excellent condiment, and superior to any thing of its kind. We have also received from Messrs. Hodgson, Brothers, and Davers, (Merchants,) an article, a very valuable dietetic, called Sougée: it is nutritious food for invalids. We shall give it a further trial. Its great recommendation is its cheapness. Mr. Boyle's very interesting work on Western Africa shall receive our earnest consideration in the next number. It is one of the most important volumes upon our colonies in Africa that has been written: as a medical guide, it is invaluable. The Medical Annual is an improvement upon that of the last year. Those who have not the publication of 1831, are strongly recommended to the perusal of a volume which contains a narration of all the improvements in medicine. We perfectly coincide in opinion with "F. R. S. ;" and he will see that the Catechism of Health has been reviewed by us, but with as much good nature as possible. We refer "An Invalid" to Reece's Treatise on the Buchu Leaves: he will find similar cases, and the treatment to be pursued. In consequence of Dr. Reece's Medical Guide being completely out of print, a new edition, which was corrected by himself, will immediately be published. "S. P. S." We cannot find room for a communication which is not thoroughly understood by the public. There are too many technicalities. Dr. Talrich has brought from Paris some very beautiful anatomical preparations in wax-work, which he is now exhibiting, at 32, St. James'sstreet, and which are really well worthy the general inspection. The anatomical bill shall receive our early attention. We thank "A Dissector" for his hints. We recommend to "A Student" Tuson's Myology. The school in Little Windmill - street opens, the 20th of January, with the same professors :-Guthrie on surgery; Tuson on anatomy; Dr. Sigmond on the practice of physic; Jewell on midwifery; and Everitt on chemistry. The latter gentleman, who has, for the first time, delivered a course at this theatre, has given the greatest satisfaction. His experiments have been numerous, and very successful. The fair " Louisa," of Kidderminster, may safely use the areca tooth powder, with or without the Tincture of Rhatany. She can obtain it at the Medical Hall, Sidbury, Worcester, where all Messrs. Reece's articles are kept. "P.A.N." arrived too late. If the subject has not lost its interest, we will give insertion to it in our next number. *Communications addressed to the Editors, 170, Piccadilly. Books for review, and articles for insertion, are requested to be sent as early as possible. To our numerous correspondents many and sincere thanks, with wishes for their happiness at the commencement of the new year. Gazette of Health AND PRACTICAL MEDICINE. No. I. To JANUARY 1, 1832. VOL. II. ORIGINAL ARTICLES. ON DISEASES OF CHILDREN.-By Dr. MORTON. IT is unquestionable that the diseases of infants and young children are by no means so well understood generally as those of adults; and this statement cannot excite surprise when it is remembered that medical men have been intrusted with their treatment during little more than half a century, previous to which period, old nurses and widows were almost universally considered the best advisers in the various ailments of early childhood. Ridiculous, however, as must appear, in this enlightened age, the general and implicit reliance of former times upon the curative resources of the authorities just alluded to, it has unfortunately tended, by depriving practitioners of the opportunities necessary for studying infantile diseases, very materially to retard the progress of this most important branch of the healing art; it being only since the comparatively recent transfer of parental confidence from the ignorant to the educated, that the latter have seriously directed their attention to the disorders of children, or have any valuable works appeared upon the subject; nor can these (a few excepted) bear comparison with the many sterling productions which have adorned the literature of general medicine. Ability in distinguishing the morbid affections of infants can only be acquired, first, by the attentive study of infantile semeiology, and afterwards by clinical observation and experience; for, although there is no real mystery hanging over them, as was anciently supposed, yet it is undeniable that they are difficult to be recognised with precision, unless the observer has enjoyed considerable experience himself, or frequent opportunities of witnessing the practice of others. The ordinary modes of detecting disease are here often inadmissible: reliance can alone be placed upon that accuracy of observation which enables the experienced physician at a glance to notice and interpret certain peculiarities of countenance, gesture, &c.; from these deriving his only information as to the condition of his patient, since infants cannot indicate by words the seat or nature of their ailments. If, as Dr. Buchan well observes with respect to the recognition of disease in general, it is necessary to acquire the tactus eruditus, the visus eruditus, and the auditus eruditus, how indispensable must the possession of these qualities be to those who undertake the treatment of infantile diseases! |
