Popular Anatomy and Physiology; adapted to the use of Students and General Readers. By T. S. LAMBERT, M. D. New-York: Leavitt & Co.

Practical Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, Hygiene and Therapeutics. By T. S. LAMBERT, M. D. New-York: Leavitt & Co.

Practical Physiology, for the use of Schools and Families. By EDWARD JARVIS, M. D. Philadelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co.

It is undoubtedly a true proposition that the rudiments of many of the natural sciences may be taught at a very early age-but it is also true that all cannot be taught equally early. Those which concern objects continually present to the sight of even the youngest child will first interest. Thus the outlines of botany will be full of instruction to the young, because they will have continual opportunity, by the wayside or at home, to apply those principles which they have learned from books. They will at once be able to study the distinction between the leaves and the petals; to see how differently, in various plants, the seed vessels are arranged, and how, by different mechanism, one plant fastens its seeds to whatever passes, that they may be borne to distant places, while another scatters them around itself as soon as they are fit to be deposited in the earth. So it is in a great measure with astronomy and with natural philosophy. But of all these sciences it is the rudiments only that can be early taught. The very idea of any thing more is on its face absurd.

Physiology doubtless should be included in the same list; and still we confess that we have been very doubtful of the benefit arising from making it a school study.

The books whose titles we have above given, have been examined by us with unusual care, for we have felt no ordinary interest in the matter, and we have conceived a great dislike to the books now in general use in our section of the country.

Of Dr. Lambert's books, the first is the larger and more complete; but the second is by no means a simple abridgement of the former. As its title suggests, a greater proportion of it is devoted to Hygiene and Therapeutics. This we consider a great improvement, viewing it as designed for a text book for common schools. In fact, those portions of physiology, as it is called in popular language, on which most stress is laid as being beneficial, more correctly pertain to Hygiene. Our own belief is, that more time should be devoted to this, and less to the minutiae of physiology and anatomy proper; for, where but one can be studied thoroughly, hygienic truths are clearly of more value and importance; and it is vastly better to obtain a knowledge of them, rather than a smattering of all these different sciences. We are glad to notice in Dr. L.'s books clear and distinct objections to

quackery in all its forms. Surely no better occasion could be offered for instilling good doctrines upon this subject than when treating of the general conduct of the system; and we feel that the whole profession are indebted to Dr. Lambert for this.

There is one feature of both his books which we do not like. We refer to certain innovations in the anatomical descriptions. There can be no advantage in calling the small intestines the "second stomach," but, on the contrary, quite erroneous impressions may be conveyed. The term, small intestines, is correct and distinctive, and being generally adopted, is generally understood; while the student who at first learns to call them the "second stomach" will be continually misunderstood by those who do not happen to have read the books by this author. The same is true of the "double heart"; for though this is strictly correct, it does no good to insist so much upon it; and we apprehend that more exact ideas would be obtained by 'always considering it as a single organ.

Dr. Jarvis's Physiology is very pleasantly written, and may be read with interest by advanced students in the science-a large number of illustrations being made in an easy and familiar style, which gives the book a peculiar attractiveness.

But the point of view in which we have chiefly considered these books is in their adaptedness to common schools; and it is our decided belief that for all the purposes of an elementary text book Dr. Lambert's "second book" is by far the best arranged of all the books we have ever seen upon this subject. By the variety in type, the more prominent principles are distinctly marked, while the wood cuts and colored lithographs are all finely executed. Of his "Popular Anatomy and Physiology," as well as of "Jarvis's Physiology," we should say that either or both might in connection be consulted with profit, or form text books, after completing the more elementary work. For family perusal, Dr. Jarvis's book is peculiarly adapted, and as such we would earnestly recommend it.

It may seem to some that we have transgressed our limits in speaking so fully of school treatises in a professional periodical, but it is almost invariably the physicians who are consulted upon the books to be used in this department; and it is to them that we have desired to speak of the matter.

CRITCHETT'S TREATMENT OF ULCERS OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY.

In the ninth volume of the London Lancet is a series of lectures upon ulcers of the lower extremity, by George Critchett, Esq., F. R. C. S., &c. The lecturer's objections to the ordinary modes of treatment are fully sta

ted, and a plan of his own is minutely described. Having had some experience in hospital service, as well as elsewhere, of the difficulties encountered in effecting a permanent cure by these methods, we determined to make trial of this new one. This we have done from time to time; and though our cases do not happen to have been very many, we have had so much success that we feel it to be our duty again to call the attention of our proessional brethren to the matter. By Baynton's method, as well as all others in which plaster is used, it has been our fortune to meet with but poor success, while we have been far from satisfied with the different applications of bandages, whether starched or not. Another objection is from the fact that rest is so indispensably necessary in these ways; and this is so serious a matter that many a man goes about with an ulcer continually increasing, because he will not or cannot submit to confinement in the house. By Critchett's method it not only answers for the patient to keep about his business, but it is actually better for him to do so; for not only is the cure more speedy but more permanent-there not being danger that the ulcer will break out anew, as is the case when rest is required. Not only is there this advantage to the patient, but immediate relief from the annoying pain, especially of varicose ulcers, is at once obtained on the application of the plaster; so that it has been not a little amusing as well as gratifying to us, to see a poor fellow who had limped into our office, go out delighted with, and even proud of his improved gait. The test to which we have submitted the treatment has been a severe one-the ulcers having returned, after cures by other means had been effected; while the patients being day laborers, who have not lost an hour's work in consequence of the application, have given the severest trial possible to it. But we copy the author's own description of his method of applying the plaster,-earnestly recommending to any who have not done so, to read the whole series of lectures upon the subject.

You must seat your patient opposite to you, and support his foot upon a small stool, about a foot and a half in height, and so constructed as to receive the point of the heel and leave the rest of the foot free. You should be provided with strips of plaster, about two inches in width, and varying in length from twelve to eighteen inches, according to the size of the limb. The best material for this purpose is the simple emp. plumbi of the Pharmacopoeia, spread upon soft, unglazed calico, and free from resin, which is often introduced to increase its adhesiveness, but which is very liable to irritate the skin. If the plaster be well made, and of the best materials, it will adhere perfectly. I have often found it unmoved for many weeks, and even months. It is convenient to provide yourself with a metallic warmer, made with a flat top, upon which you can lay three or four pieces, heated either by hot water, or by small lamps, which are better if you require it for any length of time. This form of warmer is far preferable to the circular one ordinarily in use, saving both time and trouble. But to proceed. You then take the centre of the first piece, and apply it low down to the back of the heel, and then, with the flat part of both hands, press the plaster along both sides of the foot. This plan is very preferable to taking hold of

the ends and endeavoring to apply them, as it ensures a perfectly smooth adaptation of the plaster to the part; and also because it enables you to regulate the amount of tightness, which is a very important point. As you proceed with the remainder, you must always remember the principle is to make one portion hold on another; you must therefore alternate them round the foot and the ankle. Your second piece should be placed in a similar manner underneath the heel, then carried upwards, at a right angle to the last, so as to cover a portion of each malleolus. The third piece should be again applied to the back of the heel, overlapping the first by about one third. The fourth piece under the foot, and carried upward, each piece being pushed along, so as to allow it to take its own course. This must be continued until the foot and ankle are covered. The strips must then be carried in a similar manner up the leg, increasing in length as the calf increases, and extending as far as the knee, and in some few cases even above this. A calico bandage, about three inches in width and eight yards in length, varying, however, according to the size of the limb, must now be applied, to keep the plaster in its place, and the limb is supported in the most complete and efficient manner that human ingenuity has yet devised. None but those who have practically tested the matter can estimate the immense difference between mechanical support so obtained, and the most accurate bandage that was ever applied. It is, in fact, far greater than mere reasoning upon the subject would lead you to expect; and whilst it accomplishes all that rest can do for the ulcer, in many cases it does a great deal more,-enabling the patient to pursue his ordinary avocations and at the same time healing the wound more rapidly and far more lastingly than the most complete rest would effect.

SELECT POWDERS.

We would call the attention of members of the profession to the "Select Powders" prepared by Messrs. Haskell, Merrick & Bull. We have used them, to a greater or less extent, since their first appearance in the market, and have never been otherwise than pleased with them. Though we have obtained from other sources powders equally pure, we know of none generally in the market on which so much reliance can be placed. These gentlemen are exerting themselves to improve the qualities of drugs in the market, and we trust that the profession in our own state, as well as elsewhere, will encourage them in providing us with trustworthy remedies. We repeat what we have so often said, that it is not only for the interest of our patients, but for our own pecuniary interests to purchase none but the purest drugs.

AYER'S CHERRY PECTORAL. An apology is due to our subscribers that an advertisement of this nostrum appeared in our last number. Messrs. A. & G. were not aware of our rule excluding all such things, and we inadvertently neglected to look over the advertising sheet. We shall not be again disgraced by a similar occurrence.

MEDICAL SCHOOL OF MAINE. The next course of lectures at this Institution commences on the twelfth of next month. As this is one of the few schools whose course is given in the Spring, its merits should be well considered by those to whom this season is most convenient for attending lectures. Sweetser in Theory and Practice, Peaslee in Anatomy and Surgery, Lee in Materia Medica and Therapeutics, are names that everywhere command respect. So far as our observation has gone, the graduates of this Institution are an honor to the profession, as well as to their Alma Mater.

ERRATUM. Dr. Graves desires us to say that the word printed "rum," on page 127, line 17, should have been "wine." On turning to the manuscript, we see that it was written wine, but we should still have read it rum if we had not been corrected.

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL SCIENCE commenced with its October number a new series, being now entirely independent of the American Society of Dental Surgeons. The excellence attained by the Dentists of our country in the practice of their art is a matter of pride with the whole profession. We trust that this journal will continue to be well sustained. It should be taken by every dentist. We congratulate the editor, Dr. Chapin A. Harris, upon his independence of all organizations.

THE N. Y. MEDICAL GAZETTE with the new year commences a second series. Its editor and publisher has thought it best to change its plan, by making it bi-monthly instead of weekly, and reducing its price to one dollar. We need not again express our high opinion of the Gazette. Thus the dollar journals continue to increase in number, and we are glad to say that as yet we have seen no reason to be other than proud of our fellows.

THE PHILADELPHIA LANCET. We welcome to our exchange list another dollar journal, with the above title. Its editor, Thomas D. English, M. D., declares himself opposed to quackery everywhere, and that it is his intention to denounce it fearlessly. The independence of all schools or cliques with which he proposes to conduct the Lancet, we trust will ever be a prominent characteristic of it. The enterprise has our best wishes.