THe Microscope. 347 
SyPHILis oF THE NERVvous SysteEM.—By H. C. Wood, M. D., 
LL.D. The Physician’s Leisure Library. Detroit. Geo. 8. Davis. 
Square 16mo., pp. 155. Price in paper 25 cents, in cloth 50 cents. 
The obscurity that has long enveloped all nervous diseases is 
rapidly giving way to a better knowledge of the anatomy and 
physiology of the nervous system. The clear, logical and 
reasoning tone of a little brochure like this does more to dispel 
all the clouds than the whole libraries of such vague and verbose 
stuff as has been put upon us in the past by asylum superin- 
tendents and others, with the hope that it might be accepted as 
the standard literature of the subject. 
Henry Maudsley proved himself equal to a rational consider- 
ation of insanity, doing much to free it from the half superstitious 
air in which it was surrounded. Dr H.C. Wood is also a logi- 
cian, and his little book on nervous syphilis is delightful and 
valuable, in that it offers in a clear and concise way the author’s 
well-digested opinions supported by reason. There is an indi- 
viduality about every thing that Dr Wood writes. He is never 
ambiguous, nor does he leave any room for doubt in regard to 
the position he takes. He courts contradiction by his tone of 
assurance, and he is ready to sustain his views by argument. 
“Syphilis of the Nervous System ” is to be commended to the 
medical reader. Some of it is not entirely new, but new and 
old are alike in attractiveness, for their consideration and treat- 
ment are excellent. 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
A thing is worth precisely what it can do for you, not what 
you choose to pay for it— Ruskin. 
Ninety-nine per cent. of ambition to try, and one per cent. of 
talent, is all that is necessary to succeed in whatever we under- 
take.—Scientific American. 
Dr Schill recommends wafers as solid media for the cultivation 
of chromogenous bacteria. The wafers are wet with a nutrient 
solution and sterilized. 
Antiquity oF Draroms.—Abbe F. Castracane believes that 
Diatoms belonging to species now existing lived in the Carbonif- 
erous period ; and since he finds in beds belonging to the older 
