position it at present holds of the best text-book of physiology in the English language. There can be no doubt that physiology is the basis of scientific pharmacology, pathology and therapeutics, and therefore no one who wishes to keep up with the progress of medicine can do without physiology. Yet the teaching of this branch of medical science has changed so much during the last fifteen years that it is extremely difficult for those whose student days were over before the change began to comprehend thoroughly the scope of such a work as the present, and so they will sometimes take it up and afterwards throw it aside as too hard reading. To all such, as well as to students beginning the study of physiology for the first time, we would recommend the perusal first of all of Foster's Primer of Physiology, from which they will gain a knowledge of the chief points without any risk of being confused by details. Next let them take up Huxley's Physiology, and after having carefully read it they will be able to peruse the present work with pleasure as well as profit. Syllabus of Lectures on Physiology. By J. BURDON SANDERSON, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S. Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 143. THE object of this work is entirely different from that of Foster's text-book, for while the text-book gives a full account of what is known regarding the functions of the animal body this syllabus gives only a brief notice of the most important things so as to refresh the memory of the student who has already obtained a knowledge of the subject from text-books or lectures. In addition to this it contains brief but clear directions for performing the most important physiological experiments in physiological chemistry, and on the functions of muscle and nerve so far as they can be observed in animals nearly dead. There is also appended a list of demonstrations of the functions of respiration, circulation, and action of the nervous system suitable for performance by lecturers on physiology. The work supplies a want, and will be useful both to lecturers and to students. Lecture Notes on Chemical Phyisology and Pathology. By VICTOR C. VAUGHAN, M.D., Ph.D. Second Edition. 8vo. pp. 315. Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Printing and Publishing Company. In its plan this work somewhat resembles the one which we have just noticed, but it is much fuller though more limited in its scope. Instead of including the whole of physiology it takes up physiological chemistry only. It gives an account of the properties and characters of the various secretions and tissues met with in the animal body, describes the methods of analysis employed, the tests by which the various compounds may be recognised, and in addition discusses the pathological significance of abnormal conditions which are shown to exist by means of chemical methods. At the end of the work are some exceedingly useful tables for analysis of the urine, in which the reaction of the liquid, the form of the crystals when present, and their pathological indications are all placed in a tabular form so that the student or practitioner is enabled to discover with great ease the nature of any alteration in the urine he is examining, and to infer from it the pathological condition which is present. The method of detecting the chief medicinal substances in the urine is also given. This section includes the detection of morphia, strychnia, veratria, atropia, santonine, iodine, bromine, arsenic, antimony, and mercury. We think that the methods of detecting salicylic acid and carbolic acid, and even of rhubarb, would prove a useful addition to this section in another edition, which we have no doubt will ere long appear as the work is a convenient book of reference and will no doubt command a large sale. Manual for the Physiological Laboratory. By VINCENT HARRIS, M.R.C.P. (Lond.), and D'ARCY POWER, B.A. (Oxon). THIS manual is intended for students of histology and physiological chemistry. Under histology, the authors first give a brief account of the methods of hardening, cutting, staining, and mounting sections. Under each tissue directions are first given for the mode of preparing it for microscopic observation, after which follows a brief account of the structure of the tissue. Under the head of Physiological Chemistry, the more important characteristics of the chief substances are briefly noted, and the most important mode of use is described. The work is the result of considerable experience of the requirements of students, and therefore is likely to be of much practical service. Notes on Physiology. By HENRY ASHBY, M.D. 2nd Edition, pp. 275. London: Longmans, Green, & Co. THESE are intended for the use of students preparing for examination. They give the chief facts of physiology in a short compass, and, so far as we have seen, correctly, and seem well applied to the purpose for which they were intended. Aids to Physiology. By B. THOMPSON LOWNE, F.R.C.S. (England), pp. 104. London. THIS work is intended for the same purpose as the preceding. In those parts where we have compared the two we have found this one even more strictly accurate than Mr. Ashby's. It is not so much arranged in tabular forms. To some students this will be a disadvantage, though others, no doubt, will prefer the more easy style. Clinic of the Month. Treatment of Lupus Erythematodes.-Dr. M'Call Anderson adopts the following method of treatment in cases of lupus erythematodes, and from it has obtained good results in regard to this obstinate affection :-B Iodidi gr. xxiv: Amyli 3j. Triturate the iodine with a little water, gradually adding the starch, and continuing the trituration till the compound assumes a uniformly blue colour, so deep as to approach to black. The iodide should be dried with a heat so gentle as to run no risk of driving off the iodine, and it ought to be kept in a wellstoppered bottle. On no account should spirit be used in its preparation instead of water, as is sometimes recommended. The dose is a heaped-up teaspoonful in a draught of water, or water gruel thrice daily : but it may be safely increased, even up to an ounce in some cases, if necessary, to make an impression on the disease. Dr. Anderson has generally found that if this treatment be going to do good in lupus erythematodes, the first named dose is sufficient. He adds however a word of warning to those who give it a trial, viz.: that the cases treated should be undoubtedly cases of lupus erythematodes and not of lupus vulgaris and that the medicine should be freshly prepared and in accordance with the directions above mentioned. Iodide of starch is also an excellent remedy in other diseases, and notably in long standing cases of syphilis. (The British Medical Journal May 1, 1880.) Chian Turpentine in Cancer.-Prof. Clay gives the following method for distinguishing true from false Chian turpentine. The pure drug is of such a solid nature that a portion taken between the fingers may be rolled into the form of a pill without adhering to the fingers; it thus differs from a large number of spurious specimens which have been supplied to the public, and which for the most part have been of a syrupy consistence. The odour of the genuine drug is peculiar. If a portion be softened between the fingers, the fragrant odour can be readily perceived, and it is not by any means similar to that of turpentine oil, whilst the spurious kinds smell strongly of the latter substance. The taste of the pure article is characteristic in not being unpleasant; indeed it is almost tasteless. The taste of most of the spurious kinds is very bitter and unpleasant. The brittle yet elastic nature of the pure drug is very striking. If a piece is warmed and rolled out, and is allowed to cool, and it be afterwards dropped on the floor, it generally breaks into a a number of fragments. If a mass is placed in a shallow vessel, it usually flattens and spreads over the vessel, the surface being smooth. When the pure drug is placed between two pieces of warmed glass, it is seen to be transparent, of a yellowish brown colour, and much contaminated with various impurities, in a state of fine division. It is best to take a slip of glass, warm it very slightly with a piece of lighted paper, clean it, and then place the drug to be examined upon it, cover the drug with another slip of glass, and allow both to cool; then, by holding the double glass up to the light the characters are readily distinguishable. If the drug is spurious, consisting perhaps of strained crude turpentine, or Venice turpentine, and it be so placed between warm glass, it will present the appearance almost of water. If Chian turpentine is adulterated with Canada balsam, on a gentle heat being applied to the glass on which it is applied, the Chian turpentine remains in the centre, whilst the balsam flows over the glass, since the former requires a stronger heat to liquefy it. If black resin is mixed with Venice turpentine, to make the specimens resemble the impurities of the real article, the compound is of a syrupy consistence only, and on heating the mass sufficiently between two glasses the resin is melted, so that the apparent impurities which it presented disappear, whilst these remain permanent in the genuine drug. Canada balsam becomes transparent when it is heated, perhaps more so if the heating is repeated, and the smell is of a well-marked sickly odour. If the spurious fluid consist largely of resin, and a piece is put on a spatula, and a lighted taper be then applied to it, the characteristic resinous odour is at once perceived. The taste, odour, and appearance then are the chief characteristics of the drug. If it has a bitter taste, it is not pure, if it has not much taste as a mixture of resin and Canada balsam, on burning the mass the peculiar odour will reveal its impurity. If the mass does not dissolve in alcohol, but leaves a glutinous residue, then, all other things being equal, it is pure. If it is of a greyish white, or black colour even, mixed with impurities, and of a syrupy consistence, it will have a strong smell of turpentine, and is not pure. (The Lancet, May 15, 1880.) The Treatment of Constipation.-Dr. Robert Smith recommends that in cases of constipation the individual should daily at the same hour make powerful defæcatory efforts. Should these efforts be unsuccessful, he must still be urged to persevere. This daily repetition of the attempt to defæcate usually ends by a daily need for the relief of the bowel at that hour. During the treatment it is sometimes necessary to procure an evacuation. An enema of tepid water, followed by one of cold, will generally be sufficient for this purpose; a suppository of belladonna, or one of ordinary yellow soap, or of honey hardened by heat, is equally efficient. Purgatives are not to be used except under the greatest necessity, and then a pill of colocynth with hyoscyamus is sufficient. Mineral waters are frequently of great service, particularly those of Carlsbad and Cheltenham, a tumblerful taken warm before breakfast being often found to act effectually in keeping the bowels in healthy action. Belladonna in a single dose of one-sixth to one-fourth of a grain of the extract taken fasting by preference in the early morning has also been used with success. Excellent results have also been obtained from the use of sulphate of zinc and strychnia. Much of the success of the treatment will, however, depend upon the directions as to habit and diet. The tablespoonful of cold water at night, the cold bath and cold compresses to the abdomen in the morning, the taking of large quantities of fruit, the use of oatmeal porridge and of bran bread, the cigar after breakfast, the daily walk, have all their influence in bringing about the desired end. For infants the use of oatmeal boiled in milk, an occasional soap suppository, abdominal friction with the warm hand, combined with small doses internally of codliver oil, have never been found to fail. In all cases of constipation, however, it is absolutely necessary to obtain the confidence of the patients. (The Lancet, May 22, 1880.) Cotton-wool as a vehicle for Medicating the Nasal Region.-Dr. Woakes, in view of the want of a satisfactory means of applying medicaments to the post-nasal region, suggests medicated wool, for the use of which he gives the following directions:-The quantity of wool determined upon, usually from two to three grains by weight, is twisted spindleshape, but loosely, upon a piece of thread or silk; the thin ends are brought together or tied with a knot; thus the spindleshaped pledget of wool is doubled upon itself and secured firmly to the thread, having now a pear-shape, the stalk being represented by the thread. A blunt probe is engaged in the wool and made to conduct it along the floor of the nose to the spot where it is to be retained. The process is then repeated on the other side, the threads from each pledget hanging out from |