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ment of a wound inflicted by a rabid animal; it is its immediate destruction by caustic, or by fire, in order to annihilate the poison. The wound requires repeated applications of escharotics, (such as corrosive sublimate, or red precipitate) to keep it discharging, and a judicious surgical management according to its nature and situation. Until an experienced person can be had to employ the powerful agency of pure potash (caustic) it is proper to burn linen, cotton, or tow, and even gunpowder, on the wound. No internal remedies are to be relied on without local applications; and Mosely says, destroying the part, and continuing the suppuration some weeks are sufficient to prevent all mischief.

the benefit of Science, and the reputation of the city. I am assured that the citizens generally will not regret this disposition of a small portion of the public property, though it has been said that a better application might have been made. Some have suggested to demolish the building and sell out the fee for town lots; but this would only afford a chance for speculation, and render it necessary to open Warren street, through the public ground between the New-York Institution and the City Hall; and the great thoroughfare, thus made near the Hall, would render it impossible to attend to the business of the courts from the constant rumbling of carts and carriages. It has also been suggested that if the Alms-house had been converted into offices it would have produced "These authors unite in the most unseveral thousand dollars income. Be this qualified rejection of all remedies from as it may, I cannot but justify and ap- empyrics, quacks, or even well meaning plaud the Corporation for the generous persons, who, being unacquainted with disposition they have made of the building; medical science, are not aware of their and I take the liberty of giving it as my responsibility, when they would waste preopinion that neither Warren nor any other cious time, and jeopardize many lives by street should ever pass so near the Hall as their nostrums, in preference to the cerit must, if opened through the public tain and judicious means which are actualground, so long as the Courts of Justice ly put into our hands. hold their sessions therein.

MESSRS, EDITORS,

K.

Notwithstanding the salutary ordinances of the corporation of this city, the unpardonable negligence of its executive officers suffers the streets to be infested with every manner of unclean beasts. Nor is the danger of suffocation from stench, or of fever from infection, all that we have to apprehend from the toleration of the vilest nuisance that ever was permitted to nauseate a civilized community. Disgusting as swine are, they are not so much to be dreaded as dogs. As canine madness is usually prevalent at this season, and as we are so imminently exposed to suffer from its effects, I have thought that an account of the means that have been sug. gested of preventing and curing the hydrophobia, would not be ill-timed.

A writer in the National Intelligencer, under the signature of S. in May last, takes notice of the methods of treatment recommended for recent wounds, by Dr. Mosely, of London, and Dr. Bouriat, of Montpelier, in France. He remarks, that there is an extraordinary coincidence in the ideas of these gentlemen, who publish ed their essays about the same time, with out any previous concert. The following is an extract from S's communication:

"These physicians agree as to the speedy mode to be adopted in the treat

"As the work of Dr. Bouriat is not yet translated into the English language, we recommend that of Dr. Mosely, which as a vade mecum should have a place in every practitioner's book-case. He says, himself, until the late great prevalence of canine madness in London, there were only a few physicians who ever saw it; and that after it, there was scarcely one who had not had an opportunity of seeing it often.' What warning for us to be prepared against so distressing an evil! In no other treatise of the kind can be found more authenticated success in the mode of treatment, more experience, more of that useful instruction, which after many ages, has been scattered among numerous books, than is now condensed in this excellent performance of Dr. Mosely."

"Before closing this article, we beg leave to repeat the simple but effectual rienced physicians : treatment recommended by these expe

Destroy, as soon as possible, the bitten part by caustic or fire; keep the wound suppurating or discharging for a few weeks, and the patient is safe."

Evening Post, in remarking on the above, William Coleman, Esq. editor of the recommends a decoction of the scutellaria, or skullcap "as a safe and certain preventive, if taken at any time after the bite and before hydrophobia comes on." Dr. Thacher, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, in a letter published in the first volume of the

American Medical and Philosophical Re- made at Udine, the capital of Friuli, a gister, speaks respectfully of the virtues small province belonging to this repubof this plant. Dr. Thacher, also, mentions lic. The discovery is this: a poor man the benefits that have been experienced lying under the tortures of the hydrofrom the use of the lobelia inflata He con- phobia, was cured with some draughts cludes his letter with saying,of vinegar given him by mistake, instead "That the fatal consequences of the ra- of another potion. A physician of Padua, vaging evil in question, may, as far as pos- called Count Leonissa, got intelligence sible, be obviated, it is incumbent on pro- of this event at Udine, and tried the fessional men, to direct their attention to same remedy upon a patient that was the most eligible means of prevention on brought to the Paduan hospital, adminissuch alarming occasions.. The first in tering him a pound of vinegar in the mornpoint of importance or security, unques- ing, another at noon, and a third at sun. tionably is, the operation of cutting out or set; and the man was speedily and perburning the parts in which the bite has fectly cured. I have diffused through been effected; but whether this be dis- Italy this discovery, by means of a periodipensed with or not, a careful and assiduous cal paper that I am writing; and I hope ablution cannot be too strongly inculcated. you will make it known in England, by If the wounded part be scarified within a means of your public papers. And as I few hours or even days, after the accident, am sure that this astonishing remedy will and water be poured on forcibly, and the have as happy an effect there as it had washing persevered in for a length of here, so I should be glad to be apprized of time, there is almost an infallible certainty it, that I may relate it in my said paper." that in general the destructive poison may be completely eradicated before it can be absorbed into the system. The above process, however, should, for greater security, be followed by the application of the nitrate of silver, or some other caustic in solution, or if not speedily attainable, a valuable substitute may probably be found in the properties of strong unslacked

lime."

Dr. Hosack, in his observations on this letter, expresses some confidence in the efficacy of preparations of copper as a remedy, and agrees with Dr. T. that washing for a length of time is the best preventive. He denies the security of excision, though immediate.

In the fourth volume of the Medical and Philosophical Register, is a letter from the late Dr. Rush to Dr. Hosack, in which he mentions several cases, supported by good authority, of cures effected by copious bleeding, followed up by calomel and opium in large quantities. Dr. R. expresses a favourable opinion of this treat ment, considering the hydrophobia a febrile disease.

In a late British magazine I met with the following letter from the celebrated Baretti, the friend of Burke, Johnson, &c. to Dr. Brocklesby, another of their intimates, and a distinguished physician. The letter is dated at Venice, May 20, 1764. After adverting to the festivities of the season, (the marriage of the Republic to the Adriatic sea,) he proceeds: "But if you were here you would be much more pleased with a discovery

I have thrown together these facts and opinions in one view, in the hope of aiding the efforts of the faculty to discover some efficient specific for this frequently fatal, and fatally frequent disease.

HUMANITAS.

New-York, July 9, 1817.

MESSRS. EDItors,

I offer for registry in your valuable journal a Talk, made to Dr. Le Baron by a Chippewa chief, to induce the President of the United States to pardon Pe-to-big, one of their tribe, who had committed a murder, of one of our citizens, in 1810. My friend, to whom it was addressed, understands so much of the language, as to vouch for the correctness of the interpretation. The reader of this performance, will class it among the best of the native speeches.

You will herewith receive a map or geographical sketch of the South shore of Lake Superior from the river Onatanagan to the Ford du Lac, done by an Indian lad, who has no other education than he receiv ed in a trader's hut. He was of a mixed blood, two-thirds Chippewa and one-third French. It is another proof, in addition to the many I possess already, of the proficiency of the Tartars, and other American indigenes, in geography.

I beg you to accept my respectful salu. tation. SAMUEL L. MITCHILL.

A Talk held at the Council House in Detroit, in 1811, addressed to Doctor Francis Le Baron, to be delivered by him in person,

to the President of the United States, with
a white Belt of Wampum.
MY FATHER,

of us in an hour of madness and folly has strayed from it! Forgive him, father, and evince to us your charity and your friend

Listen to what your children have to say, ship; the Great Spirit, in whose presence and lend an ear to what is said.

FATHER,

We were pleased to find on our arrival here, by the smiles and conduct of your representative, (the governor of the terri tory) that anger reigned not in your breast, and your heart, emblematic of the white walls that now surround us.

FATHER,

Listen to the words of your childrenthey are the voice of three great nationsChippawas, Ottawas, and Pattawatties; you that reign over the seventeen great fires, and have them at command, open your ears, and heart, and give attention to what your children have to say.

FATHER,

Remember, when you first came among us, remember our chiefs, and the solemn contract we then made for our mutual happiness, and the promise you then made, to treat us as your children: in trouble once, you received us under your protection we then buried the hatchet, with this solemn appeal to the Great Spirit, never to raise it unless in one common cause. These things are registered in the hearts of our young men.

FATHER,

One of our brothers (Pe-to-big) in a moment of folly and madness, when the heart was blackened by intoxication, did so far forget himself, as to be guilty of the first crime; he killed his fellow man, without cause! He has been given up to justice, and has long been contined in one of your dungeons, loaded with irons.

FATHER,

Our French and British Fathers, punished their red children, but not with death! No, never.

FATHER,

we now speak, and who sees our actions, and knows our thoughts, has deigned to give us this day an unclouded sky in token of His forgiveness.

FATHER,

The tedious and solitary confinement of our brother has washed away his crime. Think so, father, and unbolt the bars of your prison-door, and let our brother rcturn to the bosom of his family and friends; if so, father, we will be responsible for his future good conduct.

FATHER,

The chief that speaks to you is old, and the nations he represents, respect him. FATHER,

Listen to your red children, and pay attention to what has been said; accept this belt of white wampum, in token of the purity of our feelings towards you. FATHER,

We will offer up, in common, a sacrifice to the Great Spirit for Him to watch over, and take care of you. Farewell. (A true Copy,)

FRANCIS LE BARON.

COUNCIL-HOUSE,

Detroit, July 20th, 1811.
NAGGS, Interpreter, Sworn.

The editors acknowledge their obligation to Doctor Samuel Akerly, of this city, in enabling them to lay before their readers, the following full and interesting account of the insect, commonly called the Hessian Fly.

AN ACCOUNT OF THE WHEAT INSECT

Of America, or the tipula vaginalis tritici, commonly called the Hessian Fly. The United States is an immense agricultural country, and the injury committed upon vegetation of all kinds by insects When intoxicated, we are all mad or is so great, and so frequently repeated, foolish; your red children are weak and that it has excited attentive inquiry into oftentimes imprudent, and are more guilty this department of the natural sciences. of this indulgence than our white bre. This class of living creatures has been dithren. You,who are endowed with greater vided into several orders, one of which is strength of mind and good sense than we are, must view with a charitable eye, and hear with a liberal ear, this first offence of our brother.

called DIPTERA, including all those insects which have only two wings. The wheat insect, that commenced anew its depredations upon our crops of grain the present FATHER, season, has but two wings, and consequentWhen you first adopted us as your chil- ly belongs to the order of diptera. It was dren, you marked out for us a path to walk long since known, by its destructive effects, in, which was strewed with flowers, and at various times, in different parts of the lighted by an unclouded sky; we have en- country, but its nature, the changes it undeavoured to walk therein, and, but one dergoes, and the means of destroying it,

have not been generally understood. Ha- amounting to more than one hundred and ving examined into the subject, and made a drawing of the insect, the following is the result of the inquiry.

thirty, hitherto described, most of them attaching themselves to particular plants, as in "Spain to a chrysanthemum, in DenThe wheat insect is a species of tipula, mark to a persicaria, in other parts of Euand in order to distinguish it from other rope to box, juniper, barberry, rye, while species of that genus of insects, Dr. Mit- others annoy orchards, kitchen gardens, chill has called it the "wheat tipula," or and meadows, frequently committing the tipula vaginalis tritici. The creatures of most destructive ravages."* this tribe or genus of insects are numerous,

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The tipula vaginalis tritici is a very The legs of a yellowish cast, and transpasmall black insect, not so large as the mos- rent; head inflected, with a short procheto of this place, with two fine transpa- boscis. The cut here given will present a rent wings, from the roots of which three more correct idea of this little creature ribs diverge, as through the leaf of a plant. than any description. The body, when examined by a microscope, is found to be divided into four seg ments, with a few hairs observable on each.

* Dr. Mitchill's letter, as published in the New York Gazette, 3d July, 1817.

It is here represented in its natural size, and magnified; also in its state of chrysalis, in which it is dormant. It is shown nestling in the wheat stubble, near the roots, where it looks something like flaxseed. The chrysalis is also tak. n from the stalk of the wheat, and represented of its natural size. The egg and larva are omitted in the plate, as the one is a small white nit, and the other a small white maggot, not easily delineated.

All insects undergo certain changes and transformations, which embarrass ordinary observers; and the creatures seen in different states are taken for different insects. But these changes are positive and uniform, and must be known to understand the subject and come at the truth. They are four. 1. the orum, or egg: 2. the larva, or caterpillar; 3. the chrysalis pupa, or dormant state, and 4. the imago, or perfect insect.

Omne animal ex ovo, (every animal is produced from an egg,) is a favourite dogma with some. It is true with respect to alinost all insects. From the egg issues, in due time, called into existence by the warmth of a congenial sun, the larva or caterpillar. In this state it partakes of its favourite food, adapted to its nature, and provided by the hand of the Omnipotent. it feeds till having obtained its growth, and performed all its functions, it is prepared to sleep away a portion of its exist. ence previous to its revival in its ultimate state. It is in the caterpillar state that most insects injure vegetation; and herein they perform no other functions than eating and digestion, by which they acquire their growth. This being accomplished, they become torpid and enter into the chrysalis or dormant state, in which they continue a longer or shorter interval, according to the season. In high latitudes most of them hybernate and resuscitate on the approach of summer, not again into a caterpillar, but into the imago or perfect insect. From this form of its existence it must be characterized and described as the parent animal. The others are subordinate states of being, preparatory to its perfect and most complete developement. In this it performs the functions necessary for a continuation and propagation of its species. The wheat tipula, like the silk worm, lays its eggs and dies, and a new generation succeeds.

The egg of the insect is generally deposited "between the lowest part of the leaf of the wheat and the part which forms the main stalk or straw, to the latter of which it closely adheres, and is generally within VOL. I. NO. IV.

the outside leaf, so as to lie as near to the
root as possible, (as represented in the
cut.) It resembles, at first, a very small
white nit, and as it grows larger becomes
a sluggish and almost inanimate maggot
of a white colour. In this state, the pro-
per and most natural food of the insect is
the sap or juice of that kind of green
wheat which has
straw."
93

the most delicate The change from the egg to the ible, in so small an object, that Judge Halarva, or maggot, is so difficultly discernvens, whose observations are just quoted, has mistaken the fact, and concluded that the insect is viviparous. But although some insects do not undergo the changes that have been stated, yet none of them that are viviparous produce a larva as the first state of existence. Spiders lay eggs which produce spiders, and these crea tures, by late naturalists, have been removed from the class of insects and placed by themselves on that account. The aphides, or little green insects that infest cabbages and other plants, and called cab. bage-lice, deviate from the ordinary course of other insects, and are viviparous. The wheat tipula, however, progresses through the four ordinary changes common to most insects. The chrysalis is brownish or black, and might be mistaken for the egg of some other insect.

The tipula vaginalis, looks something like a moscheto, but smaller, and is without the feathery palpi, or feelers, of that troublesome insect. The tipula plumosa, resembles our moscheto very much. The American wheat tipula is said to have been imported, during the American revolution, by the German troops employed by Eng land to repress the spirit of freedom in her colonies, and hence this little creature has been called the Hessian Fly. Judge Havens, in his observations on this subject, does not decide the question, but leaves it probable that it might have been so, because the chrysalis of the insect is sometimes deposited in the upper part of the stalk of grain, and hence could have been imported with straw from Europe. But no such insect is known to infest grain in Great Britain, and one only on the continent of Europe, which feeds upon wheat in the ear.t if these facts are wrong, the

* Havens on Hessian fly. Agricultural Society Transactions of New-York, vol. i. p. 96.

Dr. Mitchill, in naming the insect tipula tritici, was aware that one of the same name in habited Europe, and fed upon wheat, but it was 2 N

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