CRITICAL NOTICES OP NEW PUBLICATIONS. 335 



that this disease is the result of the chemical action of particles of 

 decomposed food which are retained in the intervals, or indenta- 

 tions, of the teeth ; and this he supports by reference to the indivi- 

 dual peculiarities in the structure of certain teeth, and the order in 

 which the different classes decay singly or in pairs. 



From Mr. Robertson's view of the anatomical structure of the 

 teeth, and from the circumstance that caries is never found to com- 

 mence upon a plain and smooth surface of a tooth, but always in 

 these indentures or interstices, it is evident that the predisposition 

 to decay is to be found in the organization of the part in which it 

 occurs, and that it is totally independent of general causes affecting 

 the constitution, and of inflammatory action, as hitherto supposed. 

 After having explained the origin of caries, Mr. Robertson proceeds 

 to notice the progress of the disease through its different stages, 

 from the first commencement of the destruction of the enamel, by 

 the decomposed and corroding food, to the period when the bone 

 breaks in, the cavity of the tooth becomes exposed, and tooth-ache 

 produced. ' 



Having noticed the predisposing causes of caries, Mr. Robertson 

 proceeds to lay down some practical rules for obviating them, and 

 gives directions for the management of the teeth, as regards their 

 predisposition to disease, both in the temporary and permanent 

 state. 



The theory proposed by IMr. Robertson is of great importance, if 

 we view it in connexion with the vast extent of that class of dis- 

 eases whose nature it proposes to explain. The work, as we have 

 said, is principally intended for the general reader ; and we cor- 

 dially recommend its perusal to all who wish to jireserve themselves 

 or their children from the painful and disfiguring effects of decay 

 of the teeth ; whether these are considered in relation to the dis- 

 ease itself, or the operation necessary for its cure. 



A Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye and its appendages, by Rich- 

 ard Middlemore, M. R. C. S. London: Longman & Co. 1835. 

 pp. 1644. 



The late period of the month this publication came under our 

 notice, renders it impossible to present our readers with even a brief 

 analysis of this elaborate and comprehensive work. The numerous 

 cases of diseases of the eye, in their various forms, which annually 

 pass under the observation of Mr. Middlemore, in his capacity of 

 Surgeon to the Birmingham Eye Infirmary, has rendered him emi- 

 nently qualified to fulfil the arduous task he has undertaken. The 

 result of his experience is giten in a very clear and effective style ; 

 and the methodical arrangement of the work, to which a copious 

 index is affixed, will greatly assist the researches of the student. 

 We propose again referring to this publication in a subsequent 

 number. 



