Chapter VI. treats of prurigo; and Mr. Nayler here maintains that: "No form of prurigo is in any way dependent on pediculi, although their presence may greatly aggravate the symptoms." The opinion of Alibert, which Mr. Nayler here opposes, and which opinion, he remarks, has been lately revived, is further referred to in a foot note on p. 86, where, admitting the coexistence of pediculi and prurigo, in the lower orders of the people, he observes:-"There is probably no disease of the skin so common in the highest range of society as this variety of prurigo."

Chapter VII. treats of eczema; and, in our view, it is singularly deficient as regards this disease. In a dogmatic manner the disease, which is perhaps the most frequent of all other cutaneous affections, is pronounced vesicular; and there is not a word in the entire chapter to indicate that such a thing as controversy regarding the We are quite sure that Hardy

nature and extent of eczema exists. and Hebra, and M'Call Anderson, and Fox, and other writers of our own day, will think little of this chapter.

In Chapter VIII.-" On Herpes"-Mr. Nayler maintains that herpes circinnatus (for so he spells the latter word) and tinea tondens are one and the same; and he further holds that the affection (h. circinatus) is parasitic. As to its cure, Mr. Nayler mentions as successful the plan adopted by Mr. Coster, Medical Superintendent of the London District School, at Hanwell. It consists of the application of tar and iodine, an ounce of the former to two drachms of the latter; and he gives the mode of its application in a foot note on p. 123.

Chapter IX." On Pampholix"-which he regards as synonymous with pemphigus, concludes Mr. Nayler's remarks on vesicular affections; and in Chapter X. he commences on diseases of the pustular class, with porrigo; continuing, in Chapter XI., with impetigo; and concluding, in Chapter XII., with ecthyma and rupia. The porrigo of Mr. Nayler is not the porrigo of Neligan and others (See Dr. Belcher's edition of Neligan, p. 404), but appears to be merely a variety of impetigo. Accordingly, we are not surprised to find him saying, on p. 138, that he has been unable to discover a vegetable parasite in porrigo; but he adds that in numerous cases which he has seen the hair bulbs become flattened, and expand into a broad and thin plain, which terminates in an even edge. He appends microscopic diagrams to illustrate this statement.

Chapter XIII. treats of Lupus; and while it mentions in a passing manner the plastic operations of Mr. Hamilton, of this

city, it wholly omits mention of Jacob's ulcer, which Neligan included under lupus devorans.

Chapter XIV. "On Alopecia"-is better, in most respects, than the corresponding parts of other works on this portion of the subject, because it discusses the question-which it answers in the negative-is alopecia a parasitic disease? and gives microscopic diagrams in illustration.

In Chapter XV.-" On Acne"-Mr. Nayler derives the term acne from the Greek a, non, and xvaw, radere, viz., freedom from itching. Without entering into a critical discussion on Greek derivations, we must, with all respect, dispute Mr. Nayler's Greek on this point, and prefer Dr. Belcher's derivation-that usually accepted as given in his edition of Neligan, p. 173:-" Acne is derived from axun, from its appearance at the full growth and evolution (acme) of the system."

Chapters XVI., on Sycosis, and XVII., on Favus (the porrigo of Neligan) do not call for any particular remark; and we next proceed to Chapter XVIII., on Scabies and Pediculi. This contains several large representations of the acarus scabiei, and of the pediculus corporis humani. Mr. Nayler looks on scabies as always caused by the presence of the acarus; and while he recommends the use of the hyposulphite of lime (so common in our military hospitals) for its cure, he seems to think the use of that preparation more modern than it really is. Its use was mentioned in this Journal in 1862; and even then it was not new.

Chapter XIX. treats of Uticaria and Erythema; and Chapter XX. of Elephantiasis. Chapter XXI. notices various "morbid growths of the skin”—as, for example-warts, fibrous, sebaceous, and other tumours; and Chapter XXII., which concludes the book, consists of "Remarks on diseases of the Skin following Vaccination." Mr. Simon, in his papers on vaccination, published in 1857, and presented to both Houses of Parliament, strongly contested the theory of the transmission of syphilis by vaccination. Mr. Nayler, however, believes that cases occur in which there is no room for any other opinion than that syphilis has been transmitted through the medium of vaccination.

There are seven plates prefixed to this volume. Five of them are illustrations of the anatomy and physiology of the skin; and, in fact, appear to have been the pegs for hanging Chapter I. on. The remaining two are microscopic views of parasites.

The classification, or absence thereof, in this book is curious,

and indicates a reaction from the intolerable classification-making of modern writers. Mr. Nayler praises Willan's classes, as every one else does; and, for the most part, he leaves them after him, as do his brother writers. Begging the question, and proving nothing as to what diseases are, respectively, squamous, papular, vesicular, and pustular, he devotes a chapter to each of these groups, and gives one also to each of the remaining diseases "which have their own distinctive characters." According to the modern meaning of the word "Treatise," this book, which is good, so far as it goes, has no proper claim to be called by that comprehensive term. Omitting some diseases altogether, it almost wholly ignores the important labours of other modern writers, except, perhaps, Mr. Startin, and now and then, a man whom no one can afford to ignore-Erasmus Wilson; rarely cites an authority; and quietly omits mention of some prevailing opinions which every well informed practitioner should know something about. The ill-natured critic has some ground for asking-if the drawings and illustrations already noticed had not been in existence previously would this book have been written? If it had been called "A Treatise on the Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin; with Remarks on the Parasitic Nature of Some of its Diseases, and the Treatment of Others"-it would have been well called so.

While thus reflecting on some of the defects of this book, and wondering where the eruption of books on dermatology will end, it is but fair to say that the practical recommendations of Mr. Nayler are sound and useful; the descriptions of disease, for the most part, are clear and concise; and in the important matter of diagnosis his book may be consulted with advantage.

The Use of the Laryngoscope in Diseases of the Throat, with an Appendix on Rhinoscopy. By MORELL MACKENZIE, M.D., London; M.R C.P; Physician to the Hospital for Diseases of the Throat; and Assistant Physician, and Co-lecturer on Physiology at the London Hospital. Second Edition, Revised and Enlarged.

THE volume which has just come to hand is both a surprise and a pleasure. It is not often our pleasing duty to call our professional brethrens' attention to a second edition, revised and enlarged, within

so short a space of time. We reviewed the first edition in our February Number of 1865. We then stated, that we felt sure of the success of the book, as it supplied a want. The result has proved the correctness of our opinion.

The arrangement of the volume before us is the same as the first edition; but each chapter is enlarged by the addition of more information, and enriched by many additional well executed engravings.

Mackenzie, as almost every one now does, gives the credit of the Laryngoscope, as it is now used, to Czermak:

"In the year 1857, in the month of November, Professor Czermak, of Pesth, borrowed from Dr. Türck the little mirrors which that gentleman, in spite of the exhortation of his friends, had thrown aside as useless. In a short time his superior genius, untiring perseverance, and natural dexterity, enabled him to overcome all difficulties. When the dentist's mirror passed into the hands of Czermak, the examination of the larynx was dependent, so to speak, on the clocks and the barometer; but he soon relieved it from both these troublesome monitors. Artificial light was substituted for the uncertain rays of the sun; the large ophthalmoscope of Ruete, was used for concentrating the luminous rays; the awkward hinge which united the laryngeal mirror to its stem was dispensed with; and the mirrors were made of different sizes. Thus it was that Czermak created the art of Laryngoscopy."

The second chapter treats of glasses, reflectors, and lamps; of the first, the author prefers the circular forms, except when enlarged tonsils are present; he then prefers oval mirrors.

The reflector may be placed in different positions, either
Opposite one eye (Czermak);

In front of the nose (Bruns);

Or on the forehead (Fournié, Johnson, Mason, &c.).

Of these, the first is the most perfect; the last the easiest in practice.

"Any lamp that gives a bright steady light answers the purpose perfectly well."

For those who want more, Dr. Mackenzie has a rack-movement laryngoscopic lamp, which admits of perpendicular and horizontal movement. He adds:-"The power of the light may be advantageously increased by one or more lenses placed in front of the flame." We very much question the advantageousness of the

increase of light; we have been very glad to diminish the light of our own "moderator" after several examinations; and if we have light enough to see distinctly all that is to be seen, more light only injures the sight of the examiner. The next lamp, however, is a very valuable contrivance:-" It consists of a small metal cylinder, three and a half inches long, and two and a half in diameter. This is closed at one end, and at the other there is a plano-convex lensthe plane surface of which is next the flame. The lens is two inches and a half in diameter, and is about one-third of a sphere. In the upper and under surfaces of the cylinder (opposite each other) are two round apertures." These holes are so placed that the flame is at the focal distance from the lens. At the lower part of the tube are two semicircular arms, which, by means of a screw at the side, can be made to grasp tightly the largest lamp chimney, an ordinary candle, or even the narrow stem of a gas jet. The practitioner can carry this light concentrator in his pocket, and always feel certain of being able to illuminate the fauces.

The third chapter treats of the art of laryngoscopy, and first of reflection. It seems to us very unnecessary dwelling on inversions in laryngoscopy, and quite sufficient for the operator to bear in mind that he is looking into a mirror while he is operating on the real object. In the daily operation of shaving does the operator ever think of inversions when he steers clear of his favourite pimple? Does he not simply fix his eye steadily upon it, and guide his razor with a steady hand in every direction, carefully avoiding its sacred precincts? In exactly the same manner should the laryngoscopist guide his forceps, and never once think of inversions. Let our reader try the experiment, and see if he does not give himself a cut where he thinks how his face is reflected and what parts of it are inverted.

It is unnecessary to enter into the practical descriptions, as every laryngoscopist should provide himself with the work.

Numerous ingenious contrivances are described and delineated in the following chapters.

We would, before concluding our necessarily brief remarks, call our readers' attention to Dr. Mackenzie's most valuable invention, by means of which galvanism can be applied directly to the muscular apparatus which moves the vocal cords:-" By a very simple contrivance the electric current can be applied directly to the vocal cords. The important feature in the laryngeal galvanizer