announce a third. Of the original work we need not repeat the favourable sentiments to which we gave utterance when first we saw it. Without being complete, or equal in all its parts,—and where is the work that can exhibit entire oneness in its varied details?—it is generally excellent in its descriptions, didactic, and well expressed. There is something, too, attractive to the young more especially in the form and style of "Lectures." The reader seems to feel that he is listening to, rather than reading, the discourse; and more interest is felt, by the young more especially, and less fatigue experienced, than in more profound and serious essays on the same subjects, not conveyed in the like

manner.

The basis-Grundtext—of Watson is the same as in the last American edition. The notes of the American editor, contained in that edition, are equally in this; but in addition we notice others, which are good and appropriate. We know, indeed, of no one to whom the task of editing such a work could have been committed with more propriety than to Dr. Condie. Possessed of a knowledge of various languages-Teutonic and Romaniczealous in maintaining himself a porteè with the existing condition of medical science everywhere; judicious and impartial; a supporter of no exclusive sect, system, school or clique; cosmopolitan in science, as every one ought to be,-it is a disgrace, indeed, to him that is not, he is well adapted to be the exponent of the existing state of medical knowledge here and elsewhere. As the editor of a work like the one before us, he has not room enough to express his opinions fully and freely, but where he has done so, his additions have been of such a character as to cause us to regret that more paper-room had not been allowed him.

The "Manual of Clinical Medicine" of Dr. Canstatt is anything but a "Manual" (Handbuch:) as well might we term a blunderbuss a pocket pistol. It is not yet complete; and as the able author is dead, doubts may be entertained whether it ever will be. We have recently heard, however, from Germany, that another volume is about to appear. Both it and the "Handbuch" of M. Wunderlich are examples of what we took occasion to deplore, in noticing certain German works a short time ago.

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1847.]

Fuchs' Nosologie und Therapie.

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Instead of issuing the volumes in proper order, we, at times-as in the case of that of M. Wunderlich-receive first the third volume. M. Canstatt's work-which is now in its second edition-is on a good plan. The first volume, which, in this case, did appear first, is on the elementary forms of disease, or what he terms "the morphological part of clinical medicine"Morphologischer Theil der Klinik; and embraces Hypertrophy, Atrophy, Plethora, Anæmia, Chlorosis, Hyperæmia, Inflammation, Hemorrhage, Blood Disease, Anomaly of Secretions, Dropsy, Bright's Disease, Pneumatosis, Adiposis, Homologous Transformations of Tissue, (Homoöplasie,) Carcinoma, Tuberculosis and Scrophulosis, Lithiasis, Invermination, Softening, Induration, Fever, Neuroses, Nervous Erethism, (Algien,) Spasm, Anæsthesia, Acinesia, and Psychoses,-all subjects which he deemed it advisable to treat in a general manner, before passing to Special Pathology and Therapeutics, which occupy the remaining volumes. The division, which he adopts in them, is the anatomical: the third volume, for instance, which was issued after the first-the second not having appeared-embraces diseases of the head, spinal marrow, nerves and air-passages. In the detail of each of these, there is much system, and an ample bibliography, with numerous references to authorities, in the practical portions more especially. In this respect it differs greatly from the work next in order.

Of the work of Professor Fuchs of Göttingen we have received the first and second volumes,-the whole being intended to be comprised in that number; but it certainly is not complete. There are many topics that ought still to be treated of.

We confess we are not-as utilitarians-so well pleased with this production as with the others. It has not the same practical air about it as they have. We say "practical"-not in the cant language of the day, which is too apt to regard everything not practical that does not treat of dosing, but it seems to us too much attention is given by M. Fuchs to nosology, and to endless divisions and subdivisions, so that in the absence of an Index, which the parts issued do not possess, it is a task of no little labour to find out any special topic on which we may desire to see the sentiments of the author. The first volume, which

is addressed to his "beloved preceptor"-seinem geliebten Lehrer, Dr. J. L. Schönlein-a highly esteemed name in his Vaterlandtreats of the Classes and Families of Disease, to each of which he gives learned appellations derived from the Greek, and for which he will have, of course, the blessings of the "harmless drudge" the lexicographer; for we doubt whether they will ever be extensively disseminated except by him. We shall only refer here to his classes, the arrangement of which he follows in his second volume, in inquiring into the genera and species"Gattungen und Arten." These are: First. "Diseases of blood-life"-Hæmatonosen. Second. "Diseases of nerve-life"Neuronosen; and Third. "Diseases of Form and Formation"Morphonosen. Of each of these he has several orders, families, genera and species, leading-as we have said-to learned confusion; and exhibiting much and useless metaphysical subtlety. The author is, however, a man of decided learning, and eminently instructed in his profession. His book will doubtless be properly appreciated among his countrymen, and may find, with advantage, a place in the library of every one acquainted with German Medical Literature.

The last of the books whose titles are at the head of this article, is the most adapted to our taste, both by its arrangement, and the fulfilment of details. It adopts the best of all divisionsthat according to organs or apparatuses. The third volume, which is the first to appear-and the only one, by the way, that has appeared-embraces the diseases of the circulatory and respiratory organs, test subjects for an author, and one on which he cannot write a respectable treatise without being instructed in all modern diagnostic methods. The Prospectus states, that the third volume will embrace the diseases mentioned, as well as those of the digestive and urinary organs; but the volume really concludes with those of the respiratory organs. The whole work is promised by Easter, 1848. Its author is certainly a well read, learned and sensible physician; and his work is an excellent dissertation on the subjects comprised in it. We have consulted it on numerous occasions with much pleasure and profit.

The Dispensatory of the United States of America. By GEORGE B. WOOD, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica and Pharmacy in the University of Pennsylvania, one of the Physicians of the Pennsylvania Hospital, etc., etc., and FRANKLIN BACHE, M.D., Professor of Chemistry in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, one of the Vice Presidents of the American Philosophical Society, etc., etc. Seventh Edition, carefully Revised. Grigg, Elliot & Co. Philadelphia: 1847.

We have much pleasure in announcing a new edition of this excellent work; not because of any deficiencies in the former edition, or of any large additions to be expected in the present, derived from improvements made within the brief period which has elapsed, but as evidence of a just appreciation of its merits. The authors have carefully gleaned from the periodical journals, and recent European treatises, everything of value which came within the scope of the work, so that it is fully up to the day. The publishers, too, have done justice to the work by the style in which it is brought out.

Wood's Quarterly Retrospect of American and Foreign Practical Medicine and Surgery. April to July, 1847. No. 1, Vol. 1. Richard and George S. Wood: New York.

This is a new publication, just projected, on the plan of Braithwaite and Ranking, but instead of semi-annually, it is to appear quarterly.

The present number contains sixty-four pages, double column, of well selected matter, embracing sixty-nine American articles and forty-one Foreign. The fault we would find with it is the want of attention to typographical accuracy.

We can see no reason why such a publication of indigenous origin should not succeed as well as the exotics, which we believe thrive bravely. It is perhaps true now, as in ancient days, that a prophet hath honour in all countries save his own. We see evidences of it daily; and yet as a people we are charged with being egotistical and self-sufficient beyond all example. We certainly are a little boastful, and have a right to be; we have more to be proud of than any other nation, as it regards our country and its institutions, and all that is wanting to perfect our

national character is a national literature. Why should not American learning, American talents and enterprise in literature and authorship, be fostered and protected as well as the grosser arts? Individually, we are the richest people on the earth; but the wealth that we have will only serve to brutalize and degrade us, without the refining influences of science and the arts.

THE MEDICAL EXAMINER.

PHILADELPHIA, OCTOBER, 1847.

EPIDEMIC CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS IN MISSOURI.

In our number for August last, (p. 506,) we inserted in the Record ' department, a communication, addressed to the New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, on the subject of a highly fatal disease, which prevailed in the early part of the year in Mississippi and Tennessee, and was manifestly an affection of the same character as one which visited with fearful malignity different towns of France, attacking principally the common soldiers of the garrisons. It was seen also in Ireland in 1846; and everywhere has presented the same great general characters. The term cerebro-spinal seems to be applied to it with propriety, and it evidently attacks, in a marked manner, the gray matter in the centre of the cord-the nervous system of reflex actions. It would appear from the following extract of a letter, addressed to Professor Dunglison by Dr. W. C. Philips, dated Rocheport, Boon county, Missouri, September 13th, 1847, that the scourge has been devastating localities widely apart from each other, and it is not improbable that it may extend elsewhere.

"I take the liberty," says Dr. Philips, in his intelligent epistle, "of advising you of the prevalence of a disease, that has excited considerable interest in this country, from its nondescript and fatal character.

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Symptomatology. There are no invariable symptoms attending it. Generally, the patient has been in ordinary health, pursuing his accustomed occupation, and the first indication he has of the approach