hitherto been wholly overlooked, or but imperfectly treated: lence his volume presents to the consideration of medical men a body of observations and deductions of extensive practical application in the management of disordered action. Monsieur Billard, from the situation which he has long held at the "Hospice des Enfans-trouvés de Paris," has had most extensive opportunities of qualifying himself for the task he has undertaken, a d one more difficult of execution can scarcely fall to the lot of any medical prescriber. The diseases of infants are, of themselves, sufficiently intricate in their nature for the investigation of the most skilful of the profession, and when we find that to sound physiology, the author has added the characteristic symptoms of the most formidable morbid affections to which they are liable, and considered with great precision the several relations to which they are associated, with disturbed functional action and organic changes in the structure of parts, we are justified in the conclusion that his services must be estimated as highly important, and his pages be read with profit by the tyro in the hygiean art, and by the adept in clinical knowledge. His work will, consequently, supply a deficiency long felt. No less than one hundred and fifty affections he considers as belonging to the period comprised between birth and weaning. Of these numerous affections, some are but very briefly noticed, while others are treated at length, and with much novelty and sound theory, deduced from anatomical structure, physiological principles, and pathological results. The accomplished translator of the present work, in his preface, remarks, "Among the many, in every country where science is cultivated, who have been thus engaged in serving the interests of humanity in the improvement of the healing art, there are none who have enjoyed better opportunities of pursuing those studies than the French pathological anatomists; and it must be conceded that none could have surpassed them in diligence. From the time that Bichat first applied himself to his researches in the minute anatomy of diseased parts, investigations in pathology have been pursued with a zeal unsurpassed in any former period, and to the labors of the French pathologists are the medical world indebted for the possession of many important and interesting facts, illustrative of the progress and effects of diseased action. In the class of contributors to science is the author of the following pages, and their perusal will show that he has not been less persevering in his researches than his predecessors. The field chosen by him is new, not having heretofore received the attention of any who have occupied themselves in the investigation of pathological truths. While the fact that each texture possesses equally with its particular species of vitality its own peculiar diseased action, has been proved by others He has shown that the period of life exercises also an important influence in the development of morbid affections. The application of these discoveries must undoubtedly be of great practical benefit to medicine." In part first, of Mons. Billard's treatise, we are favored with an account of the phenomena which are presented.upon examining externally the condition of the child; and the reader who consults our author's pages, will be struck with the close observation and many cautions and sound and practical inferences which he makes on this heretofore too neglected subject. In part second, constituting by far the largest portion of the book, we have the history and treatment of the diseases of infauts, whether congenital or acquired; and of this large and important class of disorders which the practitioner at times encounters, those which are denominated the cutanei are first considered; then follow those of the digestive apparatus, in all their relations; next, those of the renal and associate functions, and inflammations of particular organs. Chapter seventh treats of the disorders of the respiratory apparatus, a group of diseases which in this variable and uncertain climate constitutes a tremendous outlet of human life. The disorders of the circulatory system, both connate and accidental, are taken up in chapter ninth, which are succeeded in the following one by the affections of the cerebrospinal apparatus, now so often pronounced the source of numerous physical ills. After several other chapters on interesting topics, we have those on the affections of the eyes, on the alterations of the blood, etc., etc. Those only who study with fidelity, can properly appreciate the philosophical ta'ents of Mons. Billard, and the richness of his pathological principles, derived from his numerous autopsic examinations of cases, and then be able fairly to estimate the valuable additions which he has here made to professional knowledge on numerous contested points, both in theory and in practice, embraced in these portions of his work. Mons. B. terminates his volumes with a distinct Medico-legal Dissertation on Viability, considered with reference to the pathology of new born children—an essay of great merit, and of peculiar importance to all engaged in inquiries in forensic medicine. In fact, the light which is thrown throughout the entire work of this able expositor, on many subjects having an immediate association with this branch of science, commends his production to the consideration of the jurist as well as the medical professor. A word or two deserves to be said of the present translation, and of the additions made by the American editor. The translation is faithfully done, from the author's third and enlarged edition. The task which Dr. Stewart has undertaken, is well performed. In his appendix, he has supplied many particulars, which enhance the va lue of the text: his notes on erysipelas, measles, and scarlet fever, furnish the best testimony of his practical knowledge; and the soundest evidence of clinical experience is evinced in his observations on derangement of the hepatic viscus, and cholera infantum. His reflections and suggestions on this last named disease, deserve a wider circulation than we apprehend they will receive even in this excellent book, extensively as we think it will be read. 8. The Last Days of the Saviour, or the History of the Lord's Passion. From the German of OLSHAUSEN. Boston: 1839. James Munroe & Co. 18mo. PP. 248. UNDER this title we have a translation of that portion of Olshausen's commentary on the Gospels, which relates to the period of our Saviour's history from the institution of the Holy Supper to the Ascension. The general character of Olshausen, as a theologian and biblical commentator, is not unknown in this country. lle belongs substantially to the school of Neander, Tholuck, Hengstenberg, etc., whose labors have been directed to the defence of the mysteries of the Christian faith against the rationalizing spirit of Germany-a spirit which has stripped Christianity of all distinctive significance, and explained it away into merely moral and deistical notions. The translator has not introduced the sacred text at large, but given synoptical references to the narratives of the four Evangelists. He has also omitted the minuter criticisms of Hebrew and Greek words. This gives the work the form and variety of a continuous narrative; and brings into one graphic and profoundly interesting view, the whole progress of the transactions, presented more or less completely in the separate accoun's of the sacred writers. Olshausen is remarkable not only for fidelity of criticism, but for “ power and beauty of moral portraiture;" and for the profound yet reverential views which he takes of the spiritual significance of the scriptural language. We certainly do not agree with every opinion advanced in this little work; but we are confident no one can thoughtfully read it, without being deeply interested and profited. The translation is uncommonly well executed. 9. A Guide for Young Mothers and Nurses, etc. By CALEB TICKNOR, M. D., etc. New York: 1839. Taylor & Dodd. Pp. 244. 12mo. DR. TICKNOR is the author of several practical works for popular use, on subjects connected with his profession, which have been favorably received. Many persons are opposed to books like the present being put into the hands of the community, on the ground that parents may neglect having recourse to a medical practitioner, in cases where general directions may require particular modifica tions, such as can be understood only by a professional person. How far Dr. Ticknor's book may be open to censure on this ground, we cannot take it upon ourselves to say; but, seeing the testimonies in favor of it from such men as Drs. Francis, Stearns, Kearney Rogers, and others, we feel bound to conclude that it may be safely commended to the notice of those for whom it was written. It is marked by the same simplicity and clearness of style which characterizes Dr. Ticknor's former publications. 10. The Picturesque Pocket Companion through Mount Auburn; illustrated with upwards of sixty engravings an wood. Boston: 1839. Otis, Broaders, & Co.. 18mo. pp. 250. THIS is a nice little pocket volume, containing a sufficient account of the Rural Cemetery near Boston, so far as respects the history of its establishment, the avenues, paths, etc., and the monuments erected. It includes, also, brief sketches of the most noticeable among those persons who are already laid down to their last rest in that quiet and beautiful spot. The charming address of Judge Story at the opening of the cemetery, finds, too, an appropriate place. At the close of the volume, the editor has added a selec tion of pieces, in poetry and prose, which increase the value of the book as a companion to a meditative stroll through that lovely "place of graves." Such places as Mount Auburn, where the dead may rest apart from the noise and passionate struggle of human life of great towns, and in the midst of trees, and plants, and flowers, and all the beautiful life of nature, are not only agreeable to the imagination, and what we naturally desire for our friends and for ourselves; but in manifold ways their influence is salutary upon our hearts. "As from the wing no scar the sky retains, And nowhere is this so true as amidst the feverish stir and perpetual crowding onwards of the interests of life in great cities. Every thing, therefore, which serves to break the spell of merely earthly objects, and give us pauses for reflection, is good and profitable. Boston deserves the credit of having led the way; and we are glad the example has been followed. Philadelphia has her rural cemetery, and New York will soon have her's. The site selected for the GREENWOOD CEMETERY is on the Hills of Gowannus, about three miles from the City Hall. It includes 200 acres of the most beautifully diversified and appropriate ground. Indeed, we never saw a tract of the same extent, with equal variety of surface or equal capabilities for the purpose to which it is devoted. It abounds with hills and dells, glades, and winding glens with beautiful lakelets here and there throughout the domain. Of the numerous hills, the summit of one is the high st land in King's county; and from innumerable points, the eye catches views, near and more distant, of great beauty-New York, Brooklyn, and Williamsburg -the Palisades, Hoboken, Jersey city, and Bergen Heights-the Bay, with its islands-the hills of Neversink, and the ocean. The greatest part of the tract is already well and variously wooded, leaving little to do but to cut away superfluous trees; plantations are about to be made on the remainder; and the whole is to be laid out into avenues and paths and burial lots, under the direction of Major Douglas, the President of the Association. The land was purchased at a very reasonable rate; and the proceeds of the sales of lots, after paying for the land, are by law exclusively appropriated to the embellishment of the grounds. Considering, therefore, the extraordinary capabilities of the grounds, and the well known taste and skill which will preside over their arrangement and embellishment, we have no doubt that the GREENWOOD CEMETERY will at no distant day be one of the most picturesque and beautiful places in the world. 11. History of the New Netherlands, Province of New York, and State of New York, to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. In two volumes. By WILLIAM DUNLAP. New York: 1839. Published for the Author. Vol. 1. Svo. pp. 487. We are glad to see this comely and ornamented volume, and shall be gratified to give an ample notice of the entire work when the second makes its appearance. The Empire State, New York, as it is often called, has long wanted an able historian. Her position in the union, her civil relations, her agricultural resources, her commercial enterprise; the records of her early colonization, her locality as a prominent seat of the revolutionary contest, and of the second war-all demand that a full and impartial story of her early beginnings, and of her present prominent condition as a member of the confederacy, should be given by an unprejudiced and able writer. We have indeed the well known history, by Smith, recently made the more valuable, by the addition of a second volume of that work, through the instrumentality of the New York Historical Society, who lately became possessed of the author's original manuscripts, and issued the volume under the direction of a committee appointed for that purpose. But this history comes no farther down than to the period of the administration of Lieutenant-governor Colden; besides, the narrative of Smith is, in many parts, both in the original work of one volume, and in that of the second, lately printed, chargeable with partialities and misrepresentations, which have only in part been pointed out by the eminent counsellor, Jones, and others. It is well, therefore, that the present publication has appeared. Mr. Dunlap, the aged and respectable author of the present undertaking, has, we think, performed a service of a most ac |