[ 276 ] 

 XLV. Notices respecting New Books. 



A Treatise on Poisons, in relation to Medical Jurisprudence, Phy- 

 siology, and the Practice of Medicine. By Robert Christison, 

 M.D. F.R.S. E. fyc. Sfc, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and 

 Police in the University of Edinburgh. In one vol. 8vo, 698 pages, 

 price 16s. published by Adam Black, Edinburgh, and Longman 

 and Co. London. 



WE have for some time purposed drawing the attention of our 

 readers to this work ; for though many of the details which 

 it embraces are too professional for insertion in the Philosophical 

 Magazine and Annals of Philosophy, it contains much chemical 

 information, which is both new in itself and important in its appli- 

 cations. The object of the author is to supply a systematic work 

 on Poisons, adapted as a guide to practitioners in medicine. Not- 

 withstanding the great and increasing importance of the subject, 

 this is the first original work of the kind which has appeared in the 

 English language since the beginning of the present century; nor, 

 considering the qualifications required for success in such an un- 

 dertaking, do we feel surprise that it has not hitherto been at- 

 tempted. The production of a work of this kind demands a com- 

 prehensive, and in many instances a very minute knowledge of all 

 the principal branches of the medical profession. It requires the 

 aid of the practice of medicine in order to distinguish the sym- 

 ptoms produced by poison from those of natural disease ; of phy- 

 siology, to explain the mode by which poisons act on the animal 

 ceconomy ; and of pathology, to discriminate between the morbid 

 appearances produced by poisonous substances and those arising 

 from diseased action independent of poison. It is likewise neces- 

 sary, as the reader of this treatise will speedily perceive, to be fa- 

 miliar with continental writers, not merely with the labours of the 

 French in toxicology, but with the numerous important facts and 

 cases recorded by the Germans,— a mine of wealth in this depart- 

 ment, of which no previous English author has fully taken advan- 

 tage. Lastly, a qualification rarely combined with learning and 

 experience in medicine — a knowledge of chemistry — is essential. 

 We do not mean such theoretical knowledge as suffices to under- 

 stand a chemical work ; but that combination of sound theory and 

 manual skill, which enables the possessor to detect the real fallacies 

 of a process, and to devise and perform others which are effective. 

 The praise of having brought these qualifications to bear on his 

 subject may justly be awarded to Dr. Christison; and, besides great 

 industry in collecting the opinions and facts of others, he may 

 claim the merit of contributing much original matter of his own. 

 His style is clear and unaffected ; and his classification and mode 

 of treating his subject are guided by that practical good sense 

 which renders the work convenient and agreeable for consultation. 

 In fact, Dr. Christison has supplied a work that was much wanted, 

 and has performed it in a manner which reflects credit both on 

 himself and on the University with which he is connected. 



Dr. 



