The Microscope. 317 



PVBLI CAT IONS 



Pulmonary consumption a nervous disease. — Dr T. J. Mays, 

 Physician's Leisure Library. Sq. 16mo., pp. 185. Detroit: 

 Geo. S. Davis. Price 25 cents. The author emphatically rejects 

 the bacillus tuberculosis as the cause of phthisis, and is equally 

 certain that the disease is not contagious, claiming that it is not 

 due to any single cause, but that occupation, want of exercise, 

 insufficient food, inheritance, excesses of all kinds, sex, order of 

 birth, dampness and change of climate are powerful factors in 

 its production, and that a disturbance of the nervous system 

 plays either a causative or a concomitant role in its history. In 

 favor of this belief he brings to bear a host of observations, 

 which he discusses in an eminently readable way. The work is 

 fresh, original, courageous and laughable. The way in which 

 the author tramples over his opponents and marches straight 

 forward regardless of others' opinions is interesting, not to say 

 amazing. He is blinded by his theory, and tramples onward 

 without a guiding cane or even the traditional dog. The book 

 is worth reading, but the author will gain few followers and 

 make few converts. 



The Psychology of Attention. Th. Ribot. Authorized trans- 

 lation. Chicago: The Open Court Pub. Co. ; 12 mo., pp. 121; 

 cloth, price 15 cents. — Tlie purpose of this work is, in the words 

 of the author, to establish and to justify the propositions that 

 there are two clearly distinct forms of attention, one spontane- 

 ous, the other voluntary or artificial. The first, although the 

 fundamental form, has been disregarded by most psychologists, 

 while the second alone has been studied, although it is only an 

 imitation, a result of education, of training and of habit, being 

 but an improved instrument and a product of civilization. 

 Attention has been compared to reflex action ; it might more 

 properly be compared to a series of reflex actions. A physical 

 excitation produces a movement. In like manner, a stimulation 

 coming from the object produces an ever-repeated adaptation. 



