560 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
besides that of secretin" the bile. This organ is also concerned in the forma- 
tion of a sugar, an amyloid or a starchy principle, the true conditions and 
pathological relations connected with which are not at present fully known ; 
hut it is not discharged like bile into the intestines, — it is taken up by the 
veins in the liver, conveyed into the general circulation, and becomes sub- 
servient to the processes of respiration and nutrition. The liver has there- 
fore two distinct functions, the formation of bile and that of sugar. The 
latter is called the glycogenic function. 
The works of these two authors may be said to represent the latest news 
on the pathology of certain forms of jaundice ; the true theory and expla- 
nation of which is yet by no means ascertained. "Without attempting to 
go into a review of these works, we simply recommend them to the favour- 
able notice of the public and to the medical profession as the best standard 
scientific and practical treatises on liver diseases. The treatment of 
jaundice and its diagnosis in the work of Dr. Harley shows the great 
advantages that physiological chemistry offers to explain difficulties, and 
guide the practitioner in his views of treatment. 
The Laryngoscope. — The application of this new instrument (referred to 
in “ Popular Science Review,” page 281 ), invented for examining diseases of 
the vocal organs, is becoming daily more popular and better known. 
Dr. George Johnson read a paper upon the laryngoscope before the 
London Medical Society in April ; Dr. George Gibb lectured before the 
elite of the musical world, at the Musical Society of London ; and Dr. 
Sieveking read a paper before the members of the Harveian Society, each 
illustrating his discourse by cases and observations. Professor Czermak, 
the inventor, who is now visiting this country (June 9), gave a clinical 
demonstration last week at University College Hospital. 
The detection of obscure or unsuspected disease is a fact of great value 
in the diagnosis and treatment, which in the hands of skilful men will 
reward their labour in this field of research. 
Resuscitation and Restoration {of Suspended Animation') from Drowning . — 
The last volume (xlv.) of the “ Medico-Chirurgical Transactions,” contains 
the report of the committee appointed to investigate the subject of suspended 
animation.* A large number of experiments upon animals, and on the 
dead body, the result of which are of such importance as to deserve a 
notice, tend to modify the previously adopted plans for the restoration 
of persons asphyxiated from drowning. 
The method of Dr. Marshall Hall, usually called the postural or ready 
method, consists essentially “ in turning the body round gently on one side, 
and a little beyond, and then briskly on the face, alternately,” making 
pressure along the back of the chest each time the body is brought into the 
prone position. Up to the present time this is generally considered the best 
plan that could be adopted to expel and introduce air into the respiratory 
cavities or lungs, but no definite information was given as the result of 
* The members of this committee were : C. J. B. Williams, M.D., 
P.R.S. ; C. E. Brown-Sequard, M.D., F.R.S. ; George Harley, M.D. ; 
W. S. Kirkes, M.D. ; Hyde Salter, M.D., F.R.S. ; J. B. Sanderson, M.D. ; 
W. S. Savory, F.R.S. ; E. H. Sieveking, M.D. 
