576 
EDITORIAL. 
should  be  needed,  and  would  probably  prefer  them  to  any  other  oil  which  I 
have  mentioned.  A  very  consideiable  number  of  physicians  within  my 
knowledge,  after  using  what  they  considered  as  genuine  Cod-Liver-Oil  for 
a  comparatively  long  time,  and  in  connexion  with  this  having  opportunity 
to  observe  what  were  considered  to  be  the  effects  of  Sperma  Ceti  and 
Whale  Oils  (so  called)  have  relinquished  the  employment  of  the  former, 
and  in  its  stead  have  adopted  the  latter  two,  on  the  ground  that  they  are 
just  as  good,  and  considerably  cheaper.  All  of  these  gentlemen  profess  to 
think  highly  of  the  efficacy  of  Cod-Liver-Oil ;  but  they  have  arrived  at  the 
conclusion  that  every  other  liquid  Greasy  Oil  has  the  same  power  and  is 
capable  of  producing  the  same  effects.  For  myself,  I  have  watched  often 
and  long  for  the  effects  of  Cod-Liver-Oil  (so  supposed  to  be)  not  prescribed 
by  myself,  but  by  my  professional  acquaintance,  and  yet  I  never  witnessed 
anything  but  a  Leantic,  and  perhaps  nutrient  operation.  It  is  true  I  feel  no 
confidence  that  it  was  true  and  genuine  Cod-Liver-Oil  that  I  saw  employed; 
but  still  I  do  not  imagine  that  this  was  of  much  importance.  I  have  acci- 
dentally received  information  that  some  large  dealers  in  Cod-Liver-Oil  have 
been  in  the  habit  of  purchasing  large  quantities  of  Lamp  Oil  of  a  wholesale 
establishment  in  a  large  city  which  they  never  sold  as  Lamp  Oil  at  their  own 
place  of  business.  I  have  therefore  been  in  the  habit  of  supposing  that 
true  and  genuine  Cod-Liver-Oil  is  just  about  as  often  sent  at  the  prescrip- 
tion of  a  physician  as  true  and  genuine  Wine,  by  which  I  mean  the  pure 
juice  of  the  grape  duly  and  properly  fermented.  However,  I  do  not  think 
that  the  difference  between  Cod-Liver-Oil  and  Lamp-Oil  is  of  any  material 
importance,  while  I  should  greatly  prefer  the  properly  fermented  pure  juice 
of  the  Grape  to  Turnip-juice  and  bad  Brandy,  or  any  of  the  more  common 
substitutes  for  Wine.  1  never  yet  had  opportunity  to  converse  with  a  phy- 
sician who  had  any  notion  of  what  the  properties  of  Cod-Liver-Oil  might 
be  properly  called." 
The  interest  of  Dr.  Tully's  work  increases  as  it  progresses,  and  we  trust 
he  will  receive  sufficient  encouragement  to  bring  it  out  as  rapidly  as  pos- 
sible. 
The  Physician's  Visiting  List,  Diary  and  Booh  of  Engagements  for  1855. 
Philadelphia.    Lindsay  &  Blakiston. 
This  useful  little  annual  has  again  made  its  appearance,  and  is  ready  for 
serving  the  medical  profession,  during  1855,  as  faithfully  as  its  predeces- 
sor has  been  and  is  doing  the  current  year. 
The  attentive  use  of  this  diary  will  induce  habits  of  order  and  punctu- 
ality in  individuals  whose  mental  construction  gives  the  opposite  tendency, 
and  enables  them  to  overcome  the  strong  temptation  to  irregularity ;  be- 
sides, it  will  further  their  interests  by  presenting  an  unmistakable  record 
of  their  actual  services  during  the  day,  ready  for  the  ledger  in  the  evening. 
The  "  Diary"  is  in  pocket-book  form,  neatly  covered  with  leather,  and 
contains  a  pocket  for  depositing  memoranda.  Our  medical  friends  should 
provide  themselves  in  season. 
