In the midst of this discussion and uncertainty concerning the action of mercury, our author is not forgetful of his favourite hypothesis.

Mercury certainly exerts peculiar effects on the brain; and it is probably through the influence of the brain, thus irritated, that the general febrile state is produced which is so commonly observed under the free use of mercury, and not by the immediate application of the medicine to the heart and general vascular system. Dr. Adams, remarking on its use in the cure of syphilis, says, 'the fever it produces may be truly called specific, from its uniformity and total difference from all others."

"Moderately used, mercury often relieves headach depending on local increased vascular action; and it is considered as specific in the cure of that variety of inflammation of the brain or its membranes, which is improperly called hydrocephalus. It has often, also, removed gutta serena, epilepsy, and other sensorial affections. Employed so as to excite salivation, it has frequently contributed to the cure of obstinate intermittents, by rendering them obedient to the Peruvian bark, which they had before resisted; and it supersedes various other diseases that are kept up by an acquired habit." P. 406.

Let it be observed, however, that "when mercury is carried to excess, it produces head-ach, general debility, incapacity for mental exertion, and finally mania;" and that, "as happens with regard to most others, we have yet much to learn of the circumstances which should in all cases govern its administration."

Having discussed the various remedies which he recommends in the treatment of fever, our author proceeds to consider its natural cure or spontaneous termination.

"After all that has been said" (says he) "respecting the cure of fever by the different methods pointed out above, it is not to be overlooked, that fever has a strong disposition to terminate spontaneously after going through certain stages; and hence that the effects of remedies are liable, on many occasions, to be falsely estimated. This tendency is so remarkable, that many physicians have chosen to rely on it for a cure, and have dissuaded from all artificial means of bringing the disease to a crisis, preferring to leave the business altogether to nature. Others, again, deny the power of medicines to cut short the progress of fever, and think that physicians deceive themselves, by ascribing effects to causes that have in reality little or no influence on their productions." P. 408.

We quote this passage as a proper comment on our author's reasoning in the treatment of fever. He has endeayoured to establish his doctrine on both theoretical and practical grounds. The evidence of experience has been

serves,

industriously gathered in. But let it be remembered, "that the effects of remedies are liable on many occasions to be falsely estimated;" and that, as an able writer ob"the evidence that is requisite to prove or disprove any proposition in the science of medicine is of a peculiar kind. It differs entirely from that species of proof which satisfies a court of law. Both direct and circumstantial evidence, which would leave no doubt in the breasts of judges and juries, have often not the slightest tendency to render a medical fact even probable. The declarations, and even the oaths, of the most conscientious, disinterested, and able men, are all insufficient."

Our author's object has been to establish the two following propositions:-"First, that fever is not originally a disease of the whole system, as is commonly thought, but a topical affection of the brain. Secondly, that this affection consists in inflammation; the general disorder observed in the system, or what is called the febrile state, being merely symptomatic of this, the same as in other inflammations." The former of these propositions, generally speaking, we do not deny; but the second we cannot admit. The evidence of dissection falls short in establishing the point..

Inflammation, however, is insisted on; and most of the remedies that are commonly employed in inflammation are proposed. But what is inflammation? Can we deduce its proper method of eure from a knowledge of its nature? Or does experience prove that the common method of cure is properly adapted to its removal? Here, as in other cases, "the effects of remedies are liable to be falsely estimated." Some patients die, and some recover. But in the latter case can we say that the recovery was owing to the remedies? or in the former, that they had no concern in the death? ́or that the patient would not have been more safe if he had been left to "the powers of resistance of the constitution-the vis conservatrix naturæ, which, as Dr. Clutterbuck observes, "is often not only an overmatch for the disease, but for the doctor also?" Such the nature of medical evidence-such the glorious uncertainty of medicine! Verily, nostra ars conjecturalis est.

Suppose, then, that "fever is inflammation," according to our author, still the nature of fever is not explained. And the doubts and difficulties under which we labour, in the treatment of inflammation, must still hang over us in the treatment of fever.

Of all this Dr. Clutterbuck is fully aware.

"In regard to the cure of fever" (says he), "in relation to the present doctrine, I have endeavoured to speak with due caution. I have recommended no remedies with confidence, upon merely theoretical grounds, but have contented myself with hinting only at their probable utility; well knowing how fallacious every thing of this kind is, and how ready we are to discover virtues where we wish to find them.

"I have no hesitation, however" (continues he), " in expressing my firm belief, that the effects of the remedies whose powers in the cure of fever are well ascertained will be better understood, and the application of them be rendered more precise and beneficial upon the present doctrine, and by keeping always in our view the state of vascular action in the brain, than upon any other hypothesis that has yet been given respecting the seat and nature of fever." P. 435.

Without further comment, let us recommend the work itself to the perusal of our readers; and, whatever they may think of its leading doctrine, we can assure them that they will find much ingenuity and much medical erudition ; in short, that it is the production of a mind of no common ability.

Transactions of the Horticultural Society of London. Vol. I. Part I. 4to. pp. 78. 7s. 6d. Hatchard; White.

WE have often had occasion to exult in the number, spiria, and talents of the learned and philosophical societies instituted and supported throughout the United Kingdom by the voluntary contributions of their members. The appearance of Part I. of the first volume of the Transactions of the Horticultural Society, which was instituted only in the spring of 1805, is an additional cause for congratulation on the rapid and general diffusion of natural philosophy. There are, indeed, many reasons for considering the extension of this branch of human science as a positive good to society. Its effects on the passions and even appetites are not the least important of these reasons. The profound naturalist will rarely or never become a bacchanal or a gormand, still less an irregular, litigious, dishonest, or quarrelsome person. It is true, we regret to say it, a distinguished botanist may be cited as a proof that an acquaintance with the vegetable kingdom does not necessarily imply an adherence to the law of rational nature with regard to chastity. Yet it will readily be admitted, that an extensive and extending knowledge of the economy of nature is most likely in the present age to form an

efficient barrier to that practical atheism and moral turpitude which, under the mask of unitarianism, are insinuating themselves among men. If then a knowledge of the natural sciences be as useful to the support of virtue as Ray, Newton, Boyle, Derham, and others, have proved it favourable to Christianity, its diffusion at the present crisis must be considered as a great national good. When fanaticism has gained such an ascendancy in the minds of the vulgar, and infidelity and vice in those of the vain and ambitious, we do hope that the propagation of natural philosophy *, and the increase of philosophical societies, may contribute to prevent these kingdoms from experiencing those horrors and excesses which usually attend immorality and irreligion. Under this conviction it is evident that we must be friendly to the extension and views of the Horticultural Society; but, as some persons may prefer political to moral arguments, we shall extract Mr. Knight's "Introductory Remarks relative to the Objects which the Horticultural Society have in view.”

"Were it possible to ascertain the primeval state of those vegetables which now occupy the attention of the gardener and agriculturist, and immediately, or more remotely, conduce to the support and happiness of mankind; and could we trace out the various changes which art or accident has, in successive generations, produced in each, few inquiries would be more extensively. interesting. But we possess no sources from which sufficient information to direct us in our inquiries can be derived; and are still ignorant of the native country, and existence in a wild state, of some of the most important of our plants. We, however, know that improved flowers and fruits are the necessary produce of improved culture; and that the offspring, in a greater or less degree, inherits the character of its parent. The austere crab of our woods has thus been converted into the golden pippin; and the numerous varieties of the plumb can boast no other parent than our native sloe. Yet few experiments have been made, the object of which has been new productions of this sort; and almost every meliorated variety of fruit appears to have been the offspring of accident, or of culture applied to other purposes. We may therefore infer, with little danger of error, that an ample and unexplored field for future discovery and improvement lies before

* It may here be remarked, that it was not the naturalists but the metaphysicians who made such ravages on society in France. The same class of men are no little unsound in this country; and therefore, the study of nature, while it gratifies their passion for speculation, may also, perhaps, check their vanity and ambition by its variety and immensity.-Rev.

us, in which nature does not appear to have formed any limits to the success of our labours, if properly applied.

"The physiology of vegetation has deservedly engaged the attention of the Royal and Linnean Societies; and much information has been derived from the exertions of those learned bodies, Societies for the improvement of domestic animals, and of agriculture in all its branches, have also been established, with success, in almost every district of the British empire. Horticulture alone appears to have been neglected, and left to the common gardener, who generally pursues the dull routine of his predecessor; and, if he deviates from it, rarely possesses a sufficient share of science and information to enable him to deviate with success.

"The establishment of a national society for the improvement of horticulture has therefore long been wanted; and if such an institution meet with a degree of support proportionate to the importance of its object; if it proceed with cautious circumspection to publish well-ascertained facts only, to detect the errors of ignorance, and to expose the misrepresentations of fraud; the advantages which the public may últimately derive from the establishment, will probably exceed the most sanguine hopes of its founders.

Horticulture, in its present state, may with propriety be divided into two distinct branches, the useful, and the ornamental: the first must occupy the principal attention of the members of the Society, but the second will not be neglected; and it will be their object, wherever it is practicable, to combine both."

This great vegetable physiologist then reverts to the ability of plants to adopt their habits to every climate; and shows that the pear-tree, which is a native of Southern Europe, or the adjoining parts of Asia, is completely naturalised in Britain, as the English crab-tree is in the frozen region of Siberia, although these trees when newly imported from happier climates do not yield mature fruit even with the assistance of a south wall.

"As the pear and crab tree, in the preceding cases, have açquired powers of ripening their fruits in climates much colder than those in which they were placed by nature, we have some grounds of hope that the vine and peach tree may be made to adapt their habits to our climate, and to ripen their fruits without the aid of artificial heat or the reflexion of a wall; and though we are at present little acquainted with the mode of culture best calculated to produce the necessary changes in the constitution and habit of plants, attentive observation and experience will soon discover it; and experiments have already been made, which prove the facility of raising as fine varieties of fruit in this country, as any which have been imported from others."

"In the culture of many fruits, without reference to the introduction of new varieties, the Society hope to be able to point out some important improvements. Several sorts, the walnut and