present is even more valuable than the former. About one hundred and fifty pages of matter has been added, embracing some subjects entirely omitted in the first edition, whilst "others have been rendered more full." For the purposes of a medical student, we regard it as decidedly the best manual of examinations in our language. The Virginia Springs, with their Analysis; and some remarks on their character, together with a Directory for the use of the White Sulphur Water, and an account of the diseases to which it is applicable, etc., and an account of the different Routes to the Springs. By JOHN J. MOORMANN, M.D., Resident physician at the White Sulphur Springs. 12mo. pp. 219. Lindsay & Blakiston: Philadelphia, 1847. The Sulphur Springs of Virginia are among the most remarkable mineral springs of the country, and indeed of the world. Whether we regard the active constituents of the waters which render them medicinal, the mountainous region in which they are situated, and the varied and picturesque scenery along the road which the visiter from almost every quarter travels to arrive at them, we discover hygienic influences of the most powerful character, to impress anew the exhausted energies of the valetudinarian. Besides sulphur and the salts of lime, soda, magnesia, iron, &c., present in the waters of most of them, iu various proportions, some contain iodine, and various gases, as sulphuretted hydrogen, carbonic acid, etc., and vary in temperature from 49°, as at the "Salt Sulphur," in Monroe, to 106°, at the "Hot Springs," in Bath County. Dr. Moormann's work, although professedly an account of the different springs of Virginia, is mainly occupied with an account of the "White Sulphur," at which he resides, and a critical notice of a work on "The Mineral Springs of Western Virginia," by William Burke, formerly, and perhaps now, "Proprietor of the Red Sulphur Springs." In this part of the volume, Dr. M. commits the common error of all disputants, of supposing that the public take the same interest in personal controversies as the individuals themselves-otherwise, the book contains much to interest the seeker after health, who may be thinking of journey ing to the mountains and springs of Virginia, and might, we think, with a little effort, and some self-denial, have been made to include much more, even without extending its pages. As it is, however, the physician will find in the analyses of the various Springs information which will enable him to judge of their adaptation to the conditions of patients laboring under derangements for which they are visited, whilst the public will learn from it the different routes and distances to be travelled to arrive at the several Springs. Water versus Hydropathy; or an Essay on Water and its true relations to Medicine. By EDWARD HARTSHORNE, M. D. This is a brochure of 131 pages, duodecimo, in which the author has attempted to show the general therapeutic properties of cold water, and the classes of cases to which, internally and externally, it is adapted. Although the advocate for a less restricted use of this simple but energetic agent, in the cure of diseases, than the mass of physicians probably are, at least in practice, he very justly ridicules the exclusive reliance upon it which characterizes the modern tribe of hydropathists. The book contains many facts and useful suggestions which may not always be present to the mind of the experienced physician, whilst they cannot but be instructive to the tyro; and to the latter, in particular, we commend its perusal, as well for the reasons we have stated, as the example of thoughtful inquiry it exhibits, on the part of one but recently from their ranks. The Diseases of Females; including those of pregnancy and childbed. By FLEETWOOD CHURCHILL, M. D., author of "the Theory and Practice of Midwifery," etc. etc. Fourth American edition, with illustrations. With notes by ROBERT M. HUSTON, M. D., etc. etc. 8vo. pp. 600. Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia, 1847. The appearance of a fourth edition of the work of Dr. Churchill on the Diseases of Females, in so brief a space of time, is high evidence of its general approval by the physicians of the United States. One great and distinguishing trait of the volume is, that it embraces all the diseases peculiar to women, which can hardly be said of any other publication, and it is this circumstance that especially commends it to practitioners who are without the opportunity of consulting numerous works. In the present edition, some additions have been made by the editor, and some errors of the press have been corrected, although it is to be regretted that others have been allowed to escape. THE MEDICAL EXAMINER. PHILADELPHIA, JULY, 1847. SHIP FEVER. In our last we spoke of the vast number of emigrants arriving at the different sea-ports of the United States, in a condition of the utmost destitution, and in many instances laboring under ship-fever. This state of things continues, and, in fact, appears to be constantly on the increase; nor does there seem to be any hope that it will be otherwise until the famine in Ireland disappears, or more efficient means are adopted to prevent so many persons from being crowded in the vessels that convey them hither, as well as to provide better provision for them on the passage. It is not only in the Atlantic cities that cases of this fever are found, but wherever the unfortunate emigrants seek a home speedily after their arrival on the continent of America, from the Mississippi to the St. Lawrence. As the voyage from Ireland to the Northern ports is much shorter, of course the greatest number proceed thither, and consequently there the evils most abound. Some idea may be formed of the dreadful mortality among these poor people, who arrive in the St. Lawrence, from the following statement, which we cut from one of the newspapers, and in a smaller proportion, perhaps, among those who arrive at the ports of the United States: "Ship and Typhus Fever.-A letter from Dr. Douglass at the Quarantine Station, Gross Isle, dated June 18, received in Montreal, gives some idea of the melancholy condition of vessels quarantined there. The Pursuit, Spencer, from Liverpool-the master, mate, and all the men, save one, sick in hospital-was obliged to send hands from the shore, to remove his sick and dead. The Lotus, Watson, from Liverpool-has had some of his sick removed to Hospital-expects to land the rest of the sick in a day or two-he had 70 deaths-12 since her arrival. The Rose, M'Kinlay, from "" has nearly 100 sick-lost 14 the day of his arrival, and 7 the day after-total deaths nearly 80. The Lady Flora Hastings, from Cork-passengers landed, except the sick-72-who are still on board-has buried 60. The ship Sabraon, Wilson, from Liverpool--has about 60 sick-buried 35--has a medical man on board, who attends to the sick. The Jessie Gorman, from Limerick-sick 45, still on board--mate, and ten of the crew ill-buried 30 of his passengers." The disease appears to be the old ship, jail or hospital fever, modified in different individuals, so as to constitute either typhus or typhoid fever, according to the notions of different writers. In all instances it may be regarded as adynamic in its character; sometimes with lesions of the intestinal glands, and in other cases without such lesions, but presenting black tongue, petechiæ, great stupor and prostration, &c. From the number of cases occurring, and the fact that in a few instances the attendants on the sick have contracted and even died of the disease, some alarm has been experienced from the apprehension that it may spread beyond its present limits and become general among the people. We do not, however, participate in this apprehension, nor do we believe that it is entertained by any considerable portion of the physicians of this or any other place where the disease has appeared. That it is contagious, under peculiar circumstances of exposure, and that a few persons have fallen victims to it under such circumstances, may be admitted, and is admitted; but the smallness of the number out of all who have been so situated, shows how rarely it is contracted by those who are not predisposed to it by the melancholy circumstances of the chief sufferers, whilst there are no instances of its occurrence beyond the immediate sphere of infection. These circumstances show no tendency in the disease to spread, and indicate anything but a state of the atmosphere favourable to its propagation. Had the disease appeared among us in cold weather instead of the summer season, its effects upon those who are obliged to attend upon the sick in our almshouses and other places of public charity, would probably have been deplorable. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. Professor Robert Hare, who has occupied the Chair of Chemistry in this time-honoured School of Medicine nearly thirty years, has resigned his professorship, and we understand that at the meeting of the Trustees at which his resignation was accepted, he was unanimously elected Emeritus Professor of Chemistry-a proper acknowledgement of distinguished abilities and long and faithful services. No successor has yet been appointed. HAMPDEN SYDNEY COLLEGE. In our last we announced the decease of Dr. Warner, Professor of Surgery in this institution. From the following notice, which we copy from the U. S. Gazette, it will be seen that a successor, of reputation, has already been appointed. "Dr. James L. Cabell, now Professor of Anatomy and Surgery in the University of Virginia, has been selected, and has consented, to take charge of the professorship in the Richmond Medical College, recently made vacant by the death of the late Dr. Augustus L. Warner. Dr. Cabell is now widely known as a medical instructor, and will prove a valuable accession both to the college and the city." BUFFALO UNIVERSITY. The first Annual Commencement of the Medical Department of the Buffalo University, took place on the 16th inst. The degree of Docter of Medicine was conferred on seventeen graduates. LA LANCETTE CANADIENNE. But a few short months since, we chronicled] the advent of this spirited little French organ of medical science, and now, alas! it is numbered with those that have been! The number which appeared on the 15th ultimo, contained the valedictory of its able editor, Dr. Leprohon. NEW YORK MEDICAL AND SURGICAL REPorter. The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of the 23d ultimo, announces the discontinuance of its weekly contemporary, and takes occasion to say that "the Boston Journal is again alone in this country as a weekly visitant to the medical profession." Beware, brother Smith! Listen to the Bard- "This is the state of man :-to day he puts forth |