warranted in his claim to originality; how far his descriptions accord with any specific disease of the eye which we are able to recognize; and how far his pathology is correct. The characteristic symptoms of weakness of sight' are said to be a morbid sensibility of the eye to light, and different kinds of external stimuli;' a strong light excites in the eye' a very acute sensation, which is accurately referred to the bottom of the organ.' The iris 'acts with great energy on the admission of the rays of light to the retina, and consequence, the pupil becomes contracted to a very small aperture; a striking fea ture of the disease;' there is generally an increased flow of tears from the affected eye, but in other respects the external appear ance is perfectly natural. General debility is said to induce the complaint, and it therefore occurs more frequently among females local diseases of the eye also strongly predispose to it, as well as any circumstances which may have tended to produce excessive exertions of the organ. The proximate cause of the disease is conceived not to be local debility, but an exquisite irritability and sensibility of the retina, an effect of great turgescency of the vessels, or a chronic inflammation of that membrane, or of the choroid.'

Having now seen what the disease is on which the author proposes to treat, we may inquire whether any such specific train of symptoms is a frequent occurrence; or, indeed, whether it has ever presented itself to our observation. We confess that we are disposed to answer in the negative; for although it be admitted that the morbid sensibility is occasionally more considerable than it might have been expected to be from the correspondent symptoms, yet our recollections lead us to state that, in all such cases, there has either been a visible fullness of the vessels of the conjunctiva, or some obvious affection of the edges of the lids. We are still more disposed to criticize the pathological than the descriptive part of the work. The author attributes the disease to a chronic inflammation of the retina or choroid; the reasons for which opinion, as far as we can understand them, appear to be that the retina is previously in a state of increased sensibility, so that its accustomed stimulus, light, is too powerful for it, and therefore inflames it; and farther, because there is a great aversion to light in hydrocephalus internus, that this disease is attended with inflamination of the ventricles of the brain, and that the optic nerves arise from these parts: it is supposed to follow, as a necessary consequence, that aversion to light always depends on inflammation of the retina. Frequently as it falls to our lot to examine the baseless fabrics of physiology, we have seldom met with one of which the parts were less coherent or less substantiated than in the present instance. In the first place, what two parts of the body are more dissimilar in their structure, office, and organization, than the choroid and the retina? What is the cause of the increased sensibility to light in these parts, previously to the existence of the disease? Have we any evidence for the opinion that, in bydrocephalus internus, any part of the eye itself is inflamed? or that any of the parts which connect the eye with the brain are in this state? In a word, we regard the existence of the complaint, as a specific and undescribed discase, to be doubtful, and the pathology to be totally erroneous.

H3

Art.

Art. 22. Examination of the Prejudices commonly entertained against Mercury, as beneficially applicable to the greater Number of Liver-Complaints, and to various other Forms of Disease, as well as to Syphilis. By James Curry, M. D. F. A. S. &c. &c. F.A.S. 8vo. 28. Callow. 1819.

This pamphlet is given to the public as the precursor of a larger treatise on the effects of mercury; the author's present object being merely to request fris professional brethren to suspend their judgment on an important point both of theory and practice, until the reasons be detailed in full on which his peculiar opinions are founded. We are so well acquainted with Dr. Curry's character and talents, as to look forwards to the publication of his larger work with interest, and to expect from it much valuable information: but we acknowlege that we must suppose the author to be biassed in favour of his peculiar doctrines, when we find him advancing the sentiment that the liver is as often disordered in England as in India.' In making this observation, we may perhaps appear to Dr. Curry to be liable to the imputation of not suspending our judgment,' until we are in possession of the arguments and facts which he proposes to adduce: but we might, on the other hand, object to the title of this pamphlet, as being a proof that the author has taken only a partial view of the subject, when he calls those feelings prejudices which many persons conceive to be principles derived from experience. Yet, whatever may be our present opinion on the subject of this inquiry, we will engage to bestow on Dr. Curry's promised work a candid consideration, and not to condemn any part of it without stating the reasons by which we are influenced.

Art. 23.

A Conspectus of the London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Pharmacopeias wherein the Virtues, Uses, and Doses of the several Articles and Preparations contained in these Works are correctly stated, their Pronunciation, as to Quantity, is correctly marked, and a Variety of other Particulars respecting them, are given; calculated more especially for the Use of junior Practitioners. By Robert Graves, M. D. F. L. S. &c. &c. 4th Edition, 12mo. 45. 6d. sewed. Highley, 1810.

u briefly noticing this new edition of a work, the utility of which has been generally admitted, it will be sufficient for us to remark that the author appears to have carefully incorporated into it all the alterations which have lately taken place in the three British Pharmacopœiæ,

Art. 24. A Dissertation on Insanity, illustrated with Tables, and extracted from between Two and Three Thousand Cases in Bedlam. By William Black, M. D. 8vo. 2s. Ridgway. 1811, The object of this essay is to place, in the form of tables, some of the most important circumstances connected with the different species of insanity, and from them to deduce some general principles respecting the disease. The idea is good, and the present pamphlet contains some useful information; but, at the same time that we give it this prais, we are obliged to confess that we could very easily

conceive it to have been much better executed. The most valuable facts, indeed, as it would appear, almost the only facts, are de

rived from the papers of the late Mr. Gozna, Apothecary of Bed Jam. They are probably accurate; and the author has conferred a service on the public, by putting them in possession of these docu ments. Perhaps the most valuable of them is a table of the causes of insanity, which appears to have been drawn up from the observ ations of Mr. Gozna, made from the year 1772 to 1787. Nearly a quarter of all the cases are said to have been caused by misfortunes; nearly one-eighth are imputed to religion and Methodism; rather more than the same number were the consequence of fever; and about the same proportion are ascribed to an hereditary taint. We have reason to believe that, at present, a much greater propor tion of insane patients derive their malady from the second of these

causes.

Art. 25. Observations on the Act for regulating Mad-Houses, and a Correction of the Statements of the Case of Benjamin Elliott, convicted of illegally confining Mary Daintree; with Remarks addressed to the Friends of insane Persons. By James Parkinson. 8vo. 2s. Sherwood and Co., &c.

1811.

The writer of this pamphlet must be well known to our readers, as the author of some respectable and useful medical works; and he has appealed to the public on the present occasion, in order to vin, dicate his character from what appears to have been a very unjust attack on it. Highly as we admire and value the judicial constitution of our country, yet, like all human establishments, it is not without its defects; and we have here a case detailed, which we can. not but conceive to be a decided instance of the hardships which an innocent individual may suffer from an abuse or perversion of law, It is not, however, our province to enlarge on this topic; and we shall only farther remark concerning it, that Mr. Parkinson has de fended himself and Mr. Elliott with temper and moderation.

From the circumstances which gave rise to this tract, Mr. P. is led into the general consideration of the symptoms of insanity, and of the means by which we are enabled to detect its presence; and to draw a precise line between that state which ought to subject the patient to confinement or restraint, and those peculiarities of charaç, ter and deportment which do not justify any interference of this kind. It must be confessed that in many cases it is extremely difficult to form a correct diagnosis; and we not indeed conceive that any inva riable rule can ever be laid down for this purpose. Many of Mr. Parkinson's observations are judicious, and deserve perusal, as being strongly illustrative of the difficulty of the question. They are also important as shewing the extreme caution which a medical man ought to exercise, not only with a view to his own character, but still more in consideration of the momentous effects which his decision may have on the friends of the patient.

Art. 26. A Letter to Dr. Robert Darling Willis; to which are added Copies of Three other Letters; published in the Hope of rousing a humane Nation to the Consideration of the Miseries prising from private Mad-houses: with a Preliminary Address to

the Right Hon. Lord Erskine. By Anne Mary Crowe. 8vo. 25. Ryan, &c. 1811.

We place this pamphlet immediately after the preceding, because it respects a case which leads to somewhat similar reflections.

As

far as we can judge from internal evidence, the writer seems to have been the subject of harsh and improper treatment, in having been confined in a private asylum as labouring under insanity, when she was in fact merely suffering from a temporary delirium, the conse. quence of corporeal indisposition. The letter is written with feeling, and must be read with interest.

RELIGIOUS.

Art. 27. Pure Evangelical Religion restored, or Charity, Faith, and Good-works re-united, and triumphing over all Selfishness, Worldly-mindedness, Infidelity, Bigotry, Superstition, Fanaticism, and every other Corruption of Human Nature, by the Establishment of the Heavenly Kingdom of true Divine Love, Wisdom, and Peace, in the Human Bosom. 8vo. pp. 192. Kelly. 1811. From the long title of this long pamphlet, we guessed the school from which it proceeded, and a perusal of it confirmed our conjecture. The late Emanuel Swedenborg is here exhibited not merely as a sage, but as an inspired person, and his doctrine as the pure evangelical religion since, however, it is only given to the wise to understand it, and we are not of this wise set, we do not pretend to offer an account of it. He is made to talk of hidden meanings under the letter of Scripture, which were revealed to him while he was perusing that divine book; and of a peep into the angelic world, which was vouchsafed to him alone. A peep, did we say? yea more: for several years the good Emanuel was enabled to see the different societies in heaven and in hell.' We have, indeed, only his word for it, and he would be very angry if we should hesitate to take his word in so probable a case. My enemies,' replies Emanuel, call on me to work miracles in attestation of the truth of what I have related: but would they believe miracles if I should work them? besides, if they want miracles to convince them, what can be a greater miracle, than that a man like myself, whilst encompassed with a body of flesh and blood, should be enabled to see the great and invisible realities of another world? (p. 131.) What a sage way is this of producing conviction, and of removing scepticism? Emanuel tells a wild rhodomontade story of his visions and revelations ; and on their reality being questioned, he has the effrontery (or rather weakness) to appeal to his narration as an evidence of the fact. If pure evangelical religion cannot be restored without the interference of such a sage as poor Swedenborg was, we are in a very bad way! This admirer of his doctrine has laboured hard in the cause of his master : but we suspect that few will have patience to toil through the 192 pages which he has filled with such uninviting matter,

Art. 28, The Duties of the Clerical Profession: selected from various Authors, and clucidated with Notes. 12mo. 3s. sewed, Crosby and Co. 1810.

Out of the writings of Herbert, Macknight, Knox, Baxter, &c., this compiler has selected passages on various topics, in addition to a

long

long passage from Gisborne on the duties of the clerical profession. In the form of notes, we have extracts on Sermons, Preaching, Example, Infidelity, Family-prayer, Non-conformity, Salvation, &c. &c. illustrative of the leading discussion. The publication is calculated for general use, and we suppose that it was designed by the compiler to find its way into many parishes: but in the introduction the word Church is confined to signify the church Romsey, (the place where this tract is printed;) for it is added in a note to these words in the text, Doctrines of Christianity preached at Church,' the church is a very ancient Gothic building, sold to the inhabitants by Henry the Eighth for a hundred pounds!! Hence it would appear that, whenever the term church is used generally, Romsey-church is understood! Art. 29. The Blessedness of the Christian in Death: Two Sermons, occasioned by the Death of the Rev. Richard Cecil, M.A. late Rector of Bisley, and Vicar of Chobham, Surrey; and Minister of St. John's Chapel, Bedford-Row, London. Preached at the

above Chapel; the 1st, August 26; the 2d, September 2, 1810. By Daniel Wilson, M. A. Minister of St. John's Chapel, and Vice-Principal of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford. 8vo. pp. 216. Seeley.

In these two sermons, or one funeral-sermon in two parts, the preacher first takes a full view of every member of his text, (Rev. xiv. 13.) and then proceeds to an account of the deceased; in which he endeavours to do justice to the memory of his beloved and distinguished friend, who is said to have been descended from the great Cecil Lord Burleigh, the distinguished minister of Queen Elizabeth. Mr. Wilson delineates Richard Cecil as a man, as a Christian, and as a minister he presents us with a picture of his mind and of his heart; he expatiates on the piety and fortitude which he displayed in the last years of his life, which were grievously embittered by disease; and if this memoir be tolerably correct, which we have no reason to doubt, Mr. Cecil must have been a very estimable character. The reflections, with which the second discourse concludes, are apposite and practical. We are told that Mr. Cecil used to observe that there was a wide difference between what St. Paul calls "the foolishness of preaching," and "foolish preaching." Mr.W. was probably not aware that this remark was borrowed from Dr. South's sermons.

Art. 30. Hulsean Defence for the Year 1810. An Essay on the Pre-existence of Christ: to which are added, I. A Sermon on the Trinity. II. A Proposal respecting the Athanasian Creed. By Edward Pearson, D.D. Master of Sydney College, Cambridge, and Christian Advocate to the University. 8vo. pp.108. 38. sewed. Hatchard.

Most readers would probably be at a loss to understand the meaning of the first part of this title, were they not informed by the advertisement that, By the will of the late Reverend John Hulse, the Christian Advocate is directed to compose and to print every year, an answer or answers, in English, to all such cavils and objections against the Christian or revealed religion, or against the religion of

mature,