206 
the frequent, we may even say routine prac-~ 
tice of treating some nervous diseases— 
paraplegia, for example, by external appli- 
cations to the spine; and among them, 
caustic issues made with nitrate of silver: 
and we would beg leave to refer him to the 
records of some of our hospitals for informa- 
tion as to the extent to which physiological, 
principles are made the basis of medical 
practice. We should, however, do our au- 
thor injustice if we hesitated to express our 
conviction, that no one will be found to dis- 
pute his claim to originality in his theory of 
the mode in which the external application 
of nitrate of silver acts on the animal eco-~ 
nomy, as hinted at in p. 20, where, after 
stating the well-known analogy between 
galvanism, electricity, and the caloric pro- 
Monthly Review of Literature. 
[ Fes. 
cess, he proceeds to observe, that, “ diluted 
nitric acid is the most effectual mean of 
augmenting the caloric of a galvanic trough. 
Combined with the oxide of silver, or diluted 
with water, it is also the most effectual means 
of augrnenting animal heat, when externally 
applied.”” It would give us real pain if we 
thought that any of our readers would infer, 
from the remarks which we haye felt our- 
selves called upon to make, that we wish to 
depreciate the labours of an ingenious phy- 
sician, for whose talents we entertain. much 
respect. This isso far from being the case,, 
that we have much pleasure in assuring our 
professional friends, that they will find many. 
ingenuous hints in our author's work, which 
we unhesitatingly recommend to their atten- 
tive perusal, 
ae 
VARIETIES, SCIENTIFIC AND MISCELLANEOUS. 
Organic Defects.—We have always felt 
pleasure in communicating to the public 
any inventions which, either from their inge- 
nuity, or from the advantages which could 
be derived from them, were raised above 
the class of metre scientific conundrums; and 
lately have been much interested in the pe- 
rusal of a practical work on the deficiencies 
of the palate, nose, lips, &c. which has been 
published by Mr. Snell, an intelligent and 
scientific dentist in Baker Street. The sub- 
ject has been illustrated by researches, which 
extend back to the fifteenth century, detail- 
ing the various contrivances invented by dif- 
ferent artists, many indeed of the most en- 
tertaining description, and closing this part 
of the work with the most approved construc- 
tions for supplying these unfortunate de- 
ficiencies, among which are a consider- 
able number invented by himself, which 
display not only great medical talent in 
their adaptation, but a very correct know- 
ledge of the anatomy and physiology of the 
organs of deglutition and speech, which they 
are intended to relieve. With the surgical 
contents of this book we have nothing to do ; 
but having taken the liberty, in consequence 
of the perusal of it, to ask permission to in- 
spect his cabinet, we feel that we are confer- 
ring a real benefit upon a numerous class of 
sufferers, as well as doing simple justice to an 
able man, in detailing his merits to the 
public. 
Paper Linen.—A new invention called 
papier linge has lately attracted much atten- 
tion in Paris. It consists of a paper made 
closely to resemble damask and other linen, 
not only to the eye, but even to the touch. 
The articles are used for every purpose to 
which linen is applicable, except those re- 
quiring much strength and durability. The 
price is low—a napkin costs only five or six 
centimes, about a halfpenny; and, when 
dirty, they are taken back at half price. A 
good-sized table-cloth sells‘for a franc, ten- 
pence ; anda roll of paper, with one or two 
colours for papering rooms, or for bed 
curtains, may be had for the same price. 
The French have a strange fancy for paper 
things. ‘Two or three years ago paper clocks 
were all the rage—novelty, perhaps, was their 
principal recommendation; but their per- 
formance was extremely good. 
Mouth Harmonicon.—A mostenchanting 
little musical instrument, to which this name 
has been applied, has been imported into this 
country, and is for sale by Mr. Weiss, the 
very ingenious cutler in the Strand. It 
produces modulated chords by the action of 
the breath, similar to the tones from an 
Eolian harp. when struck sharply by the 
wind, or like the distant fall of military 
music, or a blast of fairy trumpets. The 
tones are variable; from the lightest echo, 
to a swelling strain; and they have that 
metallic sound which is the characteristic of 
martial music. It approaches nearest to 
the music of the Celestina. In size it is 
very little larger than a crown-piece, and the 
manner of playing it is extremely simple ; so 
much so, that any one, however unacquainted 
with it, can produce the most perfect chords. 
In short, this instrument is to music what 
the kaleidoscope is to painting. It has 
been, as was to be expected, pirated in this 
country. We have inspected the imitation ; 
and though an apparatus has been con- 
structed of greater pretension, it is totally 
destitute of the simplicity, and wants the 
mellowness of tone so remarkable in the 
former instrument—we therefore withhold’ 
the name of its inventor. 
The Steam-Engine.—England, exulting 
in the perfection to which she has brought 
the steam-engine, has habitually claimed, 
while others have blindly conceded to her 
the priority of invention. 
French philosopher, the astronomer royal, 
M. Arago, has recently investigated the sub- 
ject. The result of his inquiries for which 
alone we can find room, is as follows :— 
A.D, 1615. Salomon’ de Caus is the first 
An eminent: 
a 
