CORRESPONDENCE.

We duly received the two pamphlets, with the unknown author's letter, dated, March 1, 1821. The subject will probably be taken into consideration at no distant period. Meanwhile the unknown writer is requested to accept the tender of our professional respect and esteem.

Junius's critique came to hand, and though we are compelled to acknowledge that most of the censures are just, yet they are too severe for a journal devoted to a science that ought to humanize the soul, subdue the angry passions, and harmonize the members of the profession. Junius must surely have seen that this has long been our object, and we are sorry that the caustic passages and general tenor of the critique disable us from making use of it. Had judgment been tempered with mercy, and all personal allusions avoided, we should have been happy to avail ourselves of the analytical and other critical portions of the paper. Junius will commission any friend to call for the critique, stating in writing the motto, as voucher, it shall be returned.

SCRIBLOMANIA.

In consequence of Philo-Criticus's letter, we have glanced over the productions to which he alludes, and find them to be mere compilations from the most common authorities, and indicative of no great talent in the authors, who appear, indeed, to have had little or no personal experience of the subjects on which they have undertaken to write. As some books must necessarily pass unnoticed, we think it best to leave those on one side which can yield nothing valuable to the public by the process of reviewing. Even with such precaution, this Journal has sometimes difficult and complicated functions to perform in its laboratory. Often has it recourse to the literary pestle and mortar, for the purpose of breaking down the crude materials preparatory to the sifting process. The alembic or retort is constantly at work to separate the spirit from the caput mortuum of medical productions. Evaporation also we find a very convenient process, where anthors have dissolved their materials in such excessive quantities of verbal menstrua, (probably with the view of imitating certain mineral springs whose virtues depend on the diffusion of a small proportion of salts through a great volume of water,) that it requires considerable tact as well as taste to ascertain what is the impregnating ingredient. It not seldom happens, however, that we are able to arrive at our object by a much nearer route than evaporation-namely, by precipitation. A modicum of critical acumen, nay, of common sense, will frequently throw down at once the active principle from an immense infusion or solution; and we are thus enabled to present our readers with the emetin or morphium of an octavo, in a space not much exceeding that in which Hannibal carried his last anodyne draught. We need not dwell on the obvious and necessary processes of literary filtration, clarificain, despumation,sublimation, digestion, extraction, &c. to which

we have daily recourse; but we think it proper, for the honour of the profession, not to descend to those low culinary operations, of pickling, peppering, roasting, and basting, which some of our medical crities have introduced, for the purpose of exciting depraved appetites. At the same time we are free to confess that several authors have lately set literary fare before the public, which almost sanctions the use of those sauces and other provocatives held forth for sale by the critical cooks. To us, however, it appears the wisest plan, as well as the most dignified, to make silence censure. Nor can we approve of the barbarous practice pursued by some modern critics, (which smacks strongly of the chirurgo-tonsorial age) namely, that of shaving authors, with razors, too, which Neptune's barber-general would be ashamed to apply to the face of any customer on crossing the line. Indeed, from the literary food which some authors and some critics venture to bring into the market, these venders must look upon the public customers as belonging to that species of simple animals which consists in a stomach only, and consequently, which cannot be supposed to be very delicate in their appetites. It must be confessed, however, that in this age of literary epicures the most fastidious stomach may find provender to its taste-in the ample range extending from the ponderous monograph that embraces but a single topic, to the slender coup d'œil, that gives us, at one glance, the quintessence of all things that exist in the heavens above, the earth beneath, or the waters under the earth. We think, therefore, that PHILO-CRITICUS has no reason to complain of the want of GENIUS in the medical writers of the 'present day. For our own parts, we are often amazed at the extent of their ingenuity! It has been said, that “ex nihilo nihil fit." We deny it. A whole volume may easily be generated now ex nihilo, and that of such dainty workmanship that it may be fit to "set before a king," and honourably rewarded with knighthood for its manufacturer.*

Extract of a Letter from Dr. Dickson.

"As to the remarks of the Editor of the Intelligencer on my case of erysipelas, to say the best of them, they are founded on error; for were 1 as willing to find fault as he seems to be, I could point out three mistakes in as many lines. The patient did not require bleeding at my visit of the 26th: for the symptoms of the inflammation of the brain did not supervene until the night afterward from that period the disease was treated with equal vigour and success, and therefore your opinion was perfectly correct. With regard to my ordering vi. of blood to be taken on the 25th, the case expressly states the 25th to have been "the day before I saw him." Such criticism is unworthy of any reply."

It is highly probable that Dr. EADY, of parietal celebrity, will soon receive the order of knighthood (night-hood) for his ingenious invention of nocturnal lithography, as a substitute for literary or professional fame. We understand also, that Dr. (soon Sir Richard,) Reece is about to present, at the next Levee, a superb copy of his "REECEAN PANDECT OF MEDICINE," published a few years ago, and now to be embellished with a highly finished portrait of Joanna Southcott, in a most interesting parturient posture, the Doctor himself in attendance to receive the first fruits of Joanna, and gazelle the health of the long-promised Shiloli.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Books Received for Review since March 1st, 1821.

1. A Dissertation on the Treatment of Morbid Local Affections of Nerves to which the Jacksonian Prize was adjudged by the Royal College of Surgeons. By JOSEPH SWAN, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Surgeon to the Lincoln County Hospital. One vol. 8vo. pp. 196, with a coloured plate of the nerves of the face. London, 1820.

See page 63.

2. An Account of a new Method of making dried Anatomical Preparations. By JOSEPH SWAN, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Surgeon to the Lincoln County Hospital. Second Edition, enlarged. One vol. 8vo. pp. 132. London, 1820.

3. A Treatise on the Art of Cupping in which the History of that operation is traced the Complaints in which it is useful indicated, and the most approved method of performing it described. By THOMAS MAPLESON, Cupper to His Majesty. Second Edition, considerably improved. One vol. duodecimo, pp. 96. Callow,

1821.

The author of this useful little work has long been known as one of the most expert cuppers in this metropolis-an expertness which we have often personally witnessed. From the now increasing attention to local blood-letting we can recommend this little volume to our brethren, though that is hardly necessary, since its merits are already appreciated by the public, as evinced by a new edition.

4. A Monthly Journal of Popular Medicine, explaining the Nature, Causes, and Prevention of Disease, the immediate Management of Accidents, and the Means of preserving Health. Conducted by CHARLES THOMAS HADEN, Surgeon to the Chelsea and Bromton Dispensary, &c. No. 1, for March, No. 2, for April, and No. 3, for May, 1821. Octavo, 48 pages each number.

5. Practical Observations on the Use of Oxygen or Vital Air, in the Cure of Diseases to which are added, a few Experiments on the Vegetation of Plants, illustrated with five engravings. By DANIEL HILL, M.D. Surgeon, Honorary Member of the Medical Society at Guy's Hospital, and Fellow of the Horticultural Society. Second Edition, with an Appendix. One vol. 8vo. pp. 102. London, 1821.

6. Discours sur le prééminence du Systême nerveux dans l'economie animale, et l'importance d'une étude approfondie de ce systême; prononcé par JEAN FREDIRIC LOBSTEIN, Professeur D'Anatomic Pathologique, et Directeur du Museum de Strasbourg. Strasbourg, 1821. De la part de M. Breschet.

7. Bulletins de la Faculté de Medecine de Paris. Paris, No. X. 1820. De la part de M. Breschet.

8. REVUE MEDICALE, HISTORIQUE et PHILOSOPHIQUE. Tome Quatrieme February, 1821, containing Moreau de Jonnes on the Yellow Fever-Duval on the Teeth-Montegre on Hæmorrhoids -Lallemand and Rostan on Softening of the Brain-St. Laurens on Gastric Erysipelas-Bulletins of the Medical Society of Emulation, &c. &c.

9. A Letter addressed to the Legislature on Vaccination. By J. TAYLOR, M. D. Physician Extraordinary to his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence. Octovo, sewed, pp. 16. London, 1821.

A zealous appeal to Parliament in favour of an investigation into the late supposed failures of vaccination, in order that public confidence may be restored, and the spread of the variolous pest restrained.

10. A descriptive Catalogue of the British Specimens deposited in the Geological Collection of the Royal Institution. One vol. 8vo. pp. 212. By Professor W. T. Brande.

The collection of which this valuable volume exhibits a descriptive catalogue, was commenced several years ago by the present distinguished president of the Royal Society, and has since been increased and rendered much more complete by the able and indefatigable gentleman who now fills Sir H. Davy's former chair, at the Royal Institution.

11. The History of the Small-Pox. By JAMES MOORE, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, London, Director of the National Vaccine Estoblishment, &c. &c. One vol. 8vo, pp. 312, with a plate.

This is the most valuable and erudite history of small-pox, its treatment, and counteraction, which we possess.

12. Reports of the pestilential Disorder of Andalusia, which appeared at Cadiz, in the years 1800, 1804, 1810, and 1813; with a detailed Account of the fatal Epidemic, as it prevailed at Gibraltar, during the autumnal months of 1804; also Observations on the remitting and intermitting Fever, made in the Military Hospitals at Colchester, after the return of the troops from the expedi

tion to Zealand in 1809. By Sir JAMES FELLOWES, M.D. Fellow of Caius and Gonville College, Cambridge; Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Lond. &c. &c. &c. One vol. 8vo. pp. 484. This is one of those interesting volumes which have resulted from the experience of our medical officers during the late war. We have given a full review of it in a former series of this Jouanal.

13. A comprehensive Treatise upon the Symptoms, Consequences, Nature, and Treatment of Venereal or Syphilitic Diseases. Translated from the seventh French edition of F. SWEDIAUR, M.D. Two volumes in one, pp. 860. London, 1819.

This is by far the most complete treatise on the venereal disease in the English language, and ought to form a class book for the young practitioner, on entering on the duties of his profession. In a future number we hope to take more particular notice of the work.

14. Observations on Sulphureous Fumigations, as a powerful Remedy in Rheumatism and Diseases of the Skin. By WILLIAM WALLACE, M. R. I. A. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; one of the Surgeons to the Charitable Infirmary; Surgeon to the Dublin Infirmary for curing Diseases of the Skin; Lecturer on Anatomy and Surgery, &c. One vol. 8vo. pp. 92. Dublin and London, 1821.

15. An Inquiry into the Nature and Treatment of Gravel, Calculus, and other Diseases connected with a deranged Operation of the Urinary Organs. By WILLIAM PROUT, M.D. F.R.S. Octavo, pp. 227. London, 1821.

See page 89.

16. Practical Cbservations on Fever, Dysentery, and Liver Complaints, as they occur among the European Troops in India : with Introductory Remarks, &c. &c. &c. By G. BALLINGALL, M.D. F.R.S.E. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, and formerly Surgeon of H. M. 33d Regiment. Octavo, Pp. 250.

17. A Manual of the Diseases of the Human Eye, intended for surgeons commencing practice; from the best national and foreign works, in particular those of Professor Beer: with the Observations of the Editor, Dr. Charles H. Weller. Berlin, 1819. Translated from the original German Work, and illustrated with Cases and Observations. By GEORGE C. MONTEATH, M.D. Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of London, Member of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and one of the Senior Surgeons to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, &c. &c. Two volumes, 8vo. pp. 600, with five plates, and 37 beautifully coloured figures -nine representations of instruments. Glasgow, 1821.