With regard to the results of the analyses of pus, Dr. Glover observes that scrofulous pus appears to differ from ordinary pus, chiefly in the fluid part being thinner and mixed with albuminous granules, proceeding from a decomposition of scrofulous or tuberculous matter. The pusglobules appear also, as stated by Mr. Gulliver, to be fewer and less distinct than those of healthy pus. He found them also more irregular in

their form.

State of the blood in scrofula. Dr. Glover here again reviews the facts and opinions promulgated by his predecessors, and then details a series of original analyses after the method of Andral and Gavarret, of the blood of scrofulous persons, namely 11 males and 17 females. The means resulting from the analysis of the blood of males was found to be-solids 208.05, fibrin 3.132, solids of serum 87.60, globules 117.32. We subjoin Dr. Glover's reflections and deductions:

"On the whole, therefore, it may be stated, as the result of these analyses, that in scrofula we have an increase in the solids of the serum, and a diminution of blood-globules, which is very nearly the alteration that has been long suspected to exist. As far as the analyses go, the fats are not deficient in the blood, and however opposed this may be to certain hypothetical notions, with regard to the supposed modus operandi of cod-liver oil, it is altogether in harmony with the results of the analysis of tubercle which we have made. The experiments of Ascherson have been supposed to prove the capability of fats introduced into the blood, to work up mechanically the excess of serous matter into blood-globules, and so counteract the tendency to the expulsion of this serous matter, and its ex. cretion into the tissues under the form of tubercle. But we find a large portion of fats in tubercles; in one analysis, conducted on a sufficient scale, almost one fourth of the tubercular matter was found composed of fats. And this result is not much in discordance with other analyses, and with analyses by other persons. If then the diseased matter be expelled by a supposed effort of the vis medicatrix, it would appear as if the sanative materials were also expelled. But this theory depending upon the tendency of an albuminous liquid to form spherical globules in contact with oil, is altogether too mechanical, and vitiates itself by giving a too easy explanation of great difficulties." (p. 115.)

The condition of the bile, lymph, and chyle, in scrofula, are not elucidated by any original researches instituted by Dr. Glover; there is, however, as usual, a succinct summary of the current facts and opinions, but which are meagre and unsatisfactory. The condition of the urine in scrofula was investigated in nine cases. Case 1.-A boy, aged 15, with swelling and suppuration of the cervical glands. The patient took syrup of iodide of iron (drachm dose thrice daily) and used frictions of hydriodate of potass ointment on the tumours. After using them six weeks, iodine was found present in the urine in large quantity, and also traces of iron; and in fact in all the other analyses of the urine of patients using iodine or its preparations, that substance abounded in the urine. Otherwise, the analyses do not show any particular change in the composition of the urine of scrofulous patients.

The scrofulous diathesis and its external signs occupy a chapter of Dr. Glover's work. On this head we do not find much novelty. In 126 cases which Dr. Glover examined, 86 had light hair and complexion, and the remaining 40 were dark. But the inmates of three workhouses situate in the districts which furnished the cases, bore nearly the same proportion of light and dark complexions, there being 97 of the former and 47

of the latter amongst 144 individuals. So that in point of fact the lighthaired scrofulous cases were in the greater proportion, because the light-haired race was in the greater proportion amongst the general population.

Scrofulous diseases exist to a considerable extent amongst brutes, and this circumstance has led Dr. Glover to devote a chapter of his work to the comparative pathology of scrofula. It is wholly, however, a summary of facts and opinions already published.

The question as to the identity of scrofulous and tubercular diseases is maintained in the affirmative by Dr. Glover, and we think in the most satisfactory manner. As we have already gone over this question in our review of Mr. Phillips's work, and as we think by far the larger proportion of practitioners treat the question as already settled in accordance with the views there expressed, we think it unnecessary to revert to it. Those, however, who wish for a concise statement of the argument, will find it well made by Dr. Glover.

As to the essential nature of scrofula-that is to say, the actual diseased process, Dr. Glover defines it to consist in "a peculiar modification of inflammation, whereby the usual, or, as they may be termed, the normal products of this process are not evolved, but instead of them other materials incapable of passing into the regular cell-forms, and which constitute the substance already described under the name of scrofulous or tubercular matter. The peculiarity of this formation, and the continuance of the scrofulous diathesis, are the causes of the characters assumed by the va rious after-processes which result from the existence of tubercles." The word "peculiar" might well be left out, but we have not space to go over the lucid theoretical discussion Dr. Glover enters upon in support of his views: we subjoin the following, however, as an illustration of his method, and the record of an interesting fact:

"Among the arguments usually advanced in favour of the production of tubercles by inflammation, is the formation of them by artificial means. We have produced them in this way in the rabbit and dog, chiefly in order to examine them by the microscope. The mode of experimenting adopted was by incising the trachea, and injecting a quantity of mercury downward into the lungs. The appearance of the bodies which resulted, the animal being killed at a period of from one to two months after the operation, was not externally unlike that of tubercle; little round whitish masses, more or less agglomerated; and each nodule with a globule of mercury in its centre, around which the exuded matter was formed. Pus existed in some parts around the artificial tubercles; but on examining the broken-up bodies by the microscope, although the structure of portions did not appear very different from that of the irregular granules and corpuscles of tubercle, yet the exudation-corpuscles were tolerably numerous, and those towards the edges of the exudation fully formed. Numerous nucleated cells

also were found mixed with the mass; in short the formation more nearly resembled an ordinary inflammatory product, such as we find in pulmonary hepatization." (p. 195.)

In this discussion of the etiology of Scrofula, we again find our views corroborated by Dr. Glover. He states truly and with great candour, that Mr. Phillips's work contains by far the best account of the etiology of scrofula ever yet given to the world. We are, however, bound to say, that highly as we have estimated Mr. Phillips's work, we think Dr. Glover has discussed certain points in the etiology with even more philosopical pre

cision than Mr. Phillips: we refer more particularly to the hereditary transmission of scrofula. Surely," he observes, "the fact that in many instances scrofula is hereditarily transmitted does not now depend upon the researches or opinions of any one individual!" The following is perfectly sound, and is followed by illustrative cases:

"That family peculiarities may pass over one generation and appear in another, is a fact too well established to be denied. Now, as the transmission of the actual disease is admitted to be a very rare event; and as in the various questions connected with this part of the subject, the real question is about the diathesis or predisposition, we cannot limit the investigation merely to the parents and offspring. The existence of tuberculous affections also in several of the children, where no adequate occasional causes can be discovered, is, even where the parents are free, a suspicious circumstance. To limit the investigation also to external tubercle, would be as unphilosophical on the view, advocated here, of the ultimate nature of the pathological connexion between the various forms of tubercle. How, upon this principle, could we pronounce that the disease was not hereditary, where we found that the parent of a scrofulous child had died of phthisis?" (pp. 203-4.)

The treatment of scrofula is discussed by Dr. Glover under the two heads hygienic and medicinal. As to the first, we have nothing new ; good nursing in infancy, a good physical education in youth, care in the selection of a matrimonial partner at manhood,-these are the principal views of the hygiene of scrofula. With regard to the medicinal, we subjoin the following words:

"Where the tongue is furred, or spotted with reddish maculæ, the pulse quick and irritable, and the bowels constipated, a state very common at the commencement of scrofulous tuberculization, benefit will be often derived from the use of hydrarg. c. creta, in a dose of three or four grains twice a day, along with seven or eight grains of magnesia, combined sometimes with rhubarb. In some cases we have seen enlargements of the glands disappear under this treatment, without the use of other remedies." (p. 240.)

We agree with Dr. Glover in his statement, that the total proscription of mercury is as unwarrantable as the exclusive use of iodine, or codliver oil.

"In truth considerable analogy exists between the action of mercury and that of iodine: the compounds of both substances are powerfully irritant in large doses, tonic and alterative in small doses, and given so as to act constitutionally, appear to have the power of greatly accelerating and increasing the destructive digestion of the tissues; and both, when pushed to excess, give rise to dangerous constitutional effects connected with a peculiar erethism. Mercury is undoubtedly the more powerful remedy of the two. But in our practice we are not deterred by chimeras from the use of mercury in scrofula. Indeed, the most potent remedy which we possess for effecting the removal of a scrofulous tumour, is in our opinion the sub-iodide of mercury, a substance whose powers of salivation have been strangely doubted; but the properties of compounds follow the rule of the base, rather than that of the electro-negative element; and the sub-iodide is a true mercurial compound." (p. 241.)

With regard to the compounds of iodine, bromine, and chlorine, it is the opinion of Dr. Glover, founded on experiments, that they are active in proportion to their solubility and facility of decomposition. Tonics are admissible in every stage; Dr. Glover combines calumba with the saccharine carbonate of iron. The action of cod-liver oil is that of a tonic, due he thinks to the resinous principle it contains, and to its power in stimu

lating the development of animal heat, (?) and to the fact that it occasionally acts as an aperient and diuretic.

Particular remedies for scrofula. Dr. Glover discusses these under seven heads, digitalis and walnut leaves heading the list, and electricity completing it. We shall only make some excerpta. Of the three nonmetallic elementary bodies, which have a certain analogy of therapeutic action, as well as of chemical relation, Dr. Glover observes, that it is probable chlorine is the most potent, bromine the next, and iodine the next, judging from comparative experiments on animals, and in accordance with the great law which makes strict relation subsist between the chemical, and the physiological and medicinal properties of bodies. Bromine, in the proportion of eight or twelve minims to a pint or half a pint of water, makes an elegant lotion. Dr. Glover prefers in ordinary cases to give iodine in the form of the compound tincture of the London Pharmacopoeia, beginning with 25 drops thrice a day, and increasing the dose gradually to 30 or 40 drops. Its effect is to act as a general tonic, improve the appetite and increase the quantity of solids and urea in the urine, as well as the quantity of urine itself.

With regard to the compounds of these elementary bodies, Dr. Glover is of opinion, that the chloride of potassium might be advantageously substituted for the iodide, and in a certain class of cases might be also substituted. The bromide excites less nausea than the iodide, and in a certain class of cases might be also substituted. The bromide and iodide of barium have the same physiological properties as the chloride; Dr. Glover details a case confirmatory of a statement in a recent number of this Journal, that the iodide of barium is apt to act too energetically on the uterine system. We have observed, that the iodide of potassium has this effect occasionally, and that menstruation has apparently been induced by it after a long interval of inaction.

Dr. Glover thinks the value of sea-air and sea-water as remedies in scrofula, may be in some degree dependent upon the chlorine in the former and the chlorides in the latter. To ascertain the presence of chlorine in the atmosphere, Dr. Glover forced a quantity of air through a vessel containing a solution of nitrate of silver for several minutes, the result, was (the atmosphere being very calm, and the slight wind not directly from the sea, at about thirty paces from the sea-shore) a distinct milkiness of the water, although there was no precipitate. In England, the mineral waters of Shap and Shotley may be useful in scrofula on account of the large quantity of chlorides they contain. Cod-liver oil is recommended in cachectic cases. Dr. Glover says, we have weighed (by 'we' meaning we suppose I') phthisical patients and others, taking it, from time to time, and have found them sometimes grow stouter, even when the disease was unchecked."

An appendix of cases closes the work.

We feel we ought to congratulate Dr. Glover on the able manner in which he has handled his subject. We cannot give his book higher praise than to say that it may fairly bear comparison with that of Mr. Phillips, although totally different in its method. The two volumes are complementary of each other, and both claim the attentive study of the profession.

ART. XVII.

1. The Susruta, or System of Medicine taught by Dhanwantari, and composed by his Disciple, Susruta (in Sanscrit). Edited by SRI MADUSU DANA GUPTA, Teacher of Medicine in the Sanscrit College; and printed by order of the Education Committee, at the Education Press.-Calcutta, English era 1825, Saka 1757. 8vo, pp. 378.

2. Súsrutas. Ayurvédas, id est Medicinæ Systema, a venerabili D'hanvantare demonstratum, a Súsruta Discipulo compositum. Nunc primum ex Sanskrita in Latinum sermonem vertit, introductionem, annotationes, et rerum indicem adjecit Dr. FRANCISCUS HESSLER.-Erlangæ, 1844. First Part, 8vo, pp. 206.

3. Commentary on the Hindu System of Medicine. By T. A. WISE, M.D., Bengal Medical Service.-Calcutta, 1845. 8vo, pp. 431.

DISTINGUISHED as is the present age for discoveries in science, as well as for their application to practical purposes, it is not less so for investigations respecting the manners and customs, the language and history of the civilised nations of antiquity. Among these may be instanced, the knowledge which we have attained of the hieroglyphical writings of the Egyptians, and consequently of their chronology and history, in consequence of the discoveries first made by a medical philosopher, Dr. Young, and since continued by Champollion and Leipsius, as recorded in the works of Sir G. Wilkinson, of the Chevalier Bunsen, and of others. These researches have necessarily elucidated many subjects referred to in the Bible, while its geography and natural history have in many instances been clearly made out by the remarkable resemblance, which still exists between the present Arabic names of places and of things, to those which are made use of in the ancient, but cognate Hebrew. Of this numerous instances are given in the Travels of Dr. Robinson, and in Dr. Kitto's 'Cyclopædia of Biblical Literature.' The discoveries and works of Sir Charles Fellows have clearly shown, that many of the arts in which the Greeks attained eminence, were known to and introduced into Lycia, by a still more ancient people from some eastern country. So the recent excavations in the neighbourhood of Mosul and of Bagdad, into what appeared to be only mounds of earth and heaps of stone, have revealed numerous chambers and extensive halls of palaces, having their walls of marble covered with numerous and long inscriptions, and with sculpture, which is described as original in design and finished in execution, and displaying a knowledge of the anatomy of the human frame. Some of these are stated to afford a complete history of the military art amongst the Assyrians, and prove their intimate knowledge of many of the machines of war, the invention of which has been attributed to the Greeks and Romans, such as the battering-ram, the tower moving on wheels, the catapult, &c. (Athenæum, 1846, p. 1047.) So the cuneiform inscriptions of Persia, which so long resisted the corroding effects of time and all the efforts of the learned, have at length been translated by Major Rawlinson (Journ. Asiatic Soc., Sept. 1846), and found to be chiefly of the age of Cyrus the Great, of Darius, and of his son Xerxes, and in a language which bears a strong affinity to the Sanscrit of the Vedas, “but

XLVI.-XXIII.

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