a considerable quantity of animal matter united with their calcareous part, we can readily suppose that they must be subject to the putrefactive fermentation, and must of course affect the air in the same manner with other putrefying bodies; accordingly we find that there was a consumption of oxygen, and a pro'duction of carbonic acid gas. The only conclusion, therefore, which can be drawn from these experiments on shells is, that their animal part exists in that proportion and state of composition, as to permit it to undergo the same process of putrefaction, which is experienced by other animal substances. The second chapter contains observations and experiments on the helix lusitanica and itala, and on the limax agrestis, ater, albus, flavus, and maximus. The external form and habits of the helix lusitanica, in many respects, resemble those of the helix nemoralis; they appear however to be more susceptible of cold, and they remain a longer time concealed under the surface of the ground during winter. As soon as they have buried themselves, they completely exclude the external air by closing the aperture of the shell, with a membrano. calcareous opercle, formed from the viscous humour which exudes from their bodies. This opercle generally remains closed for nearly six months, and Spallanzani found by experiment that the small portion of air which was contained in the shell, had not undergone the least alteration in its composition; hence we may conclude that they remained during this period in a state of complete torpor. As soon, however, as the cover ing begins to grow in the least degree soft or slimy, the effect of respiration upon the air becomes sensible, and a part of its oxygen is found to be ab sorbed. Our author deemed it necessary to repeat with the helix lusitanica, the experiments which he had formerly made upon the helix nemoralis, respecting their effect on the air after death, and of course met with the same results, the absorption of oxygen, and the formation of carbonic acid. He enters into some speculations on the question whether the carbonic acid is produced by the union of the carbon in the body of the snail, with the oxygen in the surrounding air; or whether the carbonic acid is not emitted ready formed from the animal, at the same time that a quan He con tity of oxygen is absorbed. cludes the latter to be the case, and endeavours to strengthen his opinion by the authority of Lavoisier, who conceiv ed that carbonic acid is disengaged in the process of digestion, which is afterwards thrown out of the system. Without en tering into the merits of the hypothesis of this celebrated philosopher, we shall merely remark, that an effect in which a vital function is concerned, must be totally inapplicable to the present ques tion. The effects which were observed to be produced on the air by the shells of snails, induced our author to attempt similar experiments with the eggs of birds, and he found, in like manner, that oxygen was absorbed, and carbonic acid disengaged. These changes took place not only when the entire egg was pla ced in a given quantity of air, but when pieces of the shell, cleared as much as possible from the adhering membrane, were submitted to experiment. These effects must obviously, as in the former instance, be ascribed to the putrefaction of the animal matter contained in them. The memoir is concluded with some observations on the different kinds of naked snails or slugs. The author fully established the ne cessity of oxygen to the life of the slugs, and even found that they perish ed sooner when excluded from it than snails. As it had been so completely demonstrated, that the different animals exa mined in these experiments, affected the air in a similar manner to the warmblooded quadrupeds, it seemed natural to expect that there should be, in like manner, an evolution of caloric, though much less in degree according to the smaller quantity of oxygen decompos ed. By enclosing several animals in the same vessel, Spallanzani observed this evolution of caloric actually to take place, so that the analogy between the respiration of these animals, and of those of a more perfect organization, appeared to be completely established. The second memoir is "on the respiration of the aquatic testacea." We have given so ample an account of the preceding parts of this work, that we must of necessity pass much more rapidly over the two remaining memoirs. This we the less regret, as, although they contain many curious observations, they are upon the whole considerably less interesting than the first. The first subject of experiment was the helix vivipara. The respiratory organ of this animal he was unable satisfactorily to ascertain, but he distinctly observed the absorption of part of the oxygen from the air in contact with the surface of the water in which they were confined, and he found that this change went on more rapidly when part of their bodies was out of the water. The second chapter treats of two species of the mytilus, the anatinus and the cygneus. The gills of these animals are sufficiently apparent, and by placing them in a situation proper for making the observation, Spallanzani distinctly perceived the alternate absorption and emission of a quantity of the water, from which there is no doubt that the animals extracted the supply of oxygen necessary for their existence. The air which had remained in contact with the surface of the water, was found to be very perceptibly deoxydated, and, when azotic gas was confined over the water, the muscles died. The third memoir contains "reflections and additional experiments on the crustacea already examined, and on some other animals of different orders." The author commences by some remarks on the comparative effects produced by the respiration of the warm and the cold blooded animals. Oxygen seems as necessary for the life of the latter as of the former; but the quantity which they consume is much less considerable, and they are able to remain deprived of it for a far greater length of time without injury. They are also much less speedily affected by carbonic acid, or other noxious gas, though after some time it proves equally fatal. It seems to be from this cause, that the cold-blooded animals are able to absorb so nearly all the oxygen from a given portion of air, while other animals perish when a large part of it is still remaining. The exact coincidence between the absorption of oxygen and the motion of the heart has been already mentioned, and we are irresistibly led to conclude that oxygen is, in some way or other, essentially necessary to the support of the action of this organ. Our author is led to speculate upon the cause of the torpidity which seizes particular classes of animals at certain periods of the year, but we do not perceive that he throws much light upon this singular phenomenon. As it appeared that the action of the heart was entirely suspended during this period in the cold-blooded animals, Spallanzani was led to inquire how far this is the case with the warm-blooded quadru peds, who also pass a part of the year in a state of torpor. For this purpose he selected the marmot, and, during the time of a severe frost, subjected it to the following experiments. "I confined one of them, in the first instance, in common air under a glass bell, plunged into the mercury of the pneumatochemical apparatus, which was exposed for several hours, near an open window, in the universally known, that if a cat or dog be night-time, to a temperature of -12°. It is confined in a recipient filled with common air, they attempt to escape; then respiration becomes painful, and soon ceases altogether. The marmot, on the contrary, remained as motionless as a stone. I left it three hours and a half in this situation, and during that time the mercury had not changed its level. tion of the air in the recipient, and subjectBefore I removed the mercury, I took a por ed it to a chemical analysis. I found that ithad not undergone the least alteration; and that it was, in every respect, similar to the air of the chamber in which the experiment had been made." Spallanzani found that while the animal continued in this state, it was not affected by being plunged into carbonic acid gas; but that when the temperature was raised only to zero, and when the animal exhibited only the faintest signs of animation, the operation of the carbonic acid proved fatal. It appears, therefore, that in this respect all hybernating animals agree; during the time of their torpor they do not produce the least change in the air, and their cir. culation seems to be completely suspended. Our author recurs to his experiments on the absorption of oxygen by dead animals, and, as in the former instances, supposes that the effect produced in the air after the cessation of respiration, proves that during life the absorption of oxygen is carried on by other parts of the body as well as by the lungs. We shall not, however, follow him in his details. We are for several reasons disposed to question the accuracy of his experiments, and we have no hesitation in pronouncing them totally inapplica ble to the subject now under consideration. From the very extended view which we have taken of this work, our readers will doubtless agree with us in allowing it the merit of considerable originality and interest. The experiments which it contains are judiciously contrived, and they appear to have been executed with persevering industry. We are, however, obliged to confess that they appear to betray some symptoms of inaccuracy; and though we would not be suspected to call in question the veracity of the author, we think that on some occasions he has been too easily led to form conclusions, which his experiments cannot justify. He appears much disposed to impress the reader with an idea of the number of his experiments, forgetting that the state to which modern chemistry is now arrived, causes more real value to be attached to one well contrived and carefully conducted experiment, than to any quantity of such as are carried on in a vague and cursory manner. We cannot bestow much commendation on the physiological reasonings which are occa ART. XXI. The Invalid. THE object of this treatise will be best explained by the author himself. "I do not pretend to have made any new discovery, or to present to my readers any thing but what is almost universally known and acknowledged; but only to inculcate and enforce the practice of those rules of temperance and exercise, from the experience and example of one who, from a partial and imperfect attention to them, with naturally a very slender frame of body, is arrived on the verge of ninety years of age." This work is introduced by an account of a visit which the author paid to an old friend, whose health had materially suffered from his having fallen into a habit of indolence and self-indulgence, fostered by an over-anxious attention to every circumstance relating to his own situation. In the first essay, which is entitled "on health," he relates his own history, so far as respects the subject under consideration; whether it be true or fictitious, it certainly presents a useful lesson of instruction. He was naturally of a delicate constitution, and was still further weakened by too great indulgence in the early part of life; about sionally introduced. The author ap pears to have been but imperfectly ac quainted with some of the latest experi ments that have been performed in France and in this country; and the singular inadvertency into which he has fallen, in not distinguishing between the effects of putrefaction, and those produced by the operation of the vital functions, pervades a large portion of the theoretical part of the work. With respect to the translation, we shall only remark that it appears in ge neral to be carefully executed. We observe indeed a few gallicisms, as for in. stance, in the very first sentence of the preface; there are also a few passages in which we suspect some inaccuracy, either in the translator or the printer: we refer particularly to those in which the thermometrical observations are de tailed. On this subject we may remark, that we think it the indispensable duty of every translator of a scientific work to reduce the weights, measures, and degrees of the thermometer to the stand. ard usually employed in Great Britain. By a NONAGENARIAN. 12mo. the age of twenty-five he had a violent fever, and during the recovery from it was led to reflect upon the best method of recruiting his health, "Dr. Cheyne's book on health and long life, being then in great vogue in the univer sity, I eagerly embraced his doctrine, which was to cure all diseases, if not make men immortal. "But, alas! by living on pudding and apple-pye, and by drinking basons of green tea at the coffee-house, thence adjourning to the tavern and pouring down port wine on almost an empty stomach, I effectually murdered sleep; and, unless when I was persuaded to cat a slice of ham or a wing of cold fowl, I never had a good night's rest for half a year together; and of course my health grew daily worse and worse. "At length, however, having met with the life of Cornaro, and observing that be laid the greatest stress on the quantity of food necessary for health, and that six ounces of solid food was sufficient for one day, I immediately resolved for the future to diminish the quantity of what I eat; and accordingly, on weighing two slices from a leg of mution, with garden stuff, &c. I found that nearly the weight, to which proportion I kept for * A slight breakfast and supper in this northern climate may be added. some time, and by regular exercise and care I soon recovered a tolerable share of health; without confining myself to a vegetable diet. "If I inadvertently deviated for any time from my regimen, I was soon reminded of my error by some acute complaint; by head aches, a slight sore throat, or what is called catching cold; which, however, a day or two's abstinence seldom failed to remove; and by these means, through many hairbreadth 'scapes,' from falls and other accidents, and amidst various afilictions, by the peculiar blessing of Providence, I am arrived on the verge of ninety years of age." the age of man might be protracted beyond its usual duration. "Yet,” says he, "I cannot accede to the opinion of Mr... Gn,that by any management man can make himself immortal; any more than he can ever discover a passage to the moon, as bishop Wilkins thinks he might; because after five thousand years those desirable ob jects have not yet been obtained.” short poems, which we think scarcely We are next presented with a few equal to the prose; and an appendix, containing a humourous letter from the housekeeper of a gentleman who had adopted the author's system of temperance, a selection from Dr. Cheyne's rules for health, and a few instances of longevity. The whole of this little volume is worth a perusal, and when we consider it as the production of a man arrived at the age of ninety years, we think it offers one of the best arguments in favour of the system of temperance which it is in An essay on empyricism next follows, and then one on temperance. He particularly dwells on the pernicious effects of excess in eating, a practice generally regarded with more indulgence than an immoderate use of intoxicating liquors; but one perhaps equally prejudicial to the constitution, and on this account a more necessary subject for animadversion. In the fourth essay, on the period of human life, he seems inclined to think, that by a proper regard to temperance, ART. XXII. History of the Proceedings of the Committee appointed by the General Meet ing of Apothecaries, Chemists, and Druggists in London, for the Purpose of obtaining Relief from the Hardships imposed on the Dealers in Medicine, by certain Clauses and Provisions contained in the new Medicine Act, passed June 3, 1802, together with a View of the Act, as it now stands, in its ameliorated State; to which are added the Substance of every Clause in the Acts of June 3, 1802, and July 5, 1803, and the Clauses of both these Acts, collated with each other, consolidated and explained; also a copious and carefully arranged Schedule. With explanatory Notes and Observations. By WILLIAM CHAMBERLAINE, Surgeon, Chairman of the Committee. Svo. pp. 53. MR. Chamberlaine relates in this lit tle pamphlet the proceedings of a committee of London apothecaries and druggists, who associated to apply to the legislature for a modification of some parts of the late medicine act, which tended to enforce. (as it appeared, unintentionally) was attended with some particular hardship and inconvenience. The application was successful, and great liberality was shewn by the persons in official situations to whom they applied. ART. XXIII. Surgical Observations, containing a Classification of Tumours, with Cases to illustrate the History of each Species; an Account of Diseases which strikingly resemble the Venereal Discase; and various Cases illustrative of different surgical Subjects. ByJOHN ABERNETHY, F. R. S. 8vo. pp. 263. SURGERY, like medicine, can only be improved by being studied as a branch of natural philosophy. If this noble art should ever advance to greater perfection, it can only be by observing and comparing various and undescribed diseases, in order to discover the causes from which they arise, and to point out the means by which they may be removed. The result of experience must in this point of view always be exceedingly useful, and the world are much indebted to all those who avail themselves of such opportunities as public institutions af ford, not merely to acquire the applause of the multitude, but to extend and advance the profession to which they belong. These "surgical observations" are entitled to great commendation; they display great modesty and good sense, and exhibit a variety of new and original information, equally deserving the attention of all medical readers. The author however seems to have bestowed less labour on the style of his book, than the subjects merit: the language in which he delivers his sentiments, is often disfigured with vague expressions and obscure phraseology. Such carelessness cannot be passed over without notice, nor without regret ;-for when we see such boldness displayed in the path of observation, it is unpleasant to find the author inattentive in the no less important part description. The first part of this volume is occupied with an account of tumours, a very important. and hitherto much neglected, class of diseases., Mr. Abernethy has made an attempt, as he calls it, to form a classification of tumours according to their anatomical structure. Something more than the mere structure of the parts should have been considered in making this arrangement :-the attempt however is laudable, and the difficulty of the task may be deemed a sufficient excuse for some defects in the execution. In treating this subject, the author has depended on his own exertions; he has examined himself, and received little or no assistance from the writings of others, To explain the origin of tumours, he refers to an accidental remark made by that distinguished surgeon and anatomist, Mr. Hunter, and concludes that in the first instance a tumour originates from coagulable lymph, which is thrown out, and rendered vascular by the growth of vessels into it, and that its future structure is the consequence of their arrange. ment and action. This theory has some facts to support it, but it does not appear sufficiently well founded, to account for the origin of all sorts of tumours in different parts of the body. practical remarks on the local treatment of these swellings. Topical blood-letting, and the application of cold sedative lotions, are principally recommended. The good effect of the last mentioned of these remedies is ingeniously attributed to their diminishing vascular action, by removing the heat of the surface by evaporation. When the growth of a tumour is suspended by these means, another curative indication is supposed to arise, to promote the absorption of the new formed parts by stimulating remedies. The remarks however here offered, respecting the period of directing the ap plication of these two opposite modes of practice, appear more refined than useful. How can we ascertain precisely, when one set of remedies should be discontinued, and the other be begun?Some danger attends the indiscriminate use of stimulating applications,—as it is justly acknowledged, that if employed too early, or at an improper time, they will increase the morbid action, and aggravate the disease which they were intended to remove. The instance alluded to, as a fact universally admitted, viz. the aggravation of pleurisy by a blister before evacuations are directed, is rather unfortunate for the illustration of our author's remark: for strange as it may appear, in these days of heresy, some practitioners never employ any evacuations in this disease, but trust almost to blisters alone! The early removal of encysted and sarcomatous tumours is strongly recommended, and some cases are related to show the fatal consequences of allowing such swellings to ulcerate and burst spontaneously. On cancer, which is denominated carcinomatous sarcoma, our author treats at some length. No notice is taken of the different books published on this subject, nor are any of the remedies in any manner hinted at, which have been proposed for the cure of this formidable malady. The success ascribed to these chirurgico-quack methods of treating these diseases, has probably been often exaggerated, often false. A tumour in the breast, very different from cancer, may have been treated and cured as such yet a comparison of the histo 7. ries of some of the numerous cases on record, and a brief notice of the most celebrated practical observations, would have rendered this part of Mr. Abernethy's book more complete and more useful. The remarks on cancer are con The word tumour is used by Mr. Abernethy in a new sense; he restricts its meaning to such swellings as arise from some new production, though he allows some enlargements of glands to be included in the definition, Sarcoma is employed as the generic term, and tumours are divided into nine different species; the characters of each are par. ticularly described, and cases are given to illustrate the general description. The 1st species is called, common vascular or organized sarcoma. 2. Adipose sarcoma. 3. Pancreatic sarcoma. 4. Cystic sarcoma. 5. Mastoid or mammary sarcom.. 6. Tuberculated sarcoma. Medullary sarcoma. 8. Carcinomatous sarcoma. 9. Encysted tumours. Many curious remarks will be found under each of these divisions. Before entering into this detail, the author has given a few |