LITERARY NOTICES. 



565 



to many who could not have secured it in 

 its previous form. We are happy to note, 

 further, that it has proved a very cousid- 

 erable success. Four editions have been 

 called for in this country ; the Germans are 

 printing a translation in parts ; it is dis- 

 cussed in French and Italian periodicals ; 

 and an English edition is in preparation. 

 The work is everywhere looked upon as an 

 important contribution to political economy, 

 and as an eloquent and vigorous discussion 

 of imminent social problems. It is a whole- 

 some sign of the growing liberality of the 

 times that a work should be so cordially re- 

 ceived and highly appreciated, while at the 

 same time there is general and decisive dis- 

 sent from its main conclusions. It is read 

 and enjoyed for its humane spirit and the 

 novelty and independence of its views ; but 

 we do not observe that Mr. George makes 

 disciples who endorse his leading and dis- 

 tinctive doctrines. It is, however, admitted 

 that he has contributed to the elucidation of 

 political economy by his adverse criticism 

 of prevailing opinions on that subject ; and 

 it is certainly no small merit to have done 

 something for the advancement of this in- 

 quiry, and the clearing up of important 

 economical questions. 



Medical Heresies historically consid- 

 ered. A Series of Critical Essays on the 

 Origin and Evolution of Sectarian iledi- 

 ' cine, embracing a Special Sketch and Re- 

 view of Homoeopathy, Past and Present. 

 By GoxsALvo C. Smythe, A. M., M. D., 

 Professor of the Practice of Medicine, 

 Central College of Physicians and Sur- 

 geons, Indianapolis. Philadelphia : Pres- 

 ley Blakiston. Pp. 228. Price, |1.25. 



It was not the author's object in this 

 volume to write a history of medicine, but 

 simply to sketch the rise and fall of the 

 different schools, sects, or systems of medi- 

 cine, from the earliest historical period down 

 to some of the more prominent heresies of 

 the present day. The author writes with 

 brevity, and does not enter into the consid- 

 eration of the contemporaneous systems of 

 philosophy or theology with which medicine 

 in former times has been strangely and in- 

 consistently commingled. All topics are also 

 avoided which are merely of interest to the 

 medical antiquarian. The author says in his 

 preface : " My second object is to furnish the 

 regular profession with some much-needed 



information in regard to homoeopathy. Few 

 busy practitioners have the time or inclina- 

 tion to investigate the claims of this school, 

 and, although they are brought iu contact 

 with it daily, know little or nothing of its real 

 principles. I have presented the principles 

 of this school fairly, quoting the exact words 

 of its founders at the expense of some repe- 

 tition, in order that I might not be accused 

 of misrepresentation. The discussion of 

 these principles has been conducted from a 

 scientific standpoint, and without ridicule, 

 thus showing of what homoeopathy consisted 

 originally ; and by quotations from the cur- 

 rent literature of the school, with discussions 

 thereon, showing what it is now. It is con- 

 fidently believed that the condensed infor- 

 mation contained in this little book will not 

 be altogether without interest to the pro- 

 fession." 



Passages from the Prose Writings op 

 Matthew Arnold. New York : Mac- 

 millan & Co. Pp. 333. Price, $1.50. 



Not only will the admirers of Matthew 

 Arnold be gratified by this varied collection 

 of his best utterances, but many, who are 

 not familiar with or do not possess his 

 works, will be glad of a representative vol- 

 ume like this, in which they can get some 

 acquaintance with the thought of the emi- 

 nent modern apostle of the gospel of 

 " sweetness and light." The selections are 

 systematic, being arranged under the heads 

 of I. Literature ; II. Politics and Society ; 

 and III. Philosophy and Religion ; and they 

 have been collected with good judgment, 

 and will prove very suggestive and gratify- 

 ing to all cultivated readers. 



The Jocrnal of Physiology. Edited by 

 Michael Foster, M. D., F. R. S., of Trin- 

 ity College, Cambridge. Assisted in 

 England by Drs. Gamgee, Rutherford, 

 and Burdon-Sanderson ; and in the Uni- 

 ted States by Drs. Bowditch, Martin, and 

 Wood. New York : Macmillan & Co. 

 No. 1, Vol. III. 



We call renewed attention to this ad- 

 mirable periodical, the only one in English 

 thoroughly devoted to original physiologi- 

 cal research. The progress in the arts of 

 physiological experimentation and the un- 

 tiring assiduity of the laborers in this field 

 are fruitful of important results which are 



