Notices respecting New Books. 151 
offer a few hints for the government of Mr. Carmichael in 
his future researches, than impose on-ourselves the painful 
task of minutely pointing out the errors or omissions of the 
present. 
First, we wish in this, as in all other books on any 
‘branch of philosophy, that the beginning should compre- 
“hbend a precise definition of the subject, and an explanation 
of the order in which it is to be treatcd. What. is scrofula? 
we tyould ask. © Is it any local disease for which we have 
no other.naine ?—Is it altogether a glandular disease? or, 
‘what is it? If itis usually attended with a low state of 
health. is the disorder of the digestive organs the cause or 
the effect of the diminished action and strength, which is 
equally visible in all the other organs? If it always arises 
from a want of proper diet, proper exercise, or wholesome 
air, why does it ever attack individuals of those families in 
which we never can suspect any such causes? or-why is 
it not more uniform in those seminaries, or even in that 
class of life, where the conditions and habits of so many, 
if not precisely, are at least nearly similar? 
We shall not enter into any discussion on the authorities 
which our author has collected with equal industry and 
fidelity; nor shall we dispute the accuracy of his informa- 
tion in the relation he gives of his own observation. Suf- 
fice it to say, we have met with many judicious, though 
not ail of them new observations on the subject of nursing ; 
but they only prove, what must be admitted, that the same 
causes which induce general debility induce indigestion, 
hardened and suppurating glands intractable m every stage, 
and only to be healed by improved diet, exercise, and air. 
We learn with pleasure, from Dr. Hutton, that the long 
expected new edition of bis Dictionary of Mathematics and 
Philosophy is ready for the press, and may be expected to be 
delivered to the public in due time, with all his own im- 
provements, made from the late discoveries in those sciences, 
for the collecting of which be has assiduously employed 
himself ever since the time of the first publication of that 
valuable work. 
The first volume of the Transactions of the Geological 
Society, in 4to. with many plates, is in the press, and will 
be ready for publication in the month of May next. 
a 
— 
K4 XXVIII. Pro- 
