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POPULAE SCIENCE EEYIEW. 
abstracts ; but there has been no discrimination exercised by the compiler. 
Subjects which ought to have been dismissed in a few lines have often whole 
pages devoted to them, whilst others, which could not be fairly dealt with in 
the space allotted to their discussion, are hardly mentioned. Altogether, 
however, considering the obstacles which he has had to overcome, Mr. Timbs 
has produced an instructive little volume, which we heartily welcome in the 
absence of a better one. 
A MANUAL OF PRACTICAL THERAPEUTICS.* 
T he study of the physician is how to cure diseases, and his practice is to 
make use of the knowledge he has acquired in this study. This 
might be expressed by saying that he studies and practises “ therapeutics,” 
since OspaTrevu) signifies “ I cure.” But “ therapeutics ” is nowadays more 
commonly used, in a limited sense, to signify the knowledge of the effects of 
medicinal agents in removing disease. Mr. Waring has employed the title 
“ Practical Therapeutics ” to indicate the uses of medicines and some of the 
physical forces for curative purposes. Under the head of each remedy we find 
a list of the diseases in which it has been employed, with such comments 
added as the author deems necessary, these being usually of considerable 
value. Indeed, the work is evidently that of an industrious compiler, of both 
experience and discrimination. It can hardly serve to any great extent as a 
“ manual ” for the medical student, because of its disconnected form, and its 
use by him will, we fear, tend to make him a superficial observer of disease, 
contented when he has succeeded in curing it. But as a book of reference to 
the hard-worked practitioner it must prove very useful, provided he is weU 
informed on the nature of diseases and their diagnosis. 
PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY.f 
O NE would have imagined there was already an abundance of works on 
practical chemistry in the market, and that there was no room for a 
new comer. There are still in use the excellent treatises of Fresenius, 
Bowman, Odling, Noad, GaUoway, and the Giessen “ Outlines,” and now a 
new candidate for favour makes its appearance. The volume before us is pub- 
lished in Messrs. CLiambers’ series of educational works, and though far in- 
ferior to the admirable manual of the late Dr. Wilson, is still a useful addition 
to this branch of literature. The preliminary instruction which the author gives 
the student has not much merit, the description of the process of “ decanta- 
* “ A Manual of Practical Therapeutics.” By E. J. Waring, F.R.C.S., &c. 
Second edition. London : Churchill. 1865. 
t “Practical Chemistry.” By Stephenson Mac Adam, Ph.D., F.R.S.E..&C. 
Edinburgh : Chambers. 1865. 
