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609 amination. His growing conviction had been that instru- mentation was toc freely and too frequently had recourse to. He showed certain instruments, and explained their action.- Dr. A. Macdonald spoke of need of thorough evacuation of the uterine cavity in cases of abortion, whether the curette or fingers were used.-Professor Simpson had long been familiar with the curette.-Dr. J. B. BUIST read notes of a case of Retroversion of the Gravid Uterus. There had been difficulty in micturition since the cessation of menstruation five months previously, which rather suddenly increased after exertion. The bladder became much distended, and the enlarged and retroverted uterus was felt filling the pelvis. Attempts at forcible reduction having failed, a purgative dose of castor oil was administered, and the next day the uterus was found in the normal position. Some pelvic inflammation ensued. It was suggested that dis- tension of the bladder may have caused the retroversion. The pelvic inflammation was no doubt due to the dragging that had taken place on the uterine ligaments, and not to the force used in the attempt at reduction. - Drs. Keiller, Macdonald, and others spoke in the discussion that followed. GLASGOW MEDICO-CHIRURGICAL SOCIETY.-This Society met on March 15th, Dr. Scott Orr in the chair.-Dr. CHAR- TERIS initiated a discussion on the treatment of Acute Rheumatism. He gave a rapid review of the various modes of treatment which had been practised, from the compara- tively moderate venesection of Sydenham down to the more modern methods. Among these latter he specially adverted to the mode of blistering in succession the affected joints, and giving alkalies to neutralise the acid produced in the course of the disease. This was an improvement on former methods; it shortened the disease by ten days, and heart complications were believed to be reduced in frequency. The treatment by salicin or salicylic acid was then intro- duced, and this he looked upon as the best treatment for acute rheumatism at present known, and of the nature of a specific. Relief was experienced in from thirty-four to forty-eight hours, and the temperature also fell. Heart complications were not averted, except indirectly by the arrest of the disease. If the disease was very acute, with severe head symptoms, they must not trust to the salicylates, butto cold baths. Experience had led him to the conclusion that salicin should not be continued after the temperature reached 99°. If continued longer it exercised a depressing effect.-Dr. McCall Anderson agreed that for the ordinary run of cases salicin was the best treatment. But there were cases in which it failed, and even some in which the pyrexia was increased. But other subordinate points of treatment must be attended to, such as warmth, the state of the alimentary canal, dietary, &c. He could not look on salicin as a specific in the disease.-Dr. Gairdner insisted on the following points: (1) that no confidence could be placed in small doses of salicin; (2) in gonorrhoeal rheumatism it had no effect at all; (3) that the effect of the drug was not de- pendent upon, or not commensurate with, its antipyretic effect; there was something specific in its effect.-Dr. Scott Orr said that with salicin his results had only been fairly successful. He would still prefer acetate of potash.-The subject was further discussed by Drs. J. Reid, Renfrew,. Morton, Macmillan, Thomson, and others. Reviews and Notices of Books. Pathologische Anatomie des Ohres (A ug-al Pathology). Von Prof. SCHWARTZE. Berlin : Herschwald. 1878. THIS excellent book on Aural Pathology will be welcomed as a most important addition to the literature of the science of otology, towards the progress of which we think that it is likely to do a great deal. Indeed, in this respect, we regard its appearance now as quite opportune, because much of what we have had added to our knowledge of the pathology of ear diseases since Toynbee’s time has emanated from our German confrères; and this knowledge, hitherto for the Diost part scattered up and down in various journals, and therefore inaccessible, or nearly so, to most practitioners, is gathered up and presented to us in this volume as a com- plete study. Of course, in speaking thus, we do not overlook the value. and importance of the pathological labours of our own countrymen, nor does the author of this book do so ;, on the contrary, he ascribes to Toynbee the honour of having, " founded" aural pathology; and to Hinton, among others, he makes frequent reference, especially to his " Atlas of £ the. Membrana Tympani," which remains, as his other works also do, to form " stepping stones for others to ad- vance upon," and as lasting memorials of the valuable aid which this lately deceased and accomplished man gave to the specialty which he dignified and adorned. When we mention therefore that in this work by Professor Schwartze we have, and for the first time, a summary of the labours of the distinguished band of special pathologists who have risen into eminence in Germany since the death of Toynbee, and that indeed all that has been written on this subject, either before or since his time, is noticed in it, we state the grounds upon which our hope rests, that the appearance of this book now may effect a good purpose in respect to the progress of otology. To this summary of the labours of others the author bar, added the results of his own extensive and well-nigh, if not, quite, unparalleled experience as an aural pathologist, and which is not the least valuable feature of the volume. Indeed, it is this special qualification on the author’s part that would appear to have fitted him for undertaking that which he has so satisfactorily accomplished. We have therefore to express our entire satisfaction with the book ; indeed, its merits are very great. It is concise, complete, and exhaustive of the subject, in proof of which we need only state that within the compass of a little over 130 pages of widely-printed letter-press the author has managed to give us all the knowledge that at present exists on the pathology of ear diseases. Besides this, however, the literature of the subject of which the book treats is fully recorded in its pages, and for every statement of fact not observed by the author himself we have the authority given upon whose responsibility it. is made; this alone makes the book of great value as a work of reference to aural surgeons, and indeed to all who are interested in the subject of ear diseases-to whom we. cordially recommend it. We may add that it is very fully illustrated by well-executed woodcuts, and that most. of these are original and representative of specimens in the possession of the author. Altogether we congratulate Professor Schwartze upon the; excellence of his work, which we understand is in course of. being translated into English by Dr. Orme Green, of Boston, U.S.A. ____________ A Text-book of Physiology. By MICHAEL FOSTER, M.D., &c. Second Edition. Macmillan and Co. 1878. WE are glad to see that this treatise, published little more than a year ago, has already reached a second edition. It well deserves the position it has taken as one of the best manuals on the subject. It is curious to notice, however, the tendency to swell that exists in all works on physiology. Is it that the authors cannot bring themselves to expunge what has once been committed to paper ? or is it easier ta add than to correct and modify ? or do the authors know more ? or, lastly, is real work proceeding at so rapid a rate that, as in the case of the book before us, nearly a hundred pages have to be added in the course of one year ? Dr. Foster has not been contented to make only a few verbal additions,. but has very conscientiously worked over the whole subject" as is apparent from the alterations we meet with on every page. To the account of the blood he has now appended A. Schmidt’s theory of the ferment by which coagulation is produced—a theory that has been advocated by Dr. Bardon- Sanderson in his Lectures on Comparative Pathology. It seems to us that much more evidence must be adduced.
