tion be discovered in the brains of the Insane, surely Insanity, if not identical with, must be nearly allied to inflammation? I conclude, therefore, that the proximate cause of Insanity, is a chronic inflammation of the brain, and hence my reason for placing it in its present position in my arrangement."

Moral Insanity is the Pathomania of Dr. Prichard. It consists essentially, in a perversion of the usual habits and feelings, without delusion. The patient is wayward, eccentric, and extravagant in his conduct, but has no proper mental delusion or hallucination.

Hypomania. This term Dr. H. Johnson proposes to substitute for monomania, as signifying a slighter form or lower grade of mania. "In this there is delusion, on one or more subjects, connected or unconnected. Sometimes the delusion is very persistent, sometimes it changes from day to day. The patient is, however, not violent, nor unmanageable. He has not the furious look of a maniac, but has more the appearance of a person in ordinary health.”

Dementia.-This, in its last stage, fatuity, is characterised by the annihilation of the mental powers: it is to be distinguished from idiotism, by its not being congenital. It is usually the termination of mania. Dr. H. Johnson thinks that a new name, to be derived from the Greek language, might be advantageously substituted for the present one; he is, however, unwilling to suggest any unnecessary innovations of this kind.

Delirium.-This is classed amongst the non-inflammatory affections. The author looks upon delirium as always a symptomatic affection, depending upon some disease going on at the same time in the system. It appears to depend on an anormal condition of the circulation within the brain.

Hypochondriasis.-"This is chronic dyspepsia, attended with peculiar lowness of spirits, desponding habits of mind and undue attention to every uneasy bodily feeling. It is easily distinguishable from Insanity by the absence of any delusions, and by the prominence of the dyspeptic symptoms. It is said sometimes to lapse into Insanity, but this is not a frequent occurrence. The disease seems to commence with irritation of the organic or ganglial system of nerves, and the irritation is propagated by a species of reflex operation, first to the brain, producing the morbid state of the feelings, so characteristic of the disease, and from the centre of the nervous system, towards its extreme branches, in various parts of the body.

"I have no doubt that the tendency of the disease is hereditary; and, from what I have been able to observe, it appears to me, that the descendants of the ancient Cymri are peculiarly liable to it."

We see much, very much, to condemn, little, if anything, to approve of, in this proposed" arrangement and nomenclature of mental disorders.

THE IODATED WATERS OF HEILBRUNN IN Bavaria, considered WITH REFERENCE TO THEIR EFFICACY IN THE TREATMENT OF SCROFULOUS, CUTANEOUS, AND OTHER DISEASES. By Sir Alex. M. Downie, M.D. Physician to Her Britannic Majesty's Legation at Frankfort. Duodecimo, pp. 92, 1843.

This little volume consists chiefly of condensed extracts from a large work, (the 4th edition, of Dr. Wetzler,) on the same subject, by the learned German author

who resides in the vicinity of a Spa which will probably take rank with Kissengen, Marienbad, or even Carlsbad, before many years.

The village of Heilbrunn is situated in a romantic spot in Upper Bavaria, between Flecken-Tölz, and Benedictbeuren, eight German miles from Munich. The Quelle of Heilbrunn rises between two eminences, and is said to be the oldest of all the Bavarian Spas. In 1659, it experienced a piece of good fortune, by contributing to the increase of the Elector's family, and its prolific virtues were speedily bruited about among the ladies, so as to establish its reputation. The neighbouring monks, however, became jealous of the Spa, and nearly ruined it, till, after nearly two centuries, (1805,) its renown was again revived by a German physician, (Graff,) who wrote a book on the waters. In 1825, Professor Vogel was employed to analyse the water, and he discovered the existence of iodine in the spring. This was afterwards corroborated by Wetzler. In compliment to the Queen of Bavaria, it now received the name of " ADELHEID QUELLE."

The following formula employed by Struve at Berlin, is supposed by Sir A. Downie, to be as nearly as possible, the analysis of the Spa in question.

(In the pint.)

The taste is decidedly saline, with an après gout of sulphur. The whole resembles a mixture of sea-water with that of Harrogate. It is perfectly clear, and suffers little by transportation. The spring does not throw up more than seven or eight hogsheads per diem, and therefore little can be spared for baths. The whole supply is nearly expended in bottling for exportation.

"The usual dose for children is from two to six ounces a day, and for adults as much as three quart bottles per diem have been ordered." 38.

"According to Geiger the Adelheid's Quelle may be prescribed with advantage in the following diseases.

"1st. Loss of Appetite and Indigestion.

"2nd. Chronic affections of the Liver and Spleen.

"3rd. In Ague and Jaundice.

"4th. In disease of the Kidneys from Calculous deposits.

“5th. In Chlorosis, Affections of the Womb and Sterility.

"6th. In Hypochondriasis and Melancholy.

"7th. In chronic Erysipelas, cutaneous diseases, as Psora, Porrigo, &c.

"8th. In gouty affections, stiff and enlarged joints, Palsy, &c." 46.

Cases, in illustration, are selected by the author from various German writers,

and with these the little work concludes.

PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC MEDICINE. By William A. Guy, M.B. Cantab. Part I.

The contents of this part consist of Medical Evidence-Personal Identity-Age -Sex-Impotence-Rape-Pregnancy-Delivery-Foticide-Infanticide-Le

gitimacy.

It appears to be plainly and sensibly written, containing much important information, condensed, without producing obscurity, into a small space. It is, of course, quite impossible to give any analysis of such a work, but we may extract the following history, drawn from the observations of Orfila, of the process of ossification as a means of determining the age of the dead.

"At 2 months, ossification of the os magnum, os cuneiforme, and os cuboide. "At 4 months, ossification of the branches of the os hyoides. "At 5 months, ossification of the lower apophyses of the os hyoides.

"At 6 months, an osseous point in the ensiform cartilage, and in the anterior arch of the atlas. Bony union of the body and alæ majores of the sphenoid bone.

"6 months to 1 year. Ossification of the cribriform and nasal plate of the ethmoid bone.

"1 year. An osseous point in the first bone of the соссух, in the great tuberosity of the humerus, in the head of the femur and tibia, in the first cuneiform bone, in the coracoid process of the scapula, and two points in the odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra. There is bony union of the two portions of the posterior arch of the vertebræ, and of the several portions of the temporal and ethmoid bones.

66

2 years. Ossification of the epiphyses of the metacarpal and metatarsal bones, an osseous point in the inferior extremity of the radius and fibula, in the transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra, and in the base of the sphenoidal cells; and bony union of the two points of the odontoid process. "2 years. Patella and lesser tuberosity of the humerus ossified. "3 years. Bony union of the body of the second vertebra with the odontoid process, and of the three portions of the fourth and fifth bones of the sacrum. "3 to 4 years. Ossification of the great trochanter of the femur, the cuneiform bone of the carpus; and bony union of the styloid process of the temporal bone.

"4 years. Ossification of the second and third cuneiform bones.

66

4 to 5 years. Ossification of the trapezius and lunar bones, formation of the ethmoid cells, and bony union of the body and processes of the second cer

vical vertebra.

66 5 years. Ossification of the upper extremity of the fibula, of the epiphyses of the phalanges of the carpus, and of the epiphysis of the third phalanx of the great toe.

" 6 years. Ossification of the lower extremity of the ulna, of the pisiform bone, and of the epiphyses of the first phalanges of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th

toes.

"7 years.

Ossification of the internal condyle of the humerus, and of the first piece of the coccyx.

"7 to 8 years. Osseous point in the olecranon.

"8 years.

Osseous point at the upper extremity of the radius.

"8 to 9 years. Ossification of the scaphoid bone of the carpus, and of the posterior epiphysis of the os calcis. Bony union of the two osseous points forming the head of the humerus.

12 years.

the humerus.

Osseous point on the inner edge of the lower articular surface of

"13 to 14 years. Ossification of the lesser trochanter of the femur.

"13 to 15 years. Three portions of the os innominatum firmly united by bone. Cartilages of larynx sometimes found partially ossified.

15 years. Osseous point in the inferior angle of the scapula. Bony union of the parts of the sacrum to each other, of the coracoid process to the body of the scapula, and of the two portions of the os calcis.

"15 to 18 years.

15 to 16 years. Osseous point in the summit of the acromion. Osseous point in the sternal extremity of the clavicle, bony union of the sphenoidal plate to the body of the sphenoid bone, and formation of the spinous processes of the sacrum.

66 15 to 20 years.

Ossification of the last bone of the coccyx.

"16 years. Osseous point in the cotyloid cavity, in the head of the thigh bone, and in the head and tubercles of the ribs.

"17 to 18 years. Ossification of the margin of the scapula. The epiphyses of the phalanges of the fingers and toes joined to the bodies of those bones.

"18 years. Osseous points in the summit of the transverse and spinous processes. Bony union of the two trochanters and of the head of the femur to the body of the bone.

"18 to 19 years. Bony union of the epiphyses of the metatarsal bones.

" 18 to 20 years. Bony union of the epiphyses of the metacarpal bones, of the lower extremity of the femur, and of both extremities of the humerus to the body of their respective bones.

"18 to 25 years. Union of the body of the sphenoid to the occipital bone, of the three pieces of the tibia, and of the marginal epiphysis of the ilium. "21 years. Union of the lower extremity of the femur to the body of that bone.

"20 to 25 years. Union of the first piece of the sternum to the rest of the bone, of the transverse and spinous processes of the vertebræ to their bodies, and of the tubercle of the rib to the body of the bone.

"25 years. Formation of the laminar epiphyses of the iliac surface of the

sacrum.

66 25 to 30 years.

Complete union of the first to the second bone of the

sacrum, and of the epiphisary discs of the vertebræ.

"40 to 50 years. Union of the ensiform cartilage to the lower extremity of the sternum.

"40 to 50 or 60 years. Union of the sacrum and coccyx.

"The state of the osseous system will also furnish some clue to the age, especially during the latter periods of life. The internal cavities of the bones increase, from the absorption of the osseous matter, and the bones from the same cause become lighter. The bones of the head are solidly united, but, on account of the absorption of their diploe, become thin. The lower jaw becomes shallow, the alveolar processes are absorbed, and the angle again becomes obtuse, as in childhood. The spinal column is curved. The cartilages of the larynx and ribs are completely ossified. The osseous tissue generally is more dense, dry, and fragile, and abounds in earthy materials. In advanced age, moreover, the heart and arteries become more or less extensively ossified."

THE VITAL STATISTICS OF SHEFFIELD. By G. Calvert
Holland, Esq. M.D.

This is a very elaborate work on the statistics of the town of Sheffield, more especially as relating to the several branches of manufactures, the condition and habits of the workmen, and various points of local interest. We will extract some remarks on the fatal effects of "dry grinding."

Fork-grinders.-This occupation is perhaps more destructive to human life than any pursuit in the United Empire; it exceeds, however, only in a few degrees many other branches of grinding. Fork-grinding is always performed on a dry stone, and in this consists the peculiarly destructive character of the branch. In the room in which it is carried on there are generally from eight to ten persons at work, and the dust which is created, composed of the fine particles of stone and metal, rises in clouds and pervades the atmosphere to which they are confined.

The dust which is thus every moment inhaled, gradually undermines the vigour of the constitution, and produces permanent disease of the lungs, accompanied by difficulty of breathing, cough, and a wasting of the animal frame, often at the early age of twenty-five. Such is the destructive tendency of the occupation, that grinders in other departments frequently refuse to work in the same room, and many sick clubs have an especial rule against the admission of dry grinders generally, as they would draw largely on the funds from frequent and long-continued sickness."

The mortality is tremendous. Of 61 persons, engaged in this occupation, 35 died under 30 years of age; 47 under 36 years. Only one attained the age of 48, and he had been fifteen years in the army before entering into this trade.

To form a proper idea of this mortality, it is necessary to compare it with the ratio of deaths at different periods in other classes.

"Thus in 1,000 deaths of persons above 20 years of age, the proportion between 20 and 29 years, in England and Wales, is annually 160. In Sheffield, 184; but among the fork-grinders, the proportion is the appalling number 475; so that between these two periods, three in this trade die to one in the kingdom generally.

"Between the ages of 30 and 39, a still greater disparity presents itself. In the Kingdom, 136 only in the 1,000 die annually between these two periods. In Sheffield, 164; but in the fork-grinding branch, 410; so that between 20 and 40 years of age, in this trade, 885 perish out of the 1,000; while in the kingdom at large, only 296. Another step in the analysis, and we perceive that between 40 and 49, in the kingdom, 126 die: in this town, 155; and in this branch, 115, which completes the 1,000. They are all killed off. For in carrying forward the inquiry we observe that between 50 and 59, in the kingdom, 127 die; and in Sheffield, 155: but among the fork-grinders, there is not a single individual left. After this period of life, there are remaining in the kingdom, of the 1,000, 441; and in the town, 339; but none in this branch of manufacture."

In 1841, ninety-seven adult workmen were employed in this trade. Of these ninety-seven, about thirty are at this moment suffering, in various degrees, from the disease peculiar to this occupation, viz. grinders' asthma.

"The disease is seated in the lungs and the air-passages, and the progress of it is accompanied with the gradual disorganization of these important organs. In its advanced stages, it admits neither of cure nor of any material alleviation. In the early stages, the only efficient remedy is the withdrawal from the influence of the exciting cause; but how is this to be effected by men who depend from day to day upon their labour, and whose industry from early life has been confined to one particular branch? Here, then, is the melancholy truth, that nearly one-third of this class of artisans, in addition to the poverty and wretchedness common to the whole, is in a state of actual disease-and disease which no art can cure. Fiction can add no colour or touches to a picture like this. Truth transcends the gaudy embellishments of imagination. The distempered fancy has here no room to exercise her powers."