attack is severe and the progress is rapid, the succession of remedies mentioned by him in his treatise, as adapted to the progressive stages of the disease, should be passed over, and the most powerful immediately applied. In the plan of treatment in this as well as the other affections, which come under consideration in the present work, Mr. Russell has rather distinguished himself by a judicious selection from the remedies now in use, and an accurate appreciation of their respective merits, than by suggesting any new mode. He has annexed to his work three plates; two of which are in illustration of some of the phænomena of anchylosis; the third is a representation of an uncommon and anomalous disease, with the description of which we shall conclude this article: There still remains to be noticed another affection of the knee joint, most singular in its appearances and most dangerous in its consequences. It is anomalous and undescribed. I have only met with four or five cases of it among the great number of patients I have had occasion to see, with various affections of the knee. All those cases were far advanced in their progress, before they came under my observation, and the incipient stages of the disease were not distinctly described by the patients. At the time of the examination, the swelling was of a very large size, an irregular shape, and firm consistence. There was no distinct sense of fluctuation communicated to the touch. But by applying gentle pressure over the whole surface, it was easy to discover that the different parts of the tumour possessed various degrees of firmness. There appeared to be a perpetual and progressive increase of size, though the violence of the pain and the general irritability of the tumour were by no means proportioned to the magnitude of the other symptoms. Even after they had attained a size far beyond what a case of white swelling ever attains, the pain was not so severe. The accompanying symptomatic fever likewise was much more moderate. In rapidity of growth, however, they far exceeded any other species of swelling, as the most remarkable case which fell within my observation arrived at its acme in the course of five or six weeks. It was then indeed of a most extraordinary size, measuring, in the circumference of its largest dimensions, twentyeight inches. At this period, it is true, the symptoms were exceedingly distressing, and the patient suffered under the pressure of hectic fever. In none of the cases, however, was there any superficial redness of the skin, or any other symptom of inflammation. Such are the external appearances of this singular complaint. When the substance of the mass is cut into, to discover the nature of the internal structure, it exhibits appearances obviously different from those which are to be found in many other affections of the knee. The state of the bones, in particular, bears the most marked distinction of character. The head of the tibia is principally affected. In some cases, it suffers a very considerable enlargement, and in others it appears to be wholly consumed. When it is enlarged there is not so much an in 8 crease crease of substance as a separation of the lamella of the bone from oneanother. The bone being thus so much extended, without acquiring any addition to the quantity of matter, it very much resembles in struc ture a piece of honeycomb; and, from the large size of the spaces, in proportion to the small bulk of the materials, it becomes exceedingly fragile. Whether this great degree of fragility arises solelyfrom the change in its mechanical structure, independently of any morbid affection of the parts, is a point which I cannot as yet determine with accuracy: though I am inclined to believe that the bone is also otherwise diseased, since, upon endeavouring to make a dry preparation of a case of this kind, the whole enlarged portion of bone crumbled to pieces, and, in a short time, nothing remained but that part of the tibia which had not been affected with the disease. There is likewise this further difference between the disease which I now describe, and a case of white swelling, that, in cases of white swelling, the fibula, in no instance, suffers, whereas, in this anomalous disease, the upper part of the fibula is sometimes included within the substance of the swelling, and wholly consumed. The mode of consumption, so far as my experience affords me an opportunity of examining it, appears to be this. The cancelli of the bone, by suffering an inordinate degree of distension, reduce the lamellæ to an extreme degree of thinuess, which exposes an extensive surface to the action of the soft parts with which they are so intimately blended. Under these circumstances they are consumed, or incorporated with, or converted into, a similar substance. Thus, in one way or other, the original diversity of structure comes at last to be entirely obliterated. The disease in the soft parts, to which the bone is every where contiguous, resembles what has been vaguely indeed termed a scirrhous mass. It is almost transparent and colourless, and of a soft gelatinous consistence, but possessing a sufficient degree of firmness to retain its form when cut into small pieces. There is no part of it in a fluid state, and the whole mass is nearly homogeneous, though some parts of it are rather firmer than others. But in none of the cases, which have fallen within my notice, was there any tendency either to inflammation or suppuration.' This disease the author states to be always attended with the most imminent danger, and to be incapable of being stopped by any remedy which has hitherto been tried. Recourse has frequently been had to amputation: but, without a single exception, every patient, on whom this operation was performed, died from the occurrence of hæmorrhage, which sometimes took place so late as the 13th or 14th day. The composition of this work is far from accurate. Art. 18. An entire, new, and original Work, being a complete Treatise upon Spine Pedum; containing several important Discoveries, illustrated with Copper plates, exhibiting the different Species of Spinæ. By Heyman Lion, Chiropedist. 8vo. pp. 428. 10s. 6d. Boards. Edinburgh, Hill; London, Longman and Co. 13oz.. The author seems to consider himself as having performed a signal service to mankind, by the publication of this work; which he is convinced Yell. convinced must meet with general approbation, since no system' (to use his own words) of more utility than the present has been offered to the world since the discovery of printing; and he takes considerable pains to vindicate the respectability of the profession of a corncutter, against the prejudices which the public entertain with regard to it. In an Appendix, he informs us, (and at the same time gives some documents on the subject,) that he was rejected by the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in his examination for a diploma, on account of the branch in which he practised; and that, for the same reason, he was refused a degree in medicine by the Professors of King's College, Aberdeen, notwithstanding the ordinary testimonials which he produced in his favour. We fear that the author will have some difficulty in changing the opinion of the public on the subject of his profession: but, whatever may be his success, it does not seem to us probable that, in case of his failure, he will soon lose his own conviction of its gentility and importance. He appears to be a skil ful operator, and a man of some observation, though we do not always admit the justness of his reasoning, and the accuracy of his conclusions. With the view of at least beginning well, he has borrowed verbatim, though without acknowlegement, the first two sentences of Dr. Robertson's introduction to the History of Scotland, for the first paragraph of his preface. Yell Art. 19. Anatomical Plates of the Bones and Muscles, diminished from Albinus, for the Use of Students in Anatomy, and Artists; and accompanied by explanatory Maps. By Robert Hooper, M. D. &c. Crown 8vo. 5s. Murray and Highley. 1802. This little work is intended as a companion to the Anatomist's Vade Mecum published by the same author *, and may be useful in that Do connection, Art. 20. VOYAGES and TRAVELS. Historical Account of the most celebrated Voyages, Travels, and Discoveries, from the Time of Columbus to the present Period. By Wm. Mavor, LL. D. Vols. xx-xxv. 12mo. 15s. sewed. Vernor and Hood. Small We announced the former parts of this work in M. Rev. Vol. 26, N. S. p. 348. The present volumes contain Travels in Africa by Park, Damberger †, Ledyard, Lucas, Barrow, and Vaillant; Browne's Travels in Egypt and Lybia; Sonnini's Travels in Egypt; Forster's Travels in India; and Weld's and the Duke de Liancourt's Travels in America. NATURAL HISTORY. Art. 21. A Dictionary of Natural History; or, complete Summary of Zoology. Containing a full and succinct Description of all the animated Beings in Nature; namely, Quadrupeds, Birds, am *See Rev. for January, p. 88. How could Dr. Mavor admit these supposititious travels into his collection? See Rev. Vol. xxxv. N. S. p. 214. REY. MARCH, 1803. Y phibious G.2, 1902. phibious Animals, Fishes, Insects, and Worms. Displaying their respective Classes, Orders, Genera, Species, and Varieties, according to the Arrangements of the most celebrated Naturalists, particularly that of Linnæus. With all the various detached, and unclassed Animals, discovered by modern Naturalists. The Whole forming a complete Delineation of all the numerous Creatures which compose the Animal Kingdom, as also all the fabulous Animals of Antiquity. To which is prefixed, a Series of illustrative Definitions, explaining the necessary technical and scientific Terms; exhibiting the Modes and Properties of the different Classes of Animals, and shewing the different Arrangements of Naturalists. Elucidating the justly-admired Science of Natural History, and tending to facilitate its Acquirements. Illustrated with accurate Engravings of the most important and interesting Animals. Pocket 4to. 8s. plain, 11s. coloured. Boards. Scatcherd, &c. We agree with the editor, that the number of subjects treated of in this work must be allowed to exceed that in any other work of similar size and price;' and we cheerfully bear testimony to the distinctness of the type, the neatness of the engravings, the accuracy of several of the descriptions, and to a laudable rejection of the tales of ignorance and prejudice. Here, however, our approbation stops. The manufacturer of this little volume must have known that a Dietionary of Natural History, and an Alphabetical Summary of Zoology, are not synonymous expressions; and the word all, which he bestows with such complacency, is wholly inapplicable to his partial enumerations. Very few insects are specified; and the omissions are, on the whole, far more numerous than the insertions. We might pardon unnoticed errors of the press, and an injudicious mixture of learned and common appellations: but charity and ingenuity are equally at a loss to frame even a plausible excuse for those tricks of authorship, which are too often practised on the simple and unwary. The compilement of a dictionary of natural history, on the plan of Valmont de Bomare, but with many corrections and additions, and which the learned and unlearned might consult as occasion required, would well reward the labours of a sensible and enlightened author. The means for effecting such a scheme are daily multiplying; and we trust that, ere long, they will stimulate the exertions of some person duly qualified for the task. Mur Art. 22. The Cabinet; or a Natural History of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, and Insects. Illustrated with Copper-plates. Exhibiting Figures of above seven hundred Animals. 2 Vols. 12mo. (in one.) Edinburgh. 1801. Among several recent attempts to facilitate the study of natural history, this compilation claims our notice on account of a judicious selection of materials and a very liberal allowance of plates. The style is rather perspicuous than correct: but we are willing to believe that not a few of the inaccuracies are merely typographical; and some appear to have originated in the pronunciation of a northern compositor:-thus we find deed for dead, hallows for hollows, span for spawn, scarred for scared, wage for wedge, loan for lane, &c.; and conformity is more than once used for conformation. DS RELIGIOUS. Art. 23. A Call for Union among the Members of the Established 6 Reviewers, even if put out of temper, have always a complacent smile in reserve for those authors who endeavour to promote" peace on earth," whether it be in the political or religious world; and, as the tract before us is published with this intention, it could not fail of experiencing the effects of our partiality. In fact, it is intitled to a degree of notice which is not indicated by its humble size and appearance. The author supports the principles of an amiable mind by arguments which ought to be cogent, though, alas! they have never yet been suffered to operate even among Protestants; who can declaim against the absurd pretensions to infallibility, arrogated by the successors of St. Peter at Rome, and yet, in their contentions with one another, often proceed to measures which can scarcely be justified, unless by the actual possesion of that property! How much is it to be wished that positivity and self-conceit could be exchanged for a little candour and mutual forbearance! It is here well observed that a perfect unity of judgment can no more be expected in the present life than perfect holiness. There is, however, an unity which we are capable of attaining, the unity of affection. There assuredly may be a reciprocation of benevolence between those who are far from a complete coincidence in their notions; so that they may be of the same heart, although they are not exactly of the same mind. Unfortunately, those who act on, and are desirous of promoting, this harmonizing sentiment, are generally regarded as indifferent to truth: but this is an ill-natured construction, which, if admitted, must feed the flames of religious strife and division to the end of the world Let us then resist it, and honour the man, whatever be the language of self-conceited and over-zealous religionists, who retains his own opinions without continually bringing them into a violent collision with those of others; and who is not ashamed to say that he tolerates certain imperfections, and abstains from certain discussions, for the sake of peace and charity. Art. 24. Essay on Religion; being an Attempt to point out the unrivalled Excellence and Beauty of the Christian Doctrine, and the Necessity of paying it an early Attention: Addressed to Young Persons. By John Fullagar. 12mo. 6d. Rivingtons. This writer's design appears to have been so benevolent, and his little performance contains so much of what may be regarded as good and useful, that we cannot submit the execution of it to the ordeal of criticism. It enters into no disputed points, and respects only that religion or piety towards God which produces morality and all virtuous conduct. The comparison of Christianity with the state and practice of the Heathen world forms one of the best parts of the pamphlet; and we heartily join with Mr. Fullagar in the hope that his admonitions may prove beneficial. Moy Hi, |