should have been led, from microscopic examination alone, to consider as of a simple nature."

The subject of the specific cancer-cell, and its microscopic diagnosis, is one confessedly of difficult solution, and which in the present state of our knowledge must be regarded as an open question. It is simply a question of fact, and can only be determined by a sufficient amount of careful observation, which as yet has not been made. This opinion of Mr. Jones, on the subject, is by no means conclusive; nor do we pretend that in the single quotation given, we have correctly represented his views on this point. For full information on this and other equally interesting topics, we must refer our readers to the work itself.

As to the arrangement of the work, we will briefly state, that it is divided into forty-three chapters. The first five of which are taken up with general pathological anatomy--embracing general observations, morbid states of the blood, textural changes, new formations, tumors and parasites. The next ten chapters are occupied with the pathological anatomy of the nervous system. Then comes the organs of circulation and perspiration-embracing sixteen chapters. After which, . are severally considered the morbid anatomy of the alimentary canal, the urinary apparatus, the female organs of generation, the joints, and finally, the osseous system.

The work is a valuable one, and should be in the library of every student. It is to be had in the book stores of the city.

ARTICLE II.

What to Observe at the Bed-side and after Death in Medical Cases. Published under the authority of the London Medical Society of Observation. Second American, from the second and enlarged London edition. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea-1855.

We are glad to see that a second edition of this useful little work has been called for by the rapid sale of the first. It speaks well for the profession of our country. It is a work

admirably adapted to meet the wants of the young practitioner, as it will impart to him a kind of information, which he very often needs, and which he can acquire no where else. Physicians are often deterred from keeping a record of their cases, as well as from making post mortem examinations, for the want of just such instruction as is to be found in this little volume; and most heartily do we wish that all of our readers, and especially our correspondents, would avail themselves of its teachings and profit by its directions, as the result could not but be improving to themselves and beneficial to the profession at large.

The design of the work is briefly set forth in its title. In announcing the first edition we entered somewhat into de tail of its contents. It is only necessary now to state that in the present edition the whole of the work has been carefully revised by the very able and learned committee who drew it up, assisted by some other members of the London Medical Society of Observation, so as to render it even more useful than it was originally. Again, we would commend the work to all, and especially to our junior readers. It may be had of Edwards & Bushnell, on 4th st.

ARTICLE III.

A Dictionary of Medical Terminology, Dental Surgery, and the Collateral Sciences. By CHAPIN A. HARRIS, M. D., D. D. S., Professor of the Principles of Dental Surgery in the Baltimore College; Member of the American Medical Association; Member of the Medico-Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland; Author of the Principles and Practice of Dental Surgery, &c., &c. Second edition. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston. 1855. 8vo. pp. 800.

This work, although principally designed as a lexicon for the use of students and practitioners of dentistry, is so general and comprehensive in its scope as to be well adapted to meet the wants of the physician also. It is a dictionary containing satisfactory definitions of the words, phrases and technicalities

belonging to Dental Surgery, as well as to the other branches of medical and the collateral sciences. Numerous synonyms have also been introduced, as well as all the new terms which recent discoveries and improvements in the arts and sciences and of the various specialities of medicine have brought into general use.

To the practitioner of Dentistry, for whom it is specially adopted, Dr. Harris' work must prove an acceptable offering, as it is calculated to enlarge the sphere of his knowledge, while to the physician it will also be found useful in imparting information not to be obtained from ordinary medical dictionaries.

ARTICLE IV.

A Practical Treatise on Foreign Bodies in the Air-Passages. By S. D. GROSS, M. D., Professor of Surgery in the University of Louisville; Member of the American Philosophical Society, &c., &c. With illustrations. Philadelphia: Blanchard & Lea-pp. 468. 1854.

In this valuable monograph, Dr. Gross has certainly struck a new lead in surgery, and is entitled to the credit of having illustrated and systematised a most interesting, and hitherto, a most neglected department of surgical pathology and practice. In the preface, he tells us, that his original design was not to write a book, but to compose a short monograph for some medical journal; but that he had not proceeded far before he discovered that he had formed a very imperfect idea of the enterprise, and that in order to do it any thing like justice, it was necessary to devote to it much time and study. That this is true is most obvious, when we consider the industry and perseverance necessary to collect, arrange and analyse the numerous cases of foreign bodies in the air passages, scattered through the various medical journals of the United States, Great Britain and Continental Europe-in addition to these, amounting to nearly fifty, he has added also others, which now for the first time meet the public eye in this work.

This subject is one of deep and often painful interest to the surgeon, for although fortunately not of very frequent occurrence, yet it is an accident which is liable at any time to occur, and for which every one should be prepared by a knowledge of the proper surgical treatment to be pursued. We therefore feel under obligation to the author for this work which was certainly much needed, although, perhaps, that need was not felt as it should have been. In commending the work to our readers, and referring them to it for a knowledge of its contents, we have only to say, that it will doubtless add to the already extended reputation of the author, as well as reflect credit on American surgery. To be had also at Edwards & Bushnell's, 4th st.

ARTICLE V.

Transactions of the American Medical Association- Volume Seventh-New-York. Charles B. Norton, Publisher-pp. 668. 1855.

This volume of Transactions, though not equal to some of those which have preceded it, is yet fraught with interest. Its contents are:-The Address of the Vice-President, Dr. Parsons. Report of the Committee of Medical Education. Report on the Epidemics of Kentucky and Tennessee. Report on Erysipelas. Report on the Medicinal and Toxicological properties of the Cryplogamic Plants of the United States. Reports on the Epidemics of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas, for 1852-'53. Prize Essay. Report on the Norwalk Disaster, and Dr. Linton's remarks on Yellow Fever.

The report of Dr. Cabell, of Virginia, on Medical Education, is a well written paper, in which is pointed out what he conceives to be the defects of the existing system of medical education in the United States. Among these, he enumerates, first, the want of a proper preliminary education on the part of a large proportion of medical students. This is unquestionably true, and is a source of deep regret to those engaged in

the business of teaching. He then goes on to point out other defects, such as the shortness of the lecture term-the omission in the coniculum of one or two important branches of knowledge--the little attention paid in some parts of the country to clinical instruction, and finally, the low standard of attainments required for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. These points have been discussed over and over again, and we are not now disposed to enter the list either in attacking or defending the propositions assumed in the paper, which we regard upon the whole a sensible one, although upon all these topics we have our decided opinions.

Passing over all the other reports, we wish only to refer briefly to the paper of Dr. R. S. Holmes, of St. Louis, on Erysipelas. This we regard as altogether the most practical and valuable article in the Transactions. Dr. Holmes has had extensive opportunities of observing the disease in its most virulent forms, and his opinions are entitled to weight.

We fully agree with him as to the pathology of erysipelasthat it is a blood poison-a disease of the sanguineous fluid, or, in other words, a constitutional affection in which nature attempts to throw off the morbid element in the blood by means of the skin and the glandular structures. Even where the disease is the result of an injury, he thinks that it is the condition of the patient's system which gives rise to the characteristic erysipelatous inflammation. But we do not pretend to give even an outline of his views on the pathology of the disease, but simply to endorse the statement, that it is a blood disorder We are not altogether prepared, however, to adopt his treatment, especially so far as the larger doses of quinine are concerned, though it is worthy of trial.

As to the getting up of the volume, while we admit that both the typography and illustrations are well executed, yet we are at a loss to see wherein the Association has been profited by removing the publication from Philadelphia to New York. In publishing a list of the members from the treasurer's report, the committee have not been careful to compare them with the secretary's list, and in many cases the names

of members are horribly mangled. Other inaccuracies might also be pointed out.