is, so far as I am aware, an event of great rarity, and as the case was watched with some care, I take this opportunity of placing it on record. It will be observed that the existence of pertusssis was not recognized till some time after the admission of the child.

I have not adduced any cases in support of Ziemssen's statements with regard to the course of the temperature in pleuro-pneumonia. Indeed, I have not observed a sufficient number of well-marked cases of this description to enable me to speak with any confidence on the subject. Nor would it be desirable to enter into such cases unless the typical range in pure pneumonia were also to be considered in this paper. I am, however, quite inclined to agree with Ziemssen that when pleurisy and pneumonia are both present in a marked manner, the temperature tends to follow the pneumonic course. It is to be understood, therefore, that the occurrence of a course of temperature typical of pneumonia does not preclude the possible presence of pleurisy also. In the case of a girl, 11 years old, who presented some signs of pneumonia at the lower part of the left side behind, the evening temperature fell about the 11th day from 104°.9 F. to 97°.4 F. (40°.5 to 36°.3 C.) in the course of 24 hours; yet in her case the most striking symptoms were those of pleurisy of the other side. She had pain in the right side so severe as to cause her frequently to scream out; friction râles were to be heard at the level of the right nipple; and in the lower half of this side the respiration was scarcely audible.

Probably the first violence of the fever in pleurisy is due to the inflammation in the pleura itself; but the main fact in connection with the temperature in this disease seems to be the existence of the effusion. Its presence seems to prolong the fever course, and its gradual absorption appears to correspond to the gradual defervescence, while its conversion into pus seems to prolong and intensify the course of the fever.

Many questions of interest connected with the theory of febrile temperature may be advantageously studied in the light of the thermometry of pleurisy. The striking difference which this disease shows in the course of its temperature from that of lobar pneumonia-its much nearer resemblance to that of lobular pneumonia-and its approach to the character of tubercular and hectic fever (into which, indeed, it sometimes passes,) at once suggests themselves as worthy of consideration. The power we have of tracing the absorption of the fluid, and the means we have of removing it by thoracentesis,

add further to the interests of the subject when studying the relationship of inflammatory products to the general temper

ature.

REVIEWS AND NOTICES OF BOOKS.

LECTURES UPON DISEASES OF THE RECTUM, delivered at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Session 1869–70. By W. H. VAN BUREN, A.M., M.D., Professor of the Principles of Surgery, with Diseases of the Genito-Urinary Organs, etc., in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College; one of the Consulting Surgeons to the New York Hospital; of the Bellevue Hospital; Member of the New York Academy of Medicine; of the Pathological Society of New York, etc. New York, D. Appleton & Co. 1870, Pp. 164.

THE PHYSICAL EXPLORATION OF THE RECTUM, with an Appendix on Hæmorrhoidal Tumors. By WILLIAM BORDENHAMER, A.M., M.D. New York, Wm. Wood & Co. 1870, PP. 54.

The little work of Dr. Van Buren is of that practical character which is so highly prized by students and practitioners. Aside from the fact that it treats of diseases which are frequently overlooked or neglected by the physician; its coming from the pen of one of the noted surgeons of this country will give a value to it which cannot be much augmented by journalistic notices. As the author himself states the series of lectures of which this book is composed, "comprise the results of a good many years of observation, both in hospital and private practice. The author's design has been to render them simple, intelligible, and practical. If they should prove to be useful, his object will have been fully attained." The subjects treated of, and their order are: Pruritus Ani, Eczema, Oxyuris Vermicularis, Hæmorrhoids, Polypus, Prolapsus Ani, Abscess, Fistula in Ano, Fissuri, Stricture of Rectum, Cancer, Diagnosis, Means of Exploration, Neuralgia, Atony, Impacted Fæces, Hygiene, Special Therapeutics. It will thus be seen that the diseases of the rectum are fully considered, and, as is found on reading

the book, more clearly than in some other text books. We would therefore close this notice by strongly recommending every practitioner to obtain it, and can assure those whose means are limited, that the slight expense incurred in its purchase, will be returned "a hundred fold" by the knowledge and success which will follow their study of it.

Of Dr. Bordenhamer's work we can speak with almost equal praise. "There are few minor operations of surgery that require more knowledge, experience, and tact, in order to be enabled to perform them efficiently and satisfactorily, than the physical exploration of the rectum, including the sigmoid flexure of the colon. The natural obstructions in the way of such an examination, in these portions of the intestinal canal, are many, and others, still more numerous, may be found from disease and other circumstances.

These various difficulties can only be successfully met and overcome by a complete knowledge of the anatomy of the parts, both natural and morbid, and by the adroit employment of suitable instruments." We have quoted the above from the preface, from the fact that it states as forcibly as we could the importance of the subject. Unlike Prof. Van Buren's work, this treats almost exclusively of diagnosis, making it therefore a valuable accompaniment to the former work. The subject matter of the book is divided into four sections, and an appendix "On the ligature of hæmorrhoidal tumors. The sections are "Introductory Remarks," "Anatomy of the Rectum," "Physical Explorations," and "Sounding the Rectum." We conclude by recommending it, to those interested in the subject, as an able work, which thoroughly and clearly explains the various means for exploration of the rectum, and the diagnosis of the diseases to which it is subject.

B. F. D.

PRACTICAL ANATOMY; A Manual of Dissections. By CHRISTOPHER HEATH, F.R.C.S., Assistant Surgeon to University College Hospital, and Teacher of Operative Surgery in University College, London, etc. First American, from second English edition. Edited, with additions, by WM. KEEN, M.D., Lecturer on Pathological Anatomy in the Jefferson Medical College; Fellow of the College of Physicians. Philadelphia, Henry C. Lea. 1870, pp. 572.

This is an excellent Dissector's Manual; one which is not merely a descriptive manual of anatomy, but a guide

to the student at the dissecting table, enabling him, though a beginner, to prosecute his work intelligently, and without assistance. The American editor has made many valuable alterations and additions to the original work; among the latter being remarks on Hernia, on the Triangles of the neck, etc., and some general rules for the relation of parts and the structure of organs. He has also added, as an appendix, directions for preserving specimens and their permanent preparations, which is not only exceedingly valuable to students at college, but also to those who desire to prosecute their studies alone.

B. F. D.

ON THE WASTING DISEASES OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN. By EUSTACE SMITH, M.D., London. Member of the Royal College of Physicians; Physician to his Majesty, the King of the Belgians; Physician to the Northeast London Free Dispensary for Sick Children, etc. Philadelphia, Henry C. Lea. Svo, pp. 266, 1871. (Second American edition from the second revised and enlarged English.)

The excellence of this admirable work has already been commented upon in a preceding number of this Journal, but the appearance of this second edition in so short an interval is a better attestation of its merits than the individual opinion of the impartial reviewer.

It is indeed a book having few equals as to conciseness and style, and certainly is surpassed by none in the comprehensiveness with which it deals with the various important and interesting diseases of which its subject matter

treats.

The subject of the work is one that should be carefully studied by every physician, for it is an undoubted fact, that many, very many, do not understand children's diseases as they should. and the special adaptation of this work to clinical study commends itself to such. In this edition, Dr. Smith has incorporated two new and very important chapters, on MUCOUS DISEASE and DIET OF CHILDREN IN HEALTH AND DISEASE, the latter of which we should like to have posted in every nursery.

We heartily recommend this as one of the most valuable works the practitioner can have in his library.

B. F. D.

FIRST MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPORT OF THE BOSTON CITY HOSPITAL. Edited by J. NELSON BORLAND, Physician, and DAVID W. CHEEVER, Surgeon. Boston, Little, Brown & Co. 8vo, pp. 688, and 12 illustrations. 1870.

It is exceedingly gratifying to be called upon to notice the appearance of such works as the one before us. In Europe it has long been the custom for most of the large hospitals to issue medical and surgical reports, and such have always been looked upon as most valuable works. In this country, we believe, the first hospital reports were published two years ago by the staff of the Pennsylvania Hospital, whose example was, the next year, followed by Bellevue Hospital, and now we have Boston putting forward her claims for honor in this useful work. For size and elegance this Report certainly is far ahead of its predecessors, but comparative analysis of the three shows that it is but little, if any, ahead of the others in the scientific character of its material. Among the fifteen articles of which it is composed, several are deserving of special commendation, but especially article I., on "Perineploritic Abscess," by Dr. Henry Bowditch. Article II., on "Excision of the Joints," by Dr. David W. Cheever. Article V., on "Treatment of Acute Rheumatism," by Dr. John G. Blake. Article VII., on Article VII., on "Typhoid and Typhus Fever," by Dr. J. Baxter Upman. Article VIII., on "Reproduction of the Tibia," by Dr. David W. Cheever. And article XII., on "Peri-uterine Inflammation," by Dr. Alex. D. Sinclair.

As a work, the Boston Hospital may well be proud of this volume, and if the succeeding ones will be of the same degree of excellence, the profession of this country will be greatly indebted to Boston for such contributions to American medical literature.

B. F. D.