242 



NATURE 



[January 13, 1898 



Dickinson. A succinct essay on Abdominal Diagnosis 

 from a Gynaecological point of view is contributed by 

 Dr. Playfair. Enteroptosis is treated by Mr. Treves. 

 The normal mechanism of the suspension of the various 

 abdominal viscera is first considered, and then the dis- 

 placements undergone by the viscera severally are dis- 

 cussed. The commonest of all these conditions, viz- 

 movable kidney, is reserved for a future article. The 

 author then passes on to general ptosis of the abdominal 

 viscera or Glenard's disease. Its results and treatment 

 are described and illustrated by three well-marked 

 cases. 



The next section of the book is devoted to diseases of 

 the Peritoneum ; it begins by an article on Acute Perito- 

 nitis, which is written by Mr. Treves. After a few 

 pregnant general considerations the author proceeds to 

 enumerate the chief varieties of peritonitis classified ac- 

 cording to their cause. A table of loo cases of peri-v 

 tonitis from the records of the London Hospital is given. 

 The symptoms are next discussed, and numerous 

 temperature charts appended. The course, termination, 

 and prognosis of the disease are then considered, and 

 the article closes with a clear enunciation of the lines of 

 treatment, operative or medicinal, to be adopted. The 

 remaining part of this section is written by Dr. AUchin. 

 The author first directs his attention to Acute Peritonitis 

 of Undetermined Nature. Simple Chronic Peritonitis is 

 then dealt with, subsequently Tubercular Peritonitis, and 

 finally New Growths of the Peritoneum. From the brief 

 sketch given above it will be obvious that the whole 

 subject is very thoroughly treated, and that all of interest 

 to the physician finds very ample consideration. 



The concluding division of the volumes is devoted 

 to Diseases of the Bowels. The subject is opened by 

 an essay from the pen of Dr. Lauder Brunton on the 

 Physiology of Fscal Evacuation arid Constipation. 

 The author considers fully the connections between the 

 central nervous system and the intestines, and discusses 

 the influence of emotions upon intestinal peristalsis. 

 Under the head of Constipation Dr. Brunton discusses 

 its causes and treatment, position playing an important 

 part, relief from habitual constipation being occasionally 

 obtained by advising the patient to defalcate in the 

 crouching position. The essay on Diarrhoea is from the 

 pen of the same author, and forms an admirable study 

 of the subject. Dr. Rolleston contributes an article on 

 Diseases of the Small Intestine, and Dr. Hale White a 

 short monograph on Colic. The editor has done well to 

 entrust a special article on the Diarrhoeas of Children to 

 Dr. Eustace Smith ; this, for the general practitioner, 

 most important subject, is exhaustively treated by the 

 author, who, from the fulness of his clinical experience, 

 handles the subject of treatment especially well. Sprue 

 or Psilosis is well treated by Dr. Patrick Manson. 



Mr. Frederick Trevers writes an account of Intestinal 

 Obstruction ; physicians will find this essay most useful 

 for reference. It is very full, and well classified, so that 

 the reader can easily find what he wants. The essay on 

 Perityphlitis, or Peritonitis localised in the region of the 

 Ca:cum, is from the pen of the same author, and forms a 

 complete clinical study of the subject. A carefully 

 written monograph, by Dr. Hale White, upon Diseases 

 of the Colon, and a short note on the Differential Diagnosis 

 NO. 1472, VOL. 57] 



of Diseases of the Rectum and Anus, by Mr. Allinghara, 

 conclude the volume. 



Vol. iv. opens with a section on Diseases of the Liver. 

 This subject is introduced by four monographs of general 

 interest on the Anatomy and Physiology of the Liver, 

 Congestion of the Liver and Jaundice by Dr. William 

 Hunter. The same author subsequently contributes 

 special articles on Tox;cmic Jaundice, Weil's Disease, 

 and Acute Yellow Atrophy. Dr. Hale White writes a suc- 

 cinct account of Perihepatitis and Hepatic New Growths. 

 The difficult medico-surgical subjects of Diseases of the 

 Gall Bladder and Bile-Ducts and Cholangitis are ably 

 handled by Mr. Mayo Robson. The great progress 

 which has of late been made in the treatment of these 

 affections will render Mr. Robson's article, which is quite 

 up to date, of especial value to physicians. We find 

 it odd, however, that no mention should be made in the 

 bibliography of a book recently written upon this subject 

 by Mr. Waring. The section concludes with an essay 

 on Diseases of the Pancreas by Dr. Fitz. 



The second division of the volume is devoted to 

 Diseases of the Kidneys. Dr. Rose Bradford writes a 

 complete essay on the General Pathology of the Renal 

 Functions. The first part of the essay is devoted to 

 abnormalities in the urine and their detection. The 

 second part concerns itself more especially with the 

 General Pathology of Renal Disease, in which are com- 

 prised a short discussion of Dropsy and Uraemia. Prof. 

 Alexander Macalister contributes an article on Nephro- 

 ptosis, or Moveable Kidney, to which is appended a rich 

 bibliography. Dr. Howship Dickinson writes a complete 

 essay upon Diseases of the Kidney characterised by 

 Albuminuria. The Diseases of the Kidney which admit 

 of surgical treatment form the subject of a comprehensive 

 article by Mr. Henry Morris. 



The third division of the volume occupies itself with 

 the Diseases of Lymphatic and Ductless Glands, in 

 which are included Diseases of the Thyroid Gland, the 

 .Spleen, Suprarenal Bodies, Hodgkin's Disease, and 

 Scrofula. This section concludes with a monograph on 

 Obesity by Sir Dyce Duckworth. The article contains a 

 discussion of the various methods of treatment adopted 

 in obesity, such, for instance, as Banting's, Salisbury's, 

 Oertel's, &c., and a useful dietary adopted by the author 

 in his own practice. 



The fourth part of the book is devoted to Diseases of 

 the Respiratory Organs, and comprises articles by Dr. 

 Ransome on the General Pathology of Respiratory 

 Diseases, and the Treatment of Asphyxia, and one 

 on Physical Signs of Diseases of the Lungs and Heart 

 by Dr. Hector Mackenzie. The volume concludes with 

 a section on Diseases of the Nose, Pharynx, and Larynx. 

 The articles in this last section are from the pen of nose 

 and throat specialists, and include contributions by Sir 

 Felix Semon, Dr. Watson Williams, Dr. Greville Mac- 

 donald, and Dr. de Haviland Hall. 



The editor and his collaborators are again to be con- 

 gratulated upon these further fruits of their labours. To 

 compare one volume of the system with another would 

 be idle. The impression of the reviewer is, however, that 

 the present volumes, if rather less academic than their 

 predecessors, fulfil to a remarkable degree the wants of 

 the student and practitioner of medicine. F. W. T. 



