stretched over it. The disease is acute, and the symptoms of fever will sometimes be considerable, and then it is by no means surprising that the secretion of milk is lessened, or the lochial discharge diminished, for the reason, that the circulation is determined to other parts. In ten or twelve days the hardness of the swelling ceases, and the state of the disease is changed to a true cedema, and the limb remains weak for several months. Such a limb will always be more affected by cold than the other; after any exercise, as dancing, it will be more stiff and weak the next morning, than the other. This disease sometimes attacks both sides in succession; it never occasions suppuration; Dr. White, indeed, mentions one instance of this effect, but it is doubtful from his description whether it was this sort of swelling; for œdema sometimes resembles it very closely.

It is difficult to determine the cause of this alteration of parts, or change of organization. Dr. White attempted to explain it, by supposing that an absorbent vessel gives way at its entrance into the gland, and that the lymph still passing upwards, overflows, and enters in to the cavities of the cellular membrane, and there coagulating gives the unequal feel observed. This, however, is by no means a satisfactory explanation of the nature of this disease. It

is difficult to know how we are to proceed in the cure of a disease with which we are so little acquainted. It is certainly useful to keep the bowels open, and to promote a gentle but continued perspiration. For this purpose antimonials and the saline draught will be efficacious; and when the pain is excessive, opium should be given; if the fever be considerable, abstinence from animal food will be necessary. As to the limb itself, nothing gives more ease than laying it in a soft poultice, which will also have the good effect of keeping up a gentle perspiration. It forms the softest pillow that can be imagined, and never fails to bring relief.

Treatment of Infants.-This constitutes an extensive branch of the practice of the obstetric practitioner in modern times; especially the treatment of infants during the diseases common to the period of lactation.

It is not necessary for us, however, to enter into any detail upon this subject, important as it is in itself, having already noticed at some length both the treatment proper for infants from the moment of birth, and the diseases to which this period of life is subject, under the articles INFANCY and MEDICINE, parts III. and IV. Nosology and Practice: and to these we refer the reader.