BIBLIOGRAPHICAL.

ject, he has given special attention to the more practical departments of symptomatology and therapeutics. This is especially noticeable because it is so unusual in HAND-BOOK FOR PRACTICAL MIDWIFERY; including | German writers, the majority of whom when they come full instructions for the homeopathic treatment of to treatment seem to be wandering in a fog so dense as the disorders of pregnancy, and the accidents and to make their suggestions of treatment as " clear as diseases incident to labor and the puerperal state. mud." We are glad to see so much importance given By J. H. Marsden, A.M., M.D. Boericke & Tafel. in the line of treatment to the use of moist heat and New York and Philadelphia. 1879. cold combined with careful friction. Water and elecmost important factors in the treatment of certain tricity properly applied are undoubtedly among our forms of nervous diseases, while others can only be controlled by carefully-selected drugs chosen from a minute review of symptoms and a pretty clear understanding of pathological conditions.

It is seldom we have perused a text-book with such entire satisfaction as this. The author has certainly succeeded in his design of furnishing the student and young practitioner, within as narrow limits as possible, all necessary instruction in practical midwifery. The work shows on every page extended research and thorough practical knowledge. The style is clear, the array of facts ample, and the deductions judicious and practical. We are particularly pleased with his discussion of the management of labor and the management of the child and mother immediately after the birth, in which all necessary information is given in a general way, but much is left open to the common sense and practical judgment of the attendant in peculiar and individual cases. The attendant should always go into the sick room not only with a cool, clear head, but with a quickness and readiness of resource which will enable him to meet any emergency where human skill can be of any avail. Give him a general knowledge of his subject, a sound judgment, a quick brain, and he can be safely trusted to do all that can be done.

We quite agree with the author in tying the umbilical cord in all cases, and in using the bandage for the mother only when in her judgment and in that of the attendant it will contribute to her comfort. In addition to the usual means of restoration in asphyxiated children we have sometimes succeeded when everything else has failed, in filling the mouth with brandy, ejecting the contents and then inflating the lungs with the breath. The slight stimulus of the brandy has roused to life when all else has failed. In other cases, when the suspension of animation has been of long continuance, we have succeeded by exposing the child to a strong current of dry heat, being careful to protect the head. In the chapters devoted to accidents and diseases incident to labor and to the use of instruments, the instructions are all that could be wished. The thanks of the student and young practitioner are due to the author for the very commendable manner in which he has performed his work. Larger works, going into more scientific detail, will of course be needed in every medical library; but for a practical guide to the student and young physician the medical press has given us nothing better than the work under notice.

A CLINICAL TREATISE ON DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. By M. Rosenthal, Professor of diseases of the nervous system at Vienna; with a preface by Prof. Charcot. Translated from the author's revised and enlarged edition by L. Putzel, M.D. New York. Wm. Wood & Co. 1879.

A clinical work on nervous diseases by so distinguished a practical observer and teacher as Dr. Rosenthal of the Vienna school, must of necessity contain such a vast amount of information that we are at a loss to understand why it has not before this been presented in an English dress. The work was first published in Germany in 1870, since when it has passed through two large editions. In 1878 it was translated by Prof. Charcot, undoubtedly the best authority on nervous diseases in his own country, into French, and is now presented to us in its English dress, enriched by the latest revision of the author. The work is of particular value to the physician in active practice from its being essentially a clinical treatise. Notwithstanding the author in his general description of disease has in no way neglected the physiological pathology of the sub

The work of Dr. Rosenthal abounds less in theory than in positive facts, and as such will heartily commend itself to the practical American reader. In the next edition we trust the editor will change the reading of the thermometer from the C. to the F, in use in this country.

PHYSIOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY OF THE CEREBRAL Con-
VOLUTIONS, ALSO POISONS OF THE INTELLECT.
By Chas. Richet, A.M., M. D., Ph. D., etc. Trans-
lated by Edward P. Fowler, M.D. New York:
William Wood & Co. Pp. 170, with plates.

64

We desire to express our thanks to Dr. Fowler for his efforts in bringing to the English tongue the able monographs of so eminent scientists as Charcot upon Localization," etc.-already noticed in this journaland the one just received from the pen of Richet. We heartily concur in the sentiments of Richet as expressed in the author's preface to the translation, which says: "I am gratified that Dr. Fowler, who has already so ably translated Charcot's work upon Localization in Diseases of the Brain, has deemed my book worthy the same consideration. He has my full appreciation of the compliment and of the conscientious and scholarly manner in which his labor has been performed." The first part treats of the "Structure of the convolutions, historical, general arrangement, organized elements, general structure, special structure, structure in mammifera, white substance, vessels, development." Second part: "Physiology of the convolutions, anatomical introduction, historical introduction, excitability; thermic, electric and chemical condition; circulation." Functions: "Motor, methods of investigation, action upon the muscles of animal life, action upon the muscles of organic life, aphasia, theolectual functions." The work is based upon the whole⚫ ries of motor innervation, sensorial functions, intelliterature of the subject of which it treats, and shows remarkable familiarity with such collaterals as medical and surgical pathology, physics, zoology, anthropology, psychology, etc. The author says: "I have been, and perhaps will again, be charged by my readers with a lack of positiveness, in other words of being skeptical, but the very accusation seems to me eulogistic, for in science there is nothing more baneful than to treat hypotheses as certainties. On the contrary, when serious criticism has revealed the defects and feebleness of an experiment, a real service has been rendered, for it may incite to new experiments and unequivocal conclusions. Inductions from probabilities or ill-demonstrated experiments are unreliable, and intelligent skepticism is more valuable to the advance of science than unbridled enthusiasm." The work is a natural complement to Charcot's Localization," etc., and the two together combine information which should be in the possession of every practitioner of medicine. Appended we find "Poisons of the Intellect," also by Richet, translated by Dr. John C. Minor, and covers, in an able and interesting discussion, the subjects of alcohol, chloroform, haschisch and coffee.

AMERICAN NERVOUSNESS: ITS PHILOSOPHY AND
TREATMENT. Pp. 24:
EXHAUSTION (NEURASTHENIA). By George M. BEARD,
A.M., M.D., New York. Pp. 16.
HOMEOPATHY VINDICATED: A Reply to Dr. Joseph
Kidd's "Laws of Therapeutics. By E. W. Ber-
ridge, M.D.

CHRONIC SPASMODIC STRICTURE; or Urethrismus. By
F. N. Otis, M.D. Pp. 22.
ARCHIVES OF OPHTHALMOLOGY, Edited in English
and German. By Dr. H. Knapp, of New York,
and D. J. Hirschberg, of Berlin (with coadjutors).
ARCHIVES OF OTOLOGY. Edited in English and Ger-
man. By Dr. H. Knapp, of New York, Prof. S.
Moos, M.D., of Heidelberg, and Dr. D. B. St. John
Roosa, New York (with several coadjutors). New
York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

German Unity," by a well-known writer on foreign affairs, gives a graphic sketch of the unification of Germany, and discusses incisively the part acted by the great Chancellor. "The Nature-Sentiment in read by the seashore and among the woods. It traces, Poetry," by the Associate Editor, is an article to be with great wealth of illustration, the evolution of the and the Vedas to Burns and Wordsworth. The paper feeling for nature in poetry, from the Hebrew hymns on "The Present Phase of the Mormon Problem," from the pen of an eminent scholar long a resident in Utah, fearlessly exposes the condition of affairs in that with the national treatment of this question. "The Territory, and deals with much force and indignation Ratio of Capital to Consumption," by a student of Political Economy, is an entirely original discussion of the subject, and affords valuable aid to its elucidation. The hypothesis of the author is, that the sum total of Number one of volume eight of this valuable quar- savings, at any given time, must bear a definite ratio to terly of specialties comes to us divided as above. They the sum total of consumption at such time; and he contain respectively 144 and 112 pp., at $4 and $3 per shows that the vast accumulations by a few men renannum (with two lithographic plates and six wood-der it impossible for the masses to lay by savings cuts), covering contributions from some of the ablest beyond a very narrow limit, or to retain their savings writers in these departments. Dr. Knapp deserves at all in times of depression. "The Development of great credit for having established and maintained so Art," another contribution by the associate editor, valuable a journal as this has always been, and one continues the subject from the January number of the that no practitioner in the specialties which it discusses Rerier, and treats of that most interesting period-the can afford to be without. The general practitioner Renaissance. The breaking of the union between the will also find much here which he can apply, and if he sister arts, the new study of the antique, the transitions desires to keep up with the times in literature, must in the schools of central Italy, the rise of Venetian art, become a subscriber. and the career of Michael Angelo-are graphically depicted. In the eighth article, on "Pernicious Juvenile

THE ORGANON.-The quarterly Anglo-American journal of the above name is full of interesting, excit-Literature," the editor of a leading New York weekly ing, and amusing reading. Friend Lippe continues on the war-path as usual, using the war club more than the knife. The Times, Dr. Hughes, and the whole class of what this pure Hahnemannian is pleased to call mongrels, seem to produce an effect upon him like the red flag on the infuriated bull. He plunges hither and thither, struts right and left with such a will that he sometimes stumbles and falls, hardly ever hits the mark, and always succeeds in creating a hearty laugh. The Organon is an exceedingly useful publication, partly for the very few good things it contains, but more especially to show the absurdities into which the mind may run when it throws away its ballast and

runs wild.

PUBLIC HEALTH.

Edward J. Bermingham, A.M., M D. (of the Hospital Gazette), Editor. Number one of the above entitled Journal has been received, and we find its "objects" announced as follows: 1st. The publication of scientific and practical papers by eminent sanitarians. 2d. The diffusion of sanitary knowledge among the people," which means, we suppose, a semi-popular paper, or one that will answer for both professional and lay readers. There is plenty of room for such an one. The initial number contains valuable information with the best of prom.

ises for the future.

NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH BULLETIN.-This
bulletin is published unde. Act of Congress approved
June 2d., 1879, and will be issued weekly.
THE NATIONAL QUARTERLY REVIEW.

Edited by

Dr. D. A. Gorton and Mr. C. H. Woodman. This (July) number presents an unusually strong and varied table of contents, particularly noticeable for the timeliness and importance of the themes. It opens with a scientific essay, by the editor, on The Relation of Physical States to Mental Derangement," in which the influence of bodily conditions on the intellectual and moral natures is keenly traced. While of vital importance to every one, as bearing upon the forming of our judgments of individual character and action, it should be read especially by every judge, physician, and clergyman. "Prince Bismarck and

speaks some stirring and much-needed words on this
growing evil, and offers valuable suggestions for its
thoughtful and closely-reasoned paper, suitable for
eradication. "The Doctrine of Perception," is a
reading at any season; while the ninth and last article,
on "The Sutro Tunnel," written by the brother of the
great engineer, is especially timely and interesting, fol-
owing so closely upon the opening of the Tunnel, and
department of
the consequent assurance of its complete success. The
Reviews and Criticisms," always
more full and extended in this than in any other Am-
erican periodical, contains careful reviews of over forty
published at $4.00 a year, $1.00 a single number;
recent volumes. The National Quarterly Review is
sample copies to any address on receipt of 50 cents.
D. A. Gorton & Co., 51 and 53 Maiden Lane, N. Y.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ELECTROLOGY AND NEUROL-
OGY. Edited by John Butler, M,D., and isssed
quarterly by Boericke & Tafel.

This new aspirant to public favor in the line of journalism is ably conducted, all the articles being well written and of marked interest. It remains to be seen, however, whether the profession need and will support a quarterly devoted to a specialty when there is ample room for the full discussion of special subjects in journals devoted to the general work of medical science. The old illustration of the bundle of sticks is quite as increase of journals and colleges beyond the public forcible in journalism as in the union of States. An need gives us a host of starvelings instead of a few institutions which would otherwise be strong and well nourished.

MECHANICAL APPLICATIONS.-It is a great convenience to know where to get the best kind of those cian in some form or other is obliged to use almost numerous mechanical appliances, which every physievery day. The Trusses manufactured by the Pomeroy Truss Company have been so long and favorably known to the profession that any recommendation of ours would be superfluous, but we very gladly call the attention of our brethren to their stock of almost everything needed in the way of mechanical help.

CORRESPONDENCE.

"LEADERS TO BLINDNESS" AGAIN.

BY W. H. WINSLOW, M. D., PITTSBURGH, PA. The last number of THE HOMEOPATHIC TIMES contains a criticism upon myself and my work and some wise elucidations of pure homoeopathy from "a chip of the old block."

One might well afford to let it pass, were there not a studied distortion of facts, and intrinsic evidence that the article had been concocted by certain members of an impudent Philadelphia clique, which I have rebuked and defied.

I confess that, with my convictions, always earnest, as an old-school physician, I did not go out of my way to shield those I considered enemies, but the resolution which I presented to the State Society of Pennsylvania had an entirely different object than the oppression (?) of homeopathic students; it was aimed at the colleges.

I was in a position to know that young men were graduating from leading medical schools who were not of age, had not studied three full years, and were not required to present a certificate of study, or, if they were requested to do so, wrote a line themselves or got a comrade to write it for them. My amendment first presented contained nothing sectarian, but was offered to a resolution abusive of homeopathy, which, I am happy to state, was tabled. My second attempt to vivify the By law of every old-school college, and to reform an existing abuse, was nipped in the bud by a trustee and by a professor of a college, who denounced it as a reflection upon respectable institutions, which were (as they thought) following the law to the letter. The readers of this may take it for granted that if I had wished to persecute homoeopaths in any way, I should have attacked them vi et armis, just as I now attack those I consider the enemies of true scientific homœopathy.

I would advise my critic, when he next assists in writing a biographical sketch, to collate his facts with

more care.

As I commenced the study of homeopathy when he was wearing pinafores, and was warped into the old school by the powerful arguments against, and the justifiable ridicule of, the absurdities which he considers pure homœopathy, before I was grounded in rational homeopathy, just as so many of our own school are being disgusted and led into eclecticism now; it is evidence of ignorance and animus for so much emphasis to be placed upon the two (?) years which have elapsed since I struggled back into the light. My career as a physician is recorded among the alumni of some of the proudest colleges in the land, and in the literature of both schools of medicine, where I would refer those who wish to revise the biographical sketch presented last month, and who desire to know my qualifications for discussing leading questions on medical philosophy. It is hardly necessary to allude to the question at issue between Dr. Hering and myself. I am content to leave it as presented in this journal with the statement that young Dr. Guernsey will have to travel far and wide to find any one in the profession who would trust any eye case to his nine years' general practice, and the tender merties of a cm. potency.

of his logic, and to lead the profession away from the merits of the question.

Those who, with some good, have done much bad work, all of which has been accepted by their followers as inspired light from above, have continued to write much nonsense, because physicians were too ignorant, indolent, indifferent or cowardly to show them up in a proper manner.

Thank Heaven! the profession is being gradually emancipated from this debasing thralldon and the days of hero worship are past.

The intelligent reader will see the same leaders using this young man to get their chestnuts out of the fire, and following the same ignoble tactics; and disappointment at not being able to use the columns of the Hahnemannian Monthly all summer for the advertisement of a special brand of condensed milk, readily explains his eagerness to undertake the dirty work

CHECKS UPON CRITICISM.

BY J. P. DAKE, M. D., NASHVILLE.

In the July issue of the TIMES an earnest effort was made, by one of our young physicians in Philadelphia, to meet and destroy the effect of a pertinent and able criticism by Dr. Winslow, upon certain views advanced by Dr. Hering.

In order that the character of the young writer's effort, as well as the real animus and aim actuating him, may be properly understood, it will be well for his readers to refer to Dr. Hering's article, in the Feb. number of the North American Journal of Homeopathy, and to the review of it, by Dr. Winslow, in the May issue of the Hahnemannian Monthly. The exact justice, as well as courteous character of the criticism, made by Dr. Winslow, will at once appear. In view of the grave and groundless assumptions of Dr. Hering, in reference to operations on the human eye, surprising to men familiar with the anatomy, physiology and pathology of that organ, no less than to those acquainted with the limitations of drug influence in malignant, tissue-destroying affections, it is a wonder how the critic came to deal so gently with the bold essayist.

It is claimed that Dr. Hering had a right to state his views. Granted. And so had Dr. Winslow. "No"says the young friend of Dr. Hering—“he graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1877 "...." he has been in practice only two years, as a professed homœopathist upon what has Dr. Winslow been fed, that he has, in two short years, grown so great that he sets himself up in authority over Dr. Hering?". .it is much to be feared that Dr. Winslow's career will terminate like that of the little frog in the fable, which, in trying to puff itself to the size of an ox, burst in the attempt."

Such is the position and line of argument assumed by the young defender of Dr. Hering. What must men of learning and candor think of such a defense? It is puerile, indeed! Yes, it is worse than puerile. It is not only devoid of common sense and logic and manliness-it sets forth only enough of truth to perpetrate a sneaking falsehood, as to the qualifications and position of Dr. Winslow. Is it not known, in Philadelphia, that Dr. Winslow was a graduate in medicine, while his young defamer was yet a school-boy? Is it not known there that before he entered the Hahnemann College he held three regularly earned diplomas, The style of argument presented against my paper one of them from the Jefferson College, and one from is the usual one which has been brought forward by the old University of Pennsylvania? And is it not the "Leaders to Blindness" ever since homoeopathy known that he served long and well as an assistant in took root in America. Any one who dared to ques- the Wills' Eye and Ear Hospital, Philadelphia, acquirtion the dicta of the self-constituted chiefs of our in there, and in Europe, an acquaintance with affecschool has had his private character aspersed, his tions of and operations upon the human eye, making youthful and personal peccadillos exposed, his family him not only an excellent writer and critic. but an able privacy invaded, and all the abuse and ignominy pos- doer as well, in the domain of Ophthalmology? Oh, sible heaped upon him, in order to destroy the effect, no, my young Philadelphia friend! you concealed the

major part of the truth regarding Dr. Winslow's professional acquirements, in order to gain a point for your hero and yourself.

As a member of the faculty in the Hahnemann College when Dr. Winslow was a student there, I had the pleasure of learning something of his habits of study, and of his great learning in the several departments of medicine. I know him to be an honest investigator, earnest in his convictions and energetic in his measures, I had the privilege of reading his able letter of resignation, addressed to one of the old societies (in which he had been, indeed, a very Saul of Tarsus against Homoopathy), giving his reasons for a change in medical affiliations.

But I need not farther vindicate the right of Dr. Winslow to criticise, as occasion may demand, Dr. Hering or any other man in general practice who may venture into the field of Ophthalmology.

Looking back a short way, we see some evidence that, after all, the young champion of Dr. Hering and his associates do not so very seriously and honestly object to a young convert's calling in question the views of his seniors- to his asserting himself loudly and long, provided only he is on the right side. With what a display of drums and dinners and doting they received Dr. Skinner not long ago! He was considered the grandest of all critics in homoeopathic gynecology, and able to lead the homeopathic hosts, before he was fairly known to be on our side of the fence! Well, some of our folks smiled, and all made room for him to come in, willing that he should enjoy every right and privilege claimed by the oldest and the smartest. He is allowed to invent and introduce machines for the spiritualization of drugs by a long series of bottle wash ings; and we don't liken him to a "little frog" in a fair way to "burst;" nor do we put forward a smart young man to remind him of his recent conversion to

our cause.

But, seriously, we object to any assumption of learning, or accumulation of years, or acquired prestige, on the part of any man in our school, that shall place his teachings above criticism and correction, especially when they are clearly calculated to mislead the profession and injure the people.

A STATEMENT OF THE CONDITION AND
PROSPECTS OF THE HOMOEOPATHIC
MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.

BY H. L. WALDO, M.D., WEST TROY.
Those clouds which a few months ago overhung the
future of our State Society, and threatened stormy
sessions and tempestuous debates, have risen and
silently floated away. Through the labors of President
Couch and the committee appointed at the last meet-
ing, a better understanding has been brought about,
and we hear nothing more of a division of our Society
upon the potency question, and very little about the
organization of a society of pure homœopathists."
The truth seems to be generally recognized that our
law can be better developed and promulgated, and all
that is true in medicine better advanced, by our holding
together than by the formation of a dozen different
societies to represent as many different views upon
minor points.

The opinion seems to be gaining ground also that in future we had better hold strictly to our work of developing and advancing homœopathy, and have fewer resolutions expressing opinions indorsed by only a part of the membership of the society.

Certain resolutions adopted in 1878 gave rise to great dissatisfaction, and some of the oldest and wisest men in our ranks protested that a cruel wound had been inflicted upon homeopathy in the house of its friends.

Many permanent members refused to attend meetings or pay dues while these obnoxious resolutions were allowed to stand; and several county societies refused to send delegates or recognize in any way the authority of State Society, as a homeopathic body, until these resolutions were expunged.

At the last meeting of State Society, the necessity of taking some action to repair the breach already made and to promote harmony in the future was recognized, and a committee, of which Dr. J. J. Mitchell is Chairman, was appointed to reconsider the resolutions of the previous year. The report of this committee, which has been sent to every homeopathic physician in the State, seems to have had a very happy effect in promoting harmony. From both those permanent members, and from those county societies which had withdrawn, there came messages of good will and promises of co-operation in the effort to unite our forces.

The following resolutions have been adopted by the Kings County Homœopathic Medical Society, the Society which was most prominent in its opposition to the resolutions of 1878:

Whereas, The New York State Homœopathic Medical Society, at the annual meeting in February, 1878, passed a resolution which at the annual meeting in February, 1879, it declared does not justly express the views of our school," and,

Whereas, The resolution of 1878 was referred to a committee, at the annual session of 1879, which committee then reported on the resolution of 1878, and,

Whereas, This report itself was referred to a committee to report further at the next annual session of said State Society, and,

Whereas, The Homoeopathic Medical Society for the County of Kings, at its meeting in July, 1878, protested against said resolution of said State Society of February, 1878, and,

Whereas, This Society for the County of Kings, and members of this Society, have been requested to cooperate with the committee, to whom was last referred the matter so protested against, in their endeavor to restore harmonious action in the State Society, therefore,

Resolved, That the Homœopathic Medical Society for restoration of such harmony in the State Society, and the County of Kings are sincerely desirous of the are now and ever will be ready to add whatever of effect or influence they may have to that of the said committee, for the accomplishment of this end by the use of all right and proper means.

From present appearances our Society will be united medicine, and in its championship of the truth expressed more strongly than ever in its opposition to error in in our motto, Similia Sin vibus Curantur.

The semi-annual meeting at Rochester, September 9th and 10th, promises, in point of scientific interest, to be one of the best ever held. The time will be devoted exclusively to the reading and discussing of papers; and, from present indications, there will be an abundance of material to occupy all the time. It is hoped all the members of the homeopathic profession, and especially all members of bureaus, will esteem it a privilege to contribute to the State Society the results of their experience and study. The duty which every physician owes to his profession can be discharged in no better way than by his assisting to make our State organization influential in the State and beneficial to its members.

should send the titles to the Recording Secretary as Authors of papers, to be presented at the meetings, early as possible. The papers of those unable to attend the meetings should be sent, either to the Recording Secretary or the Chairman of the proper bureau.

tention of its officers to keep it out of debt in the The Society is now free from debt, and it is the infuture,