given rise. In our minds, evidence had already appeared enough to satisfy every candid person that important advantages had been obtained, and were likely still more to be obtained, by cultivating this new branch of the Materia Medica. We trust that we are not among the implicit admirers of novelty, as such. We have lived to witness too many disappointments of sanguine expectations, and are too well aware of the numberless inlets to fraud and deception in all that comes under the head of project, readily to give our confidence to new applicants. Yet it would be strange if the utmost force of the human faculties, applied to any subject of a practical and experimental nature, should produce no improvement; or that the past should have no parallel in the future. The present work, we are told by the ingenious editor, will be the last of the kind. We conceive, indeed, that enough has been done by these temporary publications towards bringing the subject, in various forms, before the eye of practitioners and patients, and pointing out the way in which it is hereafter to be pursued. The editor himself is sensible that the danger now is not that pneumatic medicine should fall into neglect, but-that it should become the rage. We perceive, too, that if such publications of individual cases were long to continue, there would be some hazard of their becoming vehicles of pretension and parade. We have the highest opinion of the openness, sincerity, and unassuming disposition of the editor himself:-we cannot say quite so much for all his correspondents. As we did not before, so neither shall we now, attempt to analyse a very miscellaneous collection of fact and opinion, which will doubtless be in the hands of the faculty in general, who are competent to draw their own inferences. Some cases appear to us decisive as to benefits, (and very extraordinary cases,) derived from the exhibition of gaseous fluids; in many others, the multiplicity of remedies used along with them takes off almost all the proof; and there are others of a middle nature. Spasmodic asthma, and some general disorders proceeding from vitiation of the fluids, seem to take the lead in the instances of striking effect. To the medical cases and observations are subjoined Mr. Watt's description of an apparatus, and directions for procuring the gases. An Appendix of several articles contains a variety of matter; of which the most curious is a paper on the use of the nitric acid in the venereal lues and other diseases, by Mr. W. Scott of Bombay. Ai. Art. 36. The Inoculator; or Suttonian System of Inoculation, fully set forth in a plain and familiar Manner. By Daniel Sutton, Surgeon, who introduced the new Method of Inoculation into this Kingdom in the Year 1763. 8vo. pp. 160. 4s. sewed. Dilly. 1796. There was a time at which a disclosure of the Suttonian method of inoculation would have excited a great share of public attention. At that period, it rather suited the purposes of the practisers to keep it secret; and at present it is possible that the public may care less about it. As far, however, as the present work is a fair summary of extensive and accurate observation, it is entitled to attention; and we believe that the intelligent reader will not find it difficult to sepa H 2 rate rate the really valuable matter of it from the crude and doubtful notions which it contains. We pass over the proofs exhibited in a prefixed advertisement that the author is the genuine Daniel Sutton, and no counterfeit; nor shall we dwell on some introductory chapters on the small-pox in general, in which there is an attempt to prove that it is properly a cutaneous disease, generated by a certain variolous fecundity in the skin, and not at all affected by habit of body or mode of living--a doctrine certainly of fundamental importance, but, as we conceive, neither laid down with that clearness, nor supported by that force of argument, which can give it much weight. The subsequent practical chapters of subjects favourable and unfavourable; of age, season, &c. proper for inoculation, contain little that is not at least as well discussed by other writers; it is, however, we believe, a new observation, that it is wrong to inoculate unfavourable subjects with matter taken from a very benign small-pox; and also, that those who are inoculated in the afternoon are liable to have many more pustules than those who undergo the operation in the morning. Fresh and crude matter is recommended as best for inoculation; yet there is a hint that it may sometimes prove too active. The next chapter announces a very curious discovery, viz. that of knowing whether a person had previously passed through the disease or not. We shall give in the author's own words the mode of ascertaining this point. Make the puncture rather deliberately, not deeper than the 16th part of an inch, and slantwise, as usual. Should the skin thus punctured cut firm, somewhat resembling, for instance, the cutting of liver, lift up the skin a little with the lancet before it is returned, and observe whether that part of the skin just above the lancet looks paler than it usually does with those who are clearly susceptible of the small-pox. We may then safely pronounce that the subject has already passed through the disease.' This criterion evidently results from the supposition of an entire change in the skin being wrought by the small-pox, as being a cutaneous disease: but whether any other person than Mr. Sutton will ever acquie the skill necessary to make such nice distinctions, we much doubt. Probably, too, an appearance on introducing fresh variolous matter, in those who are susceptible of infection, will be new to most practitioners-it is that of a flushing, or light inflammatory tremulous appearance of short duration, round the punctured part, to the extent of an inch or farther:'-but this is not always discoverable without a magnifier. With respect to preparatory medicines and diet, which, according to the writer's theory of the disease, might be thought of little consequence, we find him laying down a general and pretty rigid plan of low diet, and recommending the use of a course of purgatives, and of alteratives consisting of calomel and emetic tartar; and greatly indeed must he rely on these means, since he asserts that he could never discover any advantage from the mere act of inoculation, beyond that of ascertaining the time when the patient would fall ill ;' an assertion which we should little have expected from an inoculator! In conformity with it, he lays the greatest stress on indications to be drawn from the various appearances of the incised part; and here it is that the acquired skill of an experienced inoculator is to give advantages, which words are certainly inadequate to bestow. One of the most remarkable indications is that by which impending convulsions are with certainty to be foreseen; and this we would copy, did we not think it better to refer to the work itself for the contents of this whole chapter, which cannot but be deemed important by those who have confidence in the writer. The convulsions, we must observe, are, after all, attributed only to a spasmodic affection of the duodenum from wind or indigestion; why, therefore, indications of them should appear in the skin it is difficult to conceive, farther than as they may be connected with universal irritability of the habit. There are various other practical observations in this treatise, which may render it worthy of the notice of practitioners; if, as we before hinted, sufficient confidence may be placed in the author. We are far from asserting that such confidence is not his due; yet one who lays claim to skill and success so much beyond those of other persons, in a case in which he possesses no peculiar advantages, will always excite a certain degree of hesitation. It is proper to remark that Mr. Sutton explicitly disavows that he derives any particular benefit, in his method, from the application of cold air. Ai. Art. 37. An Address to Hydropic Patients; wherein the Principles of a Method of Practice adopted by the Author in the Treatment of the Dropsy are explained; and to which some Cases are annexed, By W. Luxmoore, Surgeon, of Uxbridge, Middlesex. PP. 39. Is. 6d. Murray. 1796. 12mo. This explanation of the writer's method amounts to no more than his own recommendation of its efficacy. He carefully keeps his secret to himself. Ai. Art. 38. A Treatise on the Causes and Cure of Swelled Legs; on Dropsies, and on the Modes of retarding the Decay of the Constitution in the Decline of Life; &c. &c. By William Rowley, M. D. &c. &c. To which is added, a Tract on the absolute Necessity of encouraging the Study of Anatomy, &c. &c. 8vo. 2s. 6d. Newberry. 1796. The nature of Dr. Rowley's publications is too well known to the faculty, to render it necessary for us to do more in the present instance than copy the material parts of the title-page. POETRY, DRAMATIC, &c. Art. 39. Essays on some of Shakespeare's Dramatic Characters. To which is added, an Essay on the Faults of Shakespeare. The Fifth Edition. By William Richardson, M. A F. R. S. E. Professor of Humanity in the University of Glasgow. 8vo. pp.401. 7s. Boards. Murray and Highley. 1797. As we noticed in succession, at the time of their appearance, the different pieces of this elegant and ingenious writer which compose the present volume*, we have now only to announce their republica * See Rev. vols. li. lxx. and lxxxi. H 3 Ai. tion tion under one uniform title, corrected, and more commodiously ar ranged. Art. 40. Of the merits of this selection, every one may judge by the above enumeration of its contents: but we cannot refrain from observing that the title-page is disposed in such a manner, as to make it appear on a hasty perusal that Miss Williams's sonnets, which are eight in number, and extracted from her translation of Paul and Virginia, compose the chief part of the volume: or that this lady is the compiler of the work. This ingenious mode of stationing a name, in a title-page or an advertisement, is become so common a manœuvre, that it is necessary to reprobate it. ́ Ai. A.Ai Art. 41. Lock and Key: a Musical Entertainment, in Two Acts, performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent-garden. By Prince Hoare, Esq. 8vo. Is. Longman. 1796. How low a Musical Entertainment may descend in the scale of literary composition is an experiment, which, if not yet fully tried, the present performance may go some way in determining. Art. 42. Abroad and at Home. A Comic Opera, in Three Acts. This piece aims at the honours of legitimate comedy, and, it must be acknowleged, with as much pretension as several late productions under that title; though most of the characters and situations on which the humour depends are palpable imitations. It appears to us, however, that the true character of the Comic Opera is violated by confounding it with low comedy or farce. Somewhat of the light, airy, and romantic, is requisite to make sing-song appear natural or agreeable. In the present piece, the songs, though not ill-written, seem quite out of place, and harmonize neither with the plot nor the persons. Art. 43. Miscellaneous Poems, by Richard Cooksey, Esq. 8vo. pp. 115. 10s. 6d. Cadell jun. and Davies. 1796. Notwithstanding the author's motto, "Let one poor sprig of bay around my head Bloom while I live, and point me out when dead." we cannot imagine that the prize of " one poor sprig of bay" was FRANCE. Art. 44. An Historical Sketch of the French Revolution, commencing with its Predisposing Causes, and carried on to the Acceptation of the Ai. Ai. Ai. the Constitution in 1795. By Sampson Perry. 2 Vols. 8vo.. 14s. Boards. Symonds. 1796. Art. 45. The Argus, or General Observer; a Political Miscellany, &c. &c. By Sampson Perry. 8vo. 7s. Boards. Symonds. 1796. These bulky volumes will afford copious food for those politicians, who, having been warmly interested in the passing scenery of the eventful period commencing with the French Revolution, wish to recall to memory the principal transactions, and to view them in a connected form. We must observe, however, that the narration is cal culated for politicians on one side only; that it is for the most part mere compilation and transcription; and that it can boast of little merit of style or composition. The French Revolution is not a theme for a common mind or a dashing pen; still less for a professed party writer, except for the use of party readers. The volume, in which Mr. Perry's newspaper called the Argus is reprinted, is out of our jurisdiction. The case of Mr. Perry is prefixed to the first volume. POLITICAL, &c. Art. 46. Thoughts on the Present * Negociation. 8vo. Is. Jordan. 1796. : Ai. The subjects of these Thoughts are chiefly the inconsistency of the principles on which the war has been supported, the misconduct of ministers, and the necessity of dismissing and punishing them but the style and matter do not rise much above the level of a coffee-house harangue. Ai. Art. 47. Strictures on a Pamphlet written by Thomas Paine on the English System of Finance: To which are added, some Remarks on the War, and other National Concerns. By Lieutenant-Colonel Chalmers, of Chelsea. 8vo. pp. 68. Is. 6d. Debrett. 1796. Col. Chalmers informs us that he is an American Loyalist, and author of a pamphlet intitled " Plain Truth," published during the American war, and noticed in the Rev. vol. lxiii. p. 66. His object, in that pamphlet, was to urge the Government to persevere in its struggle with the Colonies: the present is written with a similar view respecting the war with France. To encourage us to a vigorous perseverance, he assures us that on it our very existence depends: and that in every hour in which it is continued so much is gained to humanity. As to the means of carrying it on, they are represented as most am ple; even the plate and jewels of the kingdom (the Colonel tells us) cannot be worth less than an hundred millions sterling; and that the minister may not be at a loss in the province of taxation, various taxes are mentioned, which the Colonel is persuaded would be very proper and productive. So far from admitting any of Mr. Paine's ideas on the English System of Finance, he asserts that the national debt, considerable as it must be deemed, is not, in truth, an heavier burden upon the nation at present, than it was some eighty years ago, when it did not exceed 50 millions.' Here we think he has overshot the mark: This was published before the late Negociation between Great Britain and France was unfortunately and abruptly broken off. and H 4 |