MARRIAGE AND PARENTAGE. Co. 1882. pp. 170. New York: M. L. Holbrook & 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 seldom found in larger works) have here a prominent place. Mechanical appliances and instruments figure largely in the book; but it is to the end that the reader may become familiar with them, and learn how and when to use them. The latest theories concerning ovulation, menstruation, dysmenorrhoea, etc., here have a clear and admirable exposition; and one has opportunity of contrasting them with the former ideas. on these subjects, which are also given. In short, the whole work, as to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment (according to oldschool methods, of course), is thoroughly up to date; and is, moreover, so well and wisely condensed, that the principal points are easily found, and impress themselves on the memory. To the student and general practitioner, especially if he is yet lacking in the manual dexterity so necessary in gynæcological practice, this will prove a valuable assistant. OPIUM SMOKING. By H. H. Kane, M. D. New York: Geo. P. Putnam's Sons. Boston: A. Williams & Co. 1882. This is a fascinating little work of 156 pages, excellently well gotten up, containing within its flexible covers a vast amount of entertaining and useful knowledge concerning this most seductive and fatally injurious habit. Our ideas on this subject have been obtained principally from novel writers, and the exaggerated statements of those most desirous of abolishing the custom; but evidently Dr. Kane "knows whereof he speaks," and also possesses the happy faculty of presenting to others, in a clear and interesting manner, his beliefs and the reasons for them. His experience has taught him that the habit, "contrary to the general belief, when undertaken on scientific principles, can be rapidly, painlessly, and safely cured." But we refer our readers to the book itself. It will well repay reading; and the homœopathic physician especially will be more than repaid if he carefully study the typical cases, and the results of scientifically conducted experiments, there recorded. ILLUSTRATIONS OF DISSECTIONS. Vol. I. By Ellis and Ford. New York: Wm. Wood & Co. This, the January number of "Wood's Medical Library" for 1882, consists of a series of twenty-eight colored anatomical plates, illustrative of special dissections made by Prof. Ellis, of University College, London, accompanied by brief explanatory descriptions. It is a volume of over 230 pages, and in general appearance, distinctness of type, and neatness of binding indicates that the enterprising publishers intend that the library for this year shall in no way fall behind its predecessors. MEMORANDA OF PHYSIOLOGY. By H. Ashby, M. D. (London). New York: Wm. Wood & Co. 1882. A vest-pocket treatise, consisting of the latest physiological theories as well as facts, condensed in a most thorough manner. ‡ FACTS AND FICTIONS OF ZOOLOGY. By Andrew Wilson, Ph. D. New York: J. Fitzgerald & Co. Another one of the "Humboldt Library of Popular Science"; a brochure of sixty-five pages. Herein one may find all his cherished superstitions concerning sea-serpents, etc., mercilessly overthrown by the unsympathetic hand of science. Price, 15 cents. DIRECTORY OF HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIANS IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. 1882. Compiled and published by L. J. Knerr, M. D. Philadelphia, Pa. 8vo. pp. 36. This is in pamphlet form, with paper covers, and 5,000 copies are distributed gratuitously. It contains the names and addresses of six hundred and ninety-seven homoeopathic physicians in the State of Pennsylvania. These are again arranged in counties, and we find in Philadelphia County two hundred and eightysix; while Allegheny, the next in point of numbers, has fifty-three. There are, moreover, nine medical societies, five medical clubs, seven hospitals, four dispensaries, a medical college, two medical journals, and three miscellaneous associations in the State. If a similar work could be done in every State, and the whole combined into a general directory of the homoeopathic physicians of our country, it would be very valuable as well as convenient, and should be in the library of every physician. Could not some plan be devised by which this might be accomplished? * THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY (Appleton & Co., New York), in the three numbers issued for January, February, and March, 1882, gives good promise of maintaining and adding to its high and merited reputation; which is no small thing to say. "Epidemic Convulsions," "Muscular Expression of Ner vous Conditions," "Soda a Remedy for Burns and Scalds," "Sanitary Relations of the Soil," "Dreams and the Making of Dreams,' "The Practical Study of the Mind," these are titles of a few articles which cannot fail to be of interest to the members of the medical profession. And the busy practitioner, who has no time to devote to large volumes on such subjects, may here acquaint himself, in a form adapted to his scant leisure, with what science is doing in spheres apart from his own. OUR MISCELLANY. A WRITER in the "Annales d'Hygiène Public" suggests that the white glare of the electric light, so disagreeable and possibly injurious to the eyes of many, may be tempered by the use of globes of tinted glass. A TRIOLET. When the head 's worse from wine It is well to give Zincum; Eyelids stiff if he wink 'em; When the head's worse from wine It is well to give Zincum. LONDON SCHOOL OF HOMEOPATHY. The winter session of this school was inaugurated at the Homoeopathic Hospital, Great Ormond Street, London, by an address from Dr. Richard Hughes, who took for his subject "Hahnemann as a Medical Philosopher," as exhibited in his "Organon of Medicine." This exposition and vindication of his therapeutic method, the lecturer said, appeared in five editions between 1810 and 1833, and it was designed to recall Aristotle's treatises on logic and Bacon's great reform of philosophical inquiry. The method set forth in this work was to be a new instrument for the discovery of specific remedies, a substitution of patient observation and experiment for the theorizing prevalent at the time. Referring to the motto at first prefixed to it, the lecturer commented on Hahnemann's hope for the future of medicine as based on his faith in the goodness of God, and contrasted this with the hopeless scepticism of the present day, as illustrated by the conspicuous absence of therapy from the proceedings of the late International Medical Congress. Passing on to the "Organon" itself, Dr. Hughes described it as divisible into two parts, in each of which three subjects were discussed-in the former doctrinally, and in the latter practically. These constituted the three elements of his method, and were (1) the knowledge of disease; (2) the knowledge of medicinal powers; and (3) the knowledge how to choose and administer the remedy. The knowledge of disease which the physician needed for curative purposes was declared by Hahnemann to consist in a full and minute perception of his patient's symptoms, to the exclusion of all hypothesis. This position was vindicated against the charge that it ignored pathology by showing that symptoms were themselves a living pathology, revealing disease at a stage when it might be remediable, whereas the morbid anatomy which now went by the name exhibited only the ultimate results of disease in incurable disorganization. Hahnemann's mode of ascertaining the virtues of medicines was by "proving" them on the healthy human body, a proceeding now generally recognized, and to some extent adopted. ́ He might fairly be styled "the father of pharmacology." The treatment by homoeopathy was harmless, inexhaustibly fertile, complete, and paramount. The lecturer then proceeded to meet objections which had been made to this argument of Hahnemann's, the only one which he regarded as valid, that it was too exclusive. As to the question of dose, it was simply directed to be so small as to avoid needless aggravations and collateral sufferings, its precise amount varying with the medicine used. Could Hahnemann have foreseen the medicine of to-day, how much there would have been to gladden his heart! The change wrought even in the practice of the old school would be a matter for great thankfulness on his part; but how his spirit would have bounded when he looked upon the band of his own followers! The few disciples made during his lifetime have swollen into a company of some ten thousand practitioners, who daily, among the millions of their clientèle, in their scores of hospitals and dispensaries and charitable homes, carried out his beneficent reform, making the treatment of disease the simple administering of a few mostly tasteless and odorless doses, and yet therewith so reducing its mortality that their patients' lives could be assured at |