those which appear in the Meliene, that no doubt can remain respecting the similarity of the diseases. This symptom attends the typhus of this country, in some instances, though rarely; and it is always a fatal appearance.

We doubt, also, whether the author be correct in mentioning bleeding at the nose as a favourable symptom in typhus. We have generally observed that a long and dangerous fever has succeeded this hæmorrhage.

Dr. Wilson's remarks on the disposition of matter in the urine, a subject which has been so much canvassed by medical authors, are new and curious; we shall give them in his own

words:

i

I had occasion some years ago to make observations on the urine, with a view to determine the modes of life which dispose this fluid to deposit what Scheele calls the lithic acid, which is the same with the brick coloured sediment which appears in the urine of febrile patients. From these observations it appears, that the red coloured sediment is most copious when, from an acessent diet or a debilitated state of the digestive powers, there is much acidity in the primæ viæ, or when the perspiration is checked, in consequence of which, the acid, which ought to have passed by the skin,t is thrown upon the kidneys..

It is farther shewn, that if while the perspiration is checked, the action of the kidneys is also debilitated, the acid causing the deposition of this matter from the urine accumulates in the system, and is thrown off by the skin and kidneys when their vigour is restored: and that in proportion as the perspiration is free, the less of this acid passes by urine. Thus the appearance of the lateritious sediment in the urine is merely a symptom of returning health, but generally indicating a less free perspiration than natural.

The other, the cream-coloured or furfuraceous sediment, which also now and then assumes more or less of a red or rather a pink colour, but has an appearance very different from the former, was found most copious in the urine of those who used an alkalescent diet, or in whom the perspiration was unusually free, so that any acid received into, or generated, in the body, was passed chiefly by

the skin.

B

• This sediment, therefore, like the former, is merely a symptom of (returning health, and particularly indicates the renewal of a free secretion by the skin, which in fevers is generally a favourable symptom.

• But whether a favourable symptom or not, it is still attended with the same deposition from the urine. In some fevers terminating fatally there is an unusual tendency to sweat, which only exhausts the strength. In these, the critical deposition of the urine is constantly present, but without bringing relief. This is the case in

* An account of these observations was published in 1792. + It is ascertained by experiment, in the treatise alluded to, that an acid passes off even by insensible perspiration.'

T

15

hectic

hectic fever. I have observed this deposition in other cases where there were night sweats without any fever. Nay I have found on repeated trials, that I could at pleasure occasion the appearance of the furfuraceous sediment in the urine of healthy people, by promoting the perspiration by small doses of tartar emetic or Dover's powder. In short, all that we can infer from it in fevers is, that a relaxation of the skin has taken place, that the secretion by this organ is restored. These appearances in the urine therefore, at the favourable termination of fevers, are certainly not the cause, but the consequence, of recovery*."

On the subject of contagion, the author's observations are sensible and just: but we were disappointed, by finding no mention of the plan of removing patients from infected houses into a fever-hospital, which was attended with so much success during the last plague in Russia, as described by Dr. De Mertenst; and which is said to have proved highly useful in the common typhus, at Chester, Liverpool, and Manchester.

In discussing the proximate cause of fever, the hypotheses of Cullen and Brown are said to be the only opinions worthy of examination. Dr. Cullen's theory is dismissed with a very negligent criticism: - but the system of Brown is minutely and laboriously examined; and, though objections are made to its particular application in some instances, yet Dr. Wilson evidently espouses its general principles. It would be out of place to enter here into a discussion of the merits of the Brunonian System. So far as it contains a description of facts, however disfigured by an affected style and an ambitious use of new words, it may be admitted:--but the most objectionable tendency of Dr. Brown's System is, that it discourages all endeavours to perfect the history of diseases. By establishing an

* The following are the only appearances of the urine, if we except those it assumes in consequence of morbid affections of the urinary organs, which can be distinctly marked, namely, the pale urine without cloud or sediment; the pale urine with a light cloud appearing a few hours after it has been passed; the high-coloured urine remaining clear, or having a light cloud formed in it without sediment; the high-coloured urine remaining clear, or having a light cloud formed in it, and depositing usually a considerable time (from 12 to 24 hours) after it has been passed a red chrystalised sediment; the high-coloured urine becoming turbid after it has been passed for a short time, (from one to five or six hours) and depositing a light coloured sometimes reddish sediment, now and then (after the. urine has stood for a longer time) mixed with more or less, never with much, of the red chrystalised sediment; and in almost every complaint, as well as in perfect health, the urine occasionally assumes all these appearances. Such is the foundation of the practice of those empirics, who pretend to determine the complaint under which their patient Jabours by inspecting the urine.'

† See M. R. vol. xxix. N. S. p. 78.

9

arbitrary

arbitrary arrangement of morbid affections, similar to the degrees of a thermometer, the convert of Dr. Brown, is flattered with the hope of determining the nature of diseases, as accurately as the temperature of the atmosphere. Painful must be the disappointment of the young practitioner, who undertakes the treatment of a patient, trusting to such fallacious premises.

In Dr. Wilson's improvement of the Brunonian System, we observe nothing so remarkable as his concession on the subject of stimulants. Whatever acts on the living system is, according to Dr. Brown, a stimulant. The fallacy of this assertion could not escape Dr. Wilson's notice; he therefore exchanges the term stimulant, for the general one of Agent; and he divides Agents into Stimuli and Atonics, which were formerly termed Sedatives. We do not perceive, however, that his definition of this class of remedies is very luculent: ' Atonics, he says, are those agents which produce atony.' This appears to be an attempt to bring about a coalition. between the Systems of Cullen and Brown; an attempt as hopeless as that of yoking wolves or milking he-goats. Instead of shewing deference to the medical fashion of the day, an appeal ought always to be boldly and impartially made to experience; which may be improved, but which cannot contradict itself.

The view of the treatment of continued fever differs little from that which has been given by Dr. Cullen, 'though studi ously varied in its terms. The only important addition which we have remarked consists in the notice of the effects of cold and tepid bathing, abridged from Dr. Currie's Medical Reports. We do not mention the sources of Dr. Wilson's observations, for the purpose of discrediting his work, he has everywhere quoted his authorities with the most perfect can dour: but we notice them to account for our passing over many important passages, without criticising them, as they have been already brought before the public in the works of their respective authors. Little variance, indeed, subsists among writers of different opinions respecting the theory of fever, when they come to explain themselves on the practice; if we except the first extravagancies of the Brunonians, in the im mense dose of ardent spirits and opium recommended by them at one period.

1.

It is time that medicine should be emancipated, like other parts of natural history, from the bondage of sects; and there never was a more favourable period for its liberation than the present: A spirit of free inquiry, and of attachment to facts in preference to authorities, is daily gaining ground in the profession. If medical men will now observe, before they at

:

tempt

tempt to combine observations; if they will sacrifice the attractions of novelty to the sober love of truth; and bove all, if they will consider their individual reputation as subordi nate to those great interests of mankind, which are involved in the improvement of medical science; the most important consequences may be expected from the present disposition of the faculty. For this purpose, the occasional publication of critical disquisitions on select subjects would prove extremely useful. It is of the utmost importance to know what part of our ori ginal opinions is superseded by recent discoveries; and this cannot be attained without recurring to a fresh examination of what we had formerly learned.-Books written on the plan here adopted by Dr. Wilson are therefore desireable publications, provided they be less diffuse. Life is so short, and we have so many things to learn, that it is incumbent on authors to give their sense in as few words as possible.

One disagreeable reflection must occur to the reader of Dr. Wilson's book; that, in the most frequent of all diseases, which is almost hourly under the notice of physicians, very little improvement has been made in the history of its varieties, concerning which there is still great uncertainty; and that we seem to be as far distant from a true theory of the proximate cause as ever. When we compare this stationary condition of theory, with the improvements in the methods of cure which have taken place within the last fifty years, we shall find abundant reason to set a lower value on system, and a higher on rational experience.

ART. IX. Practical Education; by Maria Edgeworth, and Richard Lovell Edgeworth, F. R. S. M. R. I.

[Article concluded from the Rev. for September, p. 72-85.] It is perhaps a subject for regret rather than of wonder, that, in a nation in which science of every kind has made such great progress as in this country, so considerable a portion of the period of youth should be devoted to the mere acquisition of a knowlege of greek and latin. We are surely indebted for this circumstance more to the inveteracy of antient usage, than to the conviction that the period of life thus occupied cannot be more profitably spent. While our great public schools continue to have the same object of education as they now have, it is not surprizing that the character of our education should continue to be what it is; and perhaps, if a deep and critical acquaintance with the dead languages be as necessary a qualification for a gentleman of the present day, as it was for a scholar who was occupied in clearing away the rubbish rubbish which surrounded antient learning at its revival, no institutions, probably, are better qualified to impart such attainments, and the time spent in the pursuit is perhaps not to be regretted. It should be remembered, however, that, when these institutions originated, science was in its infancy in this country; the idea of learning was associated solely with a knowlege of these languages; and their acquisition was of necessity the sole or primary object of education:but now, that the various sciences have unfolded themselves to our view, it will not be absurdly derogating from the importance of classical literature, to say that these sciences have at least an equal claim to our attention, and an equal right to an adequate share of our education. Any investigation, therefore, into the means of either shortening the period allotted to, or of lessening the difficulties attendant on, an attainment of the greek and latin languages, will be interesting and useful.

An inquiry of this nature occupies several pages of the present publication, in the xiiith chapter, which treats on GRAMMAR and CLASSICAL LITERATURE.' As the discussion of this subject involves a considerable detail, it is impossible for us to convey any idea of the principles or method pursued by an abridgment or analysis; and we must content ourselves by giving an extract from this chapter.-After having stated it as their opinion that the first principles of grammar may be rendered intelligible and familiar to children by conversation, the authors proceed thus:

• When children have thus by gentle degrees, and by short and clear conversations, been initiated in general grammar, and familiarised to its technical terms, the first page of tremendous Lilly will lose much of its horror. It has been taken for granted, that at the age of which we have been speaking a child can read English tolerably well, and that he has been used to employ a dictionary. He may now proceed to translate from some easy books a few short sentences: the first word will probably be an adverb or conjunction; either of them may readily be found in the Latin dictionary, and the young scholar will exult in having translated one word of Latin; but the next word, a substantive or verb, perhaps will elude his search. Now the grammar may be produced, and something of the various terminations of a noun may be explained. If musam be searched for in the dictionary, it cannot be found, but musa catches the eye, and with the assistance of the grammar it may be shewn, that the meaning of words may be discovered by the united helps of the dictionary and grammar. After some days patient continuation of this exercise, the use of the grammar, and of its uncouth collection of words and syllables, will be apparent to the pupil: he will perceive that the grammar is a sort of appendix to the dictionary. The grammatical formulæ may then by gentle degrees be committed to memory, and when once got by heart they