We always watch with suspicion those men who profess to be more honest, philanthropic and libera! than their associates, or those with whom they have associated.

When we see Physicians professing to be Eclectics or Homeopaths, while they use the same remedies and treat disease upon the same general principles as others who make no such professions, we can but consider them dishonest.

Who believes that James McClintock was prompted by a pure desire to do good, when he sold his name to be used as an endorsement for a vile quack medicine? And who among true-hearted and pure-minded physicians will believe that Dr. J. V. C. Smith, ExMayor of Boston, who has made a pilgrimage to Egypt, and who has hung like a horse-leech to every position in the regular profession where he could by any way get money, has become suddenly convinced that the regular profession is illiberal, and that it is his mission to reform it.

For ourselves, we have no doubt "his honor" is but following the natural inclination of a nature which can in no way separate any act from the question, "How will it pay ?"

We wish the Dr. much joy in his new position, and as he cuts loose from all restraints, we may expect to see a display of "liberal sentiments" which will satisfy the grossest reviler of the regular profession.

At any rate, no more black mail can be extorted from timid candidates for professional reputation.

MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE.-If there is any time or place where medical men habitually disgrace their profession, it is when called to testify in cases where a knowledge of Medical Jurisprudence is concerned; for of this they are proverbially ignorant.

Physicians of excellent attainments and reputation go voluntarily upon the witness stand, and after stultifying themselves, discover, too late, that they have been talking of subjects of which they are comparatively ignorant. They have made themselves familiar with all the facts necessary for successful practice, and on any point of diagnosis and treatment, would not make a blunder, but when put under the rigid cross-examination of eminent lawyers, they learn to their confusion that there are many and important points connected with the case which are not dreamt of in their philosophy.

We were led to these reflections by the appearance on our table of an elegant octavo volume devoted to this subject.*

We do not take it upon ourselves to say that this is the best work upon this subject, but a careful examination convinces us that it is very full and complete, and is brought up to the present year, which is of consequence; as, like all legal knowledge, it very much depends upon precedents, and a few years changes the whole subject of Medical Jurisprudence very materially.

A TREATISE ON THE PRACTICE OF SURGERY: By HENRY H. SMITH, M. D. Published by J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia. pp. 825. This is a companion to the valuable work on Operative Surgery, by the same author. It is devoted to—

1st. Surgical Pathology and Therapeutics. 2d. Surgical Pathology of the Soft Tissues.

3d Pathology of Abnormal Growths in the Soft Tissues. 4th. Of Injuries of the Soft Tissues.

5th. Injuries and Diseases of the Bones.

6th. Injuries and Diseases of the Joints.

We can do no less than call it an excellent work, and worthy of the support of the profession.

We acknowledge with pleasure the aid we received from Smith's Minor Surgery in the early years of our practice, and are glad to see that this work contains all the valuable details of that.

We know of no book where the young practitioner can get so much aid for the same amount of money.

AN ANALYTICAL COMPENDIUM OF THE VARIOUS BRANCHES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE, FOR THE USE AND EXAMINATION OF STUDENTS: By JOHN NEILL, M. D., and FRANCIS GURNEY SMITH, M. D. With three hundred and seventy-four Illustrations. Published by Blanchard & Lea. Philadelphia. pp. 974.

This is a new edition of a book which is so generally in the hands

* MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE: By ALFRED F. TAYLOR, M. D., F. R. S., &c. Fourth American from the Fifth and Improved London Edition. Edited, with additions, by EDWARD HARTSHORNE, M. D., &c. Philadelphia. Published by Blanchard & Lea. pp. 697.

use.

students, that nothing that we can say will increase or lessen its As a hand-book for students, it is invaluable; containing in the most condensed form the established facts and principles of Medicine and its collateral Sciences.

It is liable to be misused, by leading students and young practitioners to neglect those carefully elaborated treatises, from which alone a thorough knowledge can be obtained. It is emphatically "a stuffing book," and as such we recommend it to students attending lectures, and as a book for reference to readily find an established fact or principle.

THE HISTORY AND STATISTICS OF OVARIOTOMY; And the Circumstances under which the Operation may be regarded as safe and expedient: Being a Dissertation to which the Prize of the Massachusetts Medical Society was awarded, May, 1856. By GEORGE H. LYMAN, M. D. pp. 146.

This is an excellent compilation, bringing the whole history of this disease up to the present year.

Dr. Lyman is entitled to the thanks of his professional brethren for the able manner in which he has brought together the facts necessary to be known by every physician who would treat properly this disease.

PRACTICAL ANATOMY. A New Arrangement of the LONDON DISSECTOR. With Numerous Modifications and Additions, &c., &c.: By D. HAYES AGNEW, M. D., &c. Philadelphia. Published by J. B. Lippincott & Co. pp. 310.

The old London Dissector is held by many in affectionate remembrance for its clear and explicit directions for all the various processes necessary to a knowledge of practical anatomy. This edition is well illustrated with wood cuts, which are great aids to clean and profitable dissection.

MENT: By ISAAC BAKER BROWN, F. R. S., &c. Illustrated by twentyfour Engravings, Philadelphia. Published by Blanchard & Lea. ON SOME OF THE DISEASES OF WOMEN ADMITTING OF SURGICAL TREAT

pp. 276.

This work which appeared in the Medical News last year, has been issued in a neat volume. It treats of

Ruptured Perineum, Prolapse of the Vagina, Prolapse of the Uterus, Vesico-Vaginal Fistula, Recto-Vaginal Fistula, Lacerated Vagina, Polypus of the Uterus, Stone in the Female Bladder, Vascular Tumour of the Meatus Urinarius, Imperforate Hymen, Encysted Tumour of the Labia, Diseases of the Rectum resulting from certain conditions of the Uterus, On Ovarian Dropsy or Encysted Dropsy of the Ovary.

Each of these subjects is treated of in a clear, concise, and authoritative manner. The author tells of what he knows, rather than of what is known by others. As an example of the style of this book, we copy entire his article on—

"PROLAPSE OF THE UTERUS."

"Or this affection there are three varieties, which, according to the description of my respected teacher, Dr. Blundell, are respectively called, Procidentia, Prolapsus, and Relaxation of the Womb. Several examples of these varieties of prolapse are recorded in the chapter on Ruptured Perineum, with which lesion they were associated, and of which they were doubtless in a great measure the consequences.

I. Procidentia Uteri is said to exist when there is complete prolapse, with protrusion of the uterus beyond the vagina. It is consequently the severest form of prolapsed uterus.

Causes. The immediate causes of this disease are:

1. Relaxation of the Ligaments of the Uterus.

2. Relaxation of the Vagina.

3. Laceration of the Perineum. 4. Polypus Uteri; and

5. Congestion of the Uterus.

This displacement consequently appears in subsidence of the uterus from deficient support, either from above or below. Such a want may arise from various causes originating in the general health of the patient, in local affections of the uterus, and in mechanical injuries.

One most common cause is the too early adoption, or too long continuance of the erect posture after delivery or miscarriage, before the uterus and its connections have recovered themselves in position, size and tone; i. e., speaking generally, before the end of the third or fourth week. Again, a violent cough at, and after labour, tends to thrust down the uterus by the strong action of the

diaphragm in the act of coughing, when too the vagina has not recovered itself and can render little support.

Single women, however, are not exempt from this accident, and in them mostly, from the nature of the causes, cure is more difficult to effect.

Symptoms.-One of the first symptoms of procidentia uteri is pain in the back, succeeded by some in the groins and labia, in which also there is a feeling of fulness. The pain in the back soon assumes a dragging character; there is a sensation of bearing-down or of weight, "as if" (as patients will describe it) "everything were dropping through." Together with these symptoms there are an increased mucous discharge from the vagina, often a frequent desire to micturate, and sometimes a degree of stangury, irregularity of the bowels, and interference with the process of defecation, sympathetic disorder of the stomach, loss of, or capricious appetite, dyspepsia, distension of the abdomen, &c.

With the pain and other local evils, and with the general bodily disorder, it is not to be wondered at that the spirits flag, that every occupation becomes tiresome, and life often times a burthen,

Diagnosis. With a little care, the os uteri may, by manual examination. be detected, and by observing its position and relations, our diagnosis may be readily made from polypus uteri, and from either variety of vaginal prolapse.

Treatment.-For a long period, in the progress of most cases, the uterus returns of itself or otherwise is easily replaced, on the patient assuming the recumbent posturt. Hence in the early stage, this posture, with the hips considerably elevated, must be insisted on, and continued for a long time; attention being at the same time given to maintaining perfect quiet. The food should be unstimulating, and opium administered by the mouth to prevent the action of the bowels, and so to keep the parts quiet; injections, however, being occasionally used. So soon as all inflammatory symptoms have subsided, cold, astringent and stimulating injections may be employed; the cold douche over the abdomen is especially beneficial. At the same time the system generally requires to be braced by tonics, change of air, and good or generous diet. Let the introduction of pessaries be avoided. I will here state my objections—and they apply to each variety of prolapse, whether of vagina or uterus -to pessaries of all forms, as mechanical supporters. As a general rule they are bad; they are prone to produce irritation and excoriation, and with these leucorrhoea; they are incompatible with perfect cleanliness; and they stretch and tend to keep up the relaxation of the canal. To afford local support I find nothing so useful as the form of perineal bandage which I devised and described some years back, and have constantly used. Should these measures auxiliary to to the efforts of nature in recovering the normal tonicity and status