Traill's Medical Jurisprudence.'

The valuable work of our friend, Professor Beck, has been so long before the profession, that it is not necessary for us to speak of its sterling merits. Still there has been room for a smaller treatise, that may give the "outlines" of the science, leaving it for those who may wish to study the subject profoundly to consult the larger. Dr. Traill has supplied such a desideratum, and has given, in epitome, the leading general principles of medical jurisprudence, and of medical police.

The American editor "has restricted himself to the correction of errors, and to the adding of such notes as appeared to him to throw additional light on the topics discussed in the text."

Sir James Clark on Climate.

The reception which this work has experienced from the profession-as indicated by its being in its third edition-is a sufficient evidence of its worth. The distinguished author has had ample opportunities for testing the sanative agency of different climates, and is possessed of excellent powers for improving those opportunities. Since the work was given into the hands of the compositor, we have seen it advertised for republication in New York, so that it will be placed fairly before the profession of this country. Sir James has had no experience of the climates on this side of the Atlantic, but he indulges in philosophical reflections which may be applied to all.

Tweedie's Library of Medicine.3

This volume concludes the Library of Practical Medicine proper, and is equal to any of its predecessors. The encomiums which we have passed upon them, may with much propriety be transferred to this. also, a general index to the series.

It contains,

The enterprising publishers have in press a System of Midwifery, from the able pen of Dr. Rigby, and they propose to publish a forthcoming surgical work, as soon as it appears in London, with notes by an American

surgeon.

The whole series will be well worthy of a place in the library of the practitioner.

1 Outlines of a Course of Lectures on Medical Jurisprudence. By Thomas Stewart Traill, M. D., F. R. S. E., &c. &c., Regius Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Medical Police in the University of Edinburgh. First American from the second Edinburgh edition. Revised, with numerous notes. 8vo. pp. 234. Philad. 1841.

2 On the Sanative Influence of Climate. By Sir James Clark, Bart., F. R. S.; Phy. sician in Ordinary to her Majesty and to Prince Albert, &c. &c. Third edition. 12mo. pp. 337. Lond. 1841.

3 Dissertations on Hemorrhages, Dropsy, Rheumatism, Gout, Scrofula, &c. &c., with a Formulary and General Index. By Geo. Burrows, M. D., &c. &c.; Geo. Budd, M. D., &c. &c.; Thomas Watson, M. D., &c. &c.; Thomas Shapter, M. D., &c. &c.; Richard Rowland, M. D., &c. &c.; William Budd, M. D.; Arthur Farre, M. D., &c. &c.; and W. Bruce Joy, M. D., &c. &c. Edited by Alex. Tweedie, M. D., F. R. S., &c. &c. with Notes by W. W. Gerhard, M. D., &c. &c. 8vo. pp. 514. Philad. 1841.

Rauch's Psychology.'

To the first edition of this work, we drew the attention of our readers in the last volume of the Intelligencer. The call for a second edition so soon, sufficiently indicates the value that is placed upon it. Since the appearance of the first edition, the talented author has died, leaving a void not easily filled in the respectable college over which he so ably presided.

New York Medical Gazette.

We have received the first number of a new weekly under this title, edited by Dr. William C. Roberts, of New York; and we hail its appearance with pleasure-coming, as it does, so immediately after the decease of the New York Quarterly. The superior advantages of New York for medical instruction have been pointed out most elaborately of late, and we see no reason why she should not possess them; but if such be the fact, there certainly must be lukewarmth in the cause of medical science, when we see the difficulty in establishing a successful medical journal in that city.

The present undertaking, we trust, will succeed better than its predecessors. The number before us contains contributions from Prof. J. B. Beck, of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and from Dr. J. Kearny Rogers, surgeon to the New York Hospital.

Dr. Paine and Dr. Bowditch.—The controversy between these gentlemen, growing out of the work of the former, has closed, and we trust amicably, notwithstanding the war of words that has existed for some time between them. As in every controversy of the kind, the parties have disturbed their own equanimity without making much impression upon those whom they are desirous of convincing; for it rarely happens that the contending parties produce any change upon each other's opinions; and the public generally interest themselves but little in the merits of the question, whilst they are always ready to censure both parties. So satisfied are we that this is the general feeling, that it would be difficult to induce us to engage in literary warfare. Notoriety is sometimes acquired by such displays, but it is unenviable; and therefore undesirable. It rarely happens, too, that the points in dispute remain the same as in the first instance. Language is misunderstood, and clearness of perception largely interfered with, by involuntary prepossessions or insufficient examination. Of this, we have an example in the Rejoinder of Dr. Bowditch to Dr. Paine's Reply, (supplement to Boston Med. Journal, June 16, 1841,) in which Dr. Bowditch states that

1 Psychology; or a View of the Human Soul, including Anthropology. Adapted for the use of colleges. By Rev. Frederick A. Rauch, D. P., late President of Marshall College, Penn. Second edition, revised and improved. 8vo. pp. 401. New York, 1841.

we have accused him of being too severely personal. His words are"Moreover, having been accused of being too severely personal, (Dunglison's Journal,) it gratifies me to find that one journal in this country sustains me, (Baltimore Medical and Surgical Journal,)" &c. Our remarks, (Oct. 15, 1840,) were-" The author (Dr Bowditch) is an estimable individual; but his zeal for a favourite preceptor (Louis) has outrun his discretion. The 'remarks' are polemical throughout, and often-what is always to be deprecated personal." Dr. Bowditch is not accused by us of being "too severely personal;" nor do we find that the Journal, which he quotes, tains" him in being so.

sus

We cite this as an evidence merely of the facility with which new points may arise in pending controversies. The matter had now better rest; already, indeed, the points of discussion are forgotten by most persons; and all that remains, is a vague recollection that an angry discussion had been carried on between two respectable individuals, in relation to something connected with M. Louis.

Water Doctors.-We learn that, in Paris, the homœopathist is hiding his diminished head before the water doctor, who is the author of the new system

"to make the vulgar stare,

Till the swoln bubble bursts, and all is air.”

It is strange that the established inanity of all empirical pretensions, from those of Dr. Rock and Dr. Solomon downwards, has not taught the public to profit by experience. They are as ready as ever to follow in the wake of every advertising quack. The second number of the New York Gazette animadverts with propriety on the system for notoriety and pelf, pursued by men who are in the ranks of the profession, and who stoop to the vilest of charlatanry, only to be equaled by the vendors of razor strops, bear's grease, &c. The true vehicles for professional communications are the medical journals, and we trust-with the editor of the London Lancet-" that before long, no greater condemnation can attach itself to the reputation of a medical man, than to have his name vaunted, and his deeds praised, in the ignorant effusions of the political journals."

Stewart on the Diseases of Children.-In speaking of this work, recently published, the editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal remarks"Should the present race of medical critics be sparing of praise, it is quite certain that posterity will do justice to the patience, genius, and professional attainments of the author." We doubt not that this praise is merited; but for ourselves we wish to say, that the reason why we "are sparing of praise" is, that the work has never been sent to us; and we suspect that such is the case with other "medical critics" besides ourselves. It is a common law with editors, that in order for a book to be noticed at all, it must come before them in the legitimate mode.

Medical College of Ohio.-The Annual Catalogue for 1840-41 contains the names of 130 students: of whom there were from Ohio, 95;

Indiana, 9; Illinois, 3; Kentucky, 7; Louisiana, 1; South Carolina, 1; Mississippi, 1; Massachusetts, 2; Virginia, 1; New York, 3; Missouri, 1; Pennsylvania, 5; Canada, 1.

The number of graduates was 31.

William and Mary College, Virginia.-We find by the Annual Catalogue of this old and respectable institution, that Professor Millington, undertakes a class for medical instruction, for which he possesses ample means of illustration. The subjects taught in the first session, are anatomy, physiology, materia medica, and pharmacy. In the second session, anatomy of the nerves and organs of sense, pathology and therapeutics, operations of surgery, materia medica and pharmacy continued and concluded. The text books are the same as those used in the principal medical colleges.

Pennsylvania Medical College.-Dr. R. M. Bird has been appointed to the vacancy occasioned by the death of Dr. Colhoun. Dr. Bird is an estimable and accomplished gentleman.

Medical College of the State of South Carolina.-The Annual Reportwhich contains an able valedictory address to the class, by Prof. Dicksongives the names of 51 graduates: of whom 41 were from South Carolina; 4 from North Carolina; 4 from Alabama; and 2 from Georgia.

Dr. Geddings has been transferred to the surgical chair vacated by Dr. Wagner, owing to ill health.

Vermont Academy of Medicine.—The Annual Catalogue and Circular of the Vermont Academy of Medicine for the session of March, 1841, contains the names of fifty-four medical students.

Medical Department of Transylvania University.-Dr. E. Bartlett has been appointed to the chair of the theory and practice of medicine, vacated by the able teacher, Dr. N. R. Smith, of Baltimore.

Berkshire Medical School.-Dr. James M'Clintock, Professor of Anatomy in the Vermont Academy of Medicine, has been appointed to the same chair in the Medical School at Pittsfield, Mass.

Poisoning by Solution of Acetate of Lead-Lead found in the Urine.'A young girl of good constitution, driven by despair to suicide, took about an ounce of acetate of lead in solution. She was almost immediately seized with collapse and syncope, and afterwards with vomiting and convulsions. Sugared water, sulphate of magnesia, and sulphate of soda, were given, but she died in twenty-five hours. She voided a large quantity of urine, which M. Villeneuve sent to M. Orfila. Carbonised, treated by nitric acid, and submitted to the tests of the salts of lead, this urine afforded a sensible quantity of lead.

1 Journal des Connaissances Médico-Chirurgicales, Janvier, 1841; and Brit. and For. Med. Review, July, 1841, p. 249.

On the Employment of Arsenious Acid in Phthisis Pulmonalis. By M. Trousseau.-M. Trousseau is now making trial of the powers of arsenic in phthisis at the Hospital Necker; a means, however, not new, as Dioscorides employed fumigations of the sulphuret of arsenic in the same disease. During some few months, M. Trousseau has submitted eight patients to the action of this agent. In four affected with diarrhoea, the disease continued its progress; it was in an advanced stage, and death occurred in the usual manner. In four others, notwithstanding vast caverns, and symptoms which announced approaching death, the symptoms amended under the influence of arsenious fumigations, the general health improved, appetite returned, digestion was good, emaciation checked, and the cough and expectoration diminished.

A sheet of white paper is dipped in a solution composed of one part of arseniate of soda and thirty parts of water. The paper is then made into little cigars of the length of a finger, and the patient is directed to smoke one, or even two, daily, in such a manner that the fumes may pass into the lung. This is readily accomplished, by the patient inspiring the moment the fumes enter the mouth. This inspiration of arsenious vapour at first causes slight cough, but after some time both cough and expectoration are much diminished.

In

This means, though it has not as yet cured phthisis, deserves a trial. one case of chronic catarrh with emphysema, it rapidly removed symptoms of suffocation. Careful experiments should be made with this remedy, for phthisis is a disease hitherto so incurable, that any thing which affords any probability of effecting permament good is worthy of investigation.

On Tincture of Iodine as a topical Application to Phagedenic Chancres. By. M. Ricord. After a trial of all the most common topical applications recommended in the treatment of phagedenic chancre, M. Ricord finds them all frequently inefficacious, and from none has he obtained such prompt and happy results as from the tincture of iodine. He has employed this tincture during the last three months, and almost constantly obtained a prompt modification of the ulcerated surfaces, which soon lose their phagedenic character. This has occurred in many cases. The action of the iodine was particularly evident in a patient who had an open bubo, the ulceration being phagedenic and very extensive. Various means were employed during two months without success, when the tincture of iodine alone so modified the ulcerated surfaces, that their extent visibly diminished from day to day. The iodine of potassium had been given in this case without effect, but its use was continued conjointly with the tincture of iodine as a topical application. The cure was perfect in less than a month.

Ectropion cured by Autoplasty. By M. Bérard.-M. Bérard presented to the academy a young butcher, whose inferior eyelid, all except the free border, had been destroyed by a malignant pustule. After having arrested the progress of this terrible disease, M. Bérard sought to repair the loss of substance, and prevent greater depression of the free border of the eyelid already affected by ectropion. A portion of integument was taken from the temporal region, and applied just below the inferior eyelid. The superior border of this slip became united to the inferior border of the eyelid, and its inferior border to the superior edge of the malar integuments. The whole

1 Bulletin Général de Thérapeutique. Février 15 et 28, 1841; and Brit. and For. Med. Review, July, 1841, p. 249.

2 Ibid. p. 252.

3 Bulletin de l'Académie Royale de Médecine. Mars 15, 1841; and Brit. and For. Med. Review, July, 1841, p. 252.