EE VIEWS. 
223 
that even in the course of the development of a crystal there is such a com- 
bination as that referred to ; besides, we think a simpler definition would be 
that life was a condition of continual and simultaneous removed and supply of 
the particles composing a body. Let either the process of removal or supply be 
impeded, and the condition presented by inorganic life is presented — in a 
word, death. 
SKIN DISEASES.* 
A BOOK like that which now lies upon our table has long been a 
desideratum, and we are glad to see that Dr. Fox has been the person 
to supply what was required. On a former occasion we had to notice a work 
by this physician, upon those cutaneous diseases which result from the growth 
of fungi, and in the present case we must speak as favourably as in the 
former one. The first chapter, which is headed “ General Kemarks,” gives 
a sketch of the nature and limits of the subject of skin maladies, and 
throws out some important suggestions relative to the necessity of a careful 
study of the therapeutical agents used in those diseases ; the six succeeding 
chapters embrace the consideration of the several true skin diseases, which, 
by the way, are grouped under the following classes : — Acute specific diseases, 
papular diseases, vesicular diseases, pustular diseases, squamous diseases, and 
tuberculse or degeneration. The remainder of the volume is taken up with 
an account of the modifications of existing structures, and of parasitic 
diseases. There is one form of skin disease by which we are all attacked, 
though, fortunately for ourselves, at a period in which the faculty of memory 
is too feebly developed to hand us down an idea of the nature of our indi- 
vidual experiences. This affection is known to medical men under the awe- 
inspiring title of Inoculated vaccinia, and to the protectors of our infancy 
under the less imposing term vaccination. It is, of course, an artificially 
induced condition ; but it, nevertheless, is a disease to all intents and pur- 
poses. As every one is interested in this branch of dermatology, we will quote 
a few paragraphs from Dr. Fox’s work, which relate to the lymph with which 
we are infected, and the method of applying it, &c. : — “ (1.) Get the lymph 
from a perfectly formed vesicle. (2.) Obtain it on the eighth day, before ' 
the areola is formed. (3.) From a healthy cHild. (4.) Yaccinate in several 
, distinct places ; the more vesicles produced by vaccination, the greater is 
the protective power. (5.) Use scarification with the lancet as the method. 
' (6.) Do not vaccinate ‘too many from the same arm.’ (7.) Do not use 
; matter taken from the adult or in (?) one who has been vaccinated before, 
i (8.) Two months is the most suitable age for operation. (9.) Use lymph 
I pretty recently taken.” We regret to observe that Dr. Fox has not entered 
j upon the questions of the physiological action of the lymph, and why the 
I vaccination renders the individual operated upon less liable to small-pox than 
* “ Skin Diseases : their Description, Pathology, Diagnosis, and Treat- 
ment ; with a copious Formulary.” By Tilbury Fox, M.D., Bond., &c. 
London : Hardwicke. 1864. 
“ Photogi’aphs of Diseases of the Skin.” Edited by Balmanno Squire, 
M.D. London : Churchill. 1864. 
