Schwartz of Göttingen, Spaeth of Vienna, and Winckel of Rostock, are named as sub-editors. The first volume contains a number of elaborate and interesting articles. 1. On the Value of the Artificial Induction of Premature Labor. By Otto Spiegelberg. age The paper is intended to prove that the good results of artificial induction of premature labor have been much overrated. By a number of statistical tables it is shown that the percentof deaths from labors with contracted pelvis amounts to 6 p. c. for mothers, and to 28.7 p. c. for children, while the deathrate increases after artificial premature delivery to 18 p. c. among mothers, and to 66 p. c. among children; and this ratio does not only prove good as an average rate for narrower pelvis in general, but even in cases of contraction down to less than 8 cm. antero-posterior diameter, the percentage of labor at full term is in favor of the mother. The author therefore believes that premature labor ought not to be induced in contracted pelvis of an antero-posterior diameter above 8 cm. Wherever the diameter is less than 8 cm. the operation must be restricted to those cases where it is known from previous births that the children are of large size, with hard, unyielding, long heads, and present in an unfavorable position, and where grave injuries to the mother from pressure upon the pelvic organs can be expected. 2. Contributions from the Clinic and Polyclinic of Leipzig. By N. F. Schatz. The cases are reported to give a clinical illustration of the correctness of Thiersch's theory, that vagina and uterus together derive their origin from a conglomeration of Muller's ducts. In all of the four cases mentioned, the conglomeration was arrested in a more or less marked degree. The article concludes with remarks on the origin of the Lig. recto-vesicale. 3. On Hematocele and Hematometra. By Dr. R. Olshau sen. Dr. O. believes that hematocele is of far more frequent occurrence than is generally believed. During the last 2 years 769 gynæcological cases were observed in the Polyclinic of Halle, and among these 29 cases of hematocele, equal to 4 p. c., while Hagenburger (Petersburg) had only 2 among 397 hospital cases, and not one in 3,204 dispensary cases; Credé does not mention a single case among his statistics of 293 patients; Spiegelberg did not observe a single one among 363 gynæcological cases, while Seyffert mentions 66 among 1,272 patients, i. e., 5 p. c. He gives a careful description of the physical diagnosis, more especially in its difference from pelvic exudations. Regarding its etiology, he lays great stress on its catamenial origin. 4. The Diagnosis of the Contracted Pelvis and its Relation to Labor. By Dr. Carl Martin. The article contains a synopsis of a large number (2,034) of external measurements of the contracted pelvis, in order to exhibit the relation of the single external diameters to each other, and their influence on the diagnosis and prognosis of labor. 5. On Spontaneous Perforation of Ovarian Cysts into the Abdominal Cavity. By O. Spiegelberg. He describes cases of irruption of the fluid of ovarian sacs into the abdomen, caused by atrophy of the wall from pressure of papillary granulations. Among the rarer occurrences he mentions an instance of perforation occurring in a granular hystoma, and one in consequence of thrombosis, and extravasation in the tissue of the wall. 6. Eight New Cases of Ovariotomy (VII.-XIV.) By O. Spiegelberg. After giving a detailed history of the single cases, he sums up his experience in the following remarks:-Three of the (8) patients died. In one case (No. IX.) the extraperitoneal development of the base of the tumor precluded a successful result; hemorrhage was the immediate cause of death, and originated in the extensively torn up cellular tissue of the broad ligament, which formed the basis of the tumor;-it was impossible to ligate all the bleeding vessels. In the second case there existed a perforated cyst, a diseased peritonæum, and a constitution considerably impaired. The third case of death was owing to gangrene of the stump above the ligated pedicle, superinduced by the presence of a thick layer of tissue destroyed by the galvanic cautery. The conclusions drawn from the cases are, that the ligating and dropping of the pedicle into the abdominal cavity, with closure of the latter, is a reliable proceeding, and a method which includes in itself no danger, except by accessory circumstances. The sooner the operation is undertaken the better the chances for success, the principal condition of which is the power of resistance in the patient's constitution. 7. On the Normal Position of the Uterus during Health. By Carl Credé. The author has carefully examined, with his assistants, nearly 3,000 women delivered in the Dresden lying-in hospital; most of these left on the 11th or 12th day after delivery, and consequently the examinations were made between the 10th and the 12th day of the puerperal state. There were found to exist 24 per cent. forward dislocations (anteversions and anteflex ions), and only one per cent. retroversions and flexions. From these inquiries Dr. Credé draws his conclusions as to the influence of the puerperal condition on the origin of dislocations. The article is written in a polemic mood, principally with a view of refuting Prof. Martin's ideas pronounced upon the same subjects. Further researches are necessary to clear up the contested points. The result of Dr. Crede's investigations may be summed up in the statement that anteversion and anteflexion are the physiological state of the uterus during the puerperal condition. Retroversions and flexion, however, must be con sidered as pathological in their nature if they occur during this period, caused by relaxation of the uterine walls, often in connection with protracted hemorrhage, or by too intense outward pressure for producing or increasing uterine contractions; after-causes are a spacious pelvis, relaxation of the posterior wall of the vagina, and rupture of the perinæum. 8. The causes which Influence the Weight of the Newborn during the first days of its life. By F. A. Kehrer. The observations first made by Chaussier that infants were constantly losing some of their weight during the first few days after birth, have been confirmed by numerous experiments in several of the German lying-in hospitals. The author has carefully weighed a considerable number of the young of the bitch, cat, and rabbit, with a view of ascertaining whether the same decrease occurred among animals; and he found that the term of physiological collapse in these mammalia was of a very short duration to make room to a rapid increase of weight. To give an explanation for this difference, the author points to the large amount of colostrum in the mammæ of the animals at the time of delivery, and the comparatively late commencement of lacteal secretion in the human species. Another moment of importance consists in the fact that most of the animals are capable of suckling effectively a very short while after their birth (the hog earlier than any other domestic animal, sheep and goat within an hour, colt and calf a little later), while it often takes a couple of days before the new-born infant can be brought to an effective performance of this most important act of life. Dr. Weber draws the practical conclusions from his researches, first, to have the baby put to the breast as early as possible, and, second, to allow the mother a more substantial food during the first days following confinement than is usually done. The remaining pages of this first volume contain extracts from current literature and reviews. A TREATISE ON THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF OBSTETRICS. By Wм. H. BYFORD, A.M., M. D., Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children in the Chicago Medical College, etc. New York: Wm. Wood & Co. 1870. Pp. 457. It is with extreme pleasure that we call the attention of the profession to a new work on Obstetrics, from the pen of an American physician. Independently of the merits of the work, its appearance is alone another proof positive that the student of the future will not be obliged to look to foreign authors for instruction in medical science, for we are fast creating a literature, of our own, which equals in many points, and surpasses in some, that of our European confrères. Indeed, this fact is acknowledged abroad, where the names of Meigs, Bedford, Miller, Elliot, Thomas, Emmet, Sims, et alia, are familiar to and respected by the Obstetrician and Gynecologist. Not many months ago we helped to introduce to the profession that valuable and practically instructive work, "ELLIOT'S OBSTETRIC CLINIC," a book which no Obstetrician should be without; and still more recently, the American Edition of BARNES'S OBSTETRIC OPERATIONS," a work having no superior; and quite unexpectedly, we are again in so short a period called upon to introduce a new claimant for patronage. Unlike the works of Elliot and Barnes, which are chiefly works for Obstetricians, Professor Byford's is more suited to the undergraduate or general practitioner, being more concise, and avoiding "discussions of disputed questions, minute research, or copious and frequent quotations of authors," at the same time containing all the general information necessary for the student. Such being the purport of the work, we do not find anything deserving of special notice in its contents, as we would expect to see in a more voluminous and exhaustive treatise; but it is nevertheless admirably suited to undergraduates, and as a work for ready reference. One feature we do not like in its arrangement, i.e., its not being written in chapters, and the page-headings being the title of the work. If the arrangement was different in these respects, it would be far more attractive to students. On the whole, however, it is a commendable work, and Dr. Byford will have the pleasure of seeing his labors amply appreciated. B. F. D. -:0: TO SUBSCRIBERS AND CANVASSERS. IMPORTANT COMMUTATION RATES AND INDUCEMENTS. For 4 Subscriptions and $15, an extra copy of JOURNAL, For 6 $21, two extra copies of ་་ of 66 For 4 Subscriptions and $16, a copy of "Barnes's Obstetric Operations," or any work of same value (the price is $4.50). For 6 Subscriptions and $24, Barnes's and extra copy of JOURNAL. CANVASSERS will be allowed to retain twenty-five per cent. of all subscriptions, not less than 25 in number, and may retain their own list of names, simply enclosing the order for the number of copies wanted with the money, less the commission. The JOURNAL, complete from its commencement--May, 1868, to May, 1871(three years and three vols.). Three Subscriptions, from May, 1868, to May, 1871.. $9.00 .24 00 Single subscribers supplied with any journal published in the U. S. at 25 per cent. less than their advertised rates. (See advertisement in this journal). W. A. TOWNSEND & ADAMS, 434 Broome street, N. Y. THE success or failure of a given attempt at vaccination often has much to do with the repute of the practitioner, and, what is of far greater importance, not unfrequently determines whether or not one or more children are to undergo the terrible infliction of small-pox; and thus it may become an affair of life or death. Viewing the matter in this light, it is the duty of every practitioner to make himself familiar with the elements necessary to success in the operation. I am not aware that any of our medical schools afford to the student any thing approximating to adequate instruction in this branch of practice; but, on the other hand, I am very well con |