We quote a succinct, yet sufficient summary of the latest experiments on the glosso-pharyngeal and the lingual nerves. They leave our information very near what we conceive to be the truth.

The part, says Dr. Symonds, which the glosso-pharyngeal takes in deglutition, is to convey impressions to the medulla oblongata, together with the branches of the fifth pair distributed on the fauces, and also with the superior laryngeals: it is not a motor nerve. The motive influence in this function is transmitted along the pharyngeal branches of the vagus, along the hypoglossal, the fifth pair, the portio dura, and the descendens noni. The superior laryngeals are mainly nerves of sensation, having a very few motor nerves distributed to the cricothyroid muscles. The inferior laryngeals are principally motor; they supply all the muscles attached to the arytenoid cartilages, and perhaps to the muscular fibres of the trachæa: they contain a few sensitive filaments distributed over the trachea and pharynx, and a very few over the larynx. Contraction of the glottis is evidently a reflex action; the superior laryngeals being the afferent nerves, and the inferior laryngeals the efferent. In the account of the effects of division of the vagi in the middle of the neck, i. e., above the origin of the recurrents. there is a curious observation bearing upon Dr. Ley's well-known theory of laryngismus stridulus. It was noticed that animals after this injury would appear to be breathing with ease, till any struggle or other muscular exertion took place, when symptoms of suffocation immediately supervened, as if the stronger inspiratory action brought on the paroxysm, by producing so powerful a current of air as to close the passive lips of the glottis. From the experiments on the cardiac branches of the vagus, it may be inferred that although they convey mental and other impressions from the nervous centre to the heart, yet the movement of the latter organ may be affected by such causes after the division of the vagi, and recurrents in the neck. The observations upon the degree to which the action of the respiratory muscles was influenced by division of the vagi are very important: the movements uniformly became slower, though at first they were performed with ease; after a time they became more laborious; but some of the animals quite recovered the effects of the operation. The changes in the lungs were carefully noted in the animals which died asphyxiated, and Dr. Reid convinced himself that they could be sufficiently accounted for by the diminished frequency of the respirations, and the consequent congestion of the pulmonary vessels. Though there is good reason for believing that the impressions which excite the reflex respiratory action are chiefly conveyed to the medulla by the vagi, yet they appear to be also conveyed by the branches of the fifth pair distributed on the face. Dr. Reid wishing to observe whether the want of the vagi is compensated by volition, removed the cerebrum and cerebellum; but he found that the respiratory movements still continued, though greatly diminished in frequency. The observations on the gastric branches of the vagi were not less interesting. In several animals the muscular movements of the stomach_continued, the gastric secretion returned, the appetite was restored, chyle was found in abundance in the thoracic duct, and, in fact, the whole digestive process was re-established, notwithstanding dissection proved that the operation had been performed most completely: at the same time it was proved that section of the nerves very materially deranges the digestion for a time, though if the animal live long enough, the effect will subside. It should be remarked, that in all the experiments on the vagi, Dr. Reid took care to maintain the entrance of air into the trachea. If the animal was not full-grown, the larynx being therefore less developed, a tube was introduced into the windpipe.

At the sitting of the Académie de Médecine, January 21, 1839, MM. Jules Guyot and Casalis presented an account of their experiments on the nerves of the tongue. The glosso-pharyngeal betrayed great sensibility when pricked, pulled, or cut: the division of it impeded deglutition, and appeared to destroy the perception of certain flavours, but not of all; probably those which are felt

at the base of the tongue. Division of the lingual branch of the fifth pair destroyed the tactile sensibility and the sense of taste in the three anterior fourths of the tongue. Division of the hypoglossal paralysed the same portion of the tongue, but left the taste and tactile sensibility unimpaired.

One result of these experiments is opposed to the conclusion from those of Panizza as to the function of the lingual branch of the fifth pair. The latter observer considered that it imparts nothing more than tactile sensibility. The true opinion seems to be, that this nerve comprises some fibrils subservient to taste, and others to common sensation. This two-fold function is presumable from a striking case related by Dr. Romberg, in Müller's Archives, of paralysis of the third branch of the fifth pair on the left side, which was caused by pressure upon this nerve just after its issue from the cranium. In this case there was loss of taste as well as of tactile sensibility on the left half of the tongue. As for the glosso-pharyngæal, Dr. Romberg throws out the very probable idea that the signs of nausea and retching, caused by irritation of this nerve, have been mistaken for indications of taste.

AN ADDRESS UPON LAYING THE FOUNDATION-STONE OF THE QUEEN'S HOSPITAL, BIRMINGHAM, JUNE 18, 1840. WITH NOTES AND AN APPENDIX. By Vaughan Thomas, B. D. Vicar of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, and formerly Fellow and Tutor of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. To which is prefixed, an Account of the Ceremony, and the List of Subscriptions to June 20. Printed at the Request of the Council of the Royal School of Medicine and Surgery. Oxford, 1840.

We are right glad to see two things of which this pamphlet offers us ample evidence-first, the powerful interest taken by the public in the erection of provincial hospitals and prosperity of provincial schools-and secondly, the zealous manner in which our able and excellent clergy are aiding the sacred cause of medical education. All this is very evident from the history of the Birmingham School of Medicine.

We are tempted to extract one passage from the pamphlet now before us. The eloquent and reverend Orator deplores the silence of the clergy in their addresses to the public sympathy and charity on the educational objects and value of hospitals. The benefit to the sick patient has been descanted on, but the wider benefit to the whole human race from the knowledge conferred on the student of medicine has been passed in utter silence. Let us hope for better things.

"I impute not," says Dr. Thomas, "these omissions to the worthy, the charitable, the munificent of those early days as personal faults; they are stated simply as facts; if they are to bear a harsher name, I would call them, not the faults of individuals, but of the age in which they lived; for some of them lived in days of darkness, and some of twilight, as to the great truths, that pathology must be studied like other natural sciences, under the guidance of facts and phænomena; that inductive philosophy, in this as in other applications of its power, demands instances and examples; that no safe or sure progress can be made in conducting the studies of the novice, or in completing those of the proficient, without the inspection and explanation of cases, without the power of referring to the different sorts of accidental or constitutional, of structural or functional mischief, as instanced in the sufferings of individuals; and where are these to be found in such contiguity to each other, in such variety and abundance, and under such diversities of internal or external character, as on the beds of an hospital? But to these incontestible truths, and to these wants of professional life; to the obvious interests of the public, and to the duties of

charity in the dispensation of this necessary knowledge, founders, trustees, governors of hospitals, do not in early times appear to have paid any attention."

After pointing out what might have been urged, he goes on to say:

"Such are some of the topics which a knowledge of the educational use and application of an Hospital would have administered to those, who, during more than two centuries and a half, have been successively called upon to plead the cause of St. Bartholomew's and St. Thomas's. With great power of language, and piety of purpose, and compass of scriptural warranties, have they urged the cause of poverty and sickness. But preparing the young for the care and cure of sickness, by teaching them what they ought to do in cases of accident or disease, and by giving them the manual, the moral, the intellectual ability to do it, were departments of charitable exertion, which in those days were neither understood by the advocates nor the administrators of hospitals. The merciful ends of such courses of medical and surgical education never entered into the calculations of the wise and good; it ought however to be added, in justice to those able and pious orators, that such topics, as the charitable offices of medicine and surgery, and the Christian duty of training up pupils and apprentices to be good practitioners by attending hospital practice, would scarcely have been understood in the general ignorance or indifference that prevailed, much less would they have been felt, as grounds and reasons for a more liberal contribution in those days of insensibility to the educational wants of the profession." We are sure that the diffusion of such sentiments as these in the wide and influential ranks of the Church, would be productive of the utmost benefit.

The Maternal Management of Children, in Health and DISEASE. By Thomas Bull, M.D. Physician Accoucheur to the Finsbury Midwifery Institution, and Lecturer on Midwifery, and on the Diseases of Women and Children, &c. &c. London, 1840.

Dr. Bull informs us in his Preface that his book is written for the young mother. He tells us, too, that in the first chapters, devoted to the general management of the child in health, the author has endeavoured to teach the young mother, that the prevention of disease is her province, not its cure; that to this object all her best efforts must be directed; and, moreover, that to tamper with medicine, when disease has actually commenced, is to hazard the life of her offspring.

In the fourth chapter it has been attempted to point out, how the first symptoms of disease may be early detected by the parent. The subject has been felt to be a difficult one, and to give particular directions quite out of the question; but it is hoped that the suggestions thrown out will, in some measure, answer the purpose intended. On the advantage of an early and prompt application of remedies in the diseases of childhood, generally so active in their progress and severe in their character, it is unnecessary to offer any observation.

The latter part of the work, consisting of the maternal management of disease, the author regards as a subject of high and serious moment. Small as is the attention which has been hitherto paid to it, yet, in the diseases of infancy and childhood, how invaluable is a careful and judicious maternal superintendence to give effect to the measures prescribed by the physician.

We have looked over this little book, and we think it likely to be useful to the parties to whom it is avowedly addressed. The directions, though concise, are for the most part sufficiently full, and are characterised by discretion and good sense.

PHARMACOPE E Universelle, ou CONSPECTUS DES PHARMACOPE'Es d'Amsterdam, Anvers, Dublin, Edimbourg, Ferrare, Genève, Grèce, Hambourg, Londres, Oldenbourg, Parme, Sleswig, Strasbourg, Turin, Wurzbourg: Americane, Autrichienne, Batave, Belge, Danoise, Espagnole, Finlandaise, Française, Hanovrienne, Hessoise, Polonaise, Portugaise, Prussienne, Russe, Sarde, Saxonne, Suedoise et Wurtemburgeoise, &c. &c. By A. J. L. Jourdan, Membre de l'Académie Royale de Médecine. Second Edition. Paris, 1840.

M. Jourdan, in a sensibly written Preface, points out the necessity for an acquaintance with the various Pharmacopoeia, and concludes, from the sale of his first edition, and the various translations of his works, that it has proved both acceptable and useful—and so, no doubt, it has done.

This new edition is, in fact, a new work. Whilst the old one presented the contents of 35 legal Pharmacopoeia and 18 Formularies, this contains 42 Pharmacopoeia and 31 Formularies. There is an account of the various weights and measures used in the different countries of Europe, and their relation to each other, borrowed from the admnable tables of Lehmann.

Of the execution of this edition. we may speak from a cursory glance, in very high terms indeed. The work is one of very great value to every practical physician and surgeon, and no collection, even a moderate one, of useful works on medicine is complete without it. We recommend it, then, strongly to our readers, and still more strongly, if possible, to ali book societies.

RECENT WORKS ON ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY.

I. QUAIN'S PLATES-Fasciculi 50 to 70.

Let us not forget to chronicle these. They maintain (we think they do more) the character with which they started, and having now nearly reached completeness, they justify our reiterated recommendations as well as the purchaser's outlay. The nerves and viscera have been the subjects of the late Fasciculi. They are very well executed. We would, however, repeat the advice we have already given to Mr. Quain and his publisher, to add some supplementary Fasciculi, in order that the work may contain every thing needful. No one will grumble at eight or ten extra numbers, if they lead to that. The only fault we find is one of this description.

II. THE ANATOMIST'S VADE MECUM: A SYSTEM OF HUMAN ANATOMY. By W. J. Erasmus Wilson. With upwards of 150 Illustrations by Bagg. London, 1840. This is a very good little book. Mr. Wilson observes:-"The student of medicine, from the first moment of commencing his labors in the study of anatomy, must be made aware of the absolute necessity that exists for clearness of thought, exactness of language, and a rigorous arrangement of ideas. He must feel confidence in the knowledge which he possesses, and he will then exhibit that confidence in the decision by which all his actions will be characterised. As a text-book for illustrating in a precise method the materials of instruction, this work is especially designed; and the severity and inflexibility of order have not been departed from in treating of a single branch of the subject.".

"I hope I may be permitted to say that the engravings are beautiful examples of a most instructive and valuable art. The advantages of such illustrations in a demonstrative science cannot be too highly appreciated. The mode in which the engravings have been printed-a distinct branch of art in itself,-will not pass unnoticed by those who are acquainted with the complicated process and

extreme care which are necessary to the production of the delicacy and force of effect of such graphic illustrations."

These illustrations are more than 150 in number. The wood-cuts are really exceedingly well executed, and singularly clear for their size. And they will afford much assistance to the student. We cordially recommend the Vade Mecum.

III. ELEMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGY. Parts I. II. and III. Second Edition; Parts IV. and V. First Edition. By J. Müller, M.D. Translated by William Baly, M.D.

It is impossible to speak in too high terms of this admirable work. We rejoice to find that the sale is commensurate with the merits of it, and that the sound views, eminent sagacity, and excellent judgment of M. Müller are appreciated by the English Profession. It must form, as, indeed, it does, the text book of the Lecturer on Physiology, and to young and old, the student in the class room, or the practitioner in his library after the toils of the day, it will convey both useful and delightful knowledge. We commend it to all, and trust that by all it will be patronised.

We should state that the Parts already out contain :

I. General Physiology-the Blood and Circulating System-the Lymph and Lymphatic System-Respiration-Nutrition, Growth, and Reproduction.

II. and III. Secretion, Digestion, Functions of the Glands without Efferent Ducts, Excretion, and the Nervous System.

IV. Ciliary Motion, Muscular and Allied Motion, Voice and Speech.
V. The Senses.

AN ESSAY ON THE TREATMENT AND CURE OF PULMONARY CONSUMPTION, ON PRINCIPLES NATURAL, RATIONAL, AND SUCCESSFUL. With Suggestions for an Improved Plan of Treatment of the Disease amongst the Lower Classes of Society and a Relation of several successive Cases restored from the last Stage of Consumption to a good State of Health. By GEORGE Bodington, Surgeon. London, 1840.

It will soon appear that Mr. Bodington proposes a great alteration in our treatment of consumptive patients. He thinks, and perhaps he is not very wrong, that at present the complaint does us no great credit. That, we fear, will be generally admitted, whatever may be thought of his method.

The theory he entertains is easily set forth :

“It will be observed, that the main ground of the treatment has been to preserve or restore to a normal condition, the functions of the nervous filaments, interwoven with the substance of the lungs, and exercising influence over the capillary system and other parts of the organization: it has been assumed that the first link in the chain of morbid actions arises there, as they first feel the irritation from the presence of the morbid matter deposited as a foreign body, and that all the other changes are consecutive to this wasting or destruction of the nervous energy of the filaments with which the tuberculous matter comes in contact. Upon this view the treatment of pulmonary consumption, in the way herein recommended, has been founded "

It seems to us that the presence of tubercles being granted, there is no need of the "wasting of the nervous energy" to explain the rest. Nor is there any proof of any such wasting at all. Disease has already advanced, the constitution is already contaminated, the first change of a series of changes has occurred when the tuberculous matter is laid down.

Whatever we may think of the theory, the practice founded on it is not bad, if the following statement is borne out by the result.