REVIEWS AND

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

AIDS TO RATIONAL THERAPEUTICS. By J. Milner Fothergill, M. D., M. R. C. P.

This little book is the latest in the Student's Medical Series, and will give one a very good idea of the present method of prescribing in the school to which the author belongs. t SENSATION AND PAIN. By Charles Fayette Taylor, M. D. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

To the painstaking scientific physician, there is no study more. fascinating and, at the same time, more difficult than that of psychological phenomena. Progress in the prosecution of this study is always slow if sure; but the rewards are great in the better understanding of that ever-increasing class of so-called nervous diseases to which our countrywomen are especially subject. To such a physician, this little brochure cannot fail to prove instructive. It was written because the author had something to say on this subject, and in it are embodied his own views as gleaned from his own practice, supplemented by those of the best physiologists and psychologists of the day. The author begins with a short sketch of the physiology of the nervous system, as seen in the lowest forms of animal life, and then proceeds to the discussion of the same in man. Sensation, what it is, and how it originates, the author clearly explains, and then considers the difference between simple and conscious sensation, peripheral and central sensory excitation and sensory impressions, subjective and objective sensations, and pain. To quote from the book would give but an inadequate idea of its worth, and we must leave our readers to enjoy it themselves. † OPHTHALMIC THERAPEUTICS. By Geo. S. Norton, M. D. Second Edition. Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel.

This book needs no introduction to our readers, for in the original shape it has filled a place in the library of most of our physicians, and has been an ever-ready help in his ophthalmic practice. The new edition has been eagerly looked for, and, now that we have it, we feel fully repaid for our impatient waiting. Dr. Norton assumes the responsibility of the present volume, and it shows throughout most careful revision, while the additions, and numerous they are, add immensely to the value of the book. The uniform use of the Latin nomenclature of diseases is a decided change for the better, and the glossary and index, so

much missed before, are among the improvements. As surgeonin-chief to the New York Ophthalmic Hospital, and the ophthalmic wards at Ward's Island Hospital, Dr. Norton has had opportunities unequalled for the prosecution of this work; and the last six years have been most fruitful ones for it. We have nothing but words of praise for it, and would declare it indispensable to every progressive physician. †

THE INTERNATIONAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SURGERY. Vol. I. New York: Wm. Wood & Co. 1881. Royal octavo, pp. 717. These enterprising publishers have again laid the medical profession under obligation, by the publication of a work the want of which many have felt. The lack in medicine has been recently and well filled by Ziemssen's Cyclopædia; but in surgery, with the exception of Holmes's System, we have never had any extended treatise upon this subject. Those who have had occasion to refer to that work will remember how unsatisfactory and antiquated was much of the substance, especially as little that has transpired during the past twenty-five years was therein noted True, we have recently had a new edition, but it is mostly a revision of the old authors.

The work before us is an entirely fresh production, by some of the most noted of modern writers; the pathology and treatment brought down to recent date. The first article, by Stricker of Vienna, translated by Alfred Meyer, M. D., of New York, is upon "Disturbances of Nutrition; the Pathology of Inflammation." Those who are familiar with the laborious and sometimes obscure translations of Billroth and Niemeyer can well understand and appreciate the merits of this translation; for the subject, though somewhat heavy in itself, is made so clear and pointed as to render it extremely interesting. Stricker is Cohnheim's old opponent, and now comes forward with a new theory on the process of inflammation, overthrowing the migration theory. From the year 1855 to 1867, Virchow's theory of inflammation—the so-called suppuration theory was almost universally accepted. The puscorpuscles were said to be formed from the connective-tissue cells. At first the nuclei of the cells, and then the cells themselves, were supposed to subdivide, and by means of these subdivisions the pus-corpuscles were believed to be produced. In 1867 Cohnheim contradicted this theory. The pus-corpuscles, he said, are migrated white blood-corpuscles; as the blood current in the vessels becomes slower, the white blood-corpuscles escape from their proper channels by means of their amoeboid movements, into the tissue. Cohnheim concludes that "all such corpuscles as are formed in the first stage of an acute inflammation certainly originate from the vessels," but admits that they do not

enable us to arrive at any determination of the question whether or not pus-cells originate in other ways in the later stages. Stricker sums up his ideas as follows:

"The inflammatory changes of tissues may be described in a few words. As soon as an inflammation occurs, the tissues return to their embryonic state. In the embryo, the entire organ consists of amoeboid cells. The inflamed tissue of older animals, which is normally composed of more rigid cells and intermediate substance, is again converted into amoeboid cells; or, I should prefer to say, into amabord substance, in view of my most recent researches. The subdivided amoeboid substance, or the amoeboid cells of an inflammatory focus, are called pus-corpuscles. It is accordingly the tissue itself which is transformed into puscorpuscles."

This ingenious theory, supported as it is by an abundance of proof, will unquestionably work a change in present opinions, and will suffice until it is itself overturned by newer discoveries.

An article on "Inflammation,' by Wm. H. Van Buren, M. D., of New York, follows. In the treatment he refers to aconite as having been extolled for its anti-inflammatory virtues, and many excellent practitioners believe in its salutary influence; "but this faith is waning." So aconite is now to be relegated by the old school to the realm of obscurity, along with blood-letting.

The work contains, besides, exhaustive articles on "Erysipelas," by Alfred Stillé, M. D., Philadelphia; "Pyæmia and Allied Conditions," by Francis Delafield, M. D., New York; "Hydrophobia and Rabies," "Glanders," "Malignant Pustule," by Wm. S. Forbes, M. D., Philadelphia; “ Scrofula and Tubercle," by Henry Trentham Butlin, F. R. C. S, London; "Rachitis," by J. Lewis Smith, M. D., New York; "Scurvy," by Philip S. Wales, M. D., U. S. Navy; "The Reciprocal Effects of Constitutional Conditions and Injuries," by A. Verneuil, M. D., Paris; "General Principles of Surgical Diagnosis," by D. Hayes Agnew, M. D., Philadelphia; "Shock," by C. W. Mansell-Moullin, M. A., M. D., Oxon., F. R. C. S., London; "Traumatic Delirium and Delirium Tremens," by Wm. Hunt, M. D., Philadelphia; "Anæsthetics and Anæsthesia," by Henry M. Lyman, A. M., M. D., Chicago; "Operative Surgery in General," by John H. Brinton, M. D., Philadelphia; “Minor Surgery," by Chas. T. Hunter, M. D., Philadelphia; " Plastic Surgery," by Christopher Johnson, M. D., Baltimore; "Amputations," by John Ashhurst, Jr., M. D., Philadelphia. The work, judging from the first volume, will be a very valuable one. The type is large and clear; the illustrations are good, nearly all new, and only those which truly illustrate are introduced. There are two colored plates, showing a lung and a liver with pyæmic abscesses in various stages.

||

MARRIAGE AND PARENTAGE.

New York: M. L. Holbrook &

Co. 1882. pp. 170.

It may not be the scant praise that it at first appears, to say of the book which is the subject of this brief notice, that it is much less objectionable than most of the works bearing similar titles, and written with the same ostensible aim. Though somewhat superficial and inconclusive, it seems to have an honest purpose as its raison d'être, and is at least free from the weakly vulgar suggestions which, under the cloak of physiology and hygiene, work (in so many volumes of this sort) incalculable mischief among that large, ignorant, and credulous class in the community, whose prurient curiosity eagerly seizes upon any book treating of marriage and the procreation of children.

We can hardly venture to share the author's "sanguine hope (expressed in his Preface) that "this work may be beneficial in its influence"; for those who have given these subjects the serious thought they demand of every conscientious man and woman will find little that is new or helpful in its pages, while those who drift through life at the mercy of their appetites and passions will hardly be influenced by any considerations there presented.

SYMPATHETIC DISEASES OF THE EYE. By Ludwig Mauthner,

M. D., Vienna. Translated by Warren Webster, M. D., and James A. Spalding, M. D. New York: Wm. Wood & Co.

This little volume of 220 pages, though the first of a series intended to embrace the whole province of ophthalmology, is complete in itself. The etiology, pathology, and pathogeny of the many accidents and diseases having a tendency to endanger the usefulness, or interfere in any way with the vision of the healthy eye, are clearly and concisely presented to the reader. The section headed "Therapeutics" is devoted almost entirely to a review of the history and discussion of the merits of enucleation: the operation is described, the dangers, disadvantages, and benefits connected therewith are forcibly presented, and the statements and conclusions are abundantly supported by illustrative cases. Neither neurotomy (optico-ciliary) nor the production of purulent choroiditis, as substitutes for enucleation, have his support. Abscission of the cornea and blepharoraphy for a similar purpose are briefly dismissed. Iridectomy receives the consideration its importance demands. Aside from “operative measures," very little is offered in the section on therapeutics. Drugs, as remedial agents, receive but little attention, the entire list containing only atropia, morphia, mercury, potassium iodide, eserin sulphate, and pilocarpin muriate.

DALTON'S PHYSIOLOGY.

Seventh edition. Philadelphia: Henry

C. Lea's Son & Co. 1882. pp. 722.

The new edition of this well-known text-book has made its appearance, and will be examined with interest by those previously acquainted with the work, as well as by the student whose path to knowledge may lie through its pages. One noticeable contrast exists between this and the last edition: while that was characterized by enlargement, to the extent of nearly fifty per cent, this exhibits a careful condensation. Not only have we a hundred pages less, but many familiar illustrations have disappeared from view. These changes have been most judiciously made, however; the text, which is largely rewritten, preserves all that was of greatest value, and presents, in addition, the results of six years' progress in physiological science. The missing illustrations have also, in some instances, been replaced by others which are superior; while a number, quite new, refer to discoveries of recent date. The arrangement of the work remains essentially the same as before, the principal modifications appearing in the classification of the albuminoid substances, and in the position allotted to bile among the digestive fluids. The most important additions refer to the vaso-motor nerves, a subject singularly neglected in the previous edition; and to the localization of function in the brain and spinal cord, which has been so much aided of late by the study of microscopic sections and nervous degenerations. These additions make the book more valuable than ever, particularly for the physiology of the nervous system; but it is still to be regretted that the student must seek elsewhere for a knowledge of the muscular system. The work is written in the easy style which has always been commended, and will be read with the same interest as heretofore; while an improved index makes it still more available for hasty reference.

§ THE DISEASES OF WOMEN. By A. W. Edis, M. D., F. R. C. P., etc., London. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea's Son & Co. 1882. pp. 563.

The author has admirably succeeded in adapting this book (as was his intention) to the needs of "the student and the junior practitioner." Among its many recommendations we may mention the following: It is not cumbersome; the illustrations and diagrams (excepting, perhaps, those of the assumed genu-pectoral position, by Campbell, on p. 107) are notably well drawn and natural; the cuts representing the different instruments are unusually good. Special attention is paid to diagnosis; and directions for making the various examinations by means of which a correct diagnosis is obtained (directions so useful to the student and inexperienced practitioner, and which are so