resume of the most reliable facts in the art of midwifery, in accordance with the most recent advances of the science.

It seems to us quite unnecessary to place at the foot of every few pages the names of a large number of German authorities, for some of his statements which no one would question. We do not wish to be captious, but it would perhaps be well at this age of the world, in a hand-book for students, to do away with so many foot-note references. When the capacity and honesty of our informant is known to us, we may, with a moral certainty take it for granted that what he says is true. When the learned in a profession issue a complete manual illustrating the principles and practices of their science, the greater portion of what they present comes from the the testimony and authority of others; and the axiom in scholastic philosophy: peritis in arte credendum est; experts are to be trusted in their own specialty, expresses a moral law, derived from the nature and needs of men.

Too many authorities constantly quoted in hand-books for instruction for students, are at this date superfluous. The chapter upon the Management of Labor, is withal, very good, but we should be disposed to question all the therapeutics on pages 324–326. In an experience with several thousand cases of labors that we have attended, we have not found it practical or scientific to give to the parturient woman a remedy for every little symptom or feeling which she may complain of, e. g., "weak or accompanied with anguish, she desires to be rubbed; natrum m.," or, ing, with complaining loquacity; coffea."

ceas

It is about time for us if we want to stand before the world as scientific practitioners, that we should not be constantly giving remedies for every imaginary complaint which the average woman makes during her labor. We will wager something that our esteemed author and his skilled assistants, pay very little attention to such symptoms as the above named, in their lying-in practice in the Hahnemann Hospital, or in other words, if the labor is normal and everything fair, the emotional expressions and "loquacity," of a parturient woman may be left to nature, as they will cease as soon as delivery is accomplished.

The directions for giving anæsthetics in midwifery, are well-timed, although, as a whole, we are opposed to anæsthetics except in difficult cases, requiring operative interference. Allis's Ether Inhaler, also Chisholm's, are exhibited, and the young practitioner may select either, as in our opinion, they are the best in the market; of the two, we prefer Allis's.

The chapters upon Mechanism of Labor and Difficult Labor, from p. 341-477, are excellent. Fig. 117 representing the uterus and parturient canal, will be found very interesting. In the treatment of abortion, and placenta prævia, we are surprised that our author has not called particular attention to Brown's Colpeurynter-this should have been illustrated with a cut, and ought to be in the armentarium of every obstetrist.

On p. 205 is a plate of Loomis's placenta forceps, the utility of these forceps is more apparent than real; they may be well discarded by prudent practitioners, as Schnetter's forceps, illustrated on p. 205, and the ovum

forceps on p. 199, or Emmet's curette forceps are all superior to Loomis's. In rupture of the perineum, immediate perineorrhapy is very properly advocated, but our author does not instruct the young practitioner in every case after labor, to make an ocular inspection of the parts, and inform himself of the condition of the perineum; this should be always done.

The chapters upon Version, Forceps, Craniotomy and Cæsarian Section, are all good, and up to the advances in obstetric art.

The chapter on Puerperal Fever closes the book, and we are sorry to say that our author has not named every resource which the practitioner may require in the treatment of this grave disease. In the first place, he should have impressed the students with the fact that this disease is due to sepsis, that is, it is due to the absorption of septic material which has been introduced either from without (external infection), of from within (selfinfection). He should have cautioned the practitioner that when he is attending a case of malignant diphtheria, scarlet fever, erysipelas, puerperal fever or septicemia, or if he has just made a post-mortem, to decline to attend any new case of confinement, as this is in accordance with the latest advances in medicine. If, however, the practitioner elects to risk the above, he should fumigate himself with antiseptics, and before examining any patient, wash his nails with a nail-brush and dip them in boro-thymolin, solution of permanganate of potash, or salicylic acid. All instruments he uses, should have applied to them, iodoform rubbed with equal parts of starch, gum-arabic, and glycerine.

Dr. Leavitt makes favorable mention of antiseptics, especially antiseptic precautions in the treatment of abortions, but does not particularly specialize intra-uterine injections of carbolic acid (2-3 per cent. strength) after delivery, as preventives of sepsis and puerperal fever, as also antiseptics in existing fevers. He fails to mention the fact well substantiated, that in developed puerperal fever, intra-uterine injections of carbolic acid, above named strength, should be given by the practitioner himself twice daily, and that it has been proved by abundant experiences, that such a practice will almost immediately lower the temperature, and modify the fever and even hypodermics of carbolic acid may also be warrantable. Furthermore, our author should have mentioned the special indications for the use of quinine, and Warburg's tincture; these are remedies which we have found again and again useful and safe in puerperal fever, and we here assert without any hesitation, that they have saved lives in our hands, as well as in the hands of other practitioners, and in the present state of our therapeutic knowledge, they cannot be displaced by any other remedies.

This last statement, may be regarded as rash and dogmatic, but it is conscientiously given, and made public without reserve. We can scarcely believe that any obstetrician of extensive practice could come to any other conclusion, and therefore, we insist that the young practitioner should be informed and impressed with the fact of the gravity of the disease in question, and he should be informed of all the resources necessary for the treatment of the same, let then come from whatever school they may. A work

which we have read with so much pleasure and instruction, and which comes from such high standing, with the sanction of Prof. Ludlam, should have given the whole treatment of this dreaded disease; indeed we are sorry that Dr. Leavitt did not give us a chapter upon malarial fevers which we meet with so frequently in this climate, after labors, and which will chance to give the novice in practice no little trouble.

With all our strictures, we are happy to state that the thanks of our profession is due to Dr. Leavitt for his labors in giving us so excellent a manual upon obstetrics. T. GRISWOLD COMSTOCK, M. D.

CLINICAL COMPARISON TO "PHYSIOLOGICAL MATERIA MEDICA."
H. Burt, M. D. Chicago: Cross & Delbridge, 1883. pp. 250.

By Wm.

This book contains considerable information generally sought for in allopathic books. Abreviations for Prescription Writing, &c., Weights and Measures, Tables of Comparison, the Pulse, Temperature, the Tongue, Dentition, the Urine, Composition of Normal Urine in 1000 parts, Chemical Analysis of Urine, are subjects that occupy the first forty pages. Observations on Human and Cow's Milk, Deodorizing and Disinfecting Agents, Poisons and their Antidotes, Impurities of water, Dietary Table for the Sick, Post-mortem Examinations, Medico--legal Examinations, Mineral Waters and Massage, bring the reader to the 73d page.

The above headings treated in so compact a form suggests that there is little need of the information generally classed under such headings. The author has arranged much valuable information in a few pages.

The remainder of the book is taken up with the classifying of remedies according to their supposed usefulness in diseases, arranged nosologically.

To make it a little more allopathic the author has appended to the remedies for each disease, a special feature of the work, and I am glad to think it of the least importance, viz: ADJUVANTS. For Abscess.-"To facilitate suppuration, use hot fomentations, Cod-liver oil internally, malt liquors. The author predicts that he will be criticised for introducing "Adjuvants" in his compendium.

* *

*

The book contains much that is valuable, which is put forth as a companion to " Physiological Materia Medica;" it is just as useful to the student of materia medica as a general compendium. The name of the author is too well known to need a mention, as his great and most excellent "Physiological Materia," which has so long occupied a field of its own, has spokeu for itself. The mechanical part of the book is of the

best.

• KENT. THOUGHTS REGARDING THE TREATMENT OF UTERINE DISPLACEMENTS. By S. J. Donaldson, M. D. Reprint from New York Medical Times. TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE HOMOPATHIC ASYLUM for the Insane, at Middletown, N. Y. We shall notice this pamphlet in a future issue.

THE NURSE; or Hints on the Care of the Sick; including mothers and infants, and a digest of domestic medicine. By C. T. Harris, A. M., M. D. Chicago: Duncen Bros.

This is one of the most concise and yet complete books of its kind it has ever been our pleasure to peruse. It is very practical, and abounds in good common sense on a subject which every person needs more or less constantly.

Editor's Drawer.

WE insert in this No. of the REVIEW the first page of the Index to Volume V, printed wrong in the February No.

THE article on “The Mission of Homœopathy," in the April No., should be credited to E. P. K.

DR. JOHN F. FROHNE, of this city, started with his wife for Europe, in May, to be absent two years. Bon voyage et heureux retournée.

AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AT CLEVELAND.-A resolution was offered to-day, (June 7) by Dr. Pollak, of St. Louis, to revise the Code of Ethics, which caused a sensation, and was hurriedly tabled for one year.

SOCIETY MEETINGS.-The Hahnemann Medical Association of Iowa, meets on the 27th, 28th and 29th of June, at Dubuque. This is a lively society, and will well repay those who attend.

PHILADELPHIA has 32 free dispensaries, which treated 161,019 cases a year, or about one-fifth of the entire population. No one will doubt that under such circumstances, where all are striving for large clinics and interesting cases, there are many abuses of the free dispensary system.

DRS. W. S. AND MRS. BELLE SHOTWELL have located at Peoria, Ill. They are graduates of the Homœopathic Medical College of Missouri, and deserve especial consideration by the profession and are worthy of public confidence.

MR. MITCHELL BANKS, says the London Lancet, tied the innominate artery and common carotid on February 28th, at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, for aneurism of the second portion of the subclavian. Kangaroo tendons were used with strict antiseptic precautions. The patient left the infirmary in a short time afterward with the aneurism much improved but not cured. This is the twenty-third time the innominate has been ligated, of which twenty-one proved fatal.

KANSAS STATE HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.-The annual meeting of this Society was held at Emporia, May 2d and 3d, a large number of physicians being present. The various bureaus were well presented and contained many papers of great value. Prof. T. P. Wilson, of Ann Arbor, by invitation, gave them his views on "An Hour Among the Skulls," in a publie address, which highly pleased the large audience in attendance. The officers elected were, H. F. Klemp, Topeka, president; Dr. H. Mc. Croskey, vice-president; Dr. C. H. Hallowell, recording secretary; Dr. S.

A. Newhall, corresponding secretary; Dr. G. H. T. Johnson, treasurer. Censors: Drs. J. J. Edic, Dietrich, and O. B. Moss.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HOMEOPATHY, Niagara Falls, Session of 1883. The members and their friends attending the coming session of the Institute, are entitled to tickets, good until the 23d inst., ouly, as follows, viz: to Goat Island, for the week, 50 cents; to Prospect Park, for the week including Electric Light Exhibition, 50 cents; Inclined Railway and Ferry, for each trip over and return, 25 cents; Suspension Bridge, (upper) for each trip over and return, 25 cents; Suspension Bridge, (lower) for each trip over and return, 15 cents; Inclined Railway to Whirlpool Rapids, each visit, 25 cents. Admission tickets as above, (which are oue-half the usual rates) will be given by the committee of arrangements. On presentation of their committee card at the respective gates, members will be admitted on payment as above. Carriages can be procured at the hotel as follows: one carriage, holding five persons, per hour, $1.00; per day, $5.00. As the meeting is iikely to be largely attended, members should order their rooms early. A. R. Wright, M. D., of Buffalo, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, will furnish any further local information the members need.

Obituary.

DR. CHAS. A. LYMAN, a graduate from the Homœopathic Med. College of Missouri, class of 1883, died at Fairbury, Neb., April 11, of tubercular consumption. This intelligence will be received with regret by his classmates and professors, also by all who knew him, for "none knew him but to love him," as he had made himself a favorite with his college associates and teachers by his gentle and genial manners, his devotion to his studies and profession, aud his yearning ambition to thoroughly qualify himself to fulfill the duties of an active physician. Fearing that his days were numbered, and desirous to complete his medical education and return home fully equipped with all the rights and title of an M. D., he worked studiously and faithfully, far beyond the mean of his declining health; even during the rack and torture of a wasting disease, only to live long enough to accomplish his purpose, and then die with the sweet eonsolation that he had reached the goal of his ambition. A bright scholar, a good citizen, a kind father, a loving husband, has entered the portals of a brighter realm, where sickness and death are unknown, and the soul lives in eternal gladness.

Iu his death the profession has lost a valuable member, and mankind a true and trusty friend. Our tenderest sympathies go out to the bereaved wife and child he leaves behind, with whom we shall cherish in sacred remembrance the memory of our departed brother.