REVIEWS. 
443 
of maladies. The subject is, however, of too exclusively a medical nature to he more 
than briefly alluded to in our pages; nevertheless, it is necessary that pharmaceutists 
should he well informed upon the various remedies employed in such diseases, and the 
formulas in common use. It is with this view more especially that we direct attention 
to the two works at the head of this notice. 
The pages of the first work, as the author informs us, “ are devoted to the considera¬ 
tion of the remedies most relied on in treating diseases of the skin: they are intended 
for the use of advanced students in our medical schools, and I trust will also prove of 
service to junior members of the profession.” To such readers we can safely recom¬ 
mend this little volume as a useful and practical guide; and as it contains a good 
formulary, it will be found serviceable to all dispensers of medicines. 
The treatise of Dr. Fox is of a more comprehensive character, as it comprises not only 
the Treatment of Skin Diseases, but also their Description, Pathology, and Diagnosis. 
Dr. Fox is evidently a good observer, as well as a practical physician, and has taken 
good advantage of the opportunities that have been afforded him for enlarging our 
knowledge of the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of skin diseases. The work con¬ 
tains an interesting chapter on Parasitic Diseases produced by, or associated with the 
presence of animal parasites, and those in which vegetable parasites are concerned. In 
ascertaining the nature of these parasites, all good microscopists may do valuable ser¬ 
vice to science, and we have many such in our own body. The work concludes with a 
copious formulary, arranged under the heads of Baths, Soaps, Caustics, Astringents, 
Sedatives, Special Stimulants for Outward Application, Kennedies specially adapted for 
Scabies, Mixtures, Pills, etc. The work reflects much credit upon the author, and 
cannot fail to enhance the reputation he has acquired in connection with skin diseases. 
The formulary will be found very useful to pharmaceutists and all engaged in the dis¬ 
pensing of medicines, as it contains directions for preparing many of the formulas now 
in common use by the principal practitioners, both at home and abroad, in the treatment 
of skin diseases. 
The Philosophy of Health ; or, an Exposition of the Physiological and Sanitary 
Conditions conducive to Human Longevity and Happiness. By Southwood Smith, 
M.D. Eleventh edition, revised and enlarged. London : Longman and Co. 1865. 
A work which has reached the eleventh edition is strong evidence both of the want of 
such a volume and of the capabilities of its author. Dr. Southwood Smith was 'well 
known as one of the first pioneers in this country in the important subject of Sanitary 
Reform, and a debt of gratitude is due to him and those who worked with him for first 
rousing the Legislature and Corporate Bodies to its necessity. The present edition, in 
consequence of the lamented death of the author, has been completed by his grandson. 
The work was originally written from a “conviction of the importance of a more 
generally diffused physiological knowledge.” Thus the author says :—“ My introduc¬ 
tion will consist of an argument to show that a knowledge of the structure and func¬ 
tions of the human body, irrespective of the pleasure arising from the study as a most 
interesting branch of science, is necessary to a rational care of health; and that it is 
absolutely indispensable to those who have the charge of the health and well-being of 
others, from the mother and the nurse to the educator—to the heads of families—to the 
heads of large establishments, whether public or private, most especially to officers, ge¬ 
nerals, etc., as the guardians of the health and efficiency of the soldiers—to local au¬ 
thorities—and last, but by no means least, to the legislator, as the framer of laws for 
the regulation and administration of Public Health.” 
With all this we cordially and entirely agree, and we hope the time is not far distant 
when pharmaceutists especially, will be called upon to possess a general knowledge of 
the structure and functions of the human body. We do not mean that they should be 
skilled anatomists and physiologists, for such a knowledge could only be gained by la¬ 
borious study, which would lead them too much from the more important studies of 
their profession,—but simply grounded in general principles and their application in the 
preservation of health and prevention of disease. Although the author did not live to 
carry out fully his design, the work is just one of those which is adapted for the mem¬ 
bers of our own body, and as such we cordially recommend it to their careful perusal 
and study. 
