whole length, upon a well cushioned sheet-iron or tin splint, and the detached pieces of bone, treated by resection of their shattered extremities; or, if splintered, very obliquely fractured, or extensively denuded of periosteum, removed. The wound should then be freely enlarged (slitting up skin and fascia), or if no breach of surface exists, but mere bruising and swelling be present, indicating the extent and severity of the injury, a free incision in the long axis of the limb should at once be made, through dermis and fascia, which will liberate the muscles, blood vessels and nerves, from the pressure of blood effused in the areolar meshes of the different tissues, and give relief to the subsequent swelling of muscles, and extravasation of serum, which always follow in the course of such injuries, with gangrenous destruction of the skin and fascia superadded." "Free, deep and early incisions, the more timely the better, are, I aver, the only measures deserving of the name 'conservative,' in injuries of this character. Next to them, warmth by warm water dressings, medicated or simple, or by poultices, promptly and assiduously applied, is claimed as an important adjunct. Cold applications, under these circumstances, cannot fail to extinguish the quivering sparks of life which are left in the member, and hasten its destruction." We do not suppose that Dr. Walter means to claim, original, the treatment of injuries by poultices and warm water dressingsa mode of treatment which was once so universal and so indiscriminately applied, as to call down the most emphatic denunciations, on the part of Mr. Guthrie and other eminent surgeons. There are cases of severe injuries where cold applications are absolutely essential to the correct treatment; these are characterized by great inflammation. There are other cases, where warm poultices, etc., are necessary; this class is distinguished by the lack of power in the tissues to react from the depressing effects of the injury. Dr. Walter is, certainly, as far wrong in his indiscriminate application of heat, as are his brother practitioners, whom he condemns for their indiscriminate application of cold. As regards the practice of making free incisions, the same remarks might be repeated. Cases occur in which they are necessary; and in such cases, we are sure, all good surgeons have been in the habit of making them, while in other cases they would be needless, and even harmful. The reports of cases, with which the author endeavors to establish the correctness of his theories, are, on the whole, well written and worthy of study, though their perusal would give more pleasure if the services and merits of Dr. Walter were made less prominent. McG. DALTON'S PHYSIOLOGY. A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene. By J. C. Dalton, M. D., Professor of Physiology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. With illustrations. Harper and Brothers. 1868. This book meets a want sadly felt. It is to be regretted that so little attention has been paid to the subject of physiology in schools and colleges. If any time at all is given to these important studies in these institutions, there is generally very little allowed for their pursuit, and very little credit given for proficiency in them. It is hoped that the publication of this work from the pen of such a distinguished physiologist, and presented, as it is, in an attractive and accessible form, will stimulate our schools and colleges to a more diligent attention to physiological studies. THE OPIUM HABIT, with Suggestions as to the Remedy. New York: Harper and Brothers. 1868. This book is full of interest both to the general reader and to the physician. The effect of the drug upon its votaries is graphically portrayed. Among the number of these, especial mention is made of De Quincy, Coleridge, Robert Hall, John Randolph, William Wilberforce and others. The methods of cure for this habit, and the disorders consequent upon it, are detailed at length, and form a most interesting portion of the work. ATLAS OF VENEREAL DISEASES. By A. Cullerier, Surgeon to the Hôpital du Midi, etc., etc. Translated from the French by Freeman J. Bumstead, M. D., Professor of Venereal Diseases in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. We have received parts Nos. IV and V of this excellent work. It is now completed, and is certainly one of the best which has ever been published in the English language. The illustrations are admirable, representing the hard and soft chancres and the syphilitic skin eruptions with lifelike accuracy. We would earnestly recommend the work to all who desire to acquire a thorough knowledge of venereal diseases. McG. EXCHANGE LIST. 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