio, who being in love with a young lady of the court, had prevailed with her for a private conference within the gardens of the king; but by the barking of a little dog their privacy was betrayed, the young gentleman was seized by the king's guard and imprisoned. It was capital punishment to be found in that place, and Osorio was condemned to die. He was so terrified at hearing this sentence, that one and the same night saw the same person young and old, being turned gray, as in those stricken in years. Moved at the sight, the gaoler related the incident to King Ferdinand as a prodigy, who thereupon pardoned him, saying he had been sufficiently punished for his faults. A similar circumstance is related of a nobleman of the Roman Court in the time of the Emperor Cæsar, who was also detected in an intrigue, cast into prison and sentenced to be de capitated on the morrow.

Under the influence of fear and fright, paralyzed muscles, and limbs that were useless, have suddenly been thrown into action, hæmorrhages have been instantaneously checked, and fits of the gout, ague and other disorders of a periodical character have been cured.