Miscellanies . 203 



cal diseases ; and though a very valuable work, emanating from the 

 pens of eminent men in the profession, whose pursuits had led them 

 to cultivate particular branches of it ; yet it does not answer the pur- 

 poses of a Medical Dictionary. 



Dr. Copland's work answers the latter purpose better; but it does 

 not profess to treat of surgical diseases. An American edition of 

 Dr. Copland's work is now in the course of publication at Boston, 

 (Mass.) and proves very acceptable to the medical profession. 



Under all these circumstances it might seem a work of superero- 

 gation to publish an American Medical Cyclopedia. When we take 

 into consideration, however, that Dr. Hays's Cyclopedia contains 

 Surgery, and also answers the purpose of a Medical Dictionary, we 

 are led to think that in these respects it may prove advantageous, 

 and in some respects more so than the British works above named. 



There is another consideration in favor of the American Cyclope- 

 dia, arising from a fact known to the medical profession in the United 

 States. The diseases of our country are somewhat different in their 

 * nature and treatment, from those of similar classes in Great Britain. 



Dr. Hays has availed himself of the assistance of some of the 

 most eminent medical gentlemen in various parts of the U. S. The 

 medical student and practitioner may therefore expect to have a more 

 accurate description of the nature and treatment of diseases as they 

 occur in our own country. Dr. H. has also the advantage of con- 

 sulting those works of a similar character that have been published or 

 are now publishing in Europe. 



More attention has been paid by Dr. H. to the auxiliary branches 

 of Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Materia Medica and Botany, 

 than was consistent with the design of the editors of the British works 

 of a similar kind. 



A copious Bibliography is attached to the different articles in Dr. 

 Hays' work, which will facilitate the more extensive researches of 

 the medical student and practitioner. We congratulate the members 

 of the medical profession in our country, on the appearance of the 

 work. 



So far as it has proceeded, we believe the execution of the work 

 has answered the expectations of the medical profession. Dr. H. 

 has given evidence of his great industry and good judgment, in the 

 compilation of the several articles, and we wish him success in his 

 undertaking. 



