REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

THE TREATMENT OF FRACTURES. By John B. Roberts, A.M., M.D., Professor of Surgery in the Philadelphia Polyclinic. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1899. pp. 159. Price, $1.50.

This volume, in the form of a series of essays, is not a complete treatise upon fractures. However, it contains much that is valuable both to the surgeon and physician.

The author bases his deductions upon the results of a very wide clinical experience. He protests especially against the use of complicated fracture dressings, believing that more careful attention paid. to complete reduction of the fracture, and a simple dressing adapted to the individual case, will yield far better results than those often obtained.

Especially interesting chapters are: Exploratory Incision in the Treatment of Closed Fractures; Subcutaneous Nailing in Fractures with Unusual Tendency to Displacement, etc.

The reader will find this book exceedingly interesting and valuable, for it pleads for the exercise of common sense rather than the adherence to routine treatment.

A TEXT-BOOK OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. By James M. Anders, M.D., Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of the Practice of Medicine and of Clinical Medicine, Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia, etc. Illustrated. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders. 1899. PP. 1,287. Price, cloth, $5.50 net; sheep or half morocco, $6.50

net.

Next to clearness and accuracy of delineation in clinical medicine think, a systematic and convenient arrangement of the

stands,

we

diagnostic and therapeutic data. Such an arrangement is characteristic of Ander's "Practice of Medicine." Another desirable and noticeable feature is italicization of leading symptoms. We think, that this might have been carried out still farther to advan

however,

tage.

As in previous editions, so also in the present one, differential diagnosis has in the most important instances been tabulated, a helpful aid to the acquisition and review of the knowledge, indispensable to the general practitioner, of the resemblance and dissimilarity of diseases. Under special etiology, bacteriology is prominently men

tioned, the author having due regard for the rapid progress now being made in the study of the causation of disease by the aid of the comparatively newly developed branch of scientific work, This section has not, however, received any marked revision.

Among the articles which have been extensively revised are: Typhoid Fever, Yellow Fever, Lobar Pneumonia, Dengue, Tuberculosis, Diabetes Mellitus, Gout, Arthritis Deformans, Autumnal Catarrh, the Diseases of the Circulatory System, more particularly Hypertrophy and Dilatation of the Heart, Arterio-sclerosis, and Thoracis Aneurism; Pancreatic Hemorrhage, Jaundice, Acute Peritonitis, Acute Yellow Atrophy, Hematoma of the Dura Mater, and Sclerosis of the Brain. Subjects substantially rewritten are: The Plague, Malta Fever, Diseases of the Thymus Gland, the Liver Cirrhoses, and Progressive Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Previous editions gave no account of Glandular Fever, Etherpneumonia, Splenic Anemia, Neuralgia Parathetica, and Periodic Paralysis, all of which receive sufficiently lengthy notice in the present issue. On the whole, we see no reason to doubt that the changes and additions, especially those to which we have called attention, will still further enhance the value of this work as a text-book and guide in the practice of medicine, and we question if further enlargement would markedly increase its serviceableness.

A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS. By Robert Bartholow, M.A., M.D., LL.D., Professor Emeritus of Materia Medica, General Therapeutics, and Hygiene in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, etc. Tenth edition, revised and enlarged. New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1899. pp. 866. Price, cloth, $5.00; sheep, $6.00.

For nearly a quarter of a century Dr. Bartholow's work has been before the profession. It is not one, therefore, requiring any special introduction. Whatever alterations and additions it exhibits its schema as a whole remains unchanged. Thus Part I is still devoted to Modes in which Medicines are introduced into the Organism; Part II to the Actions and Uses of Remedial Agents, and Part III to Topical Remedies. These principal divisions are followed by an Appendix Equivalents of Weights and Measures.

The ground covered by such a treatise is necessarily one which has been gone over again and again, yet every man has his own point of view, and the author of the work in question is well entitled to write

as one having authority because of his intimate acquaintance with the real needs of students, gained during his professorship, and because of his ripe clinical experience. It is due to the latter, doubtless, that he relies largely upon his own judgment in his selection of the newer remedies for recognition and use, and it is this section of his work which will probably most interest homoeopathists who, while consistent followers of the principles of their school, are yet wise enough to wish to be conversant with all supposedly remedial agents. These, though not necessarily worthy of adoption, may in some instances prove suggestive and invite to further researches, for it is not presumable that the limits of therapeutic resources have been reached.

Dr. Bartholow adheres to his original plan of largely omitting the consideration of pharmaceutical questions and all unnecessary botanical and chemical details.

In the description of the leading allopathic remedies he seems to follow quite closely the United States Pharmacopoeia. Considerable space is given to the subject of Foods and Alimentation in Disease, a topic which properly occupies at the present time a goodly share of the attention of practitioners of all schools.

A new and special article on prescription writing has been inserted, and a multiplicity of references heretofore appearing in various places. in the text stricken out.

Lastly, the Index of Remedies is supplemented by an extended Clinical Index, as convenient as it is exhaustive.

DISEASES OF CHILDREN. A Manual for Students and Practitioners. By George M. Tuttle, M.D., Attending Physician to St. Luke's Hospital, Martha Parsons' Hospital for Children, and Bethesda Foundling Asylum, St. Louis. Series edited by Bern B. Gallaudet, M.D. Illustrated with five plates, in colors and monochrome. Philadelphia and New York: Lea Brothers & Co. 1899. pp. 386. Price, $1.50.

This is an exceedingly valuable book. Unlike most handbook series, the author has covered the subject fully, yet in a concise form, and has successfully emphasized the more important points of diagnosis, treatment, etc. Special attention has been given to the physiology of infancy and to artificial feeding. While Dr. Tuttle acknowledges he has made free reference to the more extended works, especially Holt's, he has added much original thought and

experience, and has accomplished his purpose in presenting to students and practitioners a most valuable summary of diseases of children.

C. C. B.

POCKET BOOK OF MEDICAL PRACTICE. Including Diseases of the Kidneys, Skin, Nerves, Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat, and Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Surgery by Special Authors. By Charles Gatchell, M.D. Chicago: Era Publishing Co. September, 1899. pp. 400. Price, $1.75 net.

To those who are already acquainted with Dr. Gatchell's "Key Notes of Medical Practice," his new book needs no recommendation. This later work is much more complete than "Key Notes," both in the practice and the list of remedies. The leading and most reliable indications have been selected, and after each drug is given the dosage favored by the author. The adjuvant treatment embodies the latest ideas in medicine and surgery, including the Schott treatment in cardiac diseases and directions for the use of antitoxin in diphtheria.

This is the first time that all the "specialties" have been included in a "Pocket Book." Dr. Gatchell has been fortunate in the selection of special authors, and each subject is commensurate with the general excellence of the work.

The type, paper, and binding are of the best quality and the book is of correct size to actually fit the pocket. It is undoubtedly the most practical and reliable pocket reference book yet published, and the general practitioner will find it of great value for ready reference. BEE-LINE THERAPIA AND REPERTORY. By Stacey Jones, M.D. Second edition. Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel. 1899. pp. 333. Price, $2.00 net.

The field of usefulness of a mere repertory is necessarily limited, and although the one in question purports to be something rather more ambitious, it seems to us of rather doubtful value. Although it certainly contains helpful suggestions, some of its statements might be rather misleading than otherwise. That the author has no doubts as to the merits of his work is evident by the unqualified way in which his ideas are set forth. Illustrations of the above might be multiplied, but one or two will, perhaps, suffice; thus, "Inward weakness, dragging-down sensation, falling of the womb, or bowel: The one essential thing needed — extra of medicine - is abdominal and dorsal support - secure a good brace." Surely this is open to criticism, both as regards form and substance.

The treatment for apparent death from drowning other than medicinal is as follows: "Suspend patient head down for eight or ten seconds, then place on the back, and press the chest for two or three seconds, then suspend again—and thus proceed recovery even after an hour." These instructions are elsewhere supplemented by the following: "Rub the naked patient all over with fine salt; or pack in salt for an hour; or place patient upon the back on a board, or short ladder, across a suitable support and seesaw, now lifting the head and then the feet high up. Persevere." The italics are the author's. We have known of cases restored without resorting to the above gymnastic exercises, the carrying out of which might necessitate considerable strength, as well as unobtainable apparatus. We should imagine the packing in salt might be most appropriate at the close of the efforts advised unless they were otherwise supplemented. Other equally fairly illustrative quotations might be given, but nearly every page of the book will be interesting to readers appreciative of the unique in medical literature.

REPRINTS AND MONOGRAPHS RECEIVED.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of the More Common Bladder Affections in Women by Means of Kelly's Method. By H. N. Vineberg, M.D. Reprinted from the New York Medical Journal.

Differential Diagnosis between Extra-uterine Pregnancy and Early Abortion. By H. N. Vineberg, M.D. Reprinted from the Medical

Record.

Report of a Case of Salpingo-oophorectomy in Acute Puerperal Sepsis. By H. N. Vineberg, M.D. Reprinted from the Medical

News.

Surgical Abuse and Conservative Treatment of the Rectum. By W. C. Brinkerhoff, M.D.

Traction Plasters for Temporarily Contracting an Affected Lung, in Lieu of the Murphy Operation. By Charles Denison, A. M., M.D.

The Tuberculosis Crusade and its Problems. By Charles Denison, A.M., M.D. Reprinted from the Journal of Tuberculosis.