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DESCRIPTION OF READ'S PATENT

STOMACH SYRINGE.

ALMOST every person who takes notice of passing events, must have heard of Read's Patent Stomach Syringe, generally known by the name of "The Stomach Pump." In cases of swallowing poison, it has been so repeatedly and successfully tried, that no doubt can remain as to its utility. To most of our readers the name must be quite familiar; and we think no apology necessary for placing before them a representation of the instrument, and the inventor's description of its use.

branch of the Syringe, and next the detached socket, to the extremity of the former. The oesophagus tube is now to be passed into the stomach, which being done, insert the brass joint at its extremity, into the socket at the end of the leathern tubes; the fluid to be injected being put into a basin or other shallow vessel, the end of the Syringe is immersed in it, and the piston being put into action, any quantity may be thrown into the stomach that may be desired.

To evacuate the stomach, separate the oesophagus tube from the socket (leaving the latter attached to the The apparatus consists of the pump; leathern tubes) without withdrawing the oesophagus tube; three leathern it from the throat, and insert it into tubes ; three ivory pipes, (these last, the extremity of the Syringe; let an with the third leathern tube, are used assistant now hold a vessel to the end only for enemas ;) and a detached of the leathern tube, and by working brass socket. Figure A, in the En- the piston, the contents of the stomach graving, represents the operation of may speedily be pumped into it, as is injecting fluids into the stomach, to shewn in figure B of the drawing. dilute the poison, previous to its ex- By thus transferring the end of the traction; this is effected in the follow-oesophagus tube from one situation to ing manner: Screw the two first lengths the other, the two processes of washof the leathern tubing, to the lateraling and emptying the stomach may be

repeated as often as is judged necessary by the operator. Thus it is seen that the Syringe is furnished with two valvular apertures, through one of which the contents of the stomach pass into the cylinder, and are then immediately forced through the other into the receiving vessel. This double operation is effected by repeated strokes of the piston, which slides so easily, that an infant may use it. The manner in which the Syringe is held, in these two separate operations, is very important. In the first, as is seen in the figure, a perpendicular position is the most eligible; but in the second, the Syringe must be held in an inclined position, at about an angle of 45° with the lateral tube upwards. These positions preserve the valves upon their proper bearings, without which, the instrument cannot act perfectly.

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In cases of retention of urine, it frequently happens that, in consequence of hæmorrhage and other causes, the catheter becomes so obstructed that the bladder cannot be emptied it was suggested by Dr. Cloquet, a celebrated surgeon of Paris, to effect this purpose by fixing a pump to the catheter. The Patent Syringe performs this operation with extreme facility, and has been honoured with the entire approbation of Dr. Cloquet. For injecting the bladder, which is an operation every day becoming more frequent, it is, of course, equally eligible. For these purposes I have constructed elastic gum catheters to be fixed to the Syringe.

As an apparatus for conveying nourishment into the stomach of persons afflicted with stricture of the oesophagus, the Patent Syringe is found to possess obvious advantages. This pump is also capable of being adjusted to cupping-glasses, by which any degree of exhaustion can be made, the operator desires; and, in the same manner, it may be rendered a very effectual instrument for drawing breasts of puerperal females. I have had glasses made for these uses, which may be obtained with the rest of the apparatus.

Figure C represents the Syringe, with a Canister, for the purpose of injecting tobacco fumes into the intestines. It is used in the following manner. Unscrew the cap of the canister, and take out the perforated

plunger; put in the tobacco, (half an ounce or an ounce,) and replace the plunger lightly upon it; then put on the cap, and screw it to the end of the Syringe; hold a lighted candle close under the bottom of the canister, and a stroke or two of the piston of the Syringe will light the tobacco. The enema tubes being now fixed to the side branch, and the pipe introduced into the rectum, the tobacco smoke is forced into the intestines as long as the Syringe is worked in the usual manner.

I have, lastly, to speak of my Syringe as an instrument for administering Enemas, which was the original intention for which it was constructed, and, in this point of view, it is of the highest importance.

The objects of administering enemas, are considered to be of three kinds. 1st. For softening and diluting retained fæces. 2ndly. For stimulating the bowels, and thus provoking evacuations; and 3dly. For producing mechanical distention.

It must be obvious to every medical practitioner, how very inadequate the old apparatus of the pipe and bladder is to the completion of these objects; and thence it is, that various instruments have been, at different times, devised, to remedy the deficiency; but ingenuity had been exercised in vain, and the profession were still in need of an instrument to effect these valuable ends, until the "Patent Syringe" supplied the desired object.

GLEANINGS.

of which hitherto no use has been made, a

Composition Leather.--Dr. Bernhard, of Larris, in Germany, has made a very interesting discovery, for which he has received a patent. It consists in obtaining from animal substances, product perfectly similar to leather. A manufacture has been established at Gumbold, near Vienna, where this new species of industry is practised with the greatest activity. This discovery of Dr. Bernhard is the more importfluid state, of being formed into boots and ant, as the composition is capable, when in a shoes.

Surgery. A physician of the name of Buller, residing at Hamburgh, has lately invented a new surgical instrument, by means of which he can amputate a leg in one second, and which has the effect of benumbing the pain of the patient, by a simultaneous pressure which accompanies the operation.

A ready Antidote against Poisons.-A gentleman, alluding to the numerous cases of death from accidental poisonings, and particularly to the melancholy fate of the late royal academician, Mr. Owen, (by laudanum given him in a

mistake,) says, "I can venture to affirm, there is scarce even a cottage in this country that does not contain an invaluable, certain, and immediate remedy for such events, which is nothing more than a dessert spoonful of made mustard, mixed in a tumbler glass of warm water, and drank immediately: it acts as an instantaneous emetic, is always ready, and may be used with safety in any case where one is required. By a grand mistake, a gentleman took a full ounce of poison instead of salts; the casters were fortunately at hand, and no doubt an invaluable life was preserved to his family, by giving the mustard directly. By making this simple antidote known, you may be the means of saving many a fellow-creature from an untimely end."-Lit. Gaz.

Motion of the Electric Fluid. It has long been received as a fact, that an electrical discharge was capable of being transmitted through a very considerable distance (say three or four miles) instantaneously, and without any sensible diminution of its intensity. Mr. Barlow, however, by employing wires of various lengths up to 840 feet, and measuring the energy of the electric action by the deflection produced in a magnetic needle, has found that the intensity diminishes very rapidly, and very nearly as the inverse square of the distance. Hence the idea of constructing electrical telegraphs is quite chimerical. He found, also, that the effect was greater with a wire of a certain size than with one smaller, yet that nothing was gained by increasing the diameter of the wire beyond a given limit.

Exhibition of Paintings, &c. Suffolk-street, Pall-mall East. This exhibition was opened for public inspection on Monday, March 28, and from the number and variety of articles, in painting and sculpture, (amounting to 721,) no doubt can be entertained that it will attract very general notice; while the masterly style in which many of the paintings are executed, can hardly fail to give great satisfaction.

Literary Notices.

Just Published.

Scientia Biblica; containing the New Testa

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Life of the Rev. John Wesley. By the Rev. Henry Moore. Vol. 2. boards, 10s. 6d. The Mirven Family, or Christian Principle developed in early Life. Boards, 6s. The Stranger at Home, a Poem, &c. By the Rev. Thomas Martin. Boards.

The Progress of Dissent, addressed to the Editor of the Quarterly Review. By a Nonconformist. 2s. 6d.

A Farewell Sermon, preached at Horntonstreet chapel, Kensington. By John Leifchild. 1s. 6d.

A Catechism on the Works of Creation. By Peter Smith, A. M.

An Apology for the System of Wesleyan Methodism, being a reply to Mr. Mark Robinson's Observations on the same subject. By Humphry Sandwith.

In the Press, &c.

Review, Critical, Humorous, and Instructive, The Magistrate; or, Sessions and Police will be published on the 1st of May, and continued monthly.

Plans of Sermons. Part 1.
A second edition of Benson's Sermons and

The Works of James Arminius, D. D. for

merly Professor of Divinity in the University James Nichols, Author of "Calvinism and of Leyden. Translated from the Latin by Arminianism Compared in their Principles and Tendency." Vol. the 1st.

Reflections on the Word of God for every Day in the Year, in 2 vols. 8vo. by William from the Serampore edition, and will be Ward, Missionary at Serampore, is reprinting speedily published in one thick vol. 12mo.

A new periodical work, entitled the Christian Repository, will be issued on June the 1st, and continued monthly. Price 1s.

A Series of Discourses on the Millennium. A new edition, in 2 vols. 12mo. Revised by the Rev. D. Bogue, D. D.

An Essay on the Equity of Divine Govern. ment, and the Sovereignty of Divine Grace. By the Rev. E. Williams, D. D. A new edition in 1 vol. 8vo.

The Life of John Chamberlain, late a Misment in the Original Tongue, with the Autho-sioary of distinguished eminence in India. _By rized English Version, and a copious and Mr. Yates of Calcutta. Edited by F. A. Cox, original collection of Parallel Passages, print- A. M. Hackney. ed in words at length. Dedicated, by permission, to the King. Three vols. 8vo. £3. boards. Large paper £5. boards.

The Life and Death of the Christian, a Sermon occasioned by the Death of the Rev. J. Whitehouse, of Dorking. By the Rev. T. Lewis, Islington.

A Manual for Church Members, drawn from the New Testament. By Dr. Newman, of Stepney.

Tales of Fault and Feeling. By the Author of "Zeal and Experience." 3 vols. 12mo.

£1. 1s.

The Present Laws relating to Savings Banks in England, omitting the Repealed Clauses in the Statutes; with Explanatory Notes, Forms,

The Quarterly Review and the Dissenters: A Letter to the Rev. Ralph Wadlaw, D. D. of Glasgow. By Mr. John Bird, of Manchester.

A new 8vo edition of Gostling's Walk in and about the City of Canterbury. Embellished with plates, and edited by the Rev. John Metcalf, M. A.

To be published by subscription, in 1 vol. 4to, price 2 guineas, Memoirs of Zehir-ed-din Muhammed Baber, Emperor of Hindustan, King of Ferghana, Samarkand, Kabul, &c. Written by himself, in the Taghatai Turki, and translated, partly by John Leyden, M. D. Secretary to the Asiatic Society, partly by William Erskine, Esq.

LONDON: PRINTED AT THE CAXTON PRESS, BY H. FISHER.

THE

Emperial Magazine;

OR, COMPENDIUM OF

RELIGIOUS, MORAL, & PHILOSOPHICAL KNOWLEDGE.

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READING IS THE CIRCULATING MEDIUM OF INTELLECTUAL COMMERCE."

MEMOIR OF

ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD.

1825.

that place. There Anna, as well as her brother, the late Dr. John Aikin, profited greatly by the enlarged circle of literary and philosophical acquaintance which that situation afforded. But though Miss Aikin evinced proofs of a poetical genius at a very early age, she sent none of her productions into the world till she was near thirty, when a small volume of her poems was printed at Warrington, and dedi

A HISTORY of female literature is much wanted, to complete the general stock of elegant and useful biography. In such a constellation, the number of British names would be great and splendid, to a degree far surpassing what could be boasted by any other country, either ancient or modern. Many years ago, the honest and in-cated to her estimable friend, the dustrious antiquary, George Ballard, printed a small quarto, at Oxford, with the title of "The Lives of the Learned Ladies of Great Britain;" but valuable as the book is, its errors and deficiencies are considerable. Since his time, several of our fair countrywomen have attained a high station in the temple of fame, by their literary accomplishments; such as Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, Miss Elizabeth Smith, Mrs. Montague, and many now living. In this galaxy shone, for a long period with undiminished lustre, Anna Letitia Barbauld; and so long as letters shall be cultivated in Britain, or wherever the English language shall be known, so long will the name of this lady be respected.

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She was the eldest of the two children of the Rev. Dr. John Aikin, a dissenting minister at Kibworth, in Leicestershire, and was born there, June 20th, 1743. Her mother was the daughter of the Rev. John Jennings, well known as the friend of Watts and Doddridge, and the author of a practical treatise upon Evangelical Preaching;" to which the former eminent writer gave a recommendatory preface. Her education was entirely domestic, and was principally superintended by her father, who, perceiving her aptitude for learning, took great pleasure in imbuing her mind with classical instruction. Dr. Aikin at that time kept a respectable boarding-school, but in 1756 he removed to Warrington, in Lancashire, where he became principal of the dissenting academy at 77.-VOL. VII.

Lady Mary West. This publication
within a few months passed through
three editions, and commanded, as it
deserved, the admiration of the critics.
The variety of its contents displayed
the versatility of the writer, and the
equal ease with which she could ma-
nage gay and serious, humorous and
sublime subjects. The first poem, in
blank verse, entitled "Corsica," writ-
ten in 1769, is highly dignified, and
much in the manner of Thomson.
"How raptur'd fancy burns, while warm in
thought

trace the pictur'd landscape: while I kiss, With pilgrim lips devout, the sacred soil, Stain'd with the blood of heroes. CYRNUS,

hail!

Hail to thy rocky, deep indented shores,
And pointed cliffs, which hear the chafing
deep

Incessant foaming round their shaggy sides.
Hail to thy winding bays, thy sheltering ports
Their hospitable arms to every sail;
And ample harbours, which inviting stretch
Thy numerous streams, that bursting from the

cliffs,

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With shining steel, that to the cultur'd fields,

And sunny hills, which wave with bearded grain,

Defends their homely produce."

The fair author then proceeds to celebrate the struggle of the Corsicans for independence; but after dwelling upon this animating theme with rapture, the muse suddenly breaks off, to mourn the iron fate of the intrepid islanders, who had been doomed to bend under the yoke of despotism. This melancholy event is thus happily figured;

-So strives the moon In dubious battle with the gathering clouds, And strikes a splendour through them; till at length,

Storms roll'd on storms involve the face of heaven,

And quench her struggling fires.

This collection of poetical effusions was followed, in 1773, by a volume entitled, "Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose," the joint production of Miss Aikin and her Brother. The essays written by the former, are, "The Hill of Science ;-on Romances ;-Selama, in Imitation of Ossian ;—Against Inconsistency in our Expectations;-On Monastic Institutions;-On the Pleasure derived from Objects of Terror ;and an Inquiry into those kinds of Distress which excite agreeable Sensations."

In 1774, Miss Aikin became the wife of the Rev. Rochemont Barbauld, who was about four years younger than herself. This gentleman was descended from a French protestant family, which came into England in consequence of the revocation of the edict of Nantes. The father of Mr. Barbauld was a respectable clergyman of the established church, beneficed at Palgrave, in Suffolk; and his

son was also educated with a view to the ministry, in the same communion. Having, however, in the course of his studies, imbibed some sentiments repugnant to the thirty-nine articles of religion, he conscientiously declined subscription, and the advantages that would probably have resulted from conformity. He then became a student in the academy at Warrington, and there formed that attachment to the daughter of his tutor, which ended in a matrimonial union. For some time after this, Mr. Barbauld officiated as a dissenting minister at his native place, where also he kept an academy, in which he was materially assisted by his highly accomplished lady.

In 1785 they left Palgrave, and went to the continent, where Mr. Barbauld had some relatives and property. On their return, they settled at Hampstead, and in 1802 removed to Stoke Newington, that near their friends, they might be Dr. Aikin and his family. Here Mr. Barbauld continued to minister to a small congregation of dissenters, till an aberration of the mental faculties terminated his pastoral usefulness, and in that state he died, in December, 1808.

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We now resume the literary history of Mrs. Barbauld, who, in 1775, published "Devotional Pieces compiled from the Psalms of David, and the Book of Job; to which are prefixed, Thoughts on the Devotional Taste, on Sects, and on Establishments.' Her next publications were, "Lessons for Children from two to three years old;" and "Hymns in Prose, for Children;" two little books, of which it is sufficient to say, that they attracted the notice and called forth the praise of the great Johnson, who was struck with this voluntary descent from possible splendour to painful duty. In this honourable career of instruction, Mrs. Barbauld led the way to some other accomplished women, particularly Mrs. Trimmer, who, on publishing her "Little Spelling Book for Children,” acknowledged how much she was indebted to the example of her amiable precursor. Mrs. Trimmer, however, descended a step lower than Mrs. Barbauld, in order to lead infant minds gradually from the alphabet to the division of words into syllables. "I do not mean," says she," that Mrs. Barbauld has done too little, for who

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