Pharmacologia. 367 
any new light from this bulky subdivision of the Pharmacologia. 
Thus, we see nothing new in the suggestion of combining tincture 
with decoction of bark, and of adding the powder, or extract, as 
occasion may require; nor in combining different narcotics, anti- 
spasmodics, and bitters, with a view of obtaining a more agree- 
able or effectual remedy than could be derived from any single 
substance. Every nurse is aware that salts and senna operate 
more effectually than either ingredient singly taken; and one 
grain of emetic tartar, with twenty of ipecacuan, is a common 
family emetic. But although there is a good deal of tautology 
in this portion of Dr. Paris’s book, we repeat that the student 
should attentively peruse it, because it will, in many places, 
direct his attention to the object of several combinations which 
experience has suggested and sanctioned, and point out to him 
the cause of many apparent anomalies in the practice of our best 
physicians. 
Speaking of change of diet and habits, Dr. Paris warns the 
young practitioner not to exercise his caduceus as Sancho’s 
Doctor did his wand. In these respects the prejudices of the 
sick should not be wantonly or harshly opposed. With regard 
to diet, no function of the body is so materially influenced by 
mental impressions as digestion. The unexpected communica- 
tion of any distressing event destroys the keenest appetite, and 
converts hunger into disgust for food: this fact did not escape 
Shakspeare, who represents Henry VIII. dismissing Wolsey with 
these words,— 
Read over this ; 
And after, this ; and then to breakfast 
With what appetite you have. 
“ If,” says our author, “ feelings of disgust are excited by 
the repast, the stomach will never act with healthy energy on 
the ingesta ; and in cases of extreme aversion, they are either 
returned, or they pass through the alimentary canal almost 
unchanged. On the other hand, the gratification which attends 
a favourite meal, is, in itself, a specific stimulus to the organs 
of digestion, especially in weak and debilitated habits.” ‘This, 
it must be admitted, is very comfortable doctrine. Dr. Paris 
further illustrates it by a facetious story aptly communicated to 
him by Dr. Merriman, of a lady of rank, whose state of stomach 
was so unrelenting that all food and medicine was rejected® 
after the failure of the usual remedies, she applied to Miss 
Prescott, and was magnetized; when, to the astonishment of 
every one, she ate a beefsteak, and continued to repeat the 
meal every day for six weeks, without the least inconvenience ! 
But the diet of the valetudinarian is too important a matter 
to be trifled with, and its due management often requires more 
skill upon the part of the physician than that of medicinal reme- 
dies. How many are the diseases which may be traced to im- 
