He especially enthusiastic on the subject of the Bavarian or bi-valve splint of plaster of Paris, for the formation of which minute directions are given. Concerning anæsthetics, after a review of the Boston case of Mrs. Crie, and quotations from the experts examined on that occasion, the reporter admits the "growing conviction that the use of chloroform ought to be abandoned for the purposes of anesthesia," and that he is himself "compelled somewhat sorrowfully to share in this conviction." attributes the impunity with which chloroform was administered by army surgeons, during the war, to the fact of the customary previous administration of whisky. It seems strange that observers of the effects of anaesthetics should appear to have directed their attention exclusively to the condition of the heart, overlooking therein the modifications of innervation, proximately induced by the influence of these agents, and of which the changes observed in the condition of the heart are but secondary and remote consequences. The first effects of chloroform are undoubtedly manifested upon the nervous system, and assume the form of increased arterial tension, the direct result of vaso-motor irritation. An extension of this irritation, and resulting arterial tension, is soon apparent in the cerebral circulatory system, as indicated by the dilatation of the pupil and the extreme pallor of the now almost pulseless patient, whose heart still beating awaits the extension of this irritation to the pneumogastric nerve, to still its throbs in death. The successful application of the postural treatment to the restoration of patients syncopated by chloroform, demonstrates clearly the truth of the above proposition, the rationale of the treatment being simply the introduction by the operator of another mode of force, gravity, (Mayer's falling force") to the restoration of the equilibrium between arterial and cardiac action, disturbed by the influence of the chloroform acting as a vaso-motor stimulant. The heart, overwhelmed by the combined influence of the vis a fronte, arterial spasm, and of the vagus nerve, can no longer propel a sufficient amount of blood to the brain to maintain therein the degree of stimulation necessary to continue the circulatory process, and bring back to itself blood enough to maintain its own accustomed stimulus. From such a condition, escape is impossible by means of any auto-genetic agency. If the patient is now inverted, and maintained in that position, a new factor is introduced from without, gravity, under the influence of which the arterial tension is overcome by hæmostatic pressure, the blood descends in increased quantity into the vessels of the inverted brain, an increased supply of nerve force is developed, the pupils contract, the inhibitory influence of the vagus is overcome, more blood is admitted to the heart, this organ is awakened to renewed life, and with its restored activity the pulse beats anew, color and warmth return, and the normal equilibrium of function is restored. The reports generally deserve extended notice, did time and space permit-none of them, perhaps, more so than that on Ophthalmology, by Prof. E. L. Holmes, and that upon Idiocy, by C. T. Wilbur. The reading of the proof has not been as carefully performed as it might have been, as is rendered apparent by numerous orthographical errors, which could scarcely be attributed to the authors of the papers. Taken altogether, the volume is exceedingly creditable to the members of the State Medical Society. H. THE COMPLETE HAND-BOOK OF OBSTETRIC SURGERY. By Charles Clay, M.D., Late Senior Surgeon and Lecturer on Midwifery, St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester, England. Philadelphia Lindsay & Blakiston. The design of the author in this little book is implied in the title. While we have read the book with some interest, frankly, we cannot see the necessity of handbooks in any department of medicine; and least of all do they seem called for in obstetric surgery. Is it intended as the first book for a student? What student would be satisfied with the incomplete description of ob stetric operations and diseases which a small hand-book must necessarily contain! If unsuitable as a first book, it is not necessary as a review, which can be made in a completer treatise. Is it intended for the busy practitioner? What surgeon would perform ovariotomy with no other book than this to recall to his mind the many points in the operation! If it is convenient for the practitioner to consult this book in an emergency, it will be equally convenient for him to consult a completer monograph. Still, any one who has plenty of time and means to devote to books of all kinds, may also read this with some profit. The arrangement of the subjects, which the book contains, in alphabetical order, may present some advantages, yet it seems like going from extreme to extreme to speak of the treatment of piles and hare-lip upon the same page. The author says of chloroform as an anæsthetic agent, "we have no other that offers the same immunity from suffering." We believe this, the extension of an error; for every surgeon and obstetrician in America knows that sulphuric ether gives an immunity from pain quite as complete, while its use is infinitely less hazardous. Further, "it is a singular and significant fact, that no death has been recorded from its use in midwifery;" this he attributes to, first, "That the patient is not (or at least ought not to be) completely thrown over into a state of perfect anesthesia (or snoring), but kept just within the limit; not quite unconscious, yet not sensible to pain." This leads to the inference that an agent acknowledged to be extremely dangerous in surgery may be used with safety in obstetrics, attention being drawn only to the degree of anesthesia. This is wrong. It may be that no death has been recorded from the obstetric use of chloroform, but at least two instances have been narrated to us of women who have died in labor, from the effects of chloroform, in the hands of gentlemen experienced in its use. It is a fact, unfortunately, that death from chloroform occurs oftenest before the state of insensibility is reached, and when the victim is in just that state which the author urges is safe. The conclusion is, that chloroform is endowed with a property, peculiar to itself, which will surely destroy life under some circumstances which we are not able to recognize; further, in some instances, the inhalation of a few drops only is sufficient to kill. PAMPHLETS RECEIVED. S. THIRTEENTH BIENNIAL REPORT of the Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, for 1873, 1874, 1875. ANNUAL REPORT of the Supervising Surgeon of the Marine Hospital Service of the United States for the Fiscal Year 1874. Jno. M. Woodworth, M.D. Washington. 1874. JOURNALS RECEIVED. The American Medical Weekly-Vol. ii, Nos. 17, 18. , The American Practitioner-Vol. xl, No. 65. The Canada Medical and Surgical Journal-Vol. iii, No. 10. The Cincinnati Lancet and Observer-Vol. xviii, No. 5. The Chicago Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease-Vol. ii, No. 2. The Clinic-Vol. viii, Nos. 17, 18, 19. The Detroit Review of Medicine and Pharmacy-Vol. x, No. 5. The Dental Cosmos-Vol. xvii, No. 5. The Eclectic Medical Journal-Vol. xxxv, No. 5. The Indiana Journal of Medicine-Vol. vi, No. 1. The Journal of Materia Medica-Vol. xiv, No. 5. The Laboratory, Boston-Vol. i, No. 10. The London Lancet, April, 1875. The Medical Times (Philad.)-Vol. v, Nos. 183, 184. The Medical and Surgical Reporter-Vol. xxxii, Nos. 17, 18, 19. The Medical Record-Vol. x, No. 17. The Medical Press and Circular, London-No. 1838. The Monthly Abstract of Medical Science-Vol. ii, No. 5. The Medical News and Library-No. 389. The Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery-Vol. xxxvi, No. 5. The New York Medical Journal-Vol. xxi, No. 5. The Ohio Medical and Surgical Reporter-Vol. ix, No. 3. The Practitioner, London-No. lxxxii. The Peninsular Journal of Medicine-Vol. ii, Nos. 4, 5. The Psychological and Medico-Legal Journal-Vol. 2, No. 4. The St. Louis Clinical Record-Vol. ii, No. 2. The St. Louis Medical and Surgical Journal-Vol. xii, No. 5. The Virginia Medical Monthly-Vol. ii, No. 2. COMPENDIUM DER NEUESTEN MEDIZINISHEN WISSENSCHAFTEN. By Dr. B. Kraus. Pages, 832. Vienna: Sporitz Perles. Having been requested, by the author, to write a short criticism on the above work, I comply hereby with his wish rather reluctantly. The author is chief editor of the "Allgemeine Wiener Medizinishe Zeitung," a medical weekly which stands deservedly high, for the really valuable articles it contains, mostly written by men of eminence, as for instance, Billroth, Pitha, etc. The Compendium comprises the auxiliary sciences to the study of medical diagnosis, viz.: Thermometry, Sphygmography, Percussion and Auscultation, Microscopy, Uroscopy, and the special branches, as Laryngoscopy, Anomalies of Speech, Electro-Therapeutics, Hygiene, and Toxicology. The articles on the different topics are written in a concise style, though sufficiently exhaustive for practical purposes. They are mostly compiled by the author himself. At the end of each article, he gives a short bibliography used by him. As I consider no medical work on any subject complete which does not refer to standard American authorities, the shortcomings of the Compendium are apparent. Austin Flint, Da Costa, Meigs, Pepper, Jacobi, and a good many others who have contributed to some of the above medical branches, are not mentioned. If a future edition should become necessary, the author will do well to correct this deficiency. Anomalies of Speech, written by the well-known Dr. Coen, an authority in that especial branch of medical science, is treated in an excellent manner, as might be expected. The article on Electro-Therapeutics comes from the pen of Staff-Surgeon Sewandowsky, treats the subject fairly, and quotes our countrymen, Beard and Rockwell, quite often. Toxicology and Hygiene emanates from the pen on the author's brother, Dr. Leopold Kraus; and as no |