Idiosyncrasy is a peculiarity of constitution, and does not change thus rapidly. If it did, with how much reliance could we administer any medicines, since the accepted doctrine of idiosyncrasies as to opium, mercury and other articles, is well sustained? How could we ever be sure that the patient who took one of these kindly last week, would not be poisoned by an ordinary dose to-day? It seems strange that so eminent a man should have overlooked the facts above alluded to, and their bearing upon the question of idiosyncrasy as an explanation of death from chloroform. The second error is in the following sentence: "The singular idea that a mixture of chloroform and ether is less dangerous than either of these substances used separately, has been abandoned." This may be true of Germany-it certainly is not true of England and other parts of the world. Moreover, there is a vast amount of evidence to show that this idea is sound; almost universally, death under chloroform is sudden-the patient has been overwhelmed, struck down in a moment by a powerful agent. Is it not reasonable to believe, then, that the more this agent is diluted, whether by atmospheric air, by ether, or by the vapor of alcohol, the less probability there will be of death in this manner? Experience has sustained theory in this, or rather the theory has grown out of observation of the facts, and I believe that the use of a mixture of anesthetic vapors is increasing instead of diminishing. Yours truly, J. C. REEVE. DAYTON, OHIO. BIBLIOGRAPHY. CONSTIPATION OF THE BOWELS; THE VARIOUS CAUSES, AND THE DIFFERENT MEANS OF CURE. BY S. B. BIRCH, M. D., Member of the Royal College of Physicians, London; Corresponding Member Salopian Medico- Constipation of the bowels is a very troublesome condition of no insignificant proportion of the human family, found among people of all ages and stations. We are of the opinion, too, that the difficulty is frequently very imperfectly understood, and quite erroneously treated. Dr. Birch sets out with a declaration of similar opinions, and ther proceeds to consider the whole subject in a philosophical and practical sort of way. He regards improper regimen and badly regulated habits as the prime cause in a vast majority of constipated bowels, and he thinks the use of purgative medicines to overcome this irregularity, without an attempt to correct the cause, is not infrequently the means of establishing permanent ill-health. The book has sound and judicious theories, and well-considered practical recommendations. All medical men may find something in it pleasant and useful. Its author, however, is something of a pedant, and given to verbosity; the essential material of the little volume. might have been presented in less than half its pages. J. F. H. LECTURES ON THE STUDY OF FEVER. BY ALFRED HUDSON, M. D., M. R. I. A, Physician to the Meath Hospital. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea, 1869. Pp. 316. For sale by C. P. Wilder, Indianapolis: Robert Clarke & Co., Cincinnati. These fifteen admirable lectures, diadactic in character, are to be considered as complimentary to the lecturer's clinical course in the hospital. Clinical lectures proper, based upon the observation of the various patients as they are met with, have a kind of desultory, individual, or disconnected character, and Dr. Hudson very properly came to the conclusion that in so important a form of disease as fever, the students would the more completely appreciate that importance, and the more fully comprehend the whole subject in its true bearings, if, in addition to these bedside teachings, they should have added a scientific view of fever, in a connected series of lectures covering the entire ground, the practical points being illustrated and enforced by frequent reference to individual cases examined in the wards of the hospital. This idea Dr. H. has carried out in a very comprehensive, entertaining and instructive manner; beginning with the nature of fever, and running through the cause, symptoms, complications, termination, prophylaxis, and treatment; and all this in a very full and satisfactory manner, without being tedious or prolix. The immediate practical observations are confined to typhus, typhoid and relapsing synocha; but the philosophical teachings compass the whole affair of febrile disturbances. The readers of the Medical News and Library will recognize this volume as that which has just been completed in the Library department of that journal. Nothing in this work, as presented to us, directly indicates whether it is a reprint of a foreign book, or an original American one. The preface is without date, and has no mark to signify where it was writIn the title page the author is styled a "Physician to the Meath Hospital;" but where is the Meath Hospital? in Philadelphia, Copenhagen or Dublin? If any one finds out that it is located in the last named place, he will derive his information from other sources than the pages of the book under notice. The lecturer, beside being an M. D., is styled a M. R. I. A., whatever that means. One may guess at the interpretation of these mystical letters, but certainly no common American student will be able to tell where the author is, or what he is, from this affix to his name. We think the publisher does himself a moral wrong, and injustice to the author of these excellent lectures, to say nothing of his lack of candor and fullness to his American readers, by the parsimony of his information in the opening pages of the book. J. F. H. A THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL TREATISE ON MIDWIFERY, INCLUDING THE DISEASES OF PREGNANCY AND PARTURITION. BY P. CAZEAUX, Member of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, &c., &c. Revised and Annotated by S. Tarnier, About twenty years since, when asking our preceptor, Dr. John Neill, what work to get on midwifery, the reply given was "Cazeaux.” This was the first work upon this subject we read, and in the years of active practice, it is that to which we oftenest refer. Both at home and abroad, as the numerous editions testify, "Cazeaux" stands unexcelled by any, unequaled by any. Prof. Tarnier, who, in consequence of the lamented death of the author of the book, edits this edition, concludes his preface thus: "It would be impossible to point out all the additions which are scattered through the work, but they are very many. Everywhere have I accorded to the views of Prof. Depaul and Pajot, as also to the views of all cotemporaneous authors, the prominence which they deserve. I hope, therefore, that this book, which is, so to speak, a new one, will be found to represent all the most important knowledge which we possess pertaining to the obstetric art." This hope, let us add, in conclusion, will be completely realized by any one who carefully consults these pages. No one engaged in obstetrical practice, should deny himself the right and privilege of possessing this book. T. P. THE MEDICAL FORMULARY; BEING A COLLECTION OF PRESCRIPTIONS, DERIVED FROM THE WRITINGS AND PRACTICE OF MANY OF THE MOST EMINENT PHYSICIANS IN AMERICA AND EUROPE, TOGETHER WITH THE USUAL DIETETIC PREPARATIONS AND ANTIDOTES FOR POISONS. TO WHICH IS ADDED AN APENDIX ON THE ENDERMIC USE OF MEDICINES, AND ON THE USE OF ETHER AND CHLOROFORM. THE WHOLE ACCOMPANIED WITH A FEW BRIEF PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS. BY BENJAMIN ELLIS, M. D., Late Professor, &c. Twelfth edition, carefully revised and much improved, by Albert H. Smith, This huge title recites nearly all that need be said of "Ellis' Formulary," now attained to its twelfth edition. Dr. Smith has omitted some formulas that had become superanuated, and added some new ones. Many practitioners, in years gone by, have found great comfort in this book, and many more may do so in the present edition. Hypodermic injection, and inhalation of atomized liquids are suitably presented among the new appliances in therapeutics, but we find no mention of Richardson's method of producing local anesthesia, which has great value in many minor surgical operations, and was worthy of being called to the attention of those physicians who will consult the "Formulary." J. F. H. ATLAS OF VENEREAL DISEASES. BY A. CULLERIER. Translated from the French, with Notes and Additions, by Freenan J. Bumstead, M. D., Profes- We have already noticed the previous numbers of this magnificent work as they were issued; the present fasciculus completes the volume. It is hardly necessary for us to reiterate what we have previously said in commendation of this work. The plates, so admirably executed, are themselves almost worth the entire price of the volume; but besides, we have the fruit of the rich experience and learning in this department of disease, of one of the ablest and most celebrated of French surgeons, rendered still more valuable by the excellent notes and additions of the American editor who, probably, more than any one else in the United States, is qualified to speak ex cathedra in all that pertains to venereal diseases. T. P. THESE DE PHARMACIE, PRESENTEE ET SOUTENNE A Docteur en Medecine-Pharmacien de premiere classe, Member de la Societe Entomologique 1867. From E. Fongera, New York. OFFICINAL CANTHARIS; A THESIS PRESENTED TO THE SUPERIOR SCHOOL, PARIS. BY AMAND FUMONZE, ETC. This thesis of fifty-three quarto pages is divided into four chapters. The first is devoted to the natural history of the officinal cantharis. The second to the chemical history of the same. The third to the causes which alter or diminish the peculiar properties of cantharides; and the fourth, to the various insects to be met with in cantharides. These chapters furnish full and satisfactory information in relation to the subjects of which they treat. Many experiments are reported in detail. These will render this brochure attractive to the pharmaceutist, for whom it will have more interest than for the physician. Two handsome plates, containing many figures, are attached. J. R. W. |