the number of admissions, as about 1 to 202; whereas in the twenty years ending 31st December 1842, it was only as 1 to 925, or less than one-fourth of the former proportion. Of the persons who committed suicide during the former period, six were males and twelve females; of the five who destroyed themselves during the latter period, all were females; the latter sex thus being indicated to be more prone to this act than males. That restraint and strict confinement do not secure the patients better than the improved modern treatment, but the reverse, appears from the fact, that, during the former of the periods above specified, forty-four males and eleven females "ran away," being one escape for every sixty-six admissions; while, during the latter period, only eleven men and five women made their escape, being one for every 292 admissions, or less than one-fourth the previous amount. These details farther shew, that females, though more prone to suicide than males, less frequently run away. Insane females are found more likely to attain old age, although their mental disease may be considered incurable, than males, under similar circumstances. One of the most valuable features of Dr Webster's paper is a "Synopsis of the Principal Pathological Appearances met with in 72 Insane Patients, examined in Bethlem Hospital since the 1st January 1837, by William Lawrence, Esq., F.R.S., &c." From this it appears that some pathological changes of structure, more or less evident, were found in the brain or membranes of the whole 72 dissections reported, of which it may be stated, as a summary, that 55 cases likewise exhibited diseased alterations of structure of some kind or other in the organs of the chest, whilst only 14 patients shewed any morbid appearances in the abdominal viscera. Undoubtedly, this peculiarity may perhaps have been owing to the circumstance, that the abdomen was not opened in every instance, although the presumption is otherwise in the great majority of the cases now detailed." The synopsis, it is added, does not comprise only selected dissections; since the table, in reality, forms a consecutive series of cases, drawn up in the exact order in which they were originally entered on the register of the hospital by Mr Lawrence; the only omissions being two cases in which the brain was not examined. The pathological changes of structure observed in the head were as follows:-" In 59 cases, there was infiltration of the pia mater. In 59, turgidity of the bloodvessels of the brain and membranes. In 41, effusion of water in the ventricles. In 27, water was met with at the basis of the brain. In 19, bloody points on the cut surfaces of the medullary substance. In 16, thickening and opacity of the

arachnoid coat. In 14, the colour of the medullary or cortical substance of the brain was altered from its natural hue to brown, pink, grey, violet, ochre, or white. And in 13 cases, there was an effusion of blood in the brain. Besides these diseased appearances, various other alterations of structure were met with in particular patients; such as effusion of pus on the brain; changed consistence of its texture; greater dryness than usual of the membranes; flattening, a shrunk, or a swollen state of the organ itself; with other changes different from a normal condition." As to the rationale of the morbid appearances usually met with in the brains of lunatics on dissection, Dr Webster expresses a strong inclination to concur with the Anatomists, in opposition to the Vitalists; but we subjoin in a note what he has said more fully on this subject in another work.*

• Extract from the 3d edition of Dr Webster's Observations on the Admission of Pupils to Bethlem Hospital, p. 56.-" Speaking generally, most medical practitioners in France who make mental diseases their practical study, are at the present moment divided into two sects, the Anatomists and the Vitalists. The former section affirm this principle, that lunacy always exhibits specific alterations of structure in the brain and nervous system, which characterize the disease; on the other hand, the Vitalists assert that the changes of structure met with in the brains of certain lunatics, so far from being characteristic, or the real cause of the symptoms met with during life, are merely effects. Among the supporters of the latter doctrine, Pinel, Esquirol, Georget, Lélut, and Leuret, occupy the first rank; whilst the anatomists possess the authoritative names of Foville, Parchappe, Belhomme, Calmeil, Moreau, and others. But this is not the place to enter into the arguments with which both divisions support their particular opinions; however, it may be interesting to state this much in regard to the management and remedies which each party think judicious, and ought to be employed; that the anatomists place much dependence upon the physical treatment of the disease, both by remedial means, and the employment of the patients in some bodily occupation, whilst the vitalists depend with great confidence upon moral treatment and mental recreation; or, to quote the dictum of one of their greatest authorities in the cause, rely on the power of logic and the force of reasoning in the treatment of lunatics;' or perhaps, as a less enthusiastic advocate would say, endeavour to convince the patient in the first place that he is actually insane, and then try to reason him out of his delusions. This is certainly putting an extreme case; but it may shew the absurd conclusions violent partizans of any particular theory will even arrive at, when only looking upon one side of the question. Each party think their opponents are quite wrong, and of course, that they are themselves the only promulgators of true doctrines, whilst both sections bring forward plenty of arguments and illustrations in support of their respective opinions regarding insanity. For my own part, I confess both facts and reasoning greatly preponderate in favour of the anatomists; and seeing such scientific and experienced physicians as MM. Foville and Parchappe entertaining such opinions, that of itself is, in my estimation at least, a strong argument in favour of the conclusion, that the doctrines of the anatomists rest on the most stable foundation."

In the same volume of the Transactions, Dr Webster reports an interesting case of paralysis, without loss of sensation, but, on the contrary, an increase, during the latter stages of the disease, of acuteness of the sense of feeling.

2. The Phrenological Library-Gall on the Functions of the Brain, Parts IV. and V. London: G. Berger. 8vo.Gall's second volume is commenced in Part IV. Many improvements of style continue to be made on the American translation, though occasionally at the sacrifice of minute accuracy. Care should be taken to avoid this in future, and also to spell names correctly.

3. Thoughts on Physical Education and the True Mode of Improving the Condition of Man. By CHARLES CALDWELL, M.D., &c. With a Recommendatory Preface by George Combe. 2d British Edition. Edinburgh: Maclachlan & Co.; London: Simpkin & Co. Royal 8vo.-Our high opinion of this work has already been repeatedly expressed. (See ix. 481, and x. 170.) In an advertisement prefixed to the present edition by Mr Cox its editor, he says "The reception of the previous edition of this treatise by the British public was so favourable, that already the work has been nearly six years out of print. Encouraged by this result, and believing that the principles so clearly and forcibly expounded by Dr Caldwell are calculated to increase, in no trifling degree, the health and happiness of those who shall act in accordance with them, the Editor has thought it desirable to publish a new edition, in a form which enables him to adapt its price to the resources of a less wealthy but more numerous class of readers than that for which the former edition was more especially designed by the publishers. It gives him pleasure to add, that Dr Caldwell has expressed his entire satisfaction with the manner in which the work has been enlarged and improved by the addition of passages from his other writings."

4. The Zoist, No. IV.-In a well-written and ingenious article published in this Number by Mr Herbert Spencer, and entitled "A New View of the Functions of Imitation and Benevolence," it is maintained that sympathy is the function of the former (as Mr Hudson Lowe, unknown to Mr S., had suggested in our 14th volume), and that sensitiveness, or the sense of pleasure and pain, is the function of the organ to which the latter name has hitherto been applied. Notwithstanding Mr Spencer's clever pleading for this view of the function of Benevolence, we think his theory at variance with

the result of wide experience, which fails to discover so constant a relation between the size of the organ and the sensitiveness of the individual, as he says he has found. We retain the opinion that each faculty is sensible of pleasures and pains in its own sphere; and that in proportion to the size and excitability of its organ (the excitability being materially affected by temperament, to which Mr Spencer denies all influence in the production of sensitiveness), is the acuteness of those pleasures and pains. Did space permit, we might urge also some weighty theoretical objections to Mr Spencer's doctrine; for, with his eyes wide open to facts that favour it, he is not very clear-sighted with respect to such as have an opposite tendency.—The chief other articles in this Number of the Zoist are on Education as it is" (i. e., what nobody is now bold enough to deny, very defective, both in quantity and quality); on the Cerebral Development and Character of the late John Constable, R. A., by Mr Hering; on the Organ of Size, by Mr Atkinson; and "Cures of Epileptic and other Fits with Mesmerism," by Dr Elliotson.

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5. The Illuminated Magazine, No. VII., for November 1843, contains an article in an ironical strain, intended to ridicule Phrenology, and illustrated by amusing woodcuts. The satire is perhaps deserved by some who call themselves phrenologists. In the December Number, p. 79, a curious anecdote is related by a medical gentleman who writes under the name of "Luke Roden, M. D.," of a boy who, from a most affectionate brother, changed to a most tyrannical and malicious, in consequence of cerebral injury produced by a spicula of bone, growing from the inner surface of a part of the skull which had been depressed by a blow inflicted at school with the end of a ruler. After an operation on the skull by Mr Cline, which disclosed and removed the cause of the evil, the boy's attachment to his brother returned, and he, moreover, got rid of strong platonic passion which had seized him for a lady, the mother of five children, of whom the eldest was older than himself. We have reason to believe that this anecdote is perfectly authentic.

6. The Phreno-Magnet.-The first volume was completed in December, and is decorated with a portrait of its editor, and a view of the cottage in which he was born. He announces the intention of henceforth publishing the work, not as hitherto in monthly Numbers, but as an annual volume, to be issued about the end of each autumn. This arrangement will afford him more leisure for the digestion of his theories.

IV. INTELLIGENCE, &c.

Aberdeen. The Phrenological Society in this city continues its labours as usual. The following are the principal papers which have been read since the date of last report:-On the Capability of Man to improve his Nature and Condition, by the Rev. Patrick Clerihew.-On Conscientiousness, as manifested in Commercial Pursuits, by Mr John Connon.— Remarks on a variety of Phreno-mesmeric Experiments, by Professor Gregory, M.D.-On Sleep, Dreaming, and Somnambulism, by Dr J. P. Walker. On the Tendency of the Popular Movements, by the Secretary. Two dissections of the human brain were given by Dr Walker.—At the Annual General Meeting the following gentlemen were elected as officebearers and committee:-George Combe, Esq., Honorary President; Professor Gregory and Alexander Linton, Esq., Surgeon, R.N., Presidents; Mr James Straton, Secretary; Mr A. Cushnie, Treasurer; Mr T. Kirby, Librarian; Dr J. P. Walker, and Messrs William Jaffrey, Masson, Petrie, and Easdale, Members of Committee.

Alloa.-The Rev. D. G. Goyder has delivered a second course of lectures here on Phrenology, under the auspices of the Phrenological Society. It extended to seven lectures, commencing on the 13th, and concluding on the 29th of February, two lectures being delivered weekly, except in the last week, when three were given. They were listened to by an attentive audience, averaging 130 of the most respectable inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, fully a fourth of the number being ladies. These lectures seem to have excited a decided interest in the town in favour of Phrenology. Mr G. intends to deliver courses of lectures in Tillicoultry and Alva, commencing in about a fortnight.—March 6. 1844.

Liverpool.-Extract from the third quarterly Report of the committee of the Liverpool Phrenological Society: "In presenting the third quarterly report, your committee feel great pleasure in directing your attention to the steady progress the society is now making, both in regard to numbers, and the means of carrying out the objects we have in view. Numerous have been the difficulties we have had to contend against, and many the disadvantages we have laboured under; but these are gradually giving ground, and our prospects of future success are very promising. The study of Phrenology will soon become general amongst the thinking class; for the prejudices which have so long hindered its reception are being removed, and bigotry is fast tottering to its fall. The spirit of free inquiry has gone abroad; and the laudable desire becomes engendered in the human mind-To know itself. These are signs of good things to come! It is highly pleasing to think that we have amongst us those who are capable of diffusing a knowledge of the great principles of our science, and that they are not only willing, but anxious to devote their utmost energies to further the objects of the society. The disadvantage we have hitherto experienced for want of one to conduct the phrenological studies, your committee is happy to inform you, is not likely again to exist, C. W. Connon, Esq. having kindly volunteered to give his services to the society on Thursday evenings. Your committee would strongly urge each member to avail himself of the opportunity of improving the knowledge he may have acquired, and of refreshing his memory, which this course of instruction will afford.

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"As use is the great end we ought ever to keep in view while we are VOL. XVII.-N. S. NO. XXVI.-APRIL 1844.