circulation, although its action may for a time be seriously deranged, as evidenced by reduplication of its sounds. 8.  That when the heart’s action remains excessively feeble, and the right and left heart fail to contract synchronously, it would be justifiable to open the external jugular vein. 9.  That during recovery the lungs are heavily taxed in purifying the vitiated blood, as shown by the excessive amount of organic impurities exhaled. 10.  That restlessness and jactitation accompany the restoration of nerve function, and that vomiting occurs with returning consciousness. 11.  That pains like those of rheumatism are complained of for some days subsequently, these probably resulting from the sudden arrest of nutrition in the muscles.

Chartham, near Canterbury.

—­Lancet.

* * * * *

THE INVENTORS’ INSTITUTE.

The twenty-second session of the Inventors’ Institute was opened on October 27, the chair being taken by Vice-Admiral J.H.  Selwyn, one of the vice-presidents, at the rooms of the institute, Lonsdale Chambers, 27 Chancery Lane, London.  The chairman, in delivering the inaugural address, said that in the absence of their president, the Duke of Manchester, it became his duty to open the session of 1885.  The institute having been established in 1862, this was their twenty-second anniversary.  At the time of its establishment a greater number of members were rapidly enrolled than they could now reckon, although a large number had joined since the commencement of the present year.  In 1862 a considerable amount of enthusiasm on the part of inventors had arisen, from the fact that at that time the leading journals had advocated the views of certain manufacturers as to sweeping away the patent laws, enacted anew in 1852, and with them the sole protection of the inventive talent and industry of the nation.  This naturally caused much excitement and interest among those chiefly concerned, and a very numerous body of gentlemen associated themselves together and formed an institute for the purpose mainly of resisting the aggression and inculcating views more in accordance with true principles, as well as for explaining what were the true relations of inventive genius to the welfare of the state.  He hoped to be able to show strong reasons for this action, and for energetically following it up in the future.  Although on that evening there were many visitors present besides the members of the institute, yet he thought the subject could be shown to be of such national importance that it might justly engage the attention of any assembly of Englishmen, to whatever mode of thought they might belong.  The institute had persistently done its work ever since its formation.  Sometimes it had failed to make itself heard, at others it had been more successful in so doing; but the net result of its labors—­and he did not fear