esteemed, that of Herat and of Yarkund still more so. For a specimen of the last the author is indebted to Dr. Falconer.

2. Ganjah. Dr. O'S. describes it to be the dried hemp plant which has flowered, and from which the resin has not been removed. The bundles are about two feet long, and contain twenty-four plants. In N. W. India the name Ganjah is applied to the whole growing plant.

3. Bang, Subjee, or Sidhee, is formed of the larger leaves and capsules without the stalks.

"The leaves of common hemp have been analyzed, but the analysis requires to be repeated and carefully compared with that of the Indian plant. The properties seem to depend on a volatile oil, which is as yet but little known, and upon the resin. This is very soluble in alcohol and ether, as well as in the fixed and volatile oils, partially soluble in alkaline, insoluble in acid solutions; when pure, of a blackish-gray colour. (The Yarkund specimen is of a dark blackish-green, another kind is of a dirty olive.) Its odour is fragrant and narcotic; taste slightly warm, bitterish, and acrid. The Ganjah, which is sold for smoking chiefly, yields to alcohol 20 per cent. of resinous extract, composed of churrus and chlorophylle. Dr. Farre found that already a substitute (Apocynum cannabinum, called Indian Hemp in America) is sold for this, though having no resemblance to it, and possessing only emetic and cathartic properties.

"Action. Uses. All these preparations are capable of producing intoxication, whether the churrus be taken in the form of a pill, or with conserve, or the dried leaf be rubbed up in milk and water with a little sugar and spice, or smoked. As a medicine, it was tried by Dr. O'S. in rheumatism, hydrophobia, cholera, and tetanus. In the last such marked benefit and cures were produced, that the hemp was pronounced an anticonvulsive remedy of the greatest value. Its general effects are, alleviation of pain (generally.) remarkable increase of appetite, unequivocal aphrodisia, and great mental cheerfullness. Its more violent effects were, delirium of a peculiar kind, and a cataleptic state. Dr. Pereira was among the first to submit it to experiment, but failed in obtaining any results, probably from changes having taken place in the drug. Dr. Laurie pronounced it uncertain, and not to be trusted to as a narcotic. Mr. Ley, however, found it useful in relaxing spasm, producing sleep, and during its action abatement of pain. Mr. Donovan found its power great in temporarily destroying sensation, and subduing the most intense neuralgic pain. Professor Miller of Edinburg considers its virtue to consist in a power of controlling inordinate muscular spasm. Dr. Clendinning says that in his hands its exhibition has been followed by manifest effects as a soporific or hypnotic in conciliating sleep, as an anodyne in lulling irritation, as an antispasmodic in checking cough and cramp, and as a nervous stimulant in removing languor and anxiety. The hemp may be used in the following preparations and deses, but Dr. O'S., when in England, found that he was obliged to give as much as 10 or 12 grs. and even more; though in India he considered gr. a sufficient, and 14 gr. of the extract a large dose.

"EXTRACTUM CANNABIS. Resinous Extract of Indian Hemp.

Prep. Boil the rich adhesive tops of the dried Ganjah in Rectified Spirit until all the Resin is dissolved out. Distil off the Spirit with a gentle heat.

"D. This extract is effectual in gr. ss. and gr. j. doses; but 10 and 20 grs. have been given in Hydrophobia and Tetanus.

"TINCTURA CANNABIS. Resinous Tincture of Indian Hemp.

Prep. Dissolve Extract Cannabis gr. iij. in Proof Spirit f3j. A weaker Tineture may also be made with the dried herb or Ganjah.

“D. mx.-f3j. with the dried herb or Ganjah. A drachm or so may be given in tetanus every half-hour, until the paroxysms cease, or catalepsy is induced.

"Mr. Donovan states the only preparation to be relied on is the tincture of the resin prepared from properly collected hemp. He advises of the resinous tincture mxv. to be added to rectified spirit mxlv. and taken as a draught; or, if added to water, it should instantly be swallowed, or the resin would precipitate and adhere to the vessel."

W. M. C.

III.—A Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye. By W. LAWRENCE, F. R. S., Surgeon Extraordinary to the Queen, Surgeon to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and Lecturer on Surgery at that Hospital, etc. etc. A new edition, edited with numerous additions, and one hundred and seventy-six illustrations. By ISAAC HAYS, M. D., Surgeon to Will's Hospital, &c. &c. Philadelphia. Lea & Blanchard. 1817. pp. 858.

This work originally embodied the lectures on the anatomy, physiol. ogy and diseases of the eye, delivered by Mr. Lawrence, at the London Opthalmic Infirmary. In the various editions through which this book has passed, many and important additions have been added to the text; and now it may be said to represent the present advanced state of opthalmic medicine, both in a pathological and a therapeutical point. For a long time "Lawrence on the Eye" took precedence of almost all other works on the same subject; nor has time detracted from its merits or weakened its high claims as a standard work in the profession. Classic in the arrangement of his subject; neat, clear and engaging in his style, Mr. Lawrence is one of the best authors on opthalmology in the English language.

The first part of this work is devoted to a review of the anatomy and physiology of the eye, and its appendages; it contains every thing the student and practitioner can desire, and adds greatly to the value of the book. These two subjects being fully developed, Mr. Lawrence enters at some length into the pathology of the eye-inflammation and the clas sification of opthalmic diseases.

His views on inflammation, are at once sound and orthodox-being founded upon the latest researches made on this long disputed, but now pretty well settled question. These we need not enumerate in this place, as they are already familiar to the most desultory reader.

In his treatment of all the inflammatory affections of the eye, he is an uncompromising advocate for free depletion; in some cases, pushing general depletion even to syncope. He is opposed to the French and German opthalmologists, who advocate small and repeated bleedings, arguing in its justification, that the opthalmia is more speedily and safely cured by this means, than by one or two decisive bleedings. As a general rule, not without, however, numerous exceptions, we are in favour of Mr. Lawrence's views, being governed much by the intensity of the local affection, and the state of the vascular system.

The plates and illustrations in the first part of the book, are superior to any thing of the kind we have seen; and they will enable the reader to understand the subject at a glance.

It is superfluous to attempt to review in detail, a book so well and so long known by the profession. His views and mode of treatment, have long influenced the profession in this country, in the management of the diseases of the eye.

The editor, Dr. Hayes, has, unlike most editors of foreign books, added much valuable matter to the original text; besides introducing and discussing in a very satisfactory manner, some points overlooked or neglected by the author.

Dr. Hays has enjoyed fine opportunities for the study of the eye dis eases and from the materials which he has scattered through the pages of this work, we are inclined to think him a close observer and a sound practitioner. Both the author and the editor are opposed to the application of cataplasms and poultices, so common with the Germans, to inflamed eyes; this practice we believe is almost universally condemned, by the profession in this country.

Mr. Lawrence, unlike a new oculist, but like a sound physician looks to the constitution of the patient, as influencing the course of the eye disease, and as of the first importance in the treatment of this class of diseases. Many of the affections of the eye partake of the constitutional taint or disease, with which the subject may be afflicted at the time of the opthalmic attack. Thus we have rheumatic, syphilitic and scrofulous opthalmia-and the remedies required to rid the constitution of the disease will likewise relieve the local affection.

Indeed the eye is an epitome of the anatomy of the tissues; it contains the basis of all the different structures of the body. The conjunctiva may be said to be continuous with the mucous structures; the sclerotica with the fibrous, and so on with the other structures of this organ. Hence the necessity of a familiar acquaintance with all the various structures, as well of the entire system as of the eye itself, in order to understand the pathology and treatment of this class of affections.

To give an idea of the contents of this valuable work, we shall sum up the different chapters under which Mr. Lawrence has arranged and classified his subject. After treating first, of the pathology of the eye, second, he gives an account of the affections of the eyelids; third, of injuries of the eye-ball; fourth, of the causes of opthalmic inflammation; fifth, of the treatment of opthalmic inflammation; sixth, of the division and classification of opthalmic inflammation-simple and catarrhal inflammation of the conjunctiva; seventh, of purulent opthalmia of new-born infants; eighth, of purulent opthalmia in the adult; ninth, of gonorhoeal opthalmia; tenth, of erysipelatous opthalmia, pustular opthalmia, strumous or scrofulous opthalmia; eleventh, of variolous, morbillous and scarlatinous opthalmia; twelfth, of various affections of the conjunctiva; thirteenth, of the diseases of the sclerotica; fourteenth, of the diseases of the cornea; fifteenth, of the diseases of the aqueous membrane and chambers; sixteenth, of the diseases of the iris, under the head, iritis and malfor mations of the iris; eighteenth, formation of artifical pupil; nineteenth, affections of the choroid-coat retina, vitreous humor, lens and capsule ; twentieth, amaurosis and other defects of sight; twenty-first, cataract; twenty-second, general affections of the globe; twenty-third, malignant disease of the eye; twenty-fourth, ossifications, calculous concretions, entozoa in the eye; twenty-fifth, affections of the orbit; twenty-sixth, lastly, affections of lachrymal organs.

Such are the more prominent topics brought to view, and examined in the work before us. From the above, it will be seen that few points of interest, relative to opthalmology, have been neglected in this comprehensive volume.

There is one part of treatment, in nearly all the acute affections of the eye, advised by Mr. Lawrence, to which we most respectfully put in our demurer; we allude to his purgative plan of treatment. In every variety, almost, of opthalmia, whether strumous or otherwise, he is an advocate for free and copious purgatives. Perhaps in beef-eating and beer-drinking England, where the bowels are likely to become loaded and the blood vessels turgid, purgatives may be a sine qua non, but in this country, and especially in this latitude, harsh and drastic purgatives, are not only not called for, but they are positively hurtful-first, because they irritate to a high degree, the gastro-enteric mucous membrane, and thus kindle up an irritative fever, which reacts upon, and aggravates the original affection; and second, they debilitate the constitution, without reducing in a corresponding ratio, the primary local inflammation. Mr. Lawrence says, that in scrofulous opthalmia, the use of purgatives is generally necessary; and those of an active kind are often required, even in young children. Such a course of practice, would not be likely to be followed by good results in New Orleans, according to our observation. Most generally the mildest aperients, followed by an alterative and tonic course of constitutional treatment, answers the just expectations of the physician, and crowns his efforts with complete

success.

In conclusion, we cordially recommend this excellent work, both to the general practitioner and the oculist. A. H.

IV.-New Elements of Operative Surgery. By ALF. A. L. M. VELPEAU, Professor of Surgical Clinique of Medicine, of Paris; Surgeon to La Charité, etc., etc., with a Treatise on Minor Surgery, illustrated by over 200 engravings, incorporated with the text: with an atlas in quarto of twenty-two plates, representing the principal operative processes and surgical instruments. First American, from last Paris edition. Translated by P. S. TOWNSEND, M. D. Augmented by the addition of several hundred pages of new matter, comprising all the late improvements and discoveries in surgery in America and Europe, up to the present time: all under the supervi. sion of, and with notes and observations by VALENTINE MOTT, M. D., Professor, etc., etc., etc. In three volumes. Vol. iii. New York. Samuel J. and William Wood. 1847. pp. 1162.

The reader may form some idea of the matter contained in this, the third volume of Velpeau's Operative Surgery, after glancing over the title page of the book. It is certainly equal to what it claims to be; being undoubtedly the most voluminous work that ever appeared in the English language on surgery, in this country. Dr. Townsend, the translator, certainly bears off the palmn for industry and perseverance in bringing

out this work in a neat English dress. Of the reputation of the author, M. Velpeau, as a surgeon, we need not speak, as all who know anything of the history and improvements of surgery, are quite familiar with his labours, and the fruits of his extraordinary powers. As a book of reference, it is a small library in itself, and invaluable to the practitioner; yet we cannot say that we admire the arrangement of the work as a whole; the subjects are too much crowded together; the mind is confused with the importance and the variety of the matter brought before it; hence, the impressions made, are seldom permanent or distinct. Perhaps, in a work of this size, any other arrangement could not have heen adopted, at all events, without repetition or greater labour. Let us, therefore, receive it as it is, without murmur or complaint, for in truth it stands unrivalled, both for the value and amount of matter it contains.

The book is much disfigured, in our opinion, by the constant reference made in the body of the work, to the medical periodicals and works of the day. This all serves to balk the reader, to interrupt the sense of the paragraph and to distract the understanding. The references, which are so numerous, should have been placed at the foot of each page, in small type, both as most convenient, and less likely to annoy the student. If these can be considered objections at all, they may be regarded as too trifling to be urged against a work which contains such a large amount of information. In the title page, it is stated that several hundred pages of entirely new matter have been added to the original work, by Drs. Mott and Townsend. We regret that such an amount of valuable material should have been scattered through a work, already too large for convenience, destined, we fear, to attract little or no attention, on account of such an amalgamation.

Why did not Drs. Mott and Townsend give us a work on American surgery? The material is abundant, the time opportune, and they are every way qualified to produce such a work as would reflect credit upon themselves and their country, The matter incorporated into Velpeau's "Operative Surgery," by the American editors, should have been brought out in a separate form, upon its own merits; this course was due to themselves, and to American surgery. How long shall American genius and talent thus continue to act as trumpeters of the fame of the writers of the old world, play a secondary, a subordinate part in literature and the sciences? Let us strive to garner up the achievements of our own surgeons, the experience and observations of our own physicians, in works, written by ourselves, and divorced from that forced alliance with foreign productions, which degrades us as a profession in the estimation of the medical world.

The atlas, which accompanies this, the third and last volume of Vel. peau's Surgery, is a valuable addition to the work. The designs are good, and well executed. Velpeau, in getting up this work, has done ample justice, to both the ancient and modern writers in this department of our science. He has detailed the operative proceedings of different distinguished surgeons, of all countries, and almost every age. This will make the work highly valuable as a book of reference, and for this reason, we recommend it to the profession throughout the country.

A. H.