thor remarks, "this experiment (Poiseuille's) proves that an artery, when greatly distended, as in this instance, is capable of re-acting on its contents; but no conclusion can be drawn from the fact in reference to the agency of elasticity in the circulation of the blood." In this, as on most other points, we do not agree with the writer, and for this, among other reasons because we do not think it probable that such a high degree of elasticity would have been conferred upon the arterial tunics, so great indeed as to have become proverbial, if it were not designed to perform some important office in the mechanism of the circulation. Dr. Holland, in criticising the researches of Dr. M. Hall and others, objects with justice to conclusions being drawn concerning the nature of the capillary circulation, after great disturbance has been induced by the experiments themselves. If, for instance, a ligature be applied around the leg of a frog, what satisfactory results can be obtained when, on the one hand, the supply of blood through the arteries is cut off, and, on the other, the exit through the veins is totally obstructed? Herein, in fact, is comprised the essence of the author's charges against experimentalists: “the analysis has constantly presented to the mind two objections-an obstacle in advance of the capillaries, and an interruption to the supply from behind." P. 203. As the following experiment is conceived by the writer to be free from all such difficulties, we give it in his own words :— "It is not my intention to examine the phenomena of fœtal circulation, but to allude only to one striking peculiarity, viz., the circulation of the blood in the umbilical vein. This fluid is transmitted from the placenta to the fœtus without the aid of any propulsive organ. The capillaries are, indeed, the only source of motive power shown to exist, and hence, the placenta separated from the uterus, appeared capable of determining the influence of capillaries, in urging the blood through the long capacious vein. To test the fact, a placenta was procured, twenty minutes after separation from the uterus, and placed with the exception of the cord, in a bladder, which was immersed in water, at the temperature of 100 Fahrenheit. The free extremity of the cord, at the same moment, was elevated to an angle of 33°, resting on the edge of a glass, and at the distance of a foot from the placenta. At the commencement no blood escaped from the vein, but in two minutes from the immersion, it began to flow, and continued for about twenty minutes, and at this time, the glass had received above an ounce. "Here, then, is an experiment unexceptionable in its character, demonstrating the power of the capillaries to carry on the circulation, not only in their complicated net-work of vessels, but in larger vessels, ultimately terminating in a capacious vein." P. 205. In the correctness of the assertion that the experiment is "unexceptionable" we cannot concur; indeed, the author himself observes of it that "the disengagement of it (the placenta) from the uterus disturbs the normal relations of these vessels," that is the placental arteries, veins, and capillaries. It is rather surprising that Dr. Holland, who urges his objections" somewhat unsparingly, should not have been more judicious in the selection of his own experiment, and particularly that he should not have guarded against "an interruption to the supply from behind." The oozing from the umbilical vein, for, as only an ounce was collected in twenty minutes, the escape of blood could have amounted to 66 nothing more, it may reasonably be inferred depended upon that gradual contraction of the arteries, which it has been distinctly shown by Hunter and many subsequent observers, those vessels possess, by which they are enabled to adapt themselves to the varying bulk of their contents. The great point which the author wishes to establish by the experiment we have detailed, and by his elaborate critiques, is that the capillary vessels, which he states, but erroneously, to be the seat of all the vital actions, assist by their contractility in the circulation. Without dwelling longer upon this questio vexata, we will only state it is our conviction, that although the capillaries have distinct walls (we have seen them plainly with the microscope, as Schwann and Henle had before, in vessels taken from the pia mater and elsewhere), and although they possess a power of contraction, and especially a capability of becoming preternaturally dilated, yet that they do not aid in the normal circulation of the blood by any propulsive action. Our limits will not allow us to follow the author in his criticisms relating to the circulation of the acardiac fœtus, which in themselves offer little that is novel. But we must remark in conclusion that, the ingenious experiment of Dr. M. Hall, in which, by placing a heavy probe upon the dorsal fin of the eel, he rendered the circulation in the capillaries pulsatile, and thus demonstrated that the single ventricle of the fish does operate through two sets of capillary vessels, the branchial and systemic, is an allimportant element in this and similar inquiries, and is not liable to be set aside, notwithstanding Dr. Holland's "Objections." A THERMOMETRICAL TABLE ON THE SCALES OF FAHRENHEIT, CENTIGRADE, AND REAUMUR, &c. By Alfred S. Taylor, Lecturer on Chemistry, &c. London, 1845. T. and R. Willats. We have received this exceedingly instructive "Thermometric Table," by Mr. Alfred Taylor, of Guy's Hospital. It contains a vast deal of information in little space. By its aid, not only can we read off at a glance the corresponding degrees of the three thermometers at present in useFahrenheit's, Reaumur's, and the Centigrade-but we also find out a host of interesting particulars connected with Climatology, Physical Geography, Chemistry, and Physiology. By having it at his side, the student will save himself no little time and trouble in the way of reference to different books. Would that Mr. Taylor would give us, at his leisure, a similar table of weights and measures, British and Foreign; so that the reader of French and German works could at once reduce the one into the other. MODERN COOKERY IN ALL ITS BRANCHES REDUCED TEM OF EASY PRACTICE, &C. By Eliza Acton. and Co. 1845. TO A SYS- AMONG the revolutions and improvements that have taken place in medicine during the present century, the increased attention to DIETETICS is one of the most important and conspicuous. We seldom take physic except when we are ill; but we are always taking food, and many of our maladies are induced by improper diet. We strongly suspect that our augmented longevity is as much owing to food as to physic. Cookery, is therefore, not beneath the notice of the physician. A late celebrated—at least fashionable-physician owed much of his popularity to his readiness in prescribing a dish as well as a draught for his patient;-and a living physician, of high literary and scientific attainments, is not less indebted to his chemistry of the kitchen, than to his pharmaceutical knowledge, for the high station he now holds. A knowledge of the cuisine is more necessary to the medical man than to any other professional man. His constant intercourse with dyspeptics-hypochondriacs-invalids and convalescents, calls upon him daily and hourly for advice as to diet; and he finds no small difficulty in adapting the dish to the nature of the complaint and the habit of the individual. Many a convalescent would fall back and perish were not food furnished of a kind that will suit the languid appetite and the morbidly fastidious palate. Although England has long taken the lead in arts, commerce, and manufactures, she has made slow advance in the noble science of gastronomy, and has generally called in the assistance of France and Italy in the mysterious chemical processes going on in the lower regions of John Bull's castle. There JOHNNY CRAPEAUD rules the roast, sending up, daily, to the master of the mansion a farrago of "dishes tortured from their native taste." sufficient to feed the whole brood of Proteian devils that prey upon the vitals of the family, and give unfailing occupation to the doctor, the apothecary, and the undertaker! Everybody knows that God sends food to mankind, but that the cooks come from a very different quarter. The young doctor, therefore, who has often a young wife, and still younger children, should know whether he has "death in the pot," as well as dumplings. Economy in cooking is equally important to the rising generation of our brethren, as economy in dress, house-rent, and equipageperhaps more so. We cannot, therefore, too warmly commend to the notice of our junior brethren this compilation of Eliza Acton, which will prove as useful to young Mrs. and her cook in the kitchen, as Thomson's Dispensatory or Conspectus to the young doctor in the library. MEDICAL REFORM. REMARKS ON THE TRIPARTITE DIVISION OF MEDICINE. By Michael Keating O'Shea. Gilbert, 1845. A BILL FOR REGULATING THE PROFESSION OF PHYSIC AND SUR- THE APOTHECARIES' SOCIETY's (2nd) ADDRESS TO THE GENERAL Highley, 1845. CONTRASTED BEING among those who refused to join in an indiscriminate opposition to the former measure proposed by Sir James Graham, in the hope and belief that, when informed of the wishes and just expectations of the Profession, (whose opinion he stated himself so anxious to be placed in possession of,) that Minister would consent to such alterations and amendments as would render it a useful and satisfactory enactment, we deeply regret having to record the disappointment the perusal of the provisions of the new Bill has occasioned us. The General Practitioners neither can nor ought to feel contented with this reply to their just and reasonable demands. It is true the new measure was ushered in with a conciliatory speech on the part of its proposer, and a distinct recognition of the usefulness, importance, honourable conduct, and humane dispositions of this large class of society. But as we never believed that the former measure was introduced, as roundly stated by so many of its opponents, with the express intention of degrading the great mass of the Profession, so we are quite at a loss to perceive how the value of the present one is enhanced by an admission which we suppose any other member of the House of Commons would have made just as cheerfully. On the contrary, we see cause for discouragement in this. If Sir James Graham, while acknowledging the excellent qualities and vast usefulness of the General Practitioner, still withholds from him his most elementary rights, we can only come to the conclusion that he remains, after all the pains which have been taken to instruct him, hopelessly ignorant of what these are, or is prevented by some influence adverse to their recognition from doing justice to them. That the former element is not an inconsiderable one in determining his proceedings, we may judge from his astounding reply to a question asked him recently in the House, as to his intentions in regard to amending the Charter granted to the College of Surgeons. He stated, he was "at a loss. to understand what were the grievances or exclusions his hon. friend's question referred to !" This, joined with the belief expressed in his speech that the good understanding between the governing powers and members of the College would shortly become augmented by the operation of this very charter, shows such a state of utter ignorance upon the very matter which has most excited the attention and dissatisfaction of the whole profession, that the expectation of its removal must be entertained by those only who are in possession of more sanguine temperaments than ourselves. It is true the Minister stated he thought the General Practitioners ought No. 100. 36 to have a voice in the deliberations of the Council of Health; and that one or two of his nominees would be taken from their body. But this is not sufficient. A much larger proportion should be admitted, and such admission should not depend on the caprice of the Home Secretary of the day, but be as definitely provided for as is that of the representatives of the other branches of the Profession. Then, again, neither the Act itself nor the Statement contain any provision for, or allusion to what is, after all, the great object for which all medical reformers have been struggling, viz., the complete representative system. So far as the Charters hitherto, or about to be granted, are concerned, we find this, the main-spring of all future improvements in the governance of our various medical institutions, completely trodden under foot; and the surgeon, physician, and general practitioner, deliberately informed they are unable to perform elective functions entrusted to the pharmaceutist, the veterinarian, and the meanest burgess. It remains to be seen whether the Crown will consent to the more liberal construction of the new inevitable Charter of Incorporation of General Practitioners. It is also true that Sir James Graham has given in to what he considers the prejudices of the profession as respects the punishment of unlicensed practitioners. But if ever a benefit was marred by the mode of its bestowal and the contingencies of its enjoyment, it is the case here. In the place of a simple penal clause directed against all unregistered persons, who engaged in the practice of physic, whether under the ordinary professional titles or no titles at all, we are to have the Apothecaries' Act continued in existence for the performance of that of its functions which of all it had been found least able to compass; and that too when the funds of the Society will have become much diminished by the loss of examination fees. It is true fines will be inflicted upon those who assume one of the recognized professional appellations; but how easily such a provision as this will be evaded need not be told. It is but due to the Apothecaries' Society to admit they have seen as early as others the defects of the Act which regulated their proceedings, and have done what lay in their power to remedy these; and the preference they have shown of merging themselves into an improved organiza tion of General Practitioners, to constitute a mere subordinate fragment of the new Examining Board is a very proper and honourable one. No valid reason exists why their Act should not be forthwith abolished as originally contemplated. Its retention will only give rise to confusion, and prove an impediment to future progress. If we understand the new Bill aright, the title of "Surgeon" is intended to be confined to those who have undergone a second special examination before the College of Surgeons, and will, in that case, we suppose, be equivalent to "Fellow." If so, the provision is a most unjust one, and can only have a tendency to lower the great body of general practitioners in the eyes of the public. Always having hitherto borne this title, the forcing them to assume the name of mere Licentiate is neither more nor less than a degradation. Another injustice contemplated in this Bill is the obliging a licentiate or fellow who has obtained his diploma in one part of the socalled United Kingdom, to pay additional fees for liberty to practise in another portion, which is under the jurisdiction of another College. He is |