REVIEW. 
633 
are put in possession of the latest views regarding the pro¬ 
cess as held by the most eminent investigators and experi¬ 
mentalists. 
In regard to the nature and formation of pus-corpuscles, 
and their relation to those of mucus and epithelium, Pro¬ 
fessor Williams adopts the views enunciated by Virchow, 
<f that these are not derived from any effusion, hut that they 
are formed by vital changes in the germs of the tissues, and 
that by a slight modification of the same process new con¬ 
nective tissue is formed, that the pus-cells are the result of 
the proliferation of the connective and epithelial structures.” 
In speaking of the results of inflammation, ulceration, and 
mortification, the distinctive differences between which are 
clearly but shortly given, we have a good account of the 
process by which sphacelated parts are removed from the 
system. 
Having fairly described the leading features of pyrexia as 
attending the inflammatory process, and given a good digest 
of the arguments which have been employed to support both 
what is known as the old and the new methods of combating 
this perverted action, he says rightly enough :—“ I must 
confess that I can neither assent to the views of the extreme 
antiphlogistics, nor to those of the writers who condemn 
bleeding altogether, being quite confident that I have seen 
many cases of inflammatory disease cut short by a timely 
abstraction of blood” 
The observations on fractures and diseases of the bones and 
articulations occupy eight chapters. In these there is much 
of a valuable nature, and not a little which is rather unique. 
All are enriched with the records of authenticated cases, col¬ 
lected with much care and patience, and registered with pre¬ 
cision and minuteness. The chapter on non-inflammatory 
or degenerative diseases of bones is specially interesting. 
In speaking of one peculiar form of the diseases, he says, 
“ Allied to rickets is what I may describe as true atrophy of 
the hones, mollities ossium, a remarkable case of which I 
have had the opportunity of seeing, and in which there was the 
removal of the earthy constituents of the cranial and facial 
bones, more especially at their borders, without any visible 
external alteration of structure. There was neither swelling 
nor abscesses; in fact, nothing to indicate the pathological 
change. In this case examination after death revealed 
softening, thinning, and perforation of the bones, giving them 
a pitted and worm-eaten appearance. . . . The palatine 
bones and alveolar processes were soft, porous, and spongy. 
. . . . The ethnoidal bone was completely absorbed/’ 
