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THE

Medico-Chirurgical Review,

AND

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.

(Analytical Series.)

Nec tibi quid liceat sed quid fecisse decebit
Occurrat mentemque domat respectus honesti. CLAUD.

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1. Histoire des Phlegmasies, ou Inflammations Chroniques. Vol. II. De L'inflammation de la Membrane Muqueuse des Vois Digestives. Par F. J. V. BROUSSAIS.

2. Researches on the Pathology of the Intestinal Canal. On the Diseases of the Mucous Membranes. By JOHN ABERCROMBIE, M.D. [Ed. Journal, $4.]

3. Sur la Structure de la Membrane Muqueuse des Intestines dans l'Homme et dans quelques Animaux. Par M. MEKEL, Professeur à l'Université de Halle. [Journal Complimentaire, Septembre, 1820.]

4. Sur les Phlegmasies Folliculaires. Par le Docteur AIME GRIMAUD. [Journal Complimentaire, Decembre, 1820.]

"Inflammatio quidem, ubicunque sit, non sine periculo habenda; periculosior tamen, ubi membranaceas occupaverit partes, ob exquisitum, quo pollent, sensum ac concensum gravissima et funesta simul symptomata adsociantur." Hoffmani Opera, Tom. III. p. 223.

IN the second number of this Series, we took up the subject of the serous, or peritoneal coverings of the intestines and abdominal organs generally-in the third number, the mucous membrane of the lungs-and in each, we endeaVol. II. No. 5.

B

voured to convey, as far as possible, to our brethren in this country, the opinions and observations of M. Broussais, one of the most celebrated pathologists on the Continent. It is, however, on affections of the mucous membrane of the digestive organs that M. Broussais has most distinguished himself; and this consideration, together with the great importance of the subject, will lead us into a pretty extensive analysis of the second volume of this illustrious foreigner, while we shall, at the same time, endeavour to collect and concentrate as much valuable information as possible, from other authentic sources, on the portion of pathology now under investigation.*

M. Broussais justly observes, that, when we consider the number and variety of extraneous substances, more or less stimulant, which are constantly traversing the mucous membrane of the digestive organs, it is really wonderful that we have not more frequently the phenomena of inflammation produced there. But, if we reflect on the exquisite sensibility of many portions of this membrane, and the numerous sympathies which subsist between it and almost every other part of the frame, we shall be convinced that, although actual inflammation is less frequent here than in the mucous membrane of the lungs, yet, that the morbid phenomena resulting from irritation in the primæ viæ, are infinitely more numerous and distressing than all the rest of the catalogue of human diseases collectively. We have, says M. Broussais, continually before our eyes, whole crowds of people who spend their time in tormenting the stomach with every thing burning and irritating which the animal and vegetable kingdoms can produce; and our books of pathology are filled with discussions of gastric and bilious derangements. If a drunkard dies of inanition, from defect of digestion, we are told of the loss of tone, or induration of the fibres of the stomach :-If he becomes dropsical-or dysenteric-the same explanation. Yet if we examine the symptoms exhibited by this class of patients, we shall find them correspond

The critical expositions of M. Broussais's doctrines which have been drawn up in France, and republished in England, convey little or no idea of the valuable facts and observations on which those doctrines are founded. They are shadowy unsubstantial outlines magnified by generalities, but devoid of all useful and tangible particulars. Like criticisms in general, they have separated the grain from the chaff—leaving the grain behind. On coming to the examination of M. Broussais's work after perusing these exposés we found ourselves utter strangers to the real nature and true value of the publication. We are much mistaken if most of our readers are not in the same predicament.

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