308 Notices respecting New Books. 



those spots in which local peculiarities conspire to counteract its 

 influence. To the merits of these two plans, and to the mode of 

 carr)'ing them into execution, the Doctor has devoted one chapter, 

 in which he also takes occasion to notice the climate of Switzerland, 

 and the advantages which it otTers to invalids. 



The last chapter of the first part of the work is devoted to Ma- 

 deira : although we cannot subscribe to the remark of Dr. Adams, 

 when he says with reference to patients sent to this island, " that 

 in cases of tubercular or scrofulous consumption, if the patient 

 does not saunter away his time, after you have advised him to 

 leave England, we can with certainty promise a cure;'' yet in most 

 respects, the medical climate of Madeira appears to be superior to 

 that of any other place with which it has been compared. For 

 equability of temperature it is pre-eminent ; and although, as its 

 latitude would have led one to presume a priori, the annual fall 

 of rain is considerable, this is very much confined to particular 

 seasons, and admits of a very large proportion of fine days. A 

 great and almost peculiar advantage _to be found in Madeira is, 

 that it is perhaps equally calculated for a summer as for a winter 

 residence. The mild character of the climate appears to be ac- 

 companied with a corresponding degree of health to the inhabitants 

 of Madeira. The peasantry, though as hard worked and badly 

 fed as in any part of the world, are said to be as fine, healthy, 

 and robust a race as are to be seen in any country. This island 

 is almost exempt from the diseases peculiar to warm climates, and 

 little subject to many of those which are common in more north- 

 erly countries : yet it must be confessed, that of the patients 

 who take refuge in this most favoured spot, a large majority 

 fail to derive from it the benefits which they anticipate. In in- 

 cipient cases the greatest advantages have been obtained from a 

 visit to Madeira ; but with respect to those which are confirmed, 

 we cannot refrain from repeating the remarks of a very intelligent 

 resident physician. Dr. Renton, as quoted by Dr. Clark. 



" When consumption has proceeded to any considerable extent, 

 I should consider it the duty of a medical attendant, not only not 

 to advise the adoption of such a measure, but most earnestly to 

 dissuade from it those who from hearsay evidence of the recovery 

 of others in circumstances similar to their own, may feel disposed 

 to fly to it as a last resource." 



Patients who might really have derived much benefit from climate, 

 have been too often sent abroad without proper directions respect- 

 ing the situation most suited to their complaints, and altogether 

 uninstructed respecting various circumstances, a due attention to 

 which could alone render tlie best selected climate beneficial to 

 them. 



The second part of the work before us is designed to lessen and 

 remedy this evil, by presenting some valuable dietetic instructions, 

 and by an inquiry respecting the nature of the maladies which 

 are likely to be benefited by climate ; and by pointing out the 

 varieties of those diseases to which the peculiarities of different 



situations. 



