521 
Review. 
Quid sit pulchrura, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non. — H or. 
The Functions and Disorders of the Reproductive Organs , in Youth , 
in Adult Age , and in Advanced Life. Considered in their Phy- 
siological, Social , and Psychological Relations . 2d edit. 8vo. 
By William Acton, late Surgeon to the Islington Dis- 
pensary, and formerly Externe to the Venereal Hospitals, 
Paris. London, John Churchill, New Burlington Street. 
This work contains many observations which are of 
practical importance to our profession, and also many in- 
teresting particulars relative to the science of breeding, which 
are interspersed with the subject-matter of which it professedly 
treats; and although such matter belongs rather to the sister 
science of medicine than to our own, we have nevertheless 
thought it expedient to offer a few comments on the author’s 
labours. We would first observe, that the author, in his 
introduction, pays a handsome compliment to the Veterinary 
College. “ I have placed,” says he, “Natural History, Com- 
parative Anatomy, the College of Surgeons’ Museum, the 
Veterinary College, and the Zoological Gardens, under con- 
tribution for the materials to complete my labour.” 
It is satisfactory thus to learn that we are fast leaving 
the paths of empiricism; and we rejoice to find that the 
veterinary surgeon can by careful observation not only 
improve his own branch of the profession, but materially 
advance one of the most important departments of physiology 
bearing on questions that influence the reproduction of the 
species. If our readers will assist, we shall be ready to 
open our pages to the discussion and elucidation of obscure 
points bearing on generation, being fully convinced that our 
columns can scarcely be turned to a more practical purpose, 
xxxi. 69 
