EDITORIAL.

"Nullius Addictus Jurare in Verba Magistri."-HOR.

TO THE FRIENDS AND PATRONS OF THE JOURNAL.As the other departments of the Journal are more than usually crowded this month, there is not space sufficient left for editorial remarks upon any partlcular subject or variety of subjects. The editor, therefore, embraces the opportunity offered, in closing the short editorial space remaining, of making a few explanations in regard to matter that has, in the past few months, been published in the editorial department of this Journal. He has, contrary to the policy of the Journal, published much that he did not anticipate publishing in regard to personal and controversial subjects, and while such matter has been published, in the shape of a supplement, at his own expense (and not at the expense of the patrons of the Journal, by devoting to personal objects space for which subscribers have paid) he has learned by experience that this partial custom on the part of the Press of bringing before the public controversial matter (even when necessitated apparently by attacks upon) the Press is a custom "more honored in the breach than in the observance." Such a field is one wherein the battles fought are of interest to but few more than the individual contestants; one whose laurels are either not worth the gathering, or which, like the Dead sea fruits, prove to be as ashes in the hands of those who obtain them.

The comments of the leading journals of this country in regard to controversial matter which has appeared in this Journal show, that it has, at least, not suffered any in the contests to which it has been invited. But were such success multiplied a thousand fold, it is at best but an unvalued and valueless reward. Gerard was filled with an honest and laudable pride when destroying the the monarchs of the African forests, but we can all understand the charitable regrets of Gulliver when he punished the impudent Lilliputians for attempting to thrust their tiny swords into his body. Such victories, however, are indeed valueless. The editor has therefore to cry peccavi, and to devote this Journal, in all its departments, to the legitimate purposes for which it was established. If the Review department, therefore, in its honest and legitimate management causes the ire of those

whose once imposing crowns are proved to be but tinsel and brass, they will be treated as was the Prince of Como, when his plausible impostures were unhappily exposed; they will be left to win a reputation which had been wrongly admitted and assumed. Let it be understood, therefore, that personalities and controversies are, for the future, banished from the pages of this Journal, and that the editor will continue striving, as formerly, to make it an exponent of the scientific views of the profession at large.

The subscription list of the Journal has been more than doubled in the past twelve months, and it is being almost daily increased. With the view of extending still more rapidly the circulation of the work, the editor will issue, in December, 1869, five hundred extra or specimen copies. He desires that these should reach the reading members of the profession, and, to secure this object, he asks the friends and patrons of the Journal to send him, by letter or otherwise, the names and addresses of such of their acquaintances, as would, in their judgment, desire to subscribe to such a work.

Manuscripts of great value are being constantly received, and the editor hopes thus to make this Journal, what it has always been, an exponent of the scientific views of the profession throughout the United States.

BOOKS AND JOURNALS RECEIVED.

The Mechanism of Dislocation and Fracture of the Hip. By Henry J. Bigelow, M.D., Professor of Surgery at Harvard University, etc., etc. With illustrations. Philadelphia: Henry Lea. 1869. From the publishers.

The Membrana Tympani in Health and Disease. Illustrated by twenty fine chromo-lithographs. By Dr. Adam Politzer. Translated by Drs. A. Mathewson and H. G. Newton. New York: Wm. Wood & Co. 1869. From the publishers.

Practical Chemistry; Arranged for the Use of Medical Students. By Wm. Odling, M.B., F.R.S. Illustrated. Philadelphia: 1869. H. C. Lea. From publisher.

The Science and Art of Surgery. By John E. Erichsen. From the fifth enlarged and carefully revised London edition. Illustrated with six hundred and thirty engravings on wood. With additions by John Ashhurst, Jr., A.M., M.D. Philadelphia: 1869. Henry C. Loa. From the publisher.

Transactions of Illinois State Medical Society.

1869.

Myxoma, or Hyperplasia of the Villi of the Chorion. By A. D. Sinclair, M.D. Boston: 1869. From the author.

New Variety of Malarial Fever. By T. C. Osborn, M.D., Greensboro, Ala. 1868. From the author.

Dawson on Fibrous and Fibro-Cystic Tumors. 1869: Cincinnati. Hygiene. By A. L. Carroll, M.D. New York.

Illustrated Catalogue of Surgical Instruments, Appliances, Bandages, and Apparatus. J. H. Gemrig. Philadelphia. 1869. Electricity. By A. D. Bockwell, A.M., M.D. New York. 1869. Remarks on Cataract Extraction. By H. Knapp, M.D. New York.

ART. I.-THE BINDER IN PARTURITION. Read before the Macon Medical Association. By C. B. NOTTINGHAM, M.D., of Macon, Georgia.

Labor is a physiological process resulting from forces inherent in the uterine constitution, and nature usually, is competent to conduct it with perfect safety to both the mother and the child. Hence, labors, the phenomena of which are natural in their order and sequences, would do well and terminate favorably without the aid or even the presence of the accoucheur. Unfortunately, however, in the beginning, progress or termination of the process, complications or departures from the usual course of events sometimes occur, grave and threatening in their character, requiring for their adjustment, correction or remedy, the best obstetrical skill.

These propositions being admitted, the corollary logically follows, that whilst the presence of the well-skilled physician is desirable, nay important in the parturient chamber, be will commonly find it necessary only to su-. pervise the several stages of the great biotic procedure; doing but little other than holding himself in readiness to intervene in the fulness and plentitude of his powers, at any moment his well-trained eye, ear or touch may indi