an active sinapism, if before using it is soaked in water during 12 or 15 seconds. Six grammes (a drachm and a half) of mustard under this form suffices to irritate with much energy a square decimetre of surface (four inches). It is true that I concentrate the properties of the mustard by removing its 28 per cent. of fixed oil, an idea which is not new, but suggested long ago by Soubieran, and which is easily effected by sulphuret of carbon or by light coal oil."

More than fifty pages are devoted at the end to the subject of coffee, in its hygienic and therapeutic aspects the result of a conference of "the Polytechnic Association," held at Paris July 28, 1867,—and which includes a historical account of its introduction into Europe. Those of our medical and pharmaceutical readers who are familiar with the French will derive advantage from the importation of the volume, which is quite moderate in price.

A Manual of the Dissection of the Human Body. By Luther Holden, F.R.C.S., Assistant Surgeon of and Lecturer on Anatomy at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London; with notes and additions by Erskine Mason, M.D., Demonstrator of Anatomy at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. New York. Illustrated with numerous wood engravings. New York, Robert M. De Witt, publisher, No. 3 Frankfort St.: pp. 588, octavo. (From the editor and publisher.)

It is rarely that one meets with a book that keeps so closely and regularly to the text as does Holden's Manual. Designed as a guide to the student in the very important study of the practical anatomy of the human body, it enters on the subject in a clear, straightforward manner, beginning with the neck, and proceeding through the various portions of the system of muscles, nerves, ligaments and vessels, and illustrating them with a great variety of excellent original wood-cuts and diagrams, which greatly facilitate their comprehension.

The style is easy, the descriptive phraseology in short sections, and free from redundancy, and the type, press-work, paper and binding unusually clear and excellent. The commencing of each paragraph with the technical name of the organ or part described, in large, bold type, is a great merit, from the student's stand-point.

The tables at the end give a useful summing up, in the form of a series of bird's eye views of the arrangement of the parts to be studied.

The additions of the editor appear to be judicious, and, on the whole, the volume must prove to be a valuable addition to the means of teaching anatomy.

Therapeutics and Materia Medica: a systematic treatise on the action and uses of medicinal agents, including their description and history. By Alfred Stillé, M.D., Professer of Theory and Practice of Medicine, &c., in the University of Pennsylvania, &c., &c. Third edition, revised and enlarged, in two volumes. Philadelphia, Henry C. Lea, 1868 : pp. 1688, octavo.

This important work now for the third time comes to us for notice, and were it not quite unnecessary to bring forward its principal features, now so generally known to medical and some pharmaceutical readers, we might reiterate what has been said of them on former occasions, in vol. xxxii, p. 190, and vol. xxxvi, p. 542. The author informs us in the preface to this edition that he now treats for the first time of chromic acid, permanganate of potassa, the sulphites of soda, etc., carbolic acid, nitrous oxide, rhigolene, and Calabar bean; and that the articles on bromine and electricity are very materially changed and extended. On other occasions we have pointed out several omissions or errors, several of which were of sufficient importance to merit attention, in regard to the pharmaceutical part of the work. As we find that these errors and omissions have been reproduced and continued in the third edition, there is no encouragement to point out more; yet there are some omissions which strike us so forcibly that, at the risk of wasting the space they occupy, we will state them.

Under the article Veratrum viride no allusion is made to the recent careful experiments of Chas. Bullock on the chemical constituents of this drug, showing that it contains two distinct alkaloids, and that neither of them is identical with veratria. Mr. Bullock also corrects the previous belief, that the resin of Veratrum viride possessed sedative powers, and was able to show that this quality, previously attributed to it, was due to adhering alkaloids. (Amer. Jour. Pharm., Sept. 1865, March, 1866.)

In the Proceedings of the American Pharmaceutical Association, volume for 1865, Prof. Maisch demonstrated that toxicodendron owes its irritant properties to a peculiar acid, to which he gave the name of toxicodendric acid, and that the physiological properties of the drug were due to this acid; he made and described experiments on his own person. No allusion is made to this paper or its results, though extensively copied in European Journals.

Crotonole, as the irritant principle of Croton tiglum, is not referred to; and lobelina is described as "a clear volatile liquid," when it is well ascertained that it is not volatile, but is destructible by heat. We have not been able to find any mention of Hydrastis canadensis, Leptandra virginica, Gelsemium sempervirens, Gillenia trifoliata, Matico, Nectandra, Stillingia, Vanilla, and other officinal drugs of greater or less importance, and which the student should be able to find in so comprehensive a work. Although brandy and whiskey are alluded to under alcohol, they, equally with wine, which is prominently noticed, deserve separate chapters.

In pointing out these omissions, it is only that they may be noticed in a new revision; believing, whatever may be the author's opinion of their merits, that they deserve to be described and noticed quite as much as many foreign or antique drugs which have long figured in pharmacological works, and which here find a place.

Compte Rendu des Congrès Pharmaceutiques reunis Aout 1867, a l'école

Douzieme Session du Congrès des
Deuxime Session du Congrès In-

superieure de Pharmacie de Paris.
Sociétés de Pharmacie de France.
ternational des Associations et Sociétés de Pharmaciens.
chard-Huzard; pp. 328, octavo in paper.

Paris, Bou

The conventions of which this volume constitutes the proceedings met in Paris between the 17th and 24th of August, 1867, and have already been alluded to in previous numbers. The first 128 pages refer to the Congress of the French Societies, whilst the last 200 pages refer to the international Congress, to which delegates were sent from this country. Our notice given previously will suffice; but it is with regret that we observe that, by some oversight, the name of our friend Albert E. Ebert, as a delegate from the Chicago College of Pharmacy, does not appear in the proceedings. This must be accidental, but it has given offence to the gentlemen of the Chicago College. Our belief is that it is entirely accidental, as M. Robinet, the Secretary is beyond all suspicion of intentionally giving cause of offence. We doubt not the omission will be corrected in the next volume issued. The next Congress will be in 1869, and will probably be held in Vienna, when the essay of the first authoritative Universal Pharmacopoeia will probably be considered, and possibly adopted. It will be long before the ameliorations sought to be introduced into pharmacy by this Congress will be able to assimilate the practice of England and the United States with that of continental Europe. Meanwhile, the intercourse of national societies will pave the way for mutual good offices, and whatever is best and most desirable in the pharmacy of every country may be offered in all for acceptance.

Proceedings of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences from Sept. 11, 1866, to June 11, 1867: pp. 144.

This continuation of the proceedings has been received, and should have been acknowledged in our last issue. Among the subjects it treats of is an obituary notice of the late Prof. A. D. Bache.

Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture for the year 1866. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1867: pp. 656, octavo: with 36 illustrations. From Mr. Daniel S. Fox, of Washington, D. C.

Much has been said and written regarding the wastefulness and want of utility of what is done in this department of the Patent Office operations, and especially in the manner of disseminating seeds without sufficiently testing their merit. Be this as it may, there can be no doubt that much good comes of the publication of the annual volume of the Commissioner, which presents in a permanent and readable form a digest of much that floats through the periodicals, and which may be passed over. Among the items of interest is "Pisciculture with reference to American waters," by Theodore Gill, M. D.,-a subject of great interest to many persons here, and which is attracting careful study in Europe, with a view

to supplying human food. Another is the Cultivation of Cinchona, being a report on the subject by Dr. Thomas Antisell, who, after giving the results of the English and Dutch efforts in India, advocates the attempt being made in the Sierra Nevada region of California. Whilst various nations are thus making praiseworthy efforts to propagate this useful genus of medicinal plants, it does not appear that any political influence has been given by other nations to induce the South American republics to use their authority to restore the fast disappearing forests of cinchona. Would it not present a legitimate subject for diplomatic influence by the ministers of other nations, or the score of humanity?

Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution; showing the operations, expenditures, and condition of the Institution for the year 1866. Washington, 1867: pp. 469, octavo; being miscellaneous document No. 83, published by the 39th Congress, second session. From Mr. Daniel S. Fox, of Washington, D. C.

Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the year 1866, in three volumes, pp. 2741, octavo. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1867. From Mr. Daniel S. Fox, of Washington, D. C.

The Trustees of the Smithsonian Institution again offer their annual report. Prof. Henry, in his report, informs that the fund, by the good management of the Trustees, is now nearly $150,000 more than the original bequest; that the library of the Institution has been transferred to the library of Congress, which, while it curtails in some measure the personal convenience of the investigators immediately connected with the Institution, really gives them the advantages of the great library of Congress, which, including the recent purchase of the collection of Mr. Force, is the largest library in the United States. The measure receives the approval of Professor Henry, who would also like to see the museum transferred to other auspices, so that the whole proceeds of the fund might be disposed of for the "increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." That Congress will eventually gather all the collections in one extensive national museum, will probably be the ultimate result.

The reconstruction of the building has been carried on during the past year as rapidly as a due regard to the character of the work would allow." The publications issued by the Institution have been as extensive as usual, and include astronomical, geological and natural historical researches and observations.

The system of international scientific and literary exchanges, so long and usefully carried on, has been maintained during the year, 1170 packages being sent abroad, and over 8000 received in return. Many other features of the report claim notice, but our space will not admit of further remark than to express the hope that this valuable Institution may long continue to extend its influence for the benefit of all men.

The two first volumes of the Patent Office Report are a descriptive catalogue of the patents of 1866; whilst the third volume, of 1096 pages,

consists wholly of plates and diagrams of the patents. The immense extent of the Patent Office operations may be estimated approximately when three such volumes are required to give an outline of the patents issued in a single year.

Circular No. 1. War Department, Surgeon General's Office, Washington, June 10, 1868.

Report on Epidemic Cholera and Yellow Fever in the Army of the United States during the year 1867. Washington, 1868: pp. 195, quarto, in paper. From Surgeon General Barnes.

This volume consists of the report of Assistant Surgeon J. J. Woodward, U.S. A, to the Surgeon General, on these epidemics in the army, followed by statistical tables and extracts from the reports of army officers at the various southern and south-western posts where these diseases prevailed. The volume is highly creditable to the Department, and will be valued by all who feel interested in the study of these destructive epide mics in connection with military discipline and exposure.

Lessons in Physical Diagnosis. By Alfred L. Loomis, M. D., Professor of the Institutes and Practice of Medicine in the medical department of the University of New York, &c. New York, Robert M. De Witt: pp. 159, octavo.

This work has been written "in compliance with the request frequently made of the author's classes in physical diagnosis, to furnish them with a guide in the practice of this art." The author claims to have been influenced by a desire "to collect into a plain and comprehensive compend the results of the research of many inquirers," rather than to assert any views of his own. The book is illustrated with several cuts, and is well printed and bound.

THE AMERICAN NATURALIST.-Among the many exchanges which come to us monthly, none is more welcome than the American Naturalist, and certainly none better printed. The July number has already come to hand, and, being devoted to marine plants and animals, is called the "sea-side number," and will be sought as a companion by the sojourners of Newport and Cape May.

Lessons in Elementary Chemistry, inorganic and organic. By Henry E. Roscoe, B.A., F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry in Owen's College, Manchester. New York, Wm. Wood & Co., publishers, 61 Walker St.; 1868 pp. 383, 12mo. From the publishers, through Lindsay & Blakiston. Received too late for notice in this number. Price, $1.50.

Materia Medica for the use of Students. By John B. Biddle, M.D., Professor of Materia Medica in Jefferson Medical College, &c. Third edition, enlarged, with illustrations. Philadelphia, Lindsay & Blakiston, 1868: pp. 384, octavo. From the publishers; too late for notice in this number. $4.00.