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brevity, however, has caused him to dismiss the important feature of diagnosis, while much that is of great importance to the general practitioner remains unsaid. A writer, however, may be excused because of too great brevity when one recalls the fact that the common sin of these large systems is to load themselves up with much that is mere padding. In the treatment of such a subject as goitre it would be confidently expected that the operative treatment would receive full consideration, and it does. His conservatism, however, is manifest in the place which he assigns to the medicinal treatment. One might reasonably look for some reference to the treatment of goitre by electricity; this, however, is not mentioned. In dealing with the subject of spinal bifida the author takes the responsibility of recommending radical operation as being indicated in the great majority of cases. The subject is considered with great clearness and fulness though the account is very concise. His discussion of the diseases and deformities of the spinal column is quite as satisfactory as one may expect outside the pages of a monograph upon that subject. The paper, illustrations and binding do ample credit and justice to the well-known firm who are publishing this work in America.

B. E. M'K. Commoner Diseases of the Eye; How to Detect and How to Treat Them. By CASEY A. WOOD, C.M., M.D., D.C.L., Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology in the University of Illinois, etc., and THOMAS A. WOODRUFF, M.D., C.M., L.R.C.P., Professor of Ophthalmology in the Chicago Post-Graduate Medical School, Chicago, etc.; 250 illustrations; 7 colored plates;. 500 pp. 5 x 8 in. $1.75 net. G. P. Engelhard & Co., Chicago.

One opens this little book with special interest because it is written by two Canadians who have won some reputation in the land of their adoption. It is most satisfying both in its clearness and completeness. Considering Ophthalmology from the standpoint of the physician in general practice it is free from many of the erudite discussions which frighten the general practitioner away from the standard works on the subject.

J. M. M.

Diseases of the Eye. By L. WEBSTER Fox, A.M., M.D., Professor of Ophthalmology in the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, Pa., with five colored plates and 296 illustrations in the text. New York and London: D. Appleton & Company. 1904.

The three features which strike the reader in this book are the clearness and good size of the print, the great number of illustrations, and the space devoted to operations. Based upon

lectures delivered to students at the Medico-Chirurgical College, it is described by the author as a digested summary of the known facts of Ophthalmology. Facts are very often more or less colored by personal tendencies, and this, in the case of Dr. Fox, seems to be altogether towards operation. This same tendency influences the illustrations, some of which cause one to wonder why they were inserted. "Before and after operation" illustrations may be de rigueur in Philadelphia text-books, but they savor somewhat unduly of a desire to impress upon the reader the operator's skill. The personal element in medical books is all too rare, so that one must not cavil overmuch, for aside from these little flaws the book is no mean addition to one's library.

J. M. M.

A Guide to the Clinical Examination of the Blood for Diagnostic Purposes. By RICHARD C. CABOT, M.D. With colored plates and engravings. Fifth Revised Edition. New York: William Wood & Company. 1904. Canadian agents:, Chandler & Massey Limited, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg.

In the introduction to this valuable work the author gives his views on the scope and value of blood examination. He says there are probably not more than five or six diseases in which the blood examination gives a certain and positive diagnosis, but there is a very considerable number of conditions in which the blood examination will help in making the diagnosis, and that very often the simple discovery that the blood is normal may be of the greatest value in diagnosis. He also says that improvements in technique have lessened the labor and increased the accuracy of blood examination so much that the most important facts about the blood of nearly every case can be obtained by a practiced observer in fifteen minutes.

These methods for the clinical examination of the blood, as well as its physiology and pathology, are fully described in the first part of the work. The second part of the book is devoted to the special pathology of the blood.

Full descriptions are given of the changes usually found in blood in such diseases as anemia and leukemia, in acute and chronic infectious diseases, in malignant disease, blood parasites and intestinal parasites, and in diseases of special organs.

The Widal reaction in typhoid fever is discussed in a very interesting chapter on examination of serum.

The book contains a very large number of very good illustrations, many of the colored ones being very beautiful. No one who is interested in the subject of blood examination can afford to be without this excellent work by Dr. Cabot.

A. E.

Abbott's Alkaloidal Digest, a Brief Therapeutics of Some of the Principal Alkaloidal Medicaments, with Suggestions for Clinical Application, embodying various articles on important special agents and certain great phases of Alkaloidal Therapy that have been developed in my personal practice. By W. C. ABBOTT, M.D., editor Alkaloidal Clinic, etc., etc. cago: The Clinic Publishing Co. 1904.

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On the title page of this little book appear the following words: In therapeutics use the smallest possible quantity of the best obtainable means to produce a desired therapeutic result." Into that motto is boiled down the secret of alkaloidal therapy, a new form of medication, the principles of which are laid down in Dr. Abbott's book now before us. The Digest will be found to be a handy vade-mecum, full of suggestions as to the uses of alkalometry, a system of medication that in many quarters is rapidly gaining friends.

A Manual of Nursing. By REYNOLD WEBB WILCOX, M.A., M.D., LL.D., Professor of Medicine in the New York PostGraduate Medical School and Hospital; Consulting Physician to the Nassau Hospital; Visiting Physician to St. Mark's Hospital; Fellow of the American Academy of Medicine; Member of the American Therapeutic Society, etc. Illustrated. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1012 Walnut Street. 1904. Canadian Agents: Chandler & Massey Limited, Toronto and Montreal.

This volume contains the lectures on fever nursing, which were delivered in substance to the nurses of St. Mark's Hospital during the session of 1903-4. Fevers are first taken up in a general way; then symptoms, causation and treatment; the use of the clinical thermometer, pulse and respiration are discussed. After this the various fevers are considered in detail, and the nurse is given a very clear and practical knowledge of the subject, and one which, to our mind, is essential for good results. We have much pleasure in recommending this little work to our friends in the nursing profession.

W. J. W.

The Bacteriology of Every-Day Practice. By J. ODERY SYMES, M.D., State Medicine (Lond.), D.P.H., etc.; Assistant Physician and Bacteriologist, British General Hospital. Second edition. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, 8 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden.

1904.

This is the second of the Medical Monograph Series, and its aim is to sketch in brief compass the chief features of given

subjects of every-day interest to students and practitioners. This edition has been largely rewritten, and sections have been added upon the preparation and staining of blood films; upon meningitis, and upon those diseases which science is gradually unfolding to the professional world.

A. J. H.

Medical Laboratory Methods and Tests. By HERBERT FRENCH, M.A., M.D. London: Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, 8 Henrietta Street, Convent Garden. Price, $1.00. Canadian Agent: J. A. Carveth & Co., Toronto.

This little volume aims at giving in detail the commoner methods used in explaining pathological fluids and substances. The conclusions which may be drawn from the various tests are carefully given, while at the same time care is taken to point out the fallacies to which each is liable.

A separate chapter is devoted to each of the following subjects: examination of the urine, blood, sputum, pus, gastric contents, feces, skin, serous exudates, and tests for the commoner poisons. We have not seen a more useful or more carefully prepared hand-book for the medical laboratory.

A. E.

A Text-Book of Physiology. By ISAAC OTT, A.M., M.D., Professor of Physiology in the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia. One hundred and thirty-seven illustrations. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company. 1904.

This is an elementary work containing the chief facts of physiology, which have a direct bearing on the practice of medicine. The various topics are thoroughly discussed; the whole text is carefully written, and is well adapted to the needs of medical students, for whom it is chiefly intended. The book is well printed, and contains the usual number of satisfactory illustrations.

A. E.

Case Teaching in Surgery. By HERBERT L. BURRELL, M.D., Professor of Clinical Surgery, Harvard University, and JOHN BAPST BLAKE, M.D., Instructor in Surgery, Harvard University. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co., 1012 Walnut Street. 1904. Canadian Agents: Chandler & Massey Limited, Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.

A useful list of the history of surgical cases collected by Dr. Blake, at the Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Burrell in his clinical demonstrations. The history of the case is given the student, and he makes his diagnosis and prognosis, and then

states what he considers proper treatment for such a case. There are seventy-five cases tabulated, including those most frequently met with day by day. A most useful form for teachers.

A. J. H.

A Guide to Urine Testing for Nurses and Others. By MARK ROBINSON, L.R.C.P., L.R.C.S. (Ed.). Second edition, Bristol: John Wright & Co. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent & Co. 1904.

The second edition of this booklet on urine testing comes to us in a revised condition. It deals with the first principles of urinary examination in a very clear style, thus making it suitable for those whom the author intended it.

W. H. P.

Aseptic and Antiseptic Preparations, and Treatment of Emergencies after Abdominal Operations. By GEO. WACKERHAGEN, M.D. New York: E. R. Pelton, Publishers.

The first thing that comes to one on looking into this little book is the fact that though it is very small it has many useful hints. To nurses and young practitioners, I suppose, it is most useful.

S.

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