2. Is the casualty in these cases to be traced directly from the father to the incipient embryo, or indirectly, through the medium of the mother's imagination—It has been said that paternal resemblances are produced in the latter mode.
G.
PARIS HOSPITALS.
Hôtel Dieu.
Cases of Gangrene of the Lungs.
Some interesting cases of gangrenous suppuration of the lungs were published by Dr. Chambers, about eighteen months ago, in which he particularly pointed out the horrible fœtor of the breath as a diagnostic mark of the disease. The following cases which recently occurred at the Hôtel Dieu are good illustrations of more extensive destruction of the lung by a similar disease.
Case I.—A man, aged 32, of good constitution, laboured under bronchitis for some weeks, to which he paid little attention, when he was suddenly seized with pain in left side, dyspnœa, considerable cough, and a rigor, followed by fever. He was admitted into the Hôtel Dieu next day. Crepitation was perceptible over the whole extent of the left lung, posteriorly, and reaching to the site of the pain in the side, which was increased by percussion; great oppression, with frequent cough, and expectoration of violet-red colour, mixed with mucus; pulse frequent and small; constant chilliness; cheeks flushed.
Next day the symptoms remained unabated, and fœtor of the breath was observed. Two days after it is stated that the expectoration maintained the same appearance, but was now fœtid; the breath was, however, still more offensive, and during the fits of coughing particularly so. In the evening the breath is said to have become gangrenous.
21.—The cough was small, difficult, and painful, producing an expectoration of violet-coloured matter, approaching to chocolate, with a characteristic odour.