LITERARY NOTICES. 



849 



the author after twenty-three years' expe- 

 rience as a teacher in the laboratory, by 

 which, as he says, he has been led to con- 

 clude that a knowledge of analytical chem- 

 istry, or the power of discovering the na- 

 ture of unknown substances, is the first and 

 often the only requirement of the great 

 majority of learners, and that independently 

 of the technical value of such knowledge, its 

 acquisition forms a most valuable part of 

 education by cultivating the powers of ob- 

 servation, and affording excellent examples 

 of the application of logical reasoning in 

 practical work. 



Analysis of the Urine, with Special 

 Reference to the Diseases of the 

 Genito-Urinary Organs. By K. B. 

 Hof.mann, Professor in the University 

 of Gratz, and R. Ultzmann, Docent in 

 the University of Vienna. Translated 

 by T. Barton Brune, A. M., M. D., Resi- 

 dent Physician, Maryland University 

 Hospital, and H. Holbrook Curtis, Ph. 

 B. With numerous Colored Plates. 

 New York: D. Appleton & Co. 1819. 



Pp. 269. Price, $2. 



It is gratifying to note the various indi- 

 cations of progress in popular journalism. 

 While, as all can see, it is steadily advancing 

 toward such lofty literary ideals as are ex- ] 

 emplified by the writings of Macaulay and 

 Froude, there is also encouraging promise 

 that it is aspiring to a more elevated stand- 

 ard of purity and ethical taste. Especially 

 when we observe a newspaper struggling 

 and tempted, yet scorning all sordid con- 

 siderations in the inflexible determination to 

 maintain an exalted moral tone, so as never 

 to wound the delicate sensibilities of its 

 most fastidious readers, we are led to enter- 

 tain glowing anticipations of the future of 

 the American press. Our present enthusi. 

 asm is kindled by the refusal of the " New 

 York Herald " to insert in its columns an 

 advertisement of the book which bears the 

 above title. But we can admire where it is 

 impossible to imitate. 



The importance of this subject has al- 

 ways been acknowledged in the medical 

 profession. Hippocrates (400 b. c.) direct- 

 ed attention to the character of the renal 

 excretion, and its changes of color, clear- 

 ness, and its sediments, in connection with 

 diseased conditions of the body ; and he 

 even endeavored to demonstrate the influ- 

 vol. xv. 54 



ence of various foods and drinks upon its 

 constitution. The Arabiau Avicenna (a. d. 

 1000) called attention to the fact that dif- 

 ferent external circumstances, as fasting, 

 wakefulness, over-exertion, and strong emo- 

 tions have an influence upon the character 

 of the urine. Actuarius, in the thirteenth 

 century, advanced the knowledge of the 

 subject so far that it became an object 

 of satire with poets and painters. Bel- 

 lini (1675) investigated the proportion of 

 solid constituents to the contained water. 

 Willis discovered sugar in the urine, and 

 Brandt obtained phosphorus from it. Rou- 

 elle discovered urea (1773). In 1770 Co- 

 tugno found pus in it ; and in 1798 Cruik- 

 shank declared the relation of this con- 

 dition to dropsy. In 1827 Bright proved 

 the connection between kidney-disease and 

 albuminuria ; and Rayers's researches (1841) 

 laid the foundation of our present knowl- 

 edge of kidney-diseases. Since that time 

 many observers have turned their attention 

 to the subject ; while the great advances 

 of chemical, microscopical, and physical sci- 

 ence have told effectively upon this branch 

 of investigation. The urine indicates, at 

 least very nearly, by its qualitative and 

 quantitative changes the variation in tissue 

 life, and it thus affords invaluable tests of 

 the presence of disease ; while its analysis, 

 so far as it interests the practicing physi- 

 cian, can be made with simple apparatus. 

 This volume, concise in form, and full of 

 practical hints and valuable suggestions re- 

 garding both analysis and diagnosis, sup- 

 plies a need that has been long felt by 

 American students and physicians; while 

 its merit is well attested by the fact that it 

 appeared in three languages during the year 

 of its publication. 



A Dictionary of Music and Musicians 

 (a. d. 1450-1879). By Eminent Writ- 

 ers, English and Foreign. With Illus- 

 trations and Woodcuts. Edited by 

 George Grove, D. C. L. Part Vlt 

 London and New York: Macmillan & 

 Co. Pp. 128. Price $1.25. 



Another installment has come of this 

 entertaining serial, filled with the art, sci- 

 ence, history, biography, criticism, and mis. 

 cellaneous erudition of music. The work 

 is being faithfully executed, and keeps up 

 its excellent character. 



