From the little we have learned of the practice of this operation amongst the Asiatics, it would seem, that it was chiefly diseases of the abdominal cavity and viscera, which afforded opportunities for its performance, such as Colic, Tympany, &c. It is not in such diseases, however, that I have any experience of its use, but it is questionable, whether it might not be beneficial, particularly in the latter, and I would beg to recommend it as a matter of interesting experiment, to be tried in this malady; such an opportunity, should it fall in my own practice, I shall take advantage of. The Indians, however, do not confine their practice of Acupuncturation (or Zin-king, as they call it) to diseases of this kind. They puncture the head in all cases of Cephalalgia, in Comatose affections, Ophthalmia, &c. They puncture the chest, back, and abdomen, not only to relieve pain of those parts, but as a cure for Dysentery, Anorexia, Hysteria, Cholera Morbus, Iliac Passion, &c. Local diseases of the muscular and fibrous structures of the body, also often afford them occasions for its performance; and it is for diseases of this class only, that I have hitherto practised it, and for which I would expressly recommend it. Neither sufficient time has elapsed, nor a proper selection of cases been made since this operation has been known to me, to have afforded me, either a large number of experiments, or a great variety of diseases on which to try the effects of it: it is true I have employed it on some few, and I have it in contemplation to encrease the list, by giving my experiments a wider range, but at present I should not be doing justice to my subject, to form conclusions on such imperfect evidence; I shall therefore confine myself, merely to the description of the good effects, which I have witnessed in diseases of a rheumatic character, and in those injuries of the fibrous structures of the body, which are often observed to arise, (particularly in labouring persons) from violent exertion. This circumstance must be ever in view, and if it be not fully impressed on the mind, I doubt not but many who may be induced to try the effect of the operation, may be disappointed in it; viz. that acupuncturation does no good, nor does it produce even a temporary alleviation, when the disease for which it is used, is of an inflammatory character. This distinction seems to have regulated the practice of those, who have experimented on the subject, and to have decided them in their selection of cases for the operation. Mr. Berlioz, of Paris, has practised it extensively, and has recently published an account of the success which it has had in his hands.[1] He says,