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siderably covered by the lid, which he could not raise, and themotions of the eye were very inefficient when the lid waselevated. The eye has now returned within the orbit; he cannearly raise the lid, and see very well, and the action of themuscles under the influence of the third pair of nerves, is nearlynormal. His mouth is still sore, and he continues to apply hisblisters.

Rebiews and Notices of Books.

The Thirty-Sixth Volume of the Medico-Chirurgical Trans-actions. Longmans, 1853.

THIS volume, which may be called a medical annual, hasat last appeared, the publication having been delayed some-what beyond the usual time. It contains several papers ofmore than common interest and merit. An examinationof the contents, indeed, satisfactorily proves the advantagesthat may accrue to scien--e by applying the resources of a

society to the production of elaborate articles, illustrated byexpensive drawings. There are, it is true, in this volume,several articles which might as well have appeared in theordinary channels of professional information. But there areothers which are especially deserving of that kind of separatepublication and illustration which the Society can best bestow.These papers in their turn give to the volume an intrinsicvalue, and tend in an eminent degree to promote the credit ofthe Society. It is to these that we propose more particularlyto direct the attention of our readers. The first paper consistsof an elaborate analysis of c _ses in hospital practice, affordinga comparative view of some of the more important points inthe Pathology of Rheumatic and Non-Rheumatic Pericarditis,by Dr. E. L. Ormerod. Out of eighty-five cases of pericarditisit results that no less than twenty-four could not be traced toany rheumatic influence. Perhaps we cannot better charac-terize this paper, or express more emphatically our opinion ofits value, than by stating that the results present a remarkableconfirmation of those advanced in this journal in 1845 by thataccomplished physician, the late Dr. Taylor. We would, how-ever, add, that this investigation by Dr. Ormerod is anotherstep tending strongly to shake the very prevalent belief, thatthere exists an almost constant relation between pericarditisand rheumatism. It is worth while to remember that Chomelhas long questioned this connexion, and we remember that inhis annual summary of his clinical cases, he was in the habit of

showing that in a large proportion of instances of pericarditis,no relation with rheumatism could be traced.The next paper is one of a very different order of merit.

Original research, great powers of observation, an extraordinarycapacity for minute analysis, and for tracing out obscure rela-tions to luminous truths, and an unrivalled felicity in the pro-duction of beautiful microscopical illustrations, mark the paperof Dr. Hassall on the Development of Torulæ in the Urine as

one of the most striking features of the book. In this aclmira-ble article the growth and scientific characters of the Peniciliumglaucum and the sugar fungus, in all their stages, are traced, Idescribed, and figured -with great precision. The pathologicalrelations of these singular productions are also examined, andthe results arrived at are of the highest interest, and of greatpractical importance. The frequency of the development oftorulæ in the urine is shown by the fact that they were ob-served in twenty-four out of thirty-two samples of urine sub-jected to examination. It was also determined that thoseurines in which the fungus made its appearance were invariablymore or less acid, the degree of development varying with theacidity. And provided that they were sufficiently acid, thefungus appeared alike in albuminous and non-albuminous urines.It was next discovered that the second condition necessary tothe production of this fungus is the presence of a2zi7?z(tl nzatter.A third condition is the presence of a certain amount of atmo-

spheric air. These results confirm those of Dutrochet, and ofAndral and Gavarret; but the author’s investigations satisfac-

torily demonstrate in addition the fallacy of the conclusionmaintained by Dr. B. Jones and others, that the developmentof torula? in the urine is evidence of albumen to an extent whichwill be revealed by heat and nitric acid. It is enough that alittle mucus exist.

The second part of the paper contains the investigation intothe growth of torulae in saccharine urine. The value of thetorula-test as an indication of the presence of sugar is much

disputed. The ably-conducted examinations of Dr. Hassallestablish clearly, not only that the sugar fungus is a valuabletest for saccharine urine, but also that through its means theexistence of sugar may be ascertained in the urine when the

proportion is so minute, and the period of its appearance soearly, as not to be revealed by the potash and copper tests. Tothe practical physician this is a result of the highest interest.For treatment to be successful, early detection is of obviousimportance.

Dr. Hassall has shown that there are two distinct kinds, thePenicilium glaucum developed in albuminous matter, and thesugar fungus developed in saccharine urine.

Dr. Hassall has also discovered that phosphate of lime mayoccur in the urine in the form of crystals, and that these crystalshave been mistaken by Dr. Golding Bird and others for avariety of the neutral magnesian phosphate. The torulae seenin urine have commonly been confounded.Another result, amongst many others, made out in this

paper, is the fact that there exists a close relationship betweencrystals of phosphate of lime and small quantities of sugar.The drawings exhibiting the different stages in the develop-ment of the Penicilium glaucum, and of the yeast-plant, are ofsingular beauty, and fully sustain the reputation Dr. Hassallhas achieved for microscopical research and illustration.

The next paper contains a minute relation of the dailychanges in the urine in a case of albuminous and fatty urine.It is difficult to extract from it any definite practical lesson,and we can see no reason why a paper of this kind should nothave been printed in a weekly journal. The same remark

applies to another paper by the same writer on IntermittingDiabetes.Then follows a short paper on Degeneration of the Placenta,

by Dr. Druitt, who was led by Dr. Barnes’ well-known re-searches on Fatty Degeneration of the Placenta, published inthe thirty-fourth volume of the Trartsections, to endeavour todetermine how far this was a normal condition. Dr. Druittbelieves that incipient degeneration is a normal condition ofthe placenta at the end of pregnancy, and looks upon it asarising from partial cessation of the active functions of theorgan when the fœtal development is nearly completed. Butthis view is certainly at variance with sound physialogy, aswell as with facts. Dr. Barnes has expressly stated that hehas examined a large number of healthy placentas withoutdiscovering more than the most trivial marks of degeneration;and there is certainly no time when the full integrity andactivity of the placenta is more essential to the fcetus than atthe end of gestation. Dr. Druitt also too hastily conjectures--for he advances no evidence to support his view—that when

degeneration occurs in the early months it proably arisesfrom some antecedent want of nutritive force in the fostus,or by its death. Nothing is more firmly established thanDr. Barnes’ proposition, that it is frequently the primary cameof abortion.While discussing this subject it will be convenient to break

through the consecutive order, and to analyze briefly the veryvaluable paper in which Dr. Barnes himself continues the re-lation of his original researches upon the pathology of theplacenta, commenced in the thirty-fourth volume. We have

on a former occasion expressed our opinion that the discoveryof fatty degeneration of the placenta, and the influence of thisdisease in causing haemorrhage, death of the fo3tus, and abor.tion, was one of the most original and important contributions

72

to pathology and obstetrics which had appeared for manyyears. This opinion is abundantly verified, by the numerousillustrative facts and the sound reasoning adduced in Dr.Barnes’ second paper. The author here describes several newforms of fatty degeneration; he details several additional cases,"Some of which were furnished to him by other gentlemen, whotook an interest in facilitating his researches. Omitting, forwant of space, his cogent arguments in support of his con-clusion, that fatty degeneration occurring at an early periodmay cause the death of the fœtus, we will refer to one case-which appears to us altogether convincing. A child was bornalive and strong at the full term of gestation; a considerableportion of the placenta exhibited fatty degeneration. There

could be no doubt that this change commenced late in preg-nancy, and it is obviously impossible to attribute it to mal-nutrition or death of the child. We cannot avoid assentingto the author’s conclusion, that had it commenced earlier, andhad time been given for greater spread of the disease, that thefcetus must have been cut off by it. One of the new forms of

fatty degeneration described by Dr. Barnes is figured. Dr.

Barnes has undoubtedly laid a new and broad foundation uponwhich the true pathology of the placenta may be safely con-structed.The three following papers contain the particulars of as

many cases of hypertrophy of the tongue. The first is by Mr.Humphrey, of Cambridge ; it was successfully treated byampu-tation. The second, by Mr. Hodgson, successfully treated byligature. The third, by Mr. Teale, of Leeds, successfully treatedby compression.The next paper contains an account, by Dr. Monro, of the

Coldstream Guards, of a case of popliteal aneurism cured by- compression. This case is exceedingly interesting and valu-able. The patient died five months afterwards of aneurismof the abdominal aorta, and thus gave an opportunity of dis-secting the affected limb.An elaborate essay " On the Nature and Proximate Cause

of Phlegmasia Dolens," by Dr. Mackenzie, constitutes anothervaluable feature of the book. He relates a series of experimentsupon dogs, from which he draws the conclusion, that mere inflam-mation and obstruction of the veins cannot produce thesymptoms of phlegmasia dolens. He also very pertinentlyremarks, that extensive phlebitis may occur without inducingthe symptoms of phlegmasia dolens. He infers-and the con-clusion is strictly logical-that some other condition mustexist. A long series of experiments, ably conducted, are

adduced to prove that the origin of obstructive phlebitis is tobe sought for rather in a vitiated condition of the blood thanin any local injury, inflammation, or disease of the veins. Dr.Mackenzie then analyzes, with great acuteness, the histories ofa large number of cases of puerperal fever and phlegmasiadolens, with a view to the deduction of the essential conditionsupon which the morbid appearances depend. He finds that ina large proportion there was no local injury or lesion of thettterus, but that febrile derangement preceded for some timethe affection. We believe the author is justiiled in his conclu-sion, that the results of clinical experience harmonize with, andsupport those of physiological research, and that both indicatethe origin of phlegmasia dolens from a primary vitiation of theblood. This conclusion is, it is well known, totally opposed tothe theory of Dr. Robert Lee. We may presume that Dr. Lee feltthe force of the blow struck at his doctrines, since he found itnecessary to produce a rifacciamento of his old opinions, underthe title of "Further. Researches on the Pathology of Phleg-masia Dolens," in order to combat the views of Dr. Mackenzie.He adheres, with characteristic pertinacity, to his opinion,that inflammation of the iliac and femoral veins is the proxi-mate cause of the disease. But we think we are not unjust instating that he does not advance a single new idea to justifythe title " further Researches." There is hardly a case

related which is not ten years old, or which has not been pre-

viously published. Most of them, indeed, had already beenanalyzed by Dr. Mackenzie.A paper by Dr. Croker Pennell, of Rio Janeiro, establishes

a new and important fact in the pathology of yellow fever.In fifty dissections of patients whom he had seen during life,the author found in every instance a clot in the cavities of theheart or great vessels. He clearly proves that this clot wasformed during life, and explains the symptoms by which hewas always enabled to diagnose its formation. He says he has

diagnosed the existence of these clots in nearly a hundredcases, all of which, as he predicted, proved fatal.Mr. Syme’s urethra-slitting operation is already sufficiently

known to and condemned by the profession.A valuable paper is that by Mr. Bowman on the use of two

needles at once, in the operations for capsular cataract andartiiicial pupil.

Mr. Prescott Hewitt contributes an interesting analysis ofthe cases of injuries of the head examined after death at St.George’s Hospital during the two years ending in January,1851.

Mr. Flower contributes a case of perforating ulcer of theoesophagus, which caused death by penetrating the aorta.Then follows a paper of unusual interest from Mr. Marson,

the resident surgeon to the Small-Pox Hospital. His analysisincontestibly proves the virulence of small-pox in the unpro-tected, and its comparative mildness in those who have beenpreviously vaccinated. It is impossible for us to give a fairview of all the valuable facts in this paper. We have, indeed,already referred to it in connexion with the working of theNew Vaccination Act. It deserves a most attentive perusal.Mr. Wharton Jones adds another to his numerous contribu-

tions on the state of the blood and bloodvessels in innamm&-tion. Nothing from the pen of this accurate and originalobserver is void of interest and value.Mr. Henry Gray gives an account ot a dissection 01 an

ovarian cyst which contained brain. The Transactions have

long been the repository of the sports of nature. The presentvolume, but for this and the next case, would have formed anexception to the rule. Mr. George V. Ellis records an instanceof remarkable deformity of the lower limbs.A valuable contribution by Mr. Curling, who has already

done so much to clear up the pathology of the testicle, oncystic disease of that organ, brings back the volume to itsmore legitimate purpose. It results from the author’s verycareful researches, that cystic disease occurs in two forms,-amalignant and non-malignant, the former being by far the mostrare. Both forms are the results of morbid changes in theducts of the rete testis. The innocent form is characterised bythe presence of tesselated epithelium in the cysts, whilst themalignant exhibits nucleated cancer cells. The distinction isof obvious practical importance. Some excellent illustrationsadd to the value of this paper.The volume terminates with accounts of some experi-

ments on the excitability of paralyzed and healthy limbs bythe galvanic current, by Dr. Todd, which, however, possess nonovelty.

Before closing the book, we have to offer one or two generalremarks. To entitle a paper to admission into a volume ofthis character, it should possess some feature of original merit.Some of the papers would have been excluded if tried by thistest. We regard it as a great improvement that this volumecontains fewer additions to the large collection formed by theSociety of monsters, rare cases, and other curiosities of medicalliterature. The class of contributions especially deserving ofselection by the Society are those which, on account of theirstandard character, or the necessity of expensive illustrations,

L cannot be published in a fitting manner in the medical journals.’ We trust that no ill-advised parsimony will ever induce the

Council to limit unnecessarily the number of drawings.. Whether the beauty or the intrinsic and scientific value of

73

their Toansactioyas be considered, a just liberality in thisdirection is the wisest economy. It is quite clear that, butfor the sake of illustration, no great inducement is held out toauthors to publish their essays in the Medico-ChirurgicalTransactions at all. The production of mere letter-press canreflect but partial credit upon the Society.We have another word of advice to add. If the Society

would sustain its scientific reputation, it must not lend itselfto narrow-minded intrigues. Another such a transaction asthat which has recently kindled the indignation of the pro-fession will effectually deter those whose accession is the mostto be desired.The reputation of the Society mainly depends upon the

character of its annual volume of Transactions. If, in orderto subserve the selfish views of effete corporate bodies, thosemen be rejected as fellows who are the best calculated to pro-mote the scientific objects of the Society, then not only willthe tide of scientific contributions be diverted into other

channels, - for what author would commit the fruit of hislabours and his fame to the hands of an unscrupulous clique?-but the rapid and inevitable decadence of the Society will bestayed by no professional sympathy, and not one feature ofusefulness will be left to cause a regret for its fate.

Handbook of Inorganic l2 nalysis. By FREDERICK WÖHLER,Professor of Chemistry in the University of Gottingen.Editecl by A. W. HOFMANN, Ph. D., &c. pp. 239. London.1854.

Chemistry: Theoretical, Pr°actical, and Analytical, as Appliedand Redatinrl to the Arts and Manufactures. By Dr.SHERIDAN MUSRATT, &c. Glasgow. (No date.) Parts1., 11., III.A SHORT time back we drew attention to the English version

by Dr. Hofmann of the Handbook of Organic Analysis by Pro-fessor Liebig. We may now refer with equal commendationto the same editor’s version of Wöhler’s " Inorganic Analysis."The present is a somewhat larger treatise than the former,though still a mere handbook, and will form a most admirablecompanion to that of Liebig on the shelf of the laboratory. The

present version is a faithful representation of the German work,with the exception that the hydrogen scale of equivalents hasbeen substituted for the oxygen scale adopted in the latter,and that the formulae have been written in the symbols gene-rally made use of in this country.As we are not in the habit of allowing our critical judgment

to be influenced by the opinions others have expressed on themerits or demerits of a book, we beg to inform " the publisher,"who "has much pleasure in subjoining the opinions of some ofthe most eminent chemists of the day" on Dr. Muspratt’streatise for our private information, that, as the author ap-pears, from the collection the publisher has sent us, so to havewon ’’ golden opinions from all sorts of people," tfe can but deemit a poor compliment now to offer him our own congratulations.We beg, therefore, humbly to decline the honour of so doing,the more particularly from the feeling that possesses us, thatwe could offer them with but little justice to Dr. Muspratt, orcomfort to ourselves.

The Nature of Clzelercc Investigated; with a SupplementalCh,apter on Treatment. Addressed to Junior Practitioners.By JoiiN GEORGE FRENCH, F. R. C. S., &c. London: JohnChurchill, 1854. pp. 152. Second Edition.

Asiatic Cholerca; itr Cause and Cit7,e Discovered and Demon-strated. By THOMAS HARVEY, Esq. London, 1853.pp. 44.

-

The "Laws of Cholera." Reprinted (ly permission) from" The Times." London. pp. 91.

MR. FRENCH’S treatise is written to propagate the doctrinethat cholera is produced by a. poison, the specific effect ofwhich is to paralyze the heart, (p. 18;) that the first object forthe relief of the patient is the diminution of the circulating

fluid, (p. 20;) and the second, to produce such a change in thecondition of the blood as is most compatible with the repose ofthe important organ affected, (p. 22.) It is the opinion of theauthor, that ’’ as far as the disease itself is concerned, our

remedial means are extremely limited; but our minutest atten-tion is required to watch and remedy the effect of accidentswhich the disorder may occasion, and which consist in localcongestions, or inflammation of some internal organ," &c.,(p. 65.)On the other hand, Mr. Harvey has no hesitation " to

endeavour to demonstrate the fact that nothing but a deficiencyof oxygen in the atmosphere can produce cholera in its truetype," (p. 11;) that this gives rise to "the loss of vital heat inthe blood,’’ (p. 25,) as also a separation and loss of its serum,(p. 32;) and that thus "the cure is a question purely ofchemical combination,’’ (p. 34,) and pure oxygen gas "is theremedy which I propose for Asiatic cholera !" (p. 37.) Mr.

Harvey thinks highjy, also, of allowing patients to drink coldwater ad libitum, and refers to two cases in which sixteenquarts and. thirty-two gallons were consumed respectively, andwith a speedy restoration to health; but we may inform theauthor that Mr. French refers to a patient in the Greville-street Hospital who is said to have consumed the quantity ofninety gallons.We can strongly recommend the " Laws of Cholera" to our

readers, as dealing rather with fact than with notion—withnumeric data than hypothesis—and as being an ably-condensedsummary of fairly-substantiated facts relative to many inte-resting and important points, chiefly in the physics of thismost pestilential disorder.

Foreign Department.Essay oia the Cholera, as observed at the Military Hospital of

Rien (Russia) in 1848. By Dr. DE HUBBENET, SeniorPhysician to the Hospital.DR. DE HUBBENET has just submitted the above essay to the

’’Medical Society of the Paris Hospitals;" the paper has beenvery favourably reported upon, and Dr. de Hubbenet waselected corresponding member of the Society. We shall justadduce a feiv of the propositions contained in the essay, as Dr.de Hubbenet has had excellent opportunities of observing thedisease.

1. The proportion of individuals attacked by cholera, in a

given population is variable; this proportion depends, however,chiefly on the hygienic state, and the ordinary diet of thepopulation.

2. The actual cause of an attack of cholera is to be soughtin general hygienic and dietetic influences, and not in any par-ticular state or condition, which seems to act as a cause.During the prevalence of cholera, any morbid state may becomethe occasion of an attack.

,3. Cholera may be contagious in certain circumstances; suchas commercial intercourse, migrations of large numbers of indi-

viduals, &c. The author mentions the following fact respectingthis third proposition:—The epidemic, after having reignedfor three months, had completely disappeared, when a divisionof 6000 men arrived at Rien, this corps having lost several menon the road, from cholera. Four days afterwards, cholera,patients were observed among these new troops, and the

patients already in hospital, who were convalescent afterattacks of the epidemic, and who were still in the cholera.wards, experienced second attacks.4. An individual already under the influence of disease, is

predisposed to cholera; ague has been especially noticed as a predisposing cause.

5. Neither syphilis nor tuberculosis are preservatives ofcholera.

6. The amount of mortality during the prevalence of cholerais less connected with the malignant character of the epidemicthan on the general hygienic and dietetic causes, and on thetreatment of the premonitory symptoms.As to the treatment of cholera, it is shown by Dr. de

Hubbenet that the remedies which have in turn been extolled,cannot be depended upon. He has seen the following fail com-

pletely: the saline injections into the veins—they were tried