The clairvoyant declaration of Mr. Davis, in reference to the state of the cholera in Europe, has not been contradicted by any subsequent intelligence from that country.

The method of treatment proposed by Mr. Davis, is entirely in accordance with the principles of medical science and the results of experience in America, Europe and Asia. Common sense indicates very plainly, that, as cholera is a disease of coldness and prostration, it must require vigorous stimulation and warmth, and that as the surface is cold, its vessels collapsed, and its circulation has receded to the interior, we should recall the circulation to the surface, by heat and stimulants-thus diminishing the internal congestion and equalizing the disordered circulation.

The treatment of cholera has been, in the greater number of cases, remarkably unsuccessful, but occasionally remarkably successful, presenting a wide contrast in the results of different methods of practice. So far as reports of cholera treatment have fallen under my observation, the greatest success has resulted from the stimulant plan. In Europe, where the general mortality was very great, remarkable success was claimed by homeopathic practitioners, and certainly the statistics of the results of their treatment are far more favorable than any which have been derived from allopathic hospitals on the continent. The homeopathic system presents the remarkable feature of using certain medicines in infinitesimal doses, as preventives, and there is a considerable amount of evidence in favor of the possibility of thus repelling the disease.

So far as I have observed reports and statistics of treatment, it appears that no allopathic practitioner has ever succeeded well in the treatment of this disease, who did not freely stimulate and restore the proper action of the skin. As a general rule, wherever a warm glow and free perspiration are produced, the danger is suspended or removed. Any system of treatment which will warm the surface, relax the spasms, check the evacuations and restore the suppressed functions of skin, kidneys and liver, must be infallible.

For these purposes, the treatment recommended by Davis will generally be sufficient, as it is recommended to those who are vigilant to meet the disease in time, and not for the unfortunate victim who is sinking rapidly by purging, vomiting, spasms and collapse. But, for the more formidable attacks of this disease, I would propose a plan and principles of treatment, which I venture to assure my readers, will never fail if promptly applied, unless the constitution. has previously been greatly prostrated. The disease is now traversing our country, and both physicians and patients should stand prepared, with clear and positive views, to meet its first approaches with PROMPTNESS and ENERGY.

Let the patient immediately lie down, and preserve the horizontal position until all danger is over-until he is well. Cover him

ty, failed to be depended on, by reason of the paucity and irregularity of the electric distribution in surrounding nature: the magnet also exhibiting a reduction of seventy (!) per cent. of its usual power."-(See London Lancet, Nov., 1848.)

with blankets and surround him with hot bodies, such as hot irons wrapped in flannel, hot bricks, or stones, or bottles of hot water: a large lump of unslacked lime, wrapped in a wet cloth, has been proposed as one of the means of generating heat, and would, doubtless, be very efficient and convenient. Bags of hot salt, or hot sand, are, in many respects, better adapted to such occasions than any thing else. If we can, conveniently, set on fire a cup or saucer of brandy, and allow the vapor rising from it to be retained around the person, this will be one of the most effectual methods of imparting heat; and if the spirits should be impregnated with capsicum, camphor, or other stimulants, as Mr. Davis recommends, so much the better. If, from the spasms or other causes, the foregoing measures should be hindered, we should adopt, at once, a still more efficient measure. Prepare a bath as hot as can be conveniently borne, and strongly impregnated with red pepper and salt, which can be done most expeditiously by pouring a large quantity of the tincture of capsicum into hot water. Immerse the patient in this, keeping his limbs, as well as body, immersed, and let him remain in the bath until the glow upon the surface and fullness of the superficial blood vessels demonstrates that the chill has been entirely removed, after which let him wrap in blankets and surround with hot bodies, as before.

Internally he needs stimulation and the arrest of the discharges. If he is vomiting, or upon the eve of doing so, give him an emetic of lobelia, ipecac, or salt and mustard. The former article is by far the best emetic in these cases, because it is powerfully antispasmodic and moderately stimulant. After the emetic, his stomach will generally be quiet, and you can administer medicine; but if nausea continues, peppermint or sweet spirits of nitre may be necessary to counteract it. Then pour in the stimulants. CAPSICUM and CAMPHOR are the two articles which have proved the most efficient and appropriate; but other stimulants will do, if these are not accessible. Ammonia, myrrh, ether and laudanum, have all proved serviceable; and the bayberry, which combines astringent with stimulant properties, has also proved very useful in America. Other astringents, as geranium maculatum (cranesbill), kino, catechu, or cinnamon, may be used with propriety. In violent cases, with cramps and spasms, lobelia or ether will give us all the antispasmodic power that could be desired.

While the action of the skin is roused by stimulants and heat, it will be important, also, to rouse the kidneys, which, in this disease, have suspended their function. Hence the success of a favorite prescription of Eclectic practitioners (rhubarb, peppermint and salæratus), which is so generally successful in bowel complaints and the milder forms of cholera. This combination acts upon the kidneys. As a diuretic, I would recommend, for various reasons, the spearmint, which may be combined, in the commencement of such cases, with carbonate of potash, or soda, as an anti-acid diuretic, to neutralize any morbific acid materials which may be present.

To reduce these general directions to the form of a prescription, I would say, commence by an emetic, if necessary, and drink freely of warm stimulating teas-as pepper and ginger-to promote its proper operation. Restore the heat by baths, or hot applications, aided (if need be) by friction upon the limbs. Take, every twenty minutes, a dose of the following preparation, or something similar: 3j (one ounce).

Tincture of Capsicum,

Tincture of Camphor,

Tincture of Kino, or Catechu,
Tincture of Opium,

Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia,

Let the dose be from a tea-spoonful to a table-spoonful, according to the urgency of the case, and be taken in a hot aromatic tea of spearmint, ginger and cinnamon, to be drunk freely. (If spasms are present, lobelia or ether may be added.)

This course will inevitably arrest the purging, quiet the whole system and bring on a free, warm perspiration, in a very short time. After thus perspiring until the whole state of the constitution has been changed, and the disease effectually eradicated, it may be desirable, next day, to rouse the liver and bowels by a gentle evacuant, such as taraxacum, rhubarb, or aloes; but we must be very cautious, in the use of purgatives, not to expose ourselves to a return of the disease.

The foregoing prescription should be kept on hand by patients as well as practitioners, and used with boldness and confidence. I have tested its efficiency, and I also know that the most successful treatment, in Great Britain and America, has been upon a plan similar, in its principal features, to that which I have here laid down. It would be interesting to enlarge upon this subject, but the limited space forbids. I can only add, that instead of preparing for cholera by a regimen of unusual abstemiousness, which would be protective against febrile and inflammatory disorders, we should take the opposite course, and use a liberal supply of nourishing, stimulating food, to render the blood rich in its globulous and fibrinous elements. Bacon and beef should be prominent articles of diet, with good bread, potatoes, and other farinaceous food. Fresh vegetables, pastry, acid fruits and acid liquors, are objectionable, but malt liquors may be used with benefit. Brewers have generally escaped the cholera in America and in Great Britain.

The coincidence of Mr. Davis's essay with the results of medical experience, in reference to cholera; with Mr. Vaughan's chemical discoveries, in reference to potato rot; with Sir James Murray's researches, as to terrestrial electricity; and with my own neurological researches, is an interesting illustration of intuitive science.

The subject of the explanation of EPIDEMIC and ENDEMIC DISEASES, which has been merely glanced at, will be resumed as early as practicable.

THE RECEPTION OF THE JOURNAL by the press generally, has been courteous and friendly, and, in a few instances, liberally appreciative. Our newspapers, generally, take no deep interest in anthropological matters, and have given but little attention to the subject matters of this Journal; but, here and there, we see a philosophic spirit and a friendly interest in the advancement of anthropology. In several religious publications I have seen evidences of the right spirit. In the Ladies' Repository, of this city-an elegantly printed monthly, conducted, with ability, by the Rev. B. Tefta friendly notice of this Journal contains the following passage: "Now, had we the confidence and friendship of the Doctor, we would whisper in his ear, 'Let Dr. Rice, and all the other Doctors. entirely alone. Go on--do your work-do it silently, modestly, fearlessly; and let the public take care of Dr. Rice, as it does of yourself, and of all other men. You have undertaken, you think, a great work. If you have, and are successful in it, you will revolutionize more than one science before you die; and when you do die, your children, and the children of each and all, may go and scatter flowers upon your grave.'"

The worthy editor, however, whose friendly expressions I would reciprocate most cordially, is a little mistaken in his advice, as he does not fully appreciate my position. No one conceives more highly than myself, the serene and lofty position of the philosophic seeker of knowledge; yet no devotion to such pursuits, nor any success or reputation which might be thereby obtained, could elevate the individual too high to notice the arguments, the errors, the opinions, or the attacks of his fellow men. Such an indifference would benot elevation, but haughtiness; not serenity, but egotism. I hold it to be my duty to notice the arguments and the delusions current among intelligent men, upon anthropological subjects, and in noticing their errors for refutation, I cannot regard such a proceeding as undignified; nor can I sympathize with the spirit of a religious paper of this city (the Advocate), which spoke of my reviewing Dr. Rice's productions as blowing him up. Such an expression betrays the partizan or pugilist, rather than the philosopher or christian. I controvert error because it is a duty to do so. I bear misrepresentation patiently, because "it needs must be" the fate of revolutionary innovators and I correct errors or refute attacks, without a particle of unkind feeling for opponents, if I know myself.

The N. Y. HARBINGER, oblivious of the important principles and statements of the first number, and of the whole course of my public teachings, suggests: "We hope, however, that in future numbers, the Professor will give us the science of what he proposes to teach, and not mere scattered observations, with which discoverers are so apt to content themselves. Facts are only to be desired as they lead to some great and adequate generalization." Most excellent advice, though oddly misapplied. However, the shrewd editors of the Harbinger are no Rip Van Winkles, though rather somnolent (it must be confessed) on anthropological subjects. The Harbinger is a profound and brilliant newspaper, full of interesting matter.