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to take their word for it (at least so we understand them) that the proportions in which they are now directed to be mixed with sugar, water, alcohol, etc., to make the various syrups, tinctures, etc., bring these latter preparations up to the officinal standard as to this relation.

We think that what we have so far said will be sufficient to show that they cannot be considered worthy of professional patronage; but we have other objectionable features to point out in the book. Prefixed to each preparation is a short description of the medicinal virtues imputed to the herb, and affixed is the dose which T. & Co. recommend for various purposes; above all, an index of diseases, and another of remedies, closes the work.

Now to what purpose is all this? Is it intended for the information of physicians or families? If the former, it is an insolent inversion of the relative position of the apothecary and the physician, the vendor undertaking to instruct the physician and prescribe for the patient. If the latter, then it stands on the same level with the numerous pernicious and dangerous "Family Books of Practice," which lead so many unqualified persons to dabble in medication.

On the latter hypothesis, the professional reader will be a little startled to see the very first drug mentioned to be

ACONITUM NAPELLUS,

which is represented as good for "rheumatism, neuralgia, epilepsy, etc." And at the end of the article a formula is given for a combination of T. & Co.'s extracts, with Dover's powders, as a remedy for chronic rheumatism; and to complete the work, this formula is referred to in the index of diseases under the head Rheumatism. No hint is given throughout that aconite is a deadly poison.

Having read this, we had the curiosity to turn to Digitalis, where we find the more cautious recommendation: "It is one of those remedies which should never be administered without an accurate knowledge of their medicinal properties." We would suggest to Messrs. T. & Co. that this may possibly be true of all remedies, and if so, what is this book for? Those who possess the knowledge in question cannot need it, and those who do not, had better not attempt to use it.

But we imagine that in fact the book is really meant for druggists, and is intended to facilitate their prescribing at the counter.

In any one of these suppositions, we look upon it as a mere advertising medium for what are in substance quack medicines, and consider that its being sent to a qualified physician ought to be resented as an impertinence rather than acknowledged as a courtesy.

We should not probably have given the book this notice, were it not that we have received the advertising pamphlet issued by the same firm, accompanied with a note asking on what terms it can be stitched into this journal, and circulate with it. We answer, on no terms whatever; and give the above criticism as our reason for the answer. D. F. W.

PATHOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF THE PARALYSIS OF MOTION. By J. P. BATCHELDER, M. D., New York.

This is a publication of some sixty pages, in which the author has given the profession some very philosophic views of the paralysis of motion, and some very sound and wholesome suggestions as to its treatment, enforcing them with the details of ten cases treated according to his plan. He has given a resumé of the premonitory and accompanying symptoms of such attacks, analyzing each with some clearness and force.

The paralysis of motion is considered by him not a disease, but the symptom of one mainly affecting the muscles of animal life, or the voluntary. The failure of the faculty of communication, through the mind, of the natural and proper stimulus to these muscles is the disease, the leading symptom of which is the loss of power of motion.

He regards paralysis of motion in two points of view as a symptom. First, in relation to the function of the affected muscles. Secondly, in respect to their physical condition. In the former view it is evidence of non-communication between the mind and muscles, which is functional simply; in the latter is indicated the resulting change from non-action in the affected muscles, which is structural, consisting in contraction of the muscular capillaries, diminishing the normal stimulus and nourishment from the blood to the parts, and consequent atrophy.

The fundamental idea of the pathology of the affection being the failure to communicate what the author calls the perceptions of the peripheral brain, the ultimate ramifications of the sensor nerve-fibres to the encephalic brain, the seat of intellect and volition, and that this failure has its origin. in the latter organ, the leading principle of cure proposed is the renovation of the will, and the reëstablishment of its communication with the muscles affected. Three subsidiary indications are looked to, however, in the treatment-viz., to restore strength to powerless muscles, to overcome abnormal contraction in others, and to counteract perverted action in others.

Tone is restored to powerless muscles by "passive contraction," i. e.,.

by splints and bandages approximating their origins and insertions. Contracted muscles are overcome by elongation and position. The action of perverted muscles, which is in opposition to that of those which act under direction of the will, is resisted by suitable mechanical agencies.

In fulfilling the main indication, the author views the paralytic, so far as the action of the affected muscles is concerned, in very much the same condition as regards the operation of the mind and will upon them, as the infant at birth. It is only gradually that the latter learns the use of his limbs through the action of the muscles, and their dependency upon his will. Both the will and its agents have to be educated to a proper knowledge of their connection and mutual relations. The paralytic stroke has deprived the subject of this knowledge and faculty of connection, and the chief object of treatment is to restore this lost power. This is done by reeducating the muscles, applying passive motion to the paralyzed limb, and strongly directing the operation of the patient's will at the same time to the motion, firmly fixing his attention on the act. The passive motion, frequently repeated, nourishes the wasted limb by determining more blood to it, and establishes the lost habit of motion, while a concurrent change in the diseased condition of the central organ is effected, tending to renovate the impaired faculty.

The author alludes to the usual remedies resorted to in paralysis, electricity, galvanism, and strychnine, and recommends them, when cautiously and gradually used in the early stages of treatment, as very effective adjuvants.

Upon the whole, we regard the paper as presenting a very ingenious and philosophic view of the subject, and recommend it to the perusal of the profession. The author does not seem to possess a happy style of expressing himself, and our chief, and perhaps only, objection to the paper is, that its force is impaired by a lack of perspicuity in presenting its ideas. J. H. C.

CLINICAL LECTURES ON THE DISEASES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. By GUNNING S. BEDFORD, Professor of Obstetrics, the Diseases of Women and Children, and Clinical Midwifery, in the University of New York. Fifth edition, carefully revised and enlarged. New York: S. S. & W. Wood.

This book has already gone through five editions, and received high encomiums from the medical press throughout the United States and England; it is therefore needless for us to say much about it. We principally write to express our dissent from what some of these journals have

said. While all speak in high terms of the matter of these lectures, many of them complain of their manner, as being too colloquial, not suf ficiently dignified, too much filled out with superfluous conversations, etc., etc. To our own judgment, the manner constitutes much more peculiarly the merit of the work than the matter: this latter could probably be derived from several other works, but the manner is unique. We have heard plenty of dignified lectures, abounding in learning and science, which we do not conceive likely to be of one half the practical value that these will. From clinical lectures the student ought to learn exactly what is likely to take place in the sick-room. He should get an idea what the doctor is to say and do, what the patient is likely to say and do, and how he is to give a scientific interpretation to these artless accounts of sufferings and symptoms, and determine upon the therapeutic indications; and the nearer these things are presented to him in the form in which they will come before him in actual practice, the better the clinique; accordingly, the reported conversations between physician and patients, instead of being an excrescence upon the work, are, we think, one of its chief merits. But superadded to this we have the profoundest truths in medical science brought out and impressed upon the student's mind with an ardor and freshness such as cannot but have the happiest effect in enchaining the attention of a class, and impressing the doctrines. indelibly upon their memory. We have always observed that intelligent students from the New York University have a special penchant for obstetrical practice and the treatment of female diseases, and this book is amply sufficient to account for the fact.

[From the publishers, through W. T. Berry & Co.]

D. F. W.

DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS; a Compendium of their Diagnosis, Pathology, and Treatment. By WILLIAM WALLACE MORLAND, M. D., etc. With Illustrations. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea.

On first receiving this book, our impression was that it could not possibly be wanted, the completeness and general popularity of Professor Gross's valuable monograph upon the same subject being such as to cover the whole ground for many years. But on looking into it (we have not commanded time for a complete perusal) we find that we had not appreciated the rapidly progressive state of surgical science as regards this specialty. The nucleus of the present monograph appears to be constituted of the two essays to which, in 1855 and 1857, the prize was

awarded by the Boylston Medical Committee. The composition of these essays necessitated a careful examination of contemporary literature, and in the subsequent embodiment of them in the present systematic volume, all that has since transpired has been conscientiously collected and well digested, bringing the work up to the latest advances of surgical science. Among the recent matter incorporated into this work may be mentioned Prof. Buchanan's (Glasgow) method for performing the mesial operation of lithotomy with the rectangular staff, the pathological researches of Mr. Thompson in the collections of the London hospitals, the operation of Mr. Syme for stricture of the urethra by perineal section, new methods for the cure of vesico-vaginal fistula, etc., etc. At page 459 we are much interested and amused with a pungent letter by Prof. O. W. Holmes, on the subject of Wilson's urethro-vesical muscle, and M. D'Etiolle's reclamation of its discovery in behalf of Vesalius. The execution of the work is neat, including some elegant illustrations.

One feature we should like to see introduced into works of this kind, is a copious bibliographical index. This practice is now universal in the best English works, and every thing calculated to shorten the labors of study for medical men ought to be carefully regarded, as they can only study at all by stealing from nature the hours due to rest and slumber. [From the publishers, per W. T. Berry & Co.]

D. F. W.

A SYSTEM OF HUMAN ANATOMY, GENERAL AND SPECIAL. BY ERASA new and improved American, MUS WILSON, F. R. S., etc., etc. Edited by WILLIAM H. GOBRECHT, from an enlarged London edition. M. D., etc. With three hundred and ninety-seven illustrations on wood. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea. 1858.

One's first novel, one's first play, and one's first love, are acknowledged to hold a place in the affections and memory prior to all other novels, plays, and loves. We firmly believe that the same principle holds good in regard to one's first dissecting-book: at least we know that we have a regard for an old WILSON'S ANATOMY, (the edition of 1847,) which we never expect to entertain for the most recondite work that can now be published upon that subject. It is true that our old friend's integument is dark and unctuous from adipose absorptions, that its leaves are dog-eared and blood-stained, through its services in the sanguinary campaigns of many a dissecting-season. It is true that new muscles, new nerves, new ligaments have been discovered, or rediscovered, or invented since that time; it is true that histology has run away from the

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