cise views of the structure of the skin, has materially assisted in dispelling the absurd and empirical notions which have so long degraded this branch of medicine. It has taught us to take a more enlarged view of the subject, to regard it as an important and integral part of general pathology; and it is through the same medium that we must hope to establish lasting principles on which to found an enlightened and rational method of cure. As a means of diagnosis, M. Cazenave considers the classification of Willan as modified by Biett, and which the reader will remember is founded on the external character of the disease, to answer all purposes; but here its utility ceases. M. Cazenave himself adopts the following classification, as being more comprehensive and more in accordance with the present state of medical science; but, although he has taught it for several years, he does not put it forth as definitive and complete, for it is impossible to form a lasting classification of cutaneous diseases in the present progressive state of anatomical science.

FIRST GROUP. Inflammatory diseases.

ORDER I. Non-specific eruptions which may assume an acute or chronic cha

racter.

Erythema, Erysipelas, Urticaria, Strophulus, Herpes, Eczema, Pemphigus, Impetigo, Ecthyma, Sycosis.

ORDER II. Non-specific eruptions which always assume a chronic character. Rupia, Lepra, Psoriasis, Pytiriasis, Pellagra.

ORDER III. Acute specific eruptions.

Roseola, Rubeola, Scarlatina, Variola, Vaccinia, Varicella, Miliaria.
ORDER IV. Chronic specific eruptions.

Syphilides.

Acne, Porrigo favosa.

ORDER II. Lesions of the epidermis.

Icthyosis, Horny productions.

ORDER III. Lesions of the colouring matter.

Loss of colour: Albinismus, Vitiligo. Changes of colour: Slate-coloured skin, Ephilides, Nævi.

THIRD GROUP. Hypertrophic diseases.

Abnormal development of the diseased parts.

Elephantiasis Arabum, Molluscum, Frambæsia, Vernea, Nævi vasculares.
FOURTH GROUP. Destructive diseases.
Destructive tendency in the parts affected.

Elephantiasis Grecorum, Aleppo Evil, Cheloidea, Lupus, Cancer.
FIFTH GROUP. Hemorrhagic diseases.

Tendency of the blood to exude from the vessels of the skin: hemorrhagic diseases properly so called.

Purpura, Melanosis. (?)

SIXTH GROUP. Exalted sensibility of the skin.
General or local Hyperthesia.

Lichen, Prurigo, Anesthesia.

SEVENTH GROUP. Foreign bodies.

Acarus, Pediculus, Pulex.

EIGHTH GROUP.

Diseases of the hair: Alopecia, Canitia, Plica.

Diseases of the nails : Onyxia.

PART SECOND.

Bibliographical Notices.

ART. I.-First Steps to Anatomy. By JAMES L. DRUMMOND, M.D., Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in the Royal Belfast Institution.London, 1845. 12mo, pp. 201. With Twelve Plates.

THE idea of this little volume is excellent; its aim being "to prepare the young medical student, by some initiatory broad views of the general component parts of the animal frame, that he may thereby be better enabled to enter on the innumerable and minute details of physiology and descriptive anatomy." In many respects the execution is correspondingly good. The style is very simple, as befits the object; and the general arrangement of the subjects well fitted to lead on the student by progressive steps towards the higher and more difficult departments of anatomical and physiological science. The chief fault we have to find in it lies in this: that it is, in many respects, decidedly behind the present state of science. We see no more reason why this fault should be excused in an elementary work than in one intended for the more advanced student; since it appears to us to be above all things essential that those who are entering upon any department of study should be made to learn as little as possible what they may afterwards be called upon to unlearn. We must justify our statement by a few extracts:

"While the principle of life thus resists the decomposing operations of chemistry, we must recollect that it is only the injurious part of chemical action which is resisted, and so far is life inimical to this action, that it is only when life itself would be endangered that it is opposed and forbidden; for many chemical processes are carried on in the living body. Among these I may mention respiration and digestion; but these are all for good, and those chemical affinities only, which would tend to injure or destroy the organization, are forbidden to exert their power." (p. 20.)

We have on various former occasions endeavoured to expose the fallacy of this doctrine, (a very prevalent one we admit it to be, but not the more true or philosophical,) that the vital power in any way controls chemical change; and the evidence is continually becoming more definite and irresistible, that all these peculiar powers termed vital (and we may instance those of the muscular and nervous systems as most unequivocally falling under this category) are dependent for their manifestation upon chemical changes, which are destructive to the tissues exhibiting them; just as the manifestation of electric power in a voltaic battery is dependent upon the chemical changes taking place between the metals and fluids in its cells. We shall not now dwell further on this topic, since we could scarcely do so without entering upon the question in extenso, which we have already discussed as fully as we deem suitable to the nature of the subject.

XLII.-XXI.

.14

In the second chapter we have our old friend the cellular substance; which we are informed, as of old, constitutes "the basis of every solid part of an animal." Surely Dr. Drummond must be aware that anatomists, in this country at least, have now universally agreed to change the old designation of the tissue for one which more satisfactorily expresses its character-namely, areolar tissue; and that the real cellular tissues of the body, whose extent and actions have been ascertained by the aid of the microscope, perform functions of far greater importance. The functions of the true areolar tissue we conceive to be purely mechanical; it ties together the different elements of other tissues, in such a manner as to permit them to have a certain degree of movement upon one another; but of its being "the matrix or mould in and by which every structure is imbedded, pervaded, or enclosed," we believe that there is an utter deficiency of proof. În cartilage, for instance, not a trace of it is to be found. In bone it only lines the medullary canals and cancelli, serving to fix the vessels in their places; in teeth it does not extend beyond the pulp cavity, where it answers the same purpose; and there are many other textures of which the same may be said. Nor is it correct to say that it forms the chief bulk of the tendons and ligaments, since, as Messrs. Todd and Bowman have shown, the areolar tissue contains an admixture of two elements-the white and the yellow fibrous structures; of which the former alone is found in the tendons and non-elastic ligaments, whilst the latter is found only in the elastic ligaments. Again, in the succeeding chapter on fat, not a word is said of the important office to which this tissue is subservient in the living body-that of serving as a reservoir of combustible material, by which our heat is kept up, when from any cause there is a suspension of the supply afforded by the food. The experiments of Chossat prove that, if this reservoir be entirely exhausted, the animal is dependent, from hour to hour, upon the combustible matter ingested and absorbed; and thus, if it were not for such a provision, the loss of a single dinner, to say nothing of a longer abstinence, would be fatal. Some little notice of the more precise views, on these and other subjects, which have of late contributed to raise physiology to a much higher rank among the sciences, would greatly improve the value of Dr. Drummond's treatise, in this and many other departments; and such we hope to see introduced in another edition.

In a concluding chapter, entitled 'Thoughts on Anatomical Education,' Dr. Drummond urges what has often been suggested by ourselves as likely to prove advantageous-that the entire first year's course should be of a general preparatory nature, embracing no one subject in detail, but of a nature to lay a broad and solid foundation for the more special inquiries to be subsequently pursued.

ART. II.—Insect Life. By DAVID BADHAM, M.D., late Radcliffe Travelling Fellow of the University of Oxford, &c.-London, 1845. 12mo, pp. 171. THIS little work is nothing else than a new edition of a pamphlet which was published some years since under the title of The Question concerning the Sensibility, Intelligence, and Instinctive Actions of Insects,' and which we noticed in our Fifth Volume, (p. 543.) Its object is to prove the startling proposition that insects have no sensation; but we do not

perceive that the author has advanced one whit further in his argument than he did before. The following are the assumptions on which it is founded: 1. Sensation is inconceivable as existing apart from intelligence and spontaneous movement. 2. The actions of insects and the organization of their nervous system, indicate that they do not possess intelligence. 3. Therefore, as sensation cannot exist without intelligence, insects have no sensation.

Now we may admit with the author that the greater part of the actions of insects, if not all, are executed without the exercise of any intelligence, or designed adaptation of means to ends, on their own parts, and yet contest the position that sensation cannot exist, and give rise to muscular movements, without intelligence and voluntary power. What, for example, is more involuntary than the act of vomiting? yet this results from sensations with which the intelligence has nothing to do, -as when provoked by an offensive odour, the sight of a disgusting object, the tickling of the fauces with a feather, &c. This is only one of a large group of consensual acts, which we regard as having a character distinct from the reflex on the one hand, in that they require sensation as a link in the chain of their performance; and as equally distinct from those prompted by intelligence, in being performed independently of the will, and even in opposition to it.

The fundamental positions taken up by the author being so palpably erroneous, (in our estimation, at least,) we do not think it necessary to enter into a detailed examination of his arguments, or of his supposed facts. We think that we could point out a considerable number of inconsistencies and non-sequiturs in the former; and as to the latter we could almost undertake to show a blunder in every page. We think that the Radcliffe Travelling Fellow cannot have derived much advantage from his appointment, if he can produce no better fruits of it than his "Insect Life."

ART. III.-The Modern Treatment of Syphilitic Diseases, both Primary and Secondary. Comprising numerous formula for the preparation and mode of administration of the new remedies; and an account of a safe and successful mode of treating chronic, protracted, and constitutional syphilis, by the mercurial vapour-bath. By LANGSTON PARKER, Surgeon to the Queen's Hospital, Birmingham, &c., &c. Second Edition.-London, 1845. 8vo. pp. 228.

WE noticed the first edition of this book on two former occasions (Vol. IX., p. 239, Vol. X., p. 381), and gave a very favorable report of its contents. The present edition is considerably enlarged and much improved. It is, indeed, entirely rewritten. The following extract from the preface indicates the character of the principal changes made in the work.

"Six years' additional experience, both in hospital and private practice, has enabled me to confirm the efficacy of most of the plans of treatment recommended in the first edition of this work. Much new matter has been added in the present edition, chiefly, if not altogether, original. That which I regard of the first importance, is the account of the treatment of various forms of syphilis by the mercurial vapour-bath. Diseases rebellious or tedious under ordinary treatments,

generally yield with ease to this combination, more particularly affections of the skin and bones; the duration of treatment is by it much shortened, the quantity of medicine required to be given by the mouth greatly diminished, and the cures rendered more permanent and certain. Relapses after this mode of treatment I have found extremely rare; whereas under the ordinary plan they are exceedingly frequent, even after a perfect cure had been supposed to have been effected."

We strongly recommend this volume to the attention of our practical readers. It is the only recent complete manual we possess, of a moderate size, on the subjects of which it treats, and ought to be in the possession of every young surgeon who is called on to treat venereal affections.

ART. IV.-A Natural History of the Mammalia. By G. R. WATERHOUSE, Esq., of the British Museum.-London, 1845-6. 8vo, Parts I-VI. THE brief title, A Natural History of the Mammalia,' led us at first to regard this work as not fairly coming within our province; but on turning to the contents of each number as it has appeared in regular monthly sequence, we have been agreeably surprised to find that we had formed too low an estimate of its value, as the plan includes not only the natural history, but also much connected with the osteology and other structures of the mammalia. The parts already published enter fully into the natural history of the marsupialia, and also into the structure of portions of the skeleton, more especially into the zoological character of the skull and teeth, and the general conformation of the brain. The work thus combines details of high interest to the comparative anatomist as well as to the zoologist, details which ought always to be given together; because, by blending these two kinds of information, the value of each is doubled, and each serves to explain and illustrate the peculiarities of the other.

We are glad to observe that Mr. Waterhouse is enriching his work with facts recently brought to light by Professor Owen respecting the fossil mammalia; and also with others derived from the magnificent accumulation of fossil mammalia under his own care in the British Museum. With these means of knowledge, and with his already well-known extensive acquaintance with the recent species, we are satisfied that his work will prove to be one of considerable value to the anatomist as well as to the zoologist. But we must take leave to criticise his style, which is far too diffuse, and requires condensation-more especially in that part of the work which details the habits and natural history. This is an error into which most zoologists are apt to fall, and to which they are almost necessarily conducted by the very nature of many of the objects they have to describe-objects which are known to be quite distinct from each other, yet which frequently afford so few marked peculiarities that it is only by the minutest details that they can be characterized and described in words. We have no doubt that this hint will suffice. We strongly recommend Mr. Waterhouse to adhere closely to his plan of giving full anatomical details of the skeleton, the teeth, skull, and more especially the conformation of the brain; so that these may be commentaries on the instincts and natural history of the class. In a word, let him give us all the facts that can be obtained, but condense his style and mode of communication. We shall then have an exceedingly useful and desirable production.