abdominal diseases, it is necessary to be well posted in the means of distinguishing them. The author has therefore added a chapter on Rupture of Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers, Appendicitis, different forms of Colic, Rupture of the gall bladder, and Tuber Pregnancy, Acute Pancreatitic Torsion of ovarian tumours and spleen, different forms of Intestinal Obstruction, &c. The experienced clinician knows best how difficult may be the diagnosis of many of the above conditions. Therefore the writer who states clearly how he arrives at a differential diagnosis certainly confers a benefit on the learner. The diagnosis of the Intracranial Complications of Middle Ear Disease is now included in the chapter on Diseases of the Head, and is a most valuable addition to the book. The refinements of diagnosis by skiography, bacteriology, and blood examination come in for proper notice.

There is no doubt that a work like this is close and dry reading, owing to the multitude of facts which must necessarily be stated. At the same time, the writer has so thoroughly accomplished his task, and has infused so much lucidity into the book, that none can fail to acquire valuable information from it. Mr. Pearce Gould's book is a necessary one to the advanced student preparing for the higher examinations, and, we may say without hesitation, to those who have to teach surgical diagnosis.

The Edinburgh Medical Journal. Vol. XIV. July-December, 1903. Edinburgh and London: Young J. Pentland. THIS volume contains several interesting contributions to medical literature. Mr. A. E. Barker suggests a "Modification of Talma's Operation for Ascites." He remarks that aseptic peritoneal adhesions soon disappear. As the object of Talma's operation is the establishment of permanent adhesions, some more thorough procedure should be employed. He tried stripping the parietal peritoneum from the anterior wall of the abdomen over an area about the size of the hand. Two holes were then made in the pocket so formed, and the omentum

passed through and secured. The patient was believed to have benefited, but was still under observation when the communication was made. There is an important article by Dr. D. G. Hall on Cardiac Aneurysms. The pathology of the condition is fully discussed, and an attempt made to set out the clinical signs and symptoms of what is always a diagnostic puzzle. The article is exhaustive and well worth careful study.

Dr. Parkes Weber has an instructive article on " Simple Persistent and Congenital Persistent Jaundice, Family Biliary Cirrhosis and Family Tendency to Jaundice." This is one of the most interesting papers in the book, as it deals with some rare forms of hepatic disease which are very difficult to elucidate. An interesting contribution to medical history is a paper by Dr. Henry Barnes, on two cases in which Boerhaave was consulted. There is a paper on the "Pathology of Bone Cysts of the Nose," by Mr. Logan Turner.

A System of Physiologic Therapeutics. A Practical Exposition of the Methods, other than Drug-giving, useful for the Prevention of Disease and in the Treatment of the Sick. Edited by SOLOMON SOLIS COHEN, A.M., M.D. Volume VII. Mechano-therapy and Physical Education, including Massage and Exercise, by JOHN K. MITCHELL, M.D.; and Physical Education by Muscular Exercise, by LUTHER HULSEY GALICK, M.D. With Special Chapters on Orthopedic Apparatus, by JAMES K. YOUNG, M.D. On Corrective Manipulations in Orthopedic Surgery (including the Lorenz Method), by AUGUSTUS WILSON, M.D., and on Physical Methods in Ophthalmic Therapeutics, by WALTER L. PYLE, M.D. With 229 illustrations. Published by Rebman, Limited, 129, Shaftesbury Avenue, W. 1904. THE major portion of this book, after a section on massage, is given up to the discussion of exercise, remedial and educational. The well-illustrated section on Massage, with its clear and concise explanations, should do a great deal to clear away

the mystery which surrounds this art, and enable the practitioner to acquire with ease such familiarity with the technique, as not to be entirely at the mercy of the operator, be he

skilled or otherwise.

The section on remedial exercise covers a very wide ground, including, as it does, such subjects as the treatment of heart disease by Schott's system, exercises in co-ordination for locomotor ataxia, and the management of lateral curvature. A knowledge of "Therapeutic Gymnastics" is almost indispensable at the present day if the medical profession is to keep patients from falling into the hands of the “innumerable professors "happily more numerous in America than in this. country among whom are found "enthusiastic devotees," who "proclaim physical culture as a universal panacea for all forms of disease and disorder, from bunions to baldness."

The knowledge which can be derived from a perusal of this section will at any rate enable the medical practitioner to signify to the gymnast the kind of exercises he would like the patient to have, instead of passing the patient bodily over to the gymnast to be treated on the very general principles which guide the average gymnastic instructor. The exercises employed are mostly old friends, but a new and very useful exercise to straighten the spine by means of a rod is described on page 176; and again on page 196 we find an excellent sidecrawling movement to overcome a lateral curve.

Much useful information is to be found in the section on physical education by muscular exercises. Of particular interest is the discussion of the different gymnastic systems, and of the contrast between the athlete and the gymnast-a contrast decidedly in the athlete's favour.

In the Addenda we find a description of Lorenz's operation for congenital hip dislocation-a description in our opinion quite unique in its precision and lucidity. Each manipulative procedure is illustrated in such an exact way that the text is followed with ease, and the author shows a most intimate acquaintance with every detail of the procedure, which enables him, with the help of these illustrations, very rapidly to make the reader master of the method.

Altogether we consider Messrs. Rebman, Limited, are distinctly to be congratulated upon this very useful member of their System of Physiological Therapeutics.

Gynecological Nursing. By NETTA STEWART. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh. Simpkin, Marshall and Co., Limited, London.

1903.

THE authoress has been ten years head nurse in gynaecological wards at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and for eight of them her chief has been Sir Halliday Croom, who introduces the volume by a cordial preface. Miss Stewart has succeeded in writing an exceedingly useful and practical little book, which may with advantage be placed in the hands of any nurse who has to do with patients who have to be submitted to gynæcological examinations or operations.

With most of the statements and directions given in the book we can cordially express our agreement; occasionally, however, a statement is made too absolutely, as for instance on page 3, where it is stated that in all cases menstruation must postpone interference, no matter how necessary the examination may be. This is of course absurd; it is well known that in some cases the information required is obtainable only during the monthly flow, and in any given case the medical man responsible for the treatment, and not the nurse, must decide upon the necessity of such an examination. There are very few blemishes of this sort, and the book can be strongly recommended to those for whom it has been written.

Practical Text-Book of Midwifery for Nurses. By ROBERT JARDINE. Second edition. 1903. William F. Clay, 18, Teviot Place, Edinburgh.

THE author is Physician to the Glasgow Maternity Hospital, one of the largest and busiest in the kingdom, and his experience in teaching has enabled him to write a book which can be strongly recommended as an adequate exposition of

the subject of midwifery as it should be presented to midwives. The book is written in simple language, and there is, as a rule, no hesitation on the part of the author in deciding what knowledge should or should not be expected of his pupils. Occasionally an instruction might with advantage be made more definite; for example, on page 77 the reader is told that instruments can be rendered perfectly aseptic by boiling them for "a few" minutes; we think it should be made clear whether three or thirty minutes are required.

The abnormalities and diseases of the newborn, and infant feeding, are accorded satisfactory treatment, and we have no hesitation in recommending the volume as one of the most useful hand-books for nurses.

A Complete Hand-Book of Midwifery—for Midwives and Nurses. By J. K. WATSON. The Scientific Press, Limited, 28 and 29, Southampton Street, Strand, London, W.C. 1904. THIS Hand-book of Midwifery for Midwives and Nurses bears evidence of its author having had no great experience in teaching. Many of the subjects introduced are treated in much too full a manner; thus for instance on extra-uterine pregnancy there is a chapter ten pages in length, illustrated by various diagrams, and containing a great deal of unnecessary detail; in another place the operation of curetting is described in full. If the book had been intended for junior students of medicine little fault could have been found with the fulness. which renders it unsuitable for midwives and nurses, for whom it has been written.

Text-Book of Diseases of the Eye. By HOWARD F. HANSELL, A.M., M.D., and WILLIAM M. SWEET, M.D.; with Chapters by CHRISTIAN R. HOLMES, M.D., CASEY A. WOOD, M.D., D.C.L., WENDELL REBER, M.D. Rebman, Limited, London. THE authors make no apology for adding to the not inconsiderable list of books on Diseases of the Eye. Presumably