The next section of the work is occupied in shewing the application of the preceding theorem to the algebraical solution of maxima and minima. Here the author rejects the fluxional notation, and, we think, with good reason, since his solutions depend on a very different basis from that of the fluxional calculus: but we cannot admit that, because it is difficult to give a good definition of time, we ought therefore to reject this calculus entirely. The fact, no doubt, is that the differential calculus is the most natural in the solution of maxima and minima, as that of fluxions is in some other cases; and we think that it is therefore quite unnecessary to bend every thing to fit either the one or the other: — but, at the same time that we would not quarrel with Mr. Cresswell for rejecting the fluxional notation, we can see no possible reason that should have prevented him from using the differential. The latter is, at any rate, equally simple and as readily understood, and certainly much more elegant than that which is given instead of it: while the adoption of it would not have prevented the author from using the term derivative, if he preferred it to that of differential. Mr. C. forgets that half his readers, out of Cambridge, cannot call his characters by their right names, nor recognize the same letter under two different forms it is not every mathematical student who knows the Greek alphabet. With the exception of this peculiarity, we think that this chapter is well executed: but, at the same time, it would have been more interesting had the author given a sketch of the methods employed by the early algebraists, before the invention of the fluxional or differential calculus. Mr. C. observes that there is little real difference in the methods used by the antient and the modern authors who have treated the investigation of maxima and minima, which may be correct; yet the views which led Descartes, Roberval, Hudde, and Fermat to their several solutions, were very different; and, though now supplanted by the generality of the fluxional calculus, they are not without interest, since we may clearly perceive in them the germ of the new analysis.

Part III. on the structure of the cells of bees, contains (as we before intimated) many interesting facts and coincidences, which will recompence the reader for an attentive perusal.

MONTHLY

MONTHLY CATALOGUE,

For OCTOBER, 1814.

MEDICINE, &c.

Art. 15. Observations on the Nature and Treatment of Consumption, addressed to Patients and Families. By Charles Pears, M.D., F.L.S., &c. 8vo. pp. 63. Boards. Highley. 1814

The object of this tract is to prove that the method which has been pursued in the treatment of consumption is totally erroneous, and that a directly opposite course ought to be adopted. The whole of the argument employed may be comprized in the two following sentences: Every symptom of consumption proves that it is founded on debility. How, then, can debilitating means ensure success? It is always prudent to deal in general topics and common-place expressions. Debility is a word which has been so frequently misapplied in medical reasoning, as at length to have scarcely any meaning; and therefore we require a more precise and scientific explanation of the state in which the author supposes the essence of consumption to consist, before we can enter into the spirit of his reasoning. Indeed, the general style of his work does not much interest us in its favour; since it is written in a vague and declamatory manner, which, though it may possibly be the vehicle of truth, is more frequently the garb of ignorance, and certainly indicates a frame of mind not favourable to cool investigation. The widely spreading ravages of consumption, and the little power which medicine has hitherto seemed to exercise over the disease, should cause us to listen with candour to any plausible proposal for mitigating these evils: but every person who is acquainted with medical literature must be aware that mere confident assertion, unsupported by well attested facts, or acute reasoning, is totally inadmissible.

Art. 16. Particulars of the successful Treatment of a Case of Hydrophobia; with Observations, &c. By Rice Wynne, Apothecary, Shrewsbury. 8vo. 1s. 6d. Longman and Co. 1813.

This publication contains a detailed account of a case of hydrophobia which was supposed to be cured by copious bleeding, and the outline of which is probably known to most of our medical readers. As far as we can judge from the work itself, without having any knowlege of the writer, we should conceive the narrative to be correct, and should really conclude from it that the dog was affected with hydrophobia, that the disease was communicated to the man, and that the symptoms were relieved by the abstraction of blood. The complaint had existed for four days, marked with the accustomed nervous symptoms; and the pulse was stated to be from 70 to 80 beats in a minute, varying in strength and regularity.' Under these circumstances, Mr. Wynne first saw the patient, and determined on the plan of treatment.

I had recourse,' he says, 'to the abstraction of twenty ounces of blood taken from a large orifice, and the time of taking it did not exseed six minutes. He fainted, and remained for an hour with scarcely a

perceptible

perceptible pulse; and it was evident the whole time his disease was abating. His countenance became more composed, and much paler; his eyes were less inflamed; the convulsions ceased; and when recovering from his faintness, his first request was that he might be allowed to drink some water, and when it was brought to him he seemed much to enjoy it. I now left him; desiring, if any return of his disease took place, I might be immediately acquainted with it. I sent him pills, containing, to each dose, one grain of opium, three grains of the submuriate of mercury, and one grain of James's powder, which were directed to be taken every three hours.'

Ten ounces of blood were drawn on the following day, and the operation was again succeeded by fainting; after which, the symptoms remained so much subdued as not to require a repetition of the remedy. We are not, however, to suppose that all difficulties are removed in the treatment of this hitherto incurable disease: but we conceive that this case adds some weight to the facts brought forwards by Mr. Shoolbred, and must induce every one to place his chief hopes for the cure of hydrophobia in the free use of the lancet.

Art. 17. Plan of the London Vaccine Institution; its Report to the Royal College of Physicians; with their Report to Parliament; Address to the Publick; History of the Small-Pox and its Inoculation, and of the Origin and Establishment of the Practice of Vaccination; Lists of the Governors of the Institution, and Observations on Vaccination. 8vo. Darton and Co.

Though this pamphlet has not been announced for publication, we think that we ought to notice it, since it contains an account of an active institution which has been established for the diffusion of the advantages of the vaccine inoculation; and likewise an interesting report of the progress and present state of the practice.

We fear, indeed, that the motives which influenced the first founders of this association were in some degree alloyed by feelings of rivalry or opposition; and we could not but regret to observe, in the historical details, a studied attempt to depreciate the merits of Dr. Jenner. Yet this prejudice, which we must lament and disapprove, should not cause us to disregard the valuable information which we have it in our power to derive from the work. An interesting section is given on the origin of the small-pox, and the extensive spread of its desolations,' which may be perused with advantage by any person who is disposed to undervalue the benefits of vaccination. The next section is on the origin and extensive spread of variolous inoculation;" and afterward we have an account of the origin and establishment of the practice of vaccination.' It is in this last part that the hostility against Dr. Jenner manifests itself.

We think that the following observations from the Address' are sufficiently important to deserve quotation:

While it seemed reasonable to expect, and many rejoiced in the hope, that the practice of vaccination would have early effected an extinction of the small pox in our insulated country, it is not difficult to show, that here, more than in any other part of the world, it has need of popular support. Under arbitrary governments abroad, the regulations of both church and state do often direct the domestic af

fairs of the subject, in a way that the English people would not willingly submit to- that their legislators would not think of subjecting them to. By the authority of both church and state, the children are required to be vaccinated, and the parents submit without demur. It is only by persuasion and convincement of the judgment, that a British publick is to be prevailed on to adopt the life-preserving practice of vaccination; and it is to be lamented, that, in this country, the benefit has not been so generally received as in other parts of the world. It happens, also, that the most extensive propagation of contagious disease does take place in this country, from its present state of society, whenever the infection is introduced. From the high state of civilization, and the vast extension of manufactures and commerce, there is a perpetual circulation of commodities, a continual interchange of travellers throughout the empire. London is as the heart of the system. A contagious disease in the metropolis soon finds its way into the provinces; from the country, it reaches town with an equal rapidity.'

Art. 18. An Appendix to an Inquiry into the present State of Medical Surgery; by the late Thomas Kirkland, M.D., in which the Removal of Obstruction and Inflammation in particular Instances, with the Causes, Nature, Distinctions, and Cure of Ulcers, is considered; taken from his Manuscripts; with a Preface, Introduction, Notes, &c. by James Kirkland, Surgeon, Apothecary to the Tower. 8vo. pp. 144. Underwood and Blacks. 1813.

The late Dr. Kirkland possessed considerable merit, both as a practitioner and a writer; and, though subsequent improvements in the art of surgery have somewhat diminished the reputation which his works had acquired, they still retain their places in our libraries as original and standard authorities. We are told in the preface to the Appendix before us, that his principal publication, an Inquiry into the State of Medical Surgery, was to have been enlarged to a third volume; and, though the materials, which were found after his death, were not sufficiently perfect to admit of their being given to the world in the state in which they were left, it was conceived that some valuable information might be extracted from them. On this account, his son, the present Mr. Kirkland, determined to select from them those parts which seemed most likely to prove interesting, and to give them nearly in the words of the original, with such occasional additions and corrections as might be necessary.

A considerable portion of this volume consists of an account of what is styled a discovery, concerning the state of the parts surrounding ulcers, and the practice deduced from it. The discovery is thus announced:

One day, in dissecting an ulcerated leg, he found the cellular membrane and vessels surrounding the ulcer loaded with a yellow geLatinous lymph, in consistency resembling the white of an egg, but in tracing it further, no such fluid was observed. An idea occurred to him, that if this lymph could be corrected and attenuated so as to allow of the roller, a leg thus circumstanced would be easily cured!'

The dissolving of this yellow gelatinous lymph, as it is called, seems to be the chief object of Dr. Kirkland's attention; and for this purpose he employed such external substances as he supposed were posREV. OCT. 1814.

Р

sessed of this property. To accomplish the object, he used applications into which vinegar entered as an essential ingredient; on the principle that the acid neutralized an alkali which was developed in the fluids of the parts, and thus removed the obstruction which was the foundation of the disease. The succeeding passage affords a view of the hypothesis which seems to have directed the author's practice:

The attenuating quality of the vinegar gives a fluidity to the juices, and by its moderate warmth the part invariably perspires;and this composition is further capable of another good intention, for the vinegar when it is absorbed into the part neutralizes the stagnating salts, which are become alkaline, and thus sets them at liberty; and I am persuaded even mortification is often thus prevented. Whoever has a mind may, previous to its use, apply the fomentation of Heister or Turner, but this of itself is sufficient, for I am seldom disappointed in its effects.'

The several formula are then given, into which vinegar enters as the principal ingredient, united with chalk, oil, and other substances, to modify its consistence.

We have dwelt the longer on this point, because it is the principal novelty in the work; the greatest part of the volume being composed of remarks on the treatment of wounds and ulcers, which we conceive will not very materially influence either the practice or the opinions of the present day.A paper on the use of Sponge after amputation is taken from the memoirs of the London Medical Society. We have also a chapter on wounds of nerves, tendons, and ligaments, which contains no information that is particularly interesting; and one on compound fractures, which might have afforded some valuable suggestions, had it been published thirty years ago.

Altogether, we confess that this volume does not appear very kely to fulfill the good intentions of the editor, either in pro moting the art of surgery or in adding to the reputation of his father. On the contrary, we are obliged to rank it among those performances, of which too many come under our inspection, and in which the partiality of friends and relatives operates to the disadvantage of the posthumous fame that they are anxious to exalt.

Art. 19. A brief Description of the Plague; with Observations on its Prevention and Cure. By Richard Pearson, M. D., &c. 8vo. 25. Underwood. 1813.

Dr. R. Pearson remarks that, although the strict enforcement of quarantine has hitherto preserved us from the ravages of the plague, yet, while the disease prevails in other parts of Europe, the slightest deviation from the system might introduce it among us. It therefore becomes highly necessary that all medical men should make themselves acquainted with its symptoms, the nature of its contagion, the manner in which it is propagated, and the most effectual means of prevention. To promote this object, he submits his treatise to the public as a kind of manual, in which the most important circumstances respecting the plague are briefly stated, and those authorities are pointed out whence farther information may be obtained.

The pamphlet is divided into sections, treating of the definition of the plague; of its prognosis; of its contagious nature; of prevention;

of