NOTICES OF THIS WORK. From 'The Medical Examiner,' Philadelphia, July, 1850. Another valuable contribution to a knowledge the Medical Topography and Diseases of the South and West.-The design and general jeharacter of these Reports are highly creditable ther editor, Dr. Fenner. He proposes to fill pindetail the great outlines so ably sketched Dr Drake, in the Work noticed in our last amber; and for this purpose he has appealed to his medical brethren in that region, with a sucss of which the present volume furnishes a gratifing proof. For vague generalities, specilatons, and not seldom declamation, too, are w to be substituted detailed descriptions of the equired facts, and their legitimate deductons expressed in plain prose. If figures are intrduced, they will be those of arithmetical andilgebraical formulæ rather than of poetry. **The pains which we have taken to exbi to our readers the chief features and most nteresting details of the first volume of Dr. Fazer's Southern Reports, are the best proof our desire to see a second volume next year. would be a source of pleasing reflection to us, ve could believe, that the language of praise doccasional criticisms which we have uttered, l encourage him in his future endeavors, i furnish him with hints to make his subseent course more easy. From 'De Bow's Review,' New Orleans, September, 1850. **We are always glad to see a southern ook; and, in this instance, the pleasure is banced by the fact that the author is one of ar own fellow citizens and immediate personal nds, and we have watched, from their very hwning, the progress of his labors, in a field rick out by himself and almost entirely new. his restless energies and assiduities, his zils by night, his enthusiasm and hopefulness, re have wished him, from our heart, success; d now, that the labor of the day is over, we onld add, to those well wishes, congratulations most genuine and unaffected. The aim of Dr. Fenner, as we understand it the volume before us, and which will be conrmed annually, should sufficient encouragement For an event we sincerely trust will occur― 1*' reefold 1. To induce a more close and rigid study of the diseases which are peculiar to the South, and which can seldom be understood by those who are not familiarly acquainted with the meteorological, topographical and hydrographical relations and conditions which subsist among us. The whole subject must be studied together, if studied thoroughly. 2. To provoke habits of greater research and industry among southern physicians, and afford a medium of communicating with each other, upon the highest branches of the profession, less ephemeral than the magazines of the day, and to stimulate these professional intercommunica tions. 3. To furnish the statesman, planter, or citizen, with full statistics of the mortality of different sections, the tendencies to peculiar diseases, the probable and possible health ameliorations, and those general mortuary facts which come now to occupy an important place in the studies of political economists, municipal authorities, planters and legislators. The plan is a wise and elevated one, and the question presents itself, Has the execution corresponded? From The American Journal of the Medical Sciences,' Philad., July, 1850. We recommend the Work of Dr. Fenner to the notice of the physicians of the United States as well those located in the northern, eastern, and western, as in the southern sections of the Union. As a collection of valuable contributions on subjects of immense importance to all whether these contributions were originally prepared for the Work itself, or appeared originally in one or other of the medical journals of the day it is deserving of an attentive perusal upon the part of all who desire information in relation to the several forms and locations of the leading diseases endemic to our country, while, from its pages, facts and observations will be derived calculated to throw light upon the etiology, character, and treatment of those affections which prevail in other portions of the Union than that comprised within the limits of the southern States From The Western Lancet,' Cincinnati, August, 1960. The appearance of this Work constitutes an era in the medical history of the South. The object, as sufficiently indicated by its title, is to collect and preserve, from year to year, the facts connected with Southern diseases, in detail, by numerous physicians scattered over the region above named. The Editor, in his introductory address, says, 'The motive that prompted the present undertaking, was a desire to stimulate the physicians of the South to a more zealous and energetic prosecution of the noble science to which they have devoted their lives, and its object, to establish a cheap and substantial medium of publication, through which their labors may be united, interchanged among each other, and handed down to posterity.' He makes also an eloquent appeal to his southern brethren to assist in this undertaking, by 'coming forward annually and contributing what they can to the general fund of useful medical knowledge;' and we are mistaken in the profession of the South, if this appeal does not meet with a hearty response. ***To suppose for one moment that a single physician in the South, who has an interest in seeing his profession advanced, will not patronize this enterprize, is certainly paying a poor compliment to our southern brethren. The work will be found to be interesting to the profession generally, whether situated north or south, in this or foreign countries. From 'The Charleston Medical Journal and Review, July, 1850.' This vast undertaking, comprising, as it does, the entire medical history of not less than ten States, deserves, as we hope that it will obtain from the southern part of the profession, at least the warmest support: and if the author receives the encouragement and assistance to which he is fully entitled, he will do much to improve the sanitory condition of this portion of the Union, and to give to those abroad a correct impression of its health, and the degree of longevity of its population. But little has yet been done in the southern States towards improving the health of their inhabitants, or in even seeking the causes which have led to a higher rate of mortality, or a shorter duration of life, among them, than exists in other and more favored parts of the world. Much more unfavorable impressions, however, exist on this subject than is really the case, and one of the benefits likely to result from Dr. Fenner's publications, if they are continued,-will be a correction of public sentiment abroad on this point. From The New York Journal of Medicine,' July, 1860. This Work, which we announced to our readers in the last number, as being in press, is now before us, and right glad are we to see it. It comprises, as its title clearly indicates, a very interesting and important class of subjects. The medical topography and diseases of the Southern States has, for more than half a century past, been sadly neglected, as will be clearly seen by examining the periodical literature of the country, in which is recorded nearly all that has been written on these subjects. When we remember the fact that in the language of Dr. Fenner, in his introductory address-'a century ago, the South could boast of distinguished physicians, who took the lead in the cultivation of medical science in America,' is it not surprising that there should since have existed, until within the last ten years, so much inactivity and indifference in this department of Medicine? Seeing then, a necessity for a more thorough and ex:ended acquaintance with the history of diseases in that portion of our country, we hail with pleasure this attempt to stimulate the physicians of the South to a more zealous and energetic prosecution of the noble science to which they have devoted their lives. *** In the preparation of this interesting volume, its able editor has evinced great perse verance and zeal in the arduous and praiseworthyundertaking in which he is engaged; and we. shall be disappointed if it does not receive the approbation of the profession, and especially of the southern portion of it, for whose literary and practical advancement it was conceived and. brought forth. The general typographical ap pearance of the work is good. From The Baltimore American.' This Work will be continued annually; and a glance at the titles of the various interesting subjects noticed in it, will at once give the reader an idea of the vast field from which its contents are gathered. The devastating diseases which, from time to time, break out in portions of the southern country, are here described by l intelligent observers, and the best modes of cure; and what is of more importance, the most effectual means of prevention are accurately pointed out. We have not the space to enter minutely into a description of the varied matter of which this interesting volume is made up and must content ourselves with recommending it to the notice of the profession, as a valuable compound of important information. From the 'Buffalo Medical Journal,' July, 1860. In commenting on the Prospectus, in a former number of this Journal, we expressed our belief that the undertaking was worthy of all praise, and that the well-known ability of Dr. Fenner, as an observer, thinker, and writer, together with his experience as a medical editor, afforded an amply sufficient guaranty that the duty he proposed to himself would be faithfully band satisfactorily performed. It contains little or nothing that is valueless, and much that must cca possess great practical interest for the medical bet profession of the South. For the latter it is specially designed, but northern readers, who the should desire to know something of the peculisarities of southern diseases, and their relations to distinctive features of the South involved in ha Etiology, will do well to patronise Dr. Fenner's t Extract from the Proceedings of the Louisiana State Medical Society, New 1. Resolved, That the Louisiana State Medical Society do cordially recommend to the patronage of the profession, Dr. Fenner's 'Southern Medical Reports.' 2. Resolved, That the medical profession of the State, and the South generally, are deeply indebted to Dr. Fenner for the ability and industry with which he has labored for their progress, in the publication of his volume of 'Southern Medical Reports.' These resolutions were unanimously adopted. Work. As another consideration, which we nce trust many of our readers will duly appreciate, en we may suggest that an effort of this kind, to ded develope and diffuse medical knowledge, and to haarouse increased exertion by professional brethsureren in behalf of science and humanity, should not be regarded with indifference, and treated with neglect, even by those who do not directly participate in the benefits resulting therefrom. To issue a volume of this kind must require a considerable pecuniary outlay, and while we know that Dr. Fenner would not thank us for intimating a wish that his plan might prove a profitable speculation, we may be permitted to express a hope that, for the honor of the profession, the circulation of the Work shall be suffilycient to reimburse the cost of publication. In view of the consideration just suggested, the Southern Medical Reports' has claims upon those of our northern brethren who are desirous that useful laborers in the fields (not vineyards) of medical science, if they do not receive a reward, shall, at least, not be exposed to injusnd tice; and who are ready to welcome and encourably discharged the duties of his post, is amply stage every truly valuable addition to our native medical literature. From The Republican Banner,' Nashville, Tenn. The design of this Work, as every reflecting physician must perceive, is most excellent. It occupies a corner in the field of our medical literature which greatly needed filling, being a permanent record of original and highly important observations. Even if this design were only imperfectly executed, the Work ought to receive the hearty patronage and coöperation of all southern physicians. But that Dr. Fenner has testified by the many favorable notices of his labors, which have appeared in our medical journals; and especially by the emphatic appro [15 Resolution proposed to the Alabama State Medical Association, by Dr.W. H. bation of his Work by the American Association ANDERSON, of Mobile. Resolved, That the Alabama State Medical Association highly appreciate the motives which induced the able editor of the 'Southern Medical Reports' to undertake his task; and being well satisfied of the practical utility of the Work, and the ability with which it is edited, they cordially recommend it to the medical faculty of the State, as a standard volume for every medical library. This resolution was adopted unanimously. of Physicians, at their last meeting in Cincinnati. No intelligent, inquiring physician in the South-west should consider his library complete without a copy of these Reports. We sincerely hope that the next volume may bear evidence that the physicians of our large and populous State are not indifferent to this opportunity of having such good papers as they may have the industry to prepare, permanently preserved, and widely circulated. Letter from Mr. CHARLES GAYARRE, Secretary of the State of Louisiana. BATON ROUGE, Sept. 9, 1850. Dear Sir:- Lately, on my coming back to Baton Rouge, from which I had been absent a few days, for the benefit of my health, I was highly gratified with the reception of the 'Southern Medical Reports,' edited by you, and a copy of which you have so kindly presented to me. Although no physician, I have perused the Work with much interest. I hope that it will be continued by you, many years to come, and I have no doubt but that it will form an extremely precious statistical record of the diseases prevailing in our southern climate, of the various modifications which they may assume, according to circumstances, and of the modes of treatment found most available at different times. It will convey much useful knowledge, and elicit information from sources hitherto not explored. On my return to New Orleans, in October, I intend to procure a copy of this valuable Work for the State library. Please to accept my acknowledgments, and the assurance of my distinguished consideration. Very truly, yours, CHARLES GAYARRE. Dr. E. D. FENNER, New Orleans. From the 'Southern Medical and Surgical Journal,' Augusta, Ga., July, 1850. We have now given our readers a brief and imperfect outline of Dr. Fenner's Work, but sufficient, we hope, to impress them favorably with its character. It is a new undertaking, and has cost the Editor much labor and expense, which we trust will not go unrewarded. We hope our readers will manifest their appreciation of Dr. Fenner's efforts in the cause of medical science by purchasing a copy of his Work, and giving to it a careful perusal. By so doing, they will reap profit for themselves, and will enable him to prosecute his laudable undertaking with energy and success. Upon the patronage which the work receives its continuance depends. Letter from Dr. T. G. MOWER, Surgeon U. 8. A. NEW YORK, June 3, 1850. Dear Sir:-I cannot forego the pleasure of congratulating you, before your departure, on the publication of the Southern Medical Reports. and expressing the hope and belief that this will prove the auspicious commencement of a series of similar contributions, calculated to supply a want so long and so greatly felt in the Southern sections of our country. It is there my own observation has satisfied me that disease is materially modified by climatic influences, and calls for a corresponding application of therapeutic means. The few pages that my engagements have permitted me to look over, have been read with interest and instruction. With best wishes for the successful prosecution of your labors, I remain, faithfully, yours, E. D. FENNER, M.D., OF NEW ORLEANS; Member of the American Medical Association; Member of the Physico-Med. Soc. of N. O., and of the Louisiana State Med. Soc.; Cor. Mem. D. DAVIES, SON & CO., 57 CAMP STREET. NEW YORK: SAMUEL S. & WILLIAM WOOD, 261 PEARL STREET. 1851. |