the viscera, and scrutinize most narrowly all the organs and tissues, in the hope of discovering lesions of some one sort or another; there is not a small vessel, membrane, cavity, or follicle, which is not attentively examined; the colour, the weight, the thickness, the volume, the alteration, nothing escapes the eyes of the studious anatomist. He handles, touches, smells and looks at every thing; then he draws his conclusions one way or the other. One thing only escapes his attention; this is, that he is looking at merely organic effects, forgetting all the while that he must mount higher up to discover their causes. These organic alterations are observed, perhaps, in the body of a person who has suffered deeply from mental distress and anxiety; these have been the energetic cause of his decay; but they cannot be studied in the laboratory or in the amphitheatre.' Many physicians of extensive experience are destitute of the ability of searching out and understanding the moral causes of disease; they cannot read the book of the heart; and yet it is in this book that are inscribed, day by day and hour by hour, all the griefs, and all the miseries, and all the vanities, and all the fears, and all the joys, and all the hopes of man, and in which will be found the most active and incessant principle of that frightful series of organic changes which constitute pathology.' "This is quite true, whenever the equilibrium of our moral nature is long or very seriously disturbed, we may rest assured that that of the animal functions will suffer. 66 Many a disease is the contre-coup, so to speak, of a strong moral emotion; the mischief may not be apparent at the time, but its germ will be nevertheless inevitably laid." It only remains for us now briefly to notice the general character of the books, whose titles we have prefixed to this article. The work of Dr. Moore contains a good deal of interesting information, and is imbued throughout with an amiable and enlightened spirit of religious feeling. That of Dr. Binns is utterly unworthy of any man of education: doubtless it is intended for the eye, not of medical men, but of the reading public; and probably the Doctor has had his reward. The attempt to impose upon the credulity of people by pretending—at a personal sacrifice too!to communicate a ready means of procuring sleep at any time, is truly disgraceful on the part of a regularly qualified physician. The work of Dr. Boismont, on the subject of Hallucinations, is almost entirely occupied with the relation of cases illustrative of almost every sort of monomaniacal delusions. It may therefore be regarded rather as a Catalogue Raisonnée of reports, than as a treatise upon the subject. It is unnecessary to say any thing of the "Rapports, &c." of Cabanis, originally published at the beginning of the present century, further than to recommend the present edition to the notice of our readers: it is very complete, and at the same time most reasonable in price. Mr. Colquhoun's new publication is a curious one. Besides the seven lectures of Dr. Wienholt, translated from the German, there is a long Preface and Introduction denunciatory of medical men for their ungenerous opposition to the claims of the noble science of Animal Magnetism, and also an Appendix, in which there is ample reference to (what Mr. C. considers) indubitable cases of Clairvoyance, &c. The lectures of Wienholt were published upwards of forty years ago; and it is not very obvious what could have induced the learned advocate to have disinterred them from their quiet repose. They are full, as might be expected, of that German spirit of most unsatisfying disquisition which leaves the reader at the close just about as wise as he was at the commencement; reminding us more than once of the witty Frenchman's remark on a similar subject; plus il y a de raisonnement, moins il y a de raison." One of the strongest arguments adduced by him is this. Bats can guide themselves when their eyes have been scooped out as well as when they had them, poor creatures, in their heads; and Cats and Owls can see not only as well, but even better, in the dark than in the light. Here then are proofs-that the faculty of Vision in animals is not confined to the eye-balls! Why then should it necessarily be so in the human being?-more especially when we call to mind the numerous examples where Somnambulists have been known to see objects, although their eyes were perfectly closed at the time. This seems to be the drift of the author's reasoning. The only remark that we shall make is, that it certainly seems rather strange that the Creator should have made a special organ for sight, if animals can see as well without as with it. The learned translator dwells forcibly upon what may be called a spiritual view of the question, and appeals to the writings, not only of metaphysicians but also of St. Paul, in confirmation of his views. The following passage from Dr. Reid is deemed so conclusive by him that it is actually printed in capital letters throughout. "We have reason to believe, that when we put off these bodies, and all the organs belonging to them, our perceptive powers shall rather be improved, than destroyed or impaired. We have reason to believe that the Supreme Being perceives every thing in a much more perfect manner than we do, without bodily organs. We have reason to believe that there are other created beings endowed with powers of perception more perfect and more extensive than ours, without any such organs as we find necessary." The quotation, which he adduces from Scripture in support of his doctrine that perception may exist independent of any bodily organs, is, to say the least of it, any thing but happy for his orthodox theology. After citing the well-known verses from the first Epistle to the Corinthians-" there are celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial;" and again, "it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body," he adds: "Man, in short, is composed of two different natures-the physical or corporeal, and the psychical or spiritual. In our present state, these two natures are conjoined; in the future state, the soul or spirit will be disembodied, and our knowledge, instead of being acquired through the instrumentality of material organs, will probably be derived from immediate intuition-the product of pure consciousness." Is not this conjecture somewhat at variance with the scriptural doctrine of the Resurrection of our real bodies? " By the bye, Mr. Colquhoun is very severe against Dr. Elliotson and his friend Dr. Engledue for their materialist and infidel opinions. He seems to regard the former of these gentlemen as altogether very shallow in his mesmeric, as well as in his other, attainments. "The learned doctor, he remarks," is continually carried off his feet by every novelty-his mind (if any mind he has) is eminently disqualified for philosophical research-when he happens to get hold of any truth, he seems incapable of making a right use of it :-he seems incapable of distinguishing truth from illusion. A considerable part of his letter (appended to Dr. Engledue's very absurd Address to the Phrenological Association) is taken up with an NEW SERIES, NO. IV.-II. CC account of certain experiments in that new bastard science called PhrenoMesmerism, of which he speaks in terms of the most rapturous delight." This language (and there is more of it in a similar strain) is surely very unbecoming, applied to a man of Dr. Elliotson's intellectual powers. That he has erred, and erred very grievously, in giving currency to materialist views in his physiological writings, we readily admit; but there are many points in his character that deserve praise. He is sincere and ingenuous, and withal courageous and unhesitating in the avowal of his opinions. Whether Mr. Colquhoun's mind is " eminently qualified for philosophical research," we shall leave the reader to judge for himself, after he has read what may be called the peroration of the appendix to these lectures. "If we admit the transposition of the poles of sensibility in somnambulism, by which the central point of the sensitive life is transferred from the brain to some other organ, it is not clear why, as in metastatic affections, sometimes one, sometimes another organ, but always that most susceptible of disease, is attacked -so, in the case of somnambulism, a different organ of the nervous system— especially that most susceptible of zoo-magnetic action-may not be elevated to the dignity of an organ of the soul. If we once assume, so to speak, a metempsychosis in the sphere of our own body, (without which, do as we will, we cannot attain to any physiological principle in this matter,) then, under certain conditions, any part of the nervous system may become an organ of the soul, viz. always that part which is most exciteable; and the organ of the soul can thus be transferred out of the central part of the brain into a peripheric part of it, as into the great ganglionic plexus of the abdomen, or into any other ganglion, provided this part of the nervous system stands in the relation of a centre, although in a lower sphere, in subordination to the brain—that is, provided it be really a ganglion in the physiological sense. Hence, perhaps, a difference might take place between male and female somnambulists; seeing that in the latter, in consequence of the greater activity of the abdominal ganglions, even in the normal state, most nervous diseases are reflected, and somnambulism, also, most frequently developed in that sex."-P. 200. I. TRAITÉ CLINIQUE ET PRATIQUE DES MALADIES DES ENFANS. II. MANUEL PRATIQUE DES MALADIES DES NOUVEAUX-NÉS ET pp. 610. Paris, 1845. Par E. Bouchut. Small 8vo. A Practical Manual of the Diseases of New-born Infants and [Second Notice.] OUR readers will recollect that MM. Rilliet and Barthez arrange the diseases treated of in their important work in eight classes, Inflammations, Dropsies, Hæmorrhages, Gangrenes, Neuroses, Fevers, Tuberculizations and Entozoaires. The four first of these we have already examined; and now proceed to analyse the most important facts relating to those which remain. CLASS V-NEUROSES. The nervous affections most commonly observed in childhood are denoted especially by a perversion or abolition of muscular contractility, and those here treated of are mostly of a convulsive character. They are Pertussis, Spasm of the Glottis, Convulsions, Chorea, Contractions, and Essential Paralysis. All these diseases, in their uncomplicated state, agree in being devoid of fever and of pain; some of them being intermittent, and others continued, but with exacerbations. Complications with other diseases, or with each other, are however, very frequent, and much modify the progress and results of these affections. Pertussis. This disease is excellently described in both the French works under review, but, without going into the detail, we may extract a few observations from that of MM. Rilliet and Barthez. Auscultation." The complications are for the most part seated in the lungs, and as the bronchitis and pneumonia are recognised by the rapidity of pulse and respiration, and the auscultatory signs, it is quite necessary to examine the little patients daily in the interval of the paroxysms. In fact, if the ear be applied at the instant of a paroxysm, independently of the material obstacles offered by the resistance of the child, no respiratory murmur is heard, and we can only perceive the anormal resonance of the cough. If we auscult during the whooping inspiration which succeeds the interrupted expirations, the respiratory murmur is not heard either, the air not penetrating beyond the larger divisions of the bronchi. It is then quite necessary to examine the child at a period somewhat remote from the fit of coughing; care must be taken also to count the pulse and respirations some time prior to or subsequent to a paroxysm, for we have almost always observed an acceleration of the pulse and breathing to occur a little while prior to the paroxysm, and to persist for some time after its termination." Complications.-These may be arranged under three heads. 1. Those which belong to the nature of the disease, as convulsions and spasm of the glottis. 2. Those which depend upon its locality, as bronchitis, pneumonia, hæmorrhages, and tubercles. 3. Those which are mere coincidences as pleurisy, meningitis, eruptive fevers, &c. &c. Convulsions are by no means a rare complication, especially in young children, and, occurring during the paroxysmal stages of the affection, add much to the gravity of the disease. Bronchitis, as all know, is a very common complication, being attended with dilatation of even the smallest bronchi. Lobular pneumonia also is a frequent complication, often co-existing with the bronchitis. MM. R. and B. do not regard Emphysema as one of the complications, never having found it, except when the patient has succumbed to pneumonia or bronchitis, and not always then; and never so considerable as when these inflammatory affections existed without pertussis. Indeed they regard the C c * repeated expirations, followed by the prolonged spasmodic inspiration of hooping-cough, expelling the air, and then opposing its free re-admission, as unfavourable to the production of emphysema; while the dilatation of the bronchi observed results solely from their inflamed condition. M. Bouchut, however, states that emphysema is frequently met with. Of Hydrocephalus and Anasarca, stated by Frank and Lombard as complications, the authors speak with just scepticism. Epistaxis is not uncommon, but is a mere mechanical effect of the violence of the paroxysm; and the Hæmatemesis, reported by some authors, has resulted from the regurgitation of the blood from the nares into the stomach. The deposition of Tubercle in the lungs and bronchial glands is by no means an uncommon consequence of pertussis. In reference to the influence the complications exert upon the progress of the disease, MM. R. & B. observe that this is very uncertain. When the complication is very grave the fits often diminish in intensity; but when this occurs only at a late period, it is often difficult to determine whether the disease has not become modified independently of its influence. M. Bouchut, however, following M. Trousseau, states that, intercurrent febrile affections exert a marked effect in diminishing the force of the disease, or curing it." If they cause the patient to run some risk, by a happy compensation they moderate the symptoms of the principal disease." Among such affections he enumerates variola, acute catarrh, pneumonia, enteritis, meningitis, dental fever, vaccination, and gourmes. Complications are oftener observed in infants at the breast than in older children. Diagnosis. This, in the great majority of cases, is easy enough, except in the very early stages. Still, as MM. R. and B. observe, there is a paroxysmal form of bronchitis which may be mistaken for it, and we do not doubt its having been so, will explain many of the examples of reputed second attacks of pertussis. M. Bouchut places the diagnostic marks in the simplest manner by stating that in this bronchitis there is no whooping inspiration, no vomiting after the fit, and hardly any expectoration, while there is well-marked fever, which is rare in pertussis. A tuberculous state of the bronchial glands is also attended with a paroxysmal cough difficult to distinguish from hooping-cough. When pertussis is not readily cured, its third stage, or rather the dilated bronchi it has given rise to, may lead to symptoms hardly to be distinguished from phthisis, except by the result of the case. Nature." While admitting that the nervous element plays a great part in pertussis, we cannot but believe that there is something in it beyond a mere lesion of innervation. A singular neurosis it is in fact, susceptible of transmission by contagion, prevailing epidemically, and attacking the same individual but once. The hooping-cough seems to us to at once partake of the characters of eruptive fevers and of those of convulsive diseases. Like the eruptive fevers it is contagious, epidemic, attacks children specially, is not subject to return, is preceded by a period of incubation, and by a precursory stage. Like convulsive diseases and simple neurosis, it is characterised by the marked intermission its principal symp toms undergo, by their special form, and by the absence of febrile action and anatomical alterations. It might be well termed a specific neurosis. It is a disease without an analogue, and if we wish to assign its place in the nosological |