Reviews and Notices of Books.

The National Dispensatory,-containing the Natural History, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Actions and Uses of Medicines,including those recognised in the Pharmacopoeias of the United States and Great Britain.-By ALFRED STILLÉ, M.D., LL.D., Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, and of Clinical Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania, and JOHN MAISCH, Ph. D., Professor of Materia Medica and Botany in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, with two hundred and one illustrations. Royal 8vo. pp. 1628. Philadelphia: HENRY C. LEA, 1879.

We well remember when we were students the United States Dispensatory by Wood and Bache. In those halcyon days it was looked up to with great respect as an authority upon all matters pharmaceutical and even therapeutical. Neglect, however, to issue it under successive editions, to keep it au courant with the latest advances of Medical Science on the branches within its domain, has cast it into comparative unfitness for the present times. Its place is well taken by the National Dispensatory recently published from the press of Lea of Philadelphia. This last work is upon the same model as its predecessor. Like it, and indeed like all other "Dispensatories," the alphabetical order of taking up the description of the remedies included is that which is adopted. This has the advantage of facilitating reference; and is free from the objections so easily raised against any system of classification. Contrasted with the older treatise, this one is certainly far superior. Without entering into minute details, it may be safely said to be better because it is more comprehensive. It includes, as the title states, the medicines given not only by the United States' Pharmacopœia,— but also those contained within the British one. The extent of the work may be inferred from its containing 1628 pages, 8vo. It has also the indispensable requirement in a standard work of being modern, that is to say presenting the reader with information upon the various subjects quite up to the day. New remedies of any worth, and the latest preparations which are

recognised will be found in their respective places, set forth in a clear and masterly way. As an example we may mention Ferrum Dialysatum, or Dialysed Iron. In vain might the inquirer turn over the pages of other works on Materia Medica for a satisfactory account of this popular agent. In the learned volume, however, before us, there is in two pages an admirable digest of what one would like to know on the subject. Any work, pharmacological or medical, in which Dr. Stillé has had a hand, would commend itself to the favorable consideration of all who know anything of his great abilities. His able work Therapeutics and Materia Medica" is a monument of his research and industry and talent. We know not what special part devolved upon his associate, nor have we before made his acquaintance; but, from the general goodness of the articles and the apparent equality of merit in their treatment, we conclude that he is if not "a foeman worthy of his steel," a collaborateur worthy of the pen of his senior. We need hardly say the getting up of the work is as excellent as of others that have been issued by the same well known publisher.

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Clinical Lectures on Diseases peculiar to Women.-By LOMBE ATTHILL, M.D., Master of the Rotunda, Dublin, &c., &c. Fifth edition, revised and enlarged, with illustrations, 8 vo. 342. Philadelphia: LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 1879. This excellent manual is from the pen of a thoroughly practical man who has enjoyed unusual opportunities as Master of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin. The work has received universal commendation, and on the subjects treated of in these pages, it remains unrivalled as an instructor.

The work consists of seventeen lectures, which we presume form the base of the course delivered by Dr. Atthill before his class. In the first lecture we have, after a few introductory remarks, some very excellent hints on the method of conducting an examination in cases of diseases of the uterus, or vagina; these consist essentially of digital examination, the use of the speculum and the uterine sound. The author points out the necessity of examination both by touch and sight to facilitate an accurate diagnosis. Leucorrhoea, va tis and vaginismus form

gini

the subjects in the second lecture. In this are given some practical suggestion in the management of that almost constant pruritus which is so distressing a feature in these affections. In the ensuing four Lectures, the derangement of menstruation are discussed, after which, we have two Lectures on uterine polypi and uterine fibroids. The author then passes on to the consideration of inflammation of the cervix uteri, both acute and chronic, endometritis and endocuvicitis; we next have lectures on displacements of the uterus, enlargements of the uterus, the varieties of cancer with the treatment.

There are two lectures on ovarian disease, cysts, unilocular and multilocular, and dermoid. Ovariotomy is then discussed, and the statistics of the results of the operation. He gives the wonderful success of Mr. Spencer Wells, showing the steady decrease in mortality of the operation in the practice of that surgeon, who reports a mortality of only fourteen per cent. in his private practice. On this subject the author remarks: "I cannot but feel that no small portion of this success is due not only to the dexterity of the operator, but to the skill which he has exhibited in selecting suitable and rejecting unsuitable cases, a dexterity and skill which all cannot hope to attain, and I fear that the average of all the operations undertaken in Great Britain, will still show a considerably higher mortality than that here recorded."

The remaining two lectures are devoted to uterine therapeutics. These lectures throughout are written in a most pleasing style, full of interest and practical instruction, and we freely commend the work to our readers. It is to be had of Dawson Brothers, St. James Street.

Medical Chemistry, including the outlines of Organic and Pathological Chemistry. Based in part on Riché's Manual de Clinic. By C. GILBERT WHEELER, Prof. of Chemistry in the University of Chicago, &c., &c. 8vo. pp. 424. Philadelphia: LINDSAY & BLAKISTON; Chicago: J. S. WHEELER, 1879.

This is a valuable addition the many works on Chemistry which have issued from the press during the past few years. The

author in publishing it trusts, "that the necessary conciseness, "in method and form of expression," has not in any way any way affected the clearness and comprehensiveness of the arrangement. He states that it would have been easier to prepare a larger work, but that as this is intended for advanced students, or at least for those who are familiar with inorganic chemistry, he confined himself to what was essential without encumbering" the work with a re-statement of that which appertains to the theory of chemistry in general."

The first part of the work is devoted to the subject of organic chemistry, and in the second part animal chemistry is discussed, in which will be found the chemistry of digestion, and of the various substances connected with that process. The chemistry of the blood, respiration, animal heat, muscular action, and also of the various secretions, as the urine, sweat, milk, soft tissues, osseous substance, dental tissue, and also exudations. The author makes use throughout of the metric system, and the temperatures indicated by the centigrade scale. We commend this little work to our readers, it contains much material that is not to be found in other chemical text-books. It is very neatly issued from the press on good heavy toned paper.

Health Primers.-No. 1. Exercise and Training. No. 2. Alcohol, its use and abuse.-By W. S. GREENFIELD, M.D.No. 3. The House and its surroundings.-No. 4. Premature Death, its Promotion or Prevention. New York: D. APPLETON & Co., 549 and 551 Broadway, 1879.

With a view to popularize as much as possible the all-important subjects relating to health, a series of concise primers have appeared in England under the editorial management of J. Langdon Down, M.D., Henry Power, M. B., J. Mortimer Granville, M.D., and John Tweedy, F.R.C.S. Some fifteen subjects have been selected in the series, and the contributors are already known to the profession as writers of eminence. The first four primers of the series have appeared on this side of the Atlantic, being republished by the Messrs. Appleton & Co. The objects of the writers are in every way commendable,

as their efforts will stimulate the public at large to know how to avoid disease. What a vast amount of misery, disease and death might be saved to the human family by even a smattering of knowledge on health subjects. These health primers are short, concise, and written in a popular style, and within the reach of all. We trust they may be largely circulated and largely read. They inculcate, line upon line and precept upon precept, what is best for the maintainance of the minds and bodies of men in a perfect condition of health. These little books are full of instruction, and should become generally known. These little primers are to be had at a nominal price, and we hold that such a series of useful books will be of incalculable benefit to the public generally, and that a careful perusal of them will recall many facts in regard to our organization which ought to be widely disseminated. They are to be had of Dawson Brothers, St. James St.

American Health Primers.-Hearing and how to keep it.By CHARLES H. BURNETT, M.D. 12mo., pp. 152. ~ Philadelphia: LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 1879.

As we remarked above, for the purpose of instructing the public generally in what concerns our perishable bodies, a number of gentlemen in England associated themselves together and issued a series of health primers. A somewhat similar commendable scheme is being followed on this side of the Atlantic. Our American friends fully appreciate the value to the public of making known what is hurtful to both body and mind; and in giving to the American reader what will be found of great value, they have determined to publish a series of popular works on subjects distinct and separate from those selected by the English writers. The first of the series is before us. It is divided into three parts having several chapters in each part. In part one we have described in familiar language the anatomy and physiology of the ear. In part two will be found described the chief diseases and injuries of the ear. This is given in such a style as to indicate the avoidance of improper treatment. In part three is given the