placenta and its mode of union to the uterus, to which he has added a theory of his own, for which we must refer the reader to the work itself.

We perceive, with satisfaction, in his notes on the decidua, that Dr. Rigby refers, and most justly, the discovery of the decidual cotyledons to Dr. Montgomery of this city, and we perfectly agree with him in thinking

"That no one can read Dr. Montgomery's description of them, after that quoted from Dr. Sharpey, and examine the diagrams of Plate V., particularly fig. 4, without coming to the conclusion, that the decidual cotyledons of Dr. Montgomery are identical with the uterine glands of Dr. Sharpey."-p. 52.

And we must add, that we think it would have been, in Dr. Sharpey, more in unison with the liberal spirit of scientific inquiry, towards one who had anticipated him, had he more fully and candidly acknowledged the previous discovery of Dr. Montgomery than he has done in the very slight and equivocal allusion to it, in his Paper on the subject.

On the whole, we have, in this volume, a most desirable addition to our works of reference. Its size is far more convenient than that of the original edition of 1794, edited by Dr. Baillie. As to the “ getting up,” nothing could be more elegant; and of the Plates we cannot speak too highly, they are at once tastefully designed and beautifully executed; while the price is so moderate, as to place the work quite within the reach of the student, as well as of the senior members of the Profession, of whom, we venture to predict, few will be without a copy of this valuable treatise.

We cannot, however, agree with our author in his doubts (pp. 20, 21) of the reality of the nerves of the uterus discovered by Dr. Robert Lee, and so beautifully represented in his Plates. Having inspected Dr. Lee's dissections, we are prepared to state our opinion to be in unison with that of Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Stanley, and Sir B. Brodie, as expressed in their letters on this subject, viz. that Dr. Lee has succeeded in displaying ganglia and nerves, of which he has given correct representations.Vide Medical Gazette for January 19, p. 523. And we think it but justly due to Dr. Lee to say that he has, in this instance, made one of the most brilliant additions to modern discovery connected with the organization of the uterus.

Anatomical Manipulation; or the Methods of pursuing practical Investigations in Comparative Anatomy and Physiology. Also, an Introduction to the Use of the Microscope, &c. By ALFRED TULK, M. R. C. S., M. E. S., and ARTHUR HENFREY, A. L. S., M. Mic. S. London, 1844.

In the study of human, as well as of comparative anatomy, the accuracy of our observations, and the justness of the inferences deduced from them, must, in a great measure, depend upon the manner in which the various complex structures, which enter into the composition of animal bodies, are displayed and prepared for examination.

To the student, therefore, it is of the highest importance to acquire a practical knowledge of the contrivances to be adopted, the instruments to be used, and the general means to be employed in his researches.

Although several very excellent works on these subjects have been published in this country, yet, owing to the present advanced state of the sciences of Comparative and Structural Anatomy, and especially to the recent application of improved microscopes to the investigation of these subjects, the "Instructors" referred to are but little available as useful guides to the anatomist.

In order to supply this deficiency, the work before us has been produced,-a work which we feel assured will afford valuable assistance to every one entering upon the studies of comparative anatomy and physiology.

The authors inform us that they have taken as their model the treatise of M. Straus-Durckheim, entitled "Traité Pratique et Theorique d'Anatomie Comparative," following his plan more or less closely in the First and Third Parts, condensing and translating his matter, and making such additions and alterations as they considered needful; while the whole of the Second Part has been written anew.

The First Part treats, in a very comprehensive manner, of the mechanical arrangements required in the dissection of animals; leaving it to the student to select those portions which may be best adapted to his means, and the particular direction of his investigations. Under the head of Mechanical Arrangements are included dissecting rooms and tables, workshops, troughs, skeleton frames and boxes, tools, &c.; an excellent description is also given of the various instruments invented for injecting vascular tissues, the different kinds of injections used by anatomists, and the substances employed in preparing and

preserving animal structures. This section of the work contains much useful information, and is illustrated by a number of well executed wood-cuts.

The microscope forms the subject of the Second Part, which commences with a brief summary of the optical principles on which these instruments are constructed. The laws of refraction, and the effects of different forms of lenses upon rays of light passing through them, are well explained; and the action of simple magnifiers, their imperfections, and the means by which spherical aberration and chromatic dispersion are corrected, are described in a clear and intelligible manner. The different improvements in simple microscopes are next detailed, by the adoption of which the aperture can be increased, so as to give penetration without losing distinctness or definition.

The author then proceeds to the consideration of the compound microscope, and the relative advantages of various eyepieces and object glasses. A second chapter is devoted to the mechanical construction of microscopes, the best methods of illumination, and the modes of using the camera-lucida, polarizing apparatus, micrometers, and other accessory instruments. For the dissection, preparation, and preservation of minute objects, and the general manipulation of simple and compound microscopes, many valuable directions are given to the student, and the descriptions are, in most instances, accompanied by accurate diagrams, which very much enhance the excellence of the work.

The Third Part, by Mr. Alfred Tulk, contains directions for dissecting and preparing the various systems of organs in the different classes of animals. In his introductory remarks the author gives the following good advice to students:

"Next in importance to the dissection of an animal, it is indispensable for the student of comparative anatomy to acquire the art of describing with accuracy, perspicuity, and distinctness, the various objects which his scalpel has disclosed; a faculty, indeed, by no means attainable at first, and which can be gained only by practice and a strict observance of the meaning of the terms used in scientific language. It is almost needless to insist upon drawing, as most useful in aiding our actual researches, and the pen. Lastly, in preparing to investigate any point in comparative anatomy and physiology, if with a view towards publishing the results of his labours, the observer should never neglect to make himself acquainted with all that has already been done (if any) upon the subject, both by the old and recent authors of this country and the continent. In this way much useless pains, and subsequent disappointment as regards originality, will be frequently avoided."

The best course to be pursued in dissecting animals, when circumstances admit of it, is to proceed from without inwards, and to study carefully each part in succession as it presents itself: in accordance with this plan, the author has arranged his ample and judicious directions, treating separately of each system in the vertebrata, articulata, mollusca, and radiata. We cannot follow him in detail through this important, because practical, portion of his subject, but we can assure our readers that the matter and manner of this section are fully equal to the preceding parts of the work. To every student of comparative anatomy and physiology we strongly recommend this treatise, as an instructive companion and useful guide to the study of these sciences.

Traité de Toxicologie. Par M. ORFILA. Quatrieme Edition; revue, corrigée, et augmentée. Paris, 1843. Two vols. A Manual of Medical Jurisprudence. By ALFRED S. TAYLOR, Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence and Chemistry in Guy's Hospital. London: John Churchill. 1844. pp. 679. Principles of Forensic Medicine. By WILLIAM A. GUY, M.B. Cantab.; Professor of Forensic Medicine, King's College, London. London: Renshaw. 1843. Parts I. and II.

Of the many distinguished ornaments of the French School of Medicine, none have laboured more indefatigably-more successfully, than M. Orfila. For some years past valuable monographs on various of the most important subjects of public medicine, have emanated in rapid succession from his pen, most of which are distinguished by his accustomed accuracy and research. During the above period his celebrated treatise on Legal Medicine has passed through three editions, its author being at the same time charged with the important functions of Professor of Medical Chemistry, and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

His treatise on Toxicology, the first edition of which appeared about twenty years since, has justly gained for him (what in the language of his compatriots is termed) an European reputation. The important accessions which the science has acquired by the recent labours of this distinguished public physician, entitle him to the gratitude of all who duly estimate the importance of forensic medicine. And here, were the occasion a suitable one, we should feel tempted to inquire how it has happened, that although few are disposed formally to deny that

a knowledge of public medicine is indispensable to the wellinformed practitioner, yet practically, in our medical circles, its facts and principles fall upon the ear of the majority as idle tales.

It would doubtless be not uninteresting to trace the origin of that misconception and apathy, which in these countries have assigned a position of mere tolerance to a department of knowledge of confessed public utility, one which has occupied some of the most trenchant intellects, and has largely engaged the attention of such men as Paré, Louis, Haller, Hunter, and Foderé.

In very truth, the conventional language even of many engaged in medical instruction, assigns to forensic medicine a position amongst the "minor courses," placing it lower than natural history in the scale of practical utility, and consequently, as at present circumstanced, it drags on a disputed scholastic existence. The root of all this is to be found in various circumstances, of which some of the most prominent are, ignorance of the basis on which a knowledge of the science reposes; the irremunerative nature of public medical services; and the intrinsic difficulty of the subject itself, as compared with other departments of medical science. We have no intention, however, of entering, ex cathedrâ, into the consideration of these topics, or of discussing the most feasible methods of effectuating a more rational state of opinion and feeling, in regard to the subject. We shall content ourselves with adducing in evidence of the condition of things just noticed, the fact (a singular one doubtless), that the College of Surgeons of England, we believe not five years since, formally repudiated forensic medicine, which had a short time previously found favour in its sight; it now declares it, by the mouth and act of its council, a superfluous branch of medical acquirement.

Such a procedure on the part of a body, which ostensibly represents the Profession in England, and which should be the guardian and motive instrument of medical education in that country, is calculated to awaken surprise, and merits the severest reprehension. The progress of medical science in Ireland and Scotland, as on the Continent, has led to the incorporation of legal medicine with the ordinary branches of study, as indispensable to the aspirant for public favour; the incredible announcement, on the contrary, of the London College, almost tempts us to inquire whether the position of the English practitioner is of such a nature as to confer upon him an exemption from contributing his quota to the public safety. If indifference to the study of forensic medicine exist amongst ourselves, it is VOL. XXV. NO. 74.

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