to us from his shop, that has the appearance of a nostrum, and, from an imprudent use, likely to prove injurious to the public, we shall take the earliest opportunity of cautioning the public against them.

Dr. Senate's Treatise on Female Complaints, dedicated to the Queen, shall be noticed in an early number.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE MEDICAL OBSERVER.

Gentlemen,

As you have mentioned, in your strictures on Lardner's prepared Charcoal, in the first number of your very valuable publication, that the Charcoal of the Areka or Betel Nut, is superior to any other, and more salutary, for the purpose of cleaning the Teeth, I should wish to know, what are your reasons for giving this opinion; or rather, in what respect the Charcoal of the Areka differs in its chemical properties from common charcoal. As I have been many years in the practice of medicine, I hope you will do me the favour of being explicit your answer.

in

I am, Sir,

Your sincere friend,

Birmingham, Oct. 19, 1807.

J. P. JAMESON.

In our notice of the compound powder, puffed off by Mr. Lardner, under the name of Prepared Charcoal, we briefly stated, that the Areka Charcoal (a box of which was also sent to us by a lady of distinction to examine) was perfectly genuine, and if Mr. Jameson will take the trouble of referring to that account, he will find, that we did not enter into its merits as a dentifrice. Common charcoal, finely pulverised, is no doubt, an innocent Tooth Powder, but from its admixture with prepared oyster shells, it derives no advantage. Even when genuine, its effect in cleaning the teeth, is entirely mechanical, and not chemical, as asserted by the advertisers of it; nor is any portion of fixed air disengaged on using it with a brush. The Charcoal of the Areka Nut is certainly much more solid than that of the common wood, and when reduced to a powder, is more pleasant to use, and in its mechanical effects more efficacious; for, unless there is a degree of solidity in the powder, it will not effectually remove the calcareous matter that adheres to the enamel. The Areka Charcoal is also slightly alcalescent, which property renders the matter that accumulates round the teeth, miscible with water. Since a tooth powder is by all Dentists allowed to be necessary, we have no hesitation in recommending the Areka Charcoal, as very superior to any tooth powder we are acquainted with. It has

both a mechanical and chemical effect in cleaning the teeth, and cannot possibly injure the enamel. We were induced to give it a trial, by the recommendation of Dr. Lynd, who, for many years, used no other powder; and at the venerable age of eighty, this respectable physician states, that he possesses a sound and complete set of teeth. In recommending this powder, we are not sanctioning a nostrum. The Areka Charcoal may be prepared by any person, by burning the nuts in a common crucible, and afterwards reducing it to a powder, by rubbing them in a mortar. Messrs. Pressey and Barclay never brought it forward as a nostrum or secret preparation. We learn, they have long prepared it, by the recommendation of Dr. Lynd, for the use of families who have lived in the East Indies, and who of course are best acquainted with its virtues, and we are also persuaded, that, in its sale, Dr. Lynd is not the least interested. The advertised tooth powders, we have hitherto examined, we find to be composed of the most pernicious ingredients, viz. strong acids, and mineral powders, whose conjoint powers will, assuredly destroy, sooner or later, the enamel of the most healthy teeth, and where there is a disposition to disease, must prove highly pernicious. We therefore, conscientiously recommend the adoption of the Areka Charcoal powder, and although we have no doubt, but that

prépared by Messrs. Pressey and Barclay is ge nuine, (being Italian Merchants of respectability) yet we recommend every person to prepare it for himself. We shall be very happy to answer any queries put to us by Mr. Jameson, or any of our readers.

I. L.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE MEDICAL OBSERVER.

"Gentlemen,

"Ite quocunque tua te virtus vocat."
"Pursue your laudable work."

"Amongst the many useful enquiries you have made, and injuries to society detected, from the ignorance and wicked presumption of quacks to cure, when the regular physician has either failed or despaired of success, I could wish you to inquire into Dr. Taylor's celebrated remedy for deafness; as, in his pamphlet of testimonies of its certain effects, he asserts, one bottle is a complete restorative in the most obstinate or long standing case. Now as my deafness is neither very obstinate, or of long standing, I confess, I expected some relief, if not an entire cure. But after using two bottles, as directed, my deafness remains in statu quo. How then is it these

quacks obtain those delusive testimonies to print them, and even some on oath? to catch the eye, and carry their deception into effect; and which has thus operated on my credulity at the moderate price of 8s. 6d. a bottle *. On sending to his agents, Messrs. Mathews and Leigh, No. 18 Strand, for the Doctor's address, the only information I received, was, that I might direct to him in or near Stafford; but could give me no further satisfaction and I suppose, receiving per centage on each bottle they sell, is all they really do know of this celebrated doctor.

Yours, &c.

VERITAS.

The editors return their best thanks to Veritas, for his obliging communication; they purpose noticing Dr. Taylor's remedy for deafness in their next number. In the interim they hope some friend in Stafford will have the goodness to acquaint them whether the proprietor be known in that neighbourhood.

* Each bottle contains about two table spoonfulls.