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. 
