J 36 CRITICAL NOTICES OF NEW PUBLICATIONS. 



predate it ; its compass and power is beyond the common cope. 

 The multitude sympathises most with what assimilates to itself. 

 We are satisfied, however, that the discriminating few under whose 

 notice this shall fall, will feel as grateful to us for directing their 

 attention to the author, as are we gratified in presenting his claims 

 to their regard. 



The Fallacy of the Art of Physic as taught in the Schools ; with 

 the development of new and important Prificiples of Practice. 

 By Samuel Dickson, M.D., Cheltenham,, formerly a Medical 

 Officer on the Staff. Edinburgh ; A. & C. Black ; Longman, 

 London ; Lovesy, Cheltenham. 1836. 8vo., pp. 180. 



It requires not a little courage to write such a treatise as the one 

 before us, attacking as it does the established opinions of the whole 

 faculty, and attempting to prove the fallacy of the art of physic as 

 taught in the schools ; but the author urges that " if multiplicity 

 of patients be at all a test of successful treatment, the profession 

 may draw a favourable inference from the fact that, in a less period 

 than three years, I have prescribed for upwards of eight thousand 

 private patients." What Dr. Dickson mainly labours to establish 

 is that there is but one disease, remitte7it fever, and that every dis- 

 ease is a variety of this type. There is much useful matter in the 

 volume, and even supposing his theory false, we think such a book 

 calculated to do good, if it were only to excite a more vigorous re- 

 search into the errors and prejudices of routine practitioners. The 

 author appears to be not unfavourable to Homoeopathy, and tells 

 us that he had himself discovered the principle of similia similihus 

 curantur before he had even heard of the doctrines of Hahnemann. 

 This is a new and most convincing proof of the truth of that the- 

 ory. When, however, our author had advanced thus far, we must 

 hold him blameable for not looking further into the subject ; and 

 after the somewhat harsh language in which he occasionally in- 

 dulges towards his brethren (for not adopting his opjn views, which 

 he now for thefrst time promulgates), he has no excuse for ridicul- 

 ing the small doses of the homoeopaths : let him remember that le 

 vrai nest pas toujours vraisemhlable. But although Dr. D. has not 

 condescended to dive deeper into Homoeopathy otherwise than by 

 means of faulty reviews of homoeopathic books, he has effected a 

 great improvement on the practice of the old school, and his book is 

 replete with judicious remarks. Take the following as examples : — 



** The same remark attaches to palpitation and temporary cessation of the 

 heart''s action ; diseases constantly misunderstood, and as constantly mal- 

 treated. That bauble of Laennec — the stethoscope — which the reader will 

 pardon me for holding in heterodox contempt, is, of course, employed. The 

 very application of the instrument to the chest deranges the action of the 

 lungs and heart ; the patient's attention to the operation, in most instances, 

 calling off the influence of the brain, by alarm or otherwise, from the func- 

 tions of the body. The most extraordinary prognoses are consequently 



