BOOKS RECEIVED. 
47 
Hitherto, a large proportion of our readers may have remained contented with the 
practical application of chemistry to the requirements of their art, without caring to 
pursue the long and abstruse discussions which the development of modern theory has 
entailed. But, now that the new system has acquired such form and strength that it 
displaces the old in our text-books, and stands side by side with it in our Pharmacopoeia, 
it behoves every one interested in chemical science to make himself acquainted with 
the fundamental doctrines of this school, and to contrast its merits with those of 
the old. 
From all those who may thus he led to desire a summary of the reasoning on which 
the new philosophy is based, the little book before us will receive a most cordial wel¬ 
come. Its appearance in an English garb is very opportune, and we ought to thank 
Mr. Crookes for so excellent a translation. In a small space, it gives all the reader can 
wish for. We have not only a most lucid exposition of the latest views in chemical 
philosophy, but also a clear and succinct account of the varying opinions which chemists 
have held regarding equivalents and atoms, from the early times of Wenzel and Richter 
to the present day. This historical feature is of great value. Not only does it bring 
the reader gradually to the study of the subject, but it enables the author, on his way, 
to point out the truths and errors involved in the older systems. Moreover, in the 
hands of so skilful an advocate as M. Wurtz, this method of treatment furnishes most 
powerful arguments in favour of the newest views. The similarity between the most 
recent table of atomic weights and that put forth by Berzelius so far back as 1815, 
is clearly shown ; and it may ease the minds of some conservative readers to find that many 
of the new formulae, such as H 2 0 for water, and CaCl 2 for chloride of calcium, are iden¬ 
tical with those which the great father of analytical chemistry adopted fifty years ago. 
Dr. Wurtz has divided his work into three parts; the first treats of equivalents, atomic 
weights, and molecular weights ; the second, of the theory of types and atomicity; and 
the third deals with the connection between organic and inorganic chemistry. The 
masterly manner in which the author assigns to every fact its proper place and value, 
and the conscientiousness with which he deals with every apparent objection, must 
excite the admiration of all his readers. Dr. Wurtz has acquired a European reputa¬ 
tion by the brilliancy of his discoveries; he has won another equally as great, by his 
skill as a teacher. His book is destined yet to bring many adherents to the new philo¬ 
sophy. We know of no work embodying so perfectly the ideas of the modern school. 
To all those who have not studied it in French, we strongly recommend this translation. 
The painstaking accuracy with which every fact and argument is rendered, and the 
skill with which the clear and logical style—so characteristic of the French—has been 
rendered into English, proves that Dr. Wurtz could have found no more able translator 
than Mr. Crookes. 
BOOKS RECEIVED. 
Preparations and Compounds of the British Pharmacopeia. Entered at Stationers’ 
Hall, 1867. Birmingham: Southall, Son, and Dymond. 
Clinical Lectures (Illustrated by Coloured Photographs from Life) on the Diseases 
of the Skin. Being a Cheaper and Enlarged Edition of the Author’s £ Coloured Pho¬ 
tographs of the Diseases of the Skin.’ By Balmanno Squire, M.B., F.L.S., etc. 
London : John Churchhill and Sons, New Burlington Street. 1867. Nos. 1 and 2. 
On the Treatment of Consumption. With Notices of Successful and Unsuccessful 
Cases. By Charles Thomason Thompson, M.D., etc. Second Edition. London: 
Robert Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly. 1867. 
Introductory Address at the Public Opening of the Medical Session 1866-67 
in the University of Glasgow. By W. T. Gairdner, M.D., etc. Glasgow : 
James Maclehose, St. Vincent Street. 1866. 
The Mixture Book ; or, Mixtures Pharmacopoeial, Hospital, and Magistral; their 
Preparation, Formulae, Doses, Leading Uses, and Synonyms, including Quack Medi¬ 
cines. By Arnold J. Cooley. London: Robert Hardwicke, 192, Piccadilly. 1867. 
