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the liquid which exuded from it, and subsequently strainedand pressed to obtain all the liquid that was procurable. Theobject, in fact, was to make a decoction of the liver, whichholds in solution the glucogenic material, and has, thereby,communicated to it an opalescent or a milky appearance. Thiswas then mixed with alcohol (in the proportion of one part ofthe decoction to about five of the spirit), and immediately aprecipitate was produced, which was collected on a filter anddried, and formed the specimen then before the fellows of theSociety. The substance before him was of a greyish colour,which resulted from contamination with albuminous matter.It might be made perfectly white by prolonged boiling in asolution of potash, which did not at all affect its properties.It was insoluble in alcohol and strong acetic acid. Its solutionin water presented the same milky appearance as the fresh de-coction of liver. It gave no reaction with the sugar tests, norwas it susceptible of undergoing fermentation. It was, how-ever, readily convertible into dextrine and sugar by the sameagents which pro luced this change in the starch of the vege-table kingdom. Indeed, boiling with acids and contact withdiastase, saliva, pancreatic juice, blood, or any animal matterin a state of change, very readily effected its transformationinto glucose, when it gave all the characteristic reactions ofthis substance. Dr. Pavy further stated, that by means ofchemical agents and the microscope the natural seat of thismaterial could be shown to be in the interior of the hepatic

Icells.Mr. HIRD read a paper on

THE PRESENT STATE OF SURGICAL SCIENCE IN REFERENCE Ti

CANCER AD ITS TREATMENT.

It was not his intention, the author observed, to enter into !detailed report of individual cases treated by the escharotiapplications which of late have been revived by many member;of the profession besides himself, but to inquire whether recentexperience has shown that we can control the progress of thisdestructive disease with more certainty, and on sounder surgical principles, than our predecessors were enabled to do.The questions whether carcinoma ever originates and continue:as a local disease ; whether it ever spontaneously disappearswithout the interference of art; whether a tumour, originallyinnocent in its character, is susceptible of cancerous transforma-tion ; whether it possesses anatomical, chemical, physiological,and pathological characters, by which we can infallibly dis-tinguish it from other growths, which we are unable to do bythe senses of sight and touch; whether, even supposing theconstitution to be affected, the ablation of the local diseasemay not arrest or retard its fatal course; whether removal everaccelerates it by bringing into activity a force which previously

’ had lain dormant in the system; whether we possess remedialagents, by which we can retard or resolve the disease, he con-siders, embrace subjects of vital consequence, on the solutionof which the life of the patient, the truths of science, and thereputation of the surgeon depend. In his observations on theforms of cancer, the author included the epithelial varietyalong with the encephaloid, scirrhus, and colloid, and objectedto its removal from the cancerous group, although it has lesstendency to contaminate the lymphatic glands and the systemgenerally than the other three forms of cancer, and differs

slightly in its histological elements. After briefly reviewingthe important subjects embraced in the origin and develop-ment of cancer, in which the preceding questions were answeredso far as the present state of science would admit, he proceededto discuss the treatment. In this section the author dwelt onthe means of arresting cancerous growths by medicinal agents,and contrasted the comparative advantages of removing thelocal disease by caustics and the knife. In reference to medi-cines, the author believed that if any remedy possessed a powerof retarding the progress of the disease, it was arsenic, whichhe administered with cod-liver oil, and has not found the latterobjectionable, on the ground of animal oils tending to encouragethe fatty matters in the system, on which cancerous formationsare supposed to feed. Arsenic as a preventive of secondaryformations after removal of the local disease, he (Mr. Hird)had great confidence in, and in combination with iodine it wasstrongly recommended by the late Dr. Anthony Todd Thomp-son ; Dr. Copland and the late Mr. Hill witnessed great ad-vantages from its use. The great question of removal by theknife or by caustics concluded the paper. Caustics the authorhad found more tedious in their operation and more painfulthan the knife, and occasionally failed to enucleate the tumour, and he has no faith in a supposed physiological action on theconstitution through the part treated, by which it has been Istated. without evidence tn inctifv the statement- and in

opposition to his own experience, the disposition to return after

removal is less than when the part has been extirpated by theknife. Ho has seen six cases in which the disease returnedafter removal by caustics, and has read and heard of manymore. Novertheless, there are cases in which caustics offergreater advantages than the knife. In certain localities, andin particular conditions of the tumour, and where loss of blood,or the dread of a cutting operation, would greatly depress thepatient. Early operation the author strongly advised, as afford.ing the only hope from surgery in scirrhus, colloid, and epithe-lioma. In encephaloid he did not advise an operation.A short discussion ensued, in which Dr. A. Clark and others

took part.

Reviews and Notices of Books.NEW EDITIONS.

AMONGST the works of which new editions have appearedthis session, is Fergusson’s System of Practical Surgery, (4thEdition.) In this issue the author has added some valuableobservations on resection of the knee-joint. With respect to thisoperation, the author observes," It is difficult to say whether pity, amazement, or horror is

uppermost in the mind when one hears, now-a-days, of ampu-tation in the arm for disease of the elbow-joint, and such, Ibelieve, will be the case in a few years hence, when some, statistical table’ shows how a patient has fared after ampu-tation in the thigh for ’ disease of the knee-joint.’ That sucha proceeding is never needful in such disease I am not preparedto say, but I firmly believe that in eight cases out of ten, underthe age of twenty or thirty, in which disease of the articularsurfaces of the bones of the knee-joint seems incurable, theope-ration of resection should be preferred to that of amputation."- p. 457.Mr. Fergusson states, in relation to amputation, and the re-

moval of the foot at the ankle-joint, in the manner recom-mended by Mr. Syme, that he had formed from experience" a most unfavourable impression against it." Some interest-

ing particulars have been added to the chapters to plastic sur-gery ; and in relation to the author’s operation for the unionof split palate, he states that he has performed it in fifty-fivecases with success, in all but two instances.With respect to a new mode of treating aneurism of the

large vessels at the base of the neck, brought before the RoyalMedico-Chirurgical Society last session, and reported in THELANCET at the time, the author observes:

"

Within the last few months I have put to trial a favouritetheory of my own regarding the treatment of aneurism, par-ticularly of such desperate cases as are met with at the root ofthe neck. Whilst recognising the accidental displacement ofa layer of fibrine, or the whole of the clot, as a cause of spon-taneous cure of aneurism, the surgeon has never thought of in-ducing some such displacement by any interference of his own.From various histories and facts which have come within myknowledge, I have long entertained the opinion that a surgeonmight possibly, by a judicious manipulation of such a tumour,cause one or other of the displacements alluded to, and so, byaltering the current of the blood, bring about those changeswhich are well known to induce the cure of this formidabledisease. "-p. 627.

Several cases are mentioned in which this plan of treatmentwas successful. Some valuable remarks are also made on thetreatment of stone in the female bladder by crushing.

Wilson’s Anatomist’s Vade Mecum (7th Edition) has beencarefully revised and corrected ; many parts, especially thoserelating to histological anatomy, have been re-written; and aconsiderable addition has been made to the number, of thewoodcuts.

-1--folele)i’.3 Human Osteology (2nd Edition) is much improved.In addition to the matter contained in the 1st Edition, thisissue embraces the cartilages and muscles of the larynx, andthe anatomy of the internal ear, each illustrated by numerouswood-engravings and plates. Mr. Holden’s work is remark-

ably cheap.

395

Di. Gross’s Elenzents of Pathological Anatomy (3rd Edition)has been materially modified, and greatly augmented in size;it contains much new matter, and brings down our knowledgeof pathology to the latest period. It is illustrated by 342 en-gravings on wood.

Erichsen’s Science and Art of S’urgery (2nd Edition.) This I

work has been so well appreciated by the profession, that alarge edition has been exhausted within a comparatively briefperiod. The present edition has been much extended, manyof the chapters entirely re-written, and upwards of 160 newillustrations have been introduced. Great attention has been

paid to all the modern improvements in surgery, especially tothe subject of resection of joints, which is most fully con-sidered and illustrated. The additions to the work are almost

exclusively of a practical character.The 5th Edition of Dr. Golding Bird’s Urinary Deposits

has been edited by Dr. Edmund Lloyd Birkett. He has ful-

filled his task in a manner which does him great credit, andhas brought into this issue all the knowledge acquired, sincethe last edition, on urinary disease.

The Qzcarterly Journal of Dental Surgery. No. IIL, October.London: Walton and Maberly.

IF the late agitation amongst members of the dental pro-fession had effected nothing more than the establishment ofthis journal, it would have conferred an immense benefit ondental science. Such a work was urgently required as a meansof communication between members of so large a branch of theprofession. The " Journal" is conducted with much ability,and contains many articles of sterling merit. In addition toelaborate and careful reports of the monthly meetings of theCollege of Dentists, this number contains a valuable lecture byDr. Gladstone, " On Substances used in Dentistry," severalarticles on dental surgery and mechanics, a mass of corre-

spondence, news, and miscellaneous information of great in-terest to dentists.

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An Exposito2-y Lexicorz of the Terms, Ancient and Modern, inMedical and General Science, &c., &c. By R. G. MAYNE,M.D. Part VI. London: John Churchill. 1857.WE announce with much pleasure the appearance of a new

portion of this very able Lexicon. We had almost given uphope of its reappearance and continuance, but now look for-ward to its completion with all confidence. The present andsixth part extends from Neurectopicus to Periphacitis. As

we before said, Dr. Mayne’s Dictionary will stand alone in ourlanguage in its completeness of performance.

The Land of Silence, and the Land of Darkness. By the Rev.B. G. JOHNS, Chaplain of the Blind School, St. George’s-

fields. pp. 194. London: Longman and Co. 1857.

THESE two essays, reprinted with alterations and additionsfrom the Edinburgh Review, contain some of the most inte-resting and instructive observations connected with deaf-mutesand blind people that have for a long time been brought beforethe public. The opinions broached relative to the preferencewhich should be given to teaching mutes" artificial articu-lation," or the power of reading with the eye from the lips ofthe person speaking, and the blind by the "Roman," or analphabetical system, over all other methods, we quite agreewith. We cordially recommend the perusal of Mr. Johns’slittle treatise.

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The Care qfthe Sick: a Course of Practical Lectures, deliveredat the Working Women’s College. By RICHARD BARWELL,F. R. C. S., Assistant-Surgeon to Charing-cross Hospital.Second Edition. pp. 126. London: Chapman and Hall.1857.ON the first publication of Mr. Barwell’s " Lectures," we

awarded them our commendation. The improvements andadditions they receive on this their second appearance, justifythe repetition of our previous opinion of them.

A Descriptive Catalogue of Prepa?-atio7is illustrative of the Dis- .

eases of the L’ar, in the Museum of Joseph Toynbee, F.R.S.pp. 127. London: John Churchill. 1857.IN this catalogue 856 specimens of various diseases of the ear

are briefly described. These were preserved from a series of1659 dissections, and form the author’s museum. The arrange-ment of the collection will be found instructive to the auralstudent. It appears to contain examples of almost everyknown disease of the ear. There is appended to the Cataloguea tabular view of the morbid appearances found in 1149 dis-eased ears; and a mode is described of removing the ear forpathological investigation and dissection. The author hasbeen much indebted to Mr. Hinton for his assistance in drawingup this Catalogue from his manuscript volumes. Those whoare interested in diseases of the ear should not be without thiswork.

Foreign Department.THE INVENTOR OF THE GUILLOTINE.

M. GiMELLE lately sent a paper to the Societe Medicaled’Emulation de Paris, on Pain. In this paper Dr. Guillotin,the supposed inventor of the guillotine, is alluded to as havingrendered good service to humanity in annihilating pain incapital punishment.

It would, however, appear that this invention, which at onetime brought some odium upon Guillotin, does not in fact be-long to him. M. Brierre de Boismont, a member of the above-named Society, contended that the death-engine was knownin Italy long before Guillotin’s time. M. Larrey stated, more-over, that it was at one period called " Lonisette," from havingbeen reported upon to a committee by Louis, the celebratedsurgeon. M. Caffe, also a member, added that’ the actualshare of Guillotin in the contrivance was his proposing to adda heavy hammer to the knife, which former should strike thehead at the time of the descent of the latter, so as to preventpain by stunning. M. Caffe further mentioned that the in-vention could be traced as far back as 1600, when a memberof the Montmorency family was beheaded by means of themachine alluded to.We have, however, a somewhat different opinion from M.

Lallemand, who said, at the same meeting, that both he andM. Perrin had seen the numbers of the Moniteur containingthe minutes of the committee appointed by the " ConstituentAssembly" to report on Guillotin’s invention. The membersof this committee made experiments on dead bodies and onanimals, and the report of their proceedings was confided toLouis. It is said that it was the unfortunate Louis XVI. him-self who advised the edge of the knife to be made slanting.

ON THE MECHANISM OF THE ACTION OF THE HEART.

M. CHAUVEAU has sent to the Academy of Sciences of Parisa paper on the vexed question of the action of the heart.The author discusses the opinion of Dr. Hiffelsheim, who con-

tends, in a late memoir addressed to the same Academy, thatthat action is the effect of a backward motion produced duringsystole. M. Chauveau then gives an account of his experi-ments, and concludes thus :-" What is then, finally, the truemechanism of the heart’s action ? Among the mammalia it isdue to the sudden increase of the transverse diameter of theorgan during ventricular systole."The observation of a great many animals has shown to the

author, lst, that during ventricular systole the heart becomesflaccid, and appears energetically compressed from side to side;2nd, that the ventricles, during their systole, undergo shorten-ing along their longitudinal and antero-posterior diameters;whilst there is increase in the direction of the lateral diameter.As this increase takes place suddenly, and with an energycapable of overcoming considerable weight, it must produce apowerful action, especially in the left heart, owing to the greatstrength of the left ventricle, which latter is, besides, lesscovered by lung than the right.The mechanism is the same in man, with such differences as

result from the peculiar conformation of his heart and chest.Hence the author holds that, with human beings, the action ofthe heart is due to the sudden increase of the antero-posterior