REES’S CYCLOPEDIA. 
In medicine, surgery, and anatomy, 2 
few articles of importance appear; but 
many which we should have looked for 
are referred to another part of the alpha- 
ber. ; 
Amphibious” stands, we believe, as in 
the former edition. It isgiven as belong- 
ing to natural history ; but the observa- 
tions are chiefly anatomical, and mostly 
antiquated. In some future part we have 
a claim to expect a much more valuable 
article, as many important additions have 
been made by anatomists since the date 
of the authorities here given. The whole 
article ought therefore to have been either 
entirely recomposed, or entirely referred 
to a future part. 
Amputation is 2 long and important ar- 
ticle, drawn up with much care. The 
historical sketch of the operation descends 
no lower than Ambrose Paré, the history 
of the subsequent improvements bejng in- 
cluded in the descriptions of the opera- 
tion itself. The author (in contradiction 
to the assertions of Mr. John Bell) de- 
nies that Paré was the inventor of the li- 
gature; but acknowledges the pre-eminent 
merit of this great man. 
The first discovery of the flap opera- 
tion is traced to a Mr. James Young, 
surgeon at Plymouth, in the year 1769, 
who appears to have often performed it: 
so that it is not the original invention of 
M. Verduin or Sabourin, who have both 
claimed it. All the varieties of the pro- 
cess are there described, from the best 
authorities. Many questions relating to 
the propriety of amputation in different 
cases are left untouched; but they will 
be introduced with equal propriety under 
Gun-shot wounds, Fracture, &c. 
Anatomy is divided into five distinct 
articles, probably by different writers. 
First, the history of anatomy is sketched 
with elegance and perspicuity, but with 
a mortifying conciseness and rapidity. 
Comparative Anatomy is given with 
still more wninstructive brevity. Ve- 
getable Anatomy is trifling, erroneous, 
and antiquated, but is chiefly referred to 
vegetable Physiology, from which we 
confidently expect better things. A full 
and elegant view of Picturesque Anatomy 
follows: it is addressed chiefly to the ar- 
tist. Great and deserved praise is given 
to the muscular figure dissected for the 
Royal Academy by Dr. William Hunter, 
and the cast of it by Banks. Veterinary 
anatomy is the most complete, and is de- 
915 
scribed with reference to the beautitil 
plates on this subject at the end of the 
yolume. ‘ 
In the opinion of the author of this ar- 
ticle, the turf seems to have been a better 
school ‘for the breed than the care of 
horses. There seems to be much justice 
in his observations. 
«© Indeed, on pursuing an historical retxo- 
spect of the state of this science in England, 
it has seemed to us, for the last hundred years 
and upwards, to have been taking a retro- 
grade course, which we feel rather disposed 
to attribute to the unbounded rage for horse- 
racing, which, while it was of great service 
to the British nation, by encouraging the best 
reeds of strong and fleet horses, was of - 
disservice, by promoting an artificial, vitiated 
taste with regard to these animals, which 
overawed all attempts at modest enquiry re« 
specting their diseases. The knowledge of 
horses was supposed to consist in a sort of in= 
tuition, which was not to be defined or taught 
to others. Jockeys, sharpers, and gamblers, 
were supposed principally to possess this 
knowledge, which was all that was thought 
necessary respecting them, and all farther in- 
formation could be of no use. Jockeys be- 
fore this period were of small note, but from 
being entrusted with the secrets of the course, 
soon became engines of great importance in 
pursuing this species of trate, and men at 
length were brought to resign their under- 
standings tq them, imagining it a subject too 
mysterious and difficult for them to compre- 
hend: hence also appears to have arisen the 
great difficulty of founding a seminary for the 
veterinary medicine and surgery in this king- 
dom, which was almost the last country in 
Europe that adopted this salutary step for the 
improvement of the art. A more fair and 
candid mode of considering the subject has 
now arisen; and a style of writing and en- 
quiry, which must (however it may labour 
under difficulties for a time) bring forth light, 
and, with the great improvements in chemis- 
try, and all the arts and sciences which can 
promote it, will soon place it on a footing far 
beyond what was known in ancient and mo- 
dern times.” 
Some very judicious observations are 
given on the nomenclature of veterinary 
anatomy; and the errors that have arisen 
from tog servile an imitation of the hu- 
man. 
Aneurism is a. full and very important 
article, containing much valuable matter 
in a moderate compass, and brought 
down to the present time. 
Aphthe is classed under surgery: it 
belongs, however, more to physic, and 
is a complete practical article, 
gN2 
