"Fevers are first considered, because it is said that man is born and dies in fever; because it affects the whole body, the organs of the senses, and the mind; and is so severe that only men and gods can survive, and by which various other diseases are produced.” (p. 219.)

The causes, symptoms, and the varieties of fever are then described, with detailed instructions of the treatment, and with much of what must have been necessarily the result of careful observation, we have incorrect theory and undue attention to numbers. With regard to critical days it is said:

"The 7th, 10th, 12th days, are always the days on which the fever is severe, or from these periods the symptoms diminish in severity.

"In other books it is stated that the critical days are the 7th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 22d, from which period it is diminished or increased. Those who live to the 22d day generally recover."

Smallpox, of which, however, measles and waterpox are made varieties, is adduced by Dr. Wise as a disease existing for a long period in one country without penetrating into another. It seems to have been long known to the Chinese and Hindoos: he concludes that it was probably conveyed westward by the Persian conquerors of Hindoostan. Rhases is supposed to have been the first to describe it; but, though Dr. Wise does not adduce his authorities, it is probable that accounts of the smallpox are contained in the works to which the Arabs had access.

As we might expect, the subject of leprosy is rather fully treated of, but under this head some other cutaneous diseases are described. "Though it commences first in the skin, it gradually extends deeper and deeper, like the small shoots of the banian trees (Ficus indica), which at first confined to the surface, advance deeper and deeper, until they extend over the whole body."

Among the diseases affecting the mind, we have a chapter on Devil madness. Among those of the head; it is said of hemiplegia, that it "is very obstinate, and most distressing, so that a thousand physicians cannot cure it." The diseases of the ear are said to be twenty-eight in number, and as cutting off ears was a frequent method of punishment, Susruta recommends the surgeon to prepare a new ear, by "removing the skin from the neighbouring part, leaving a connexion to keep up the vitality." Diseases of the eye seem to have attracted much attention, and the operation for cataract is described, but it is not stated from what work this is taken. (Wise, p. 303.)

In the treatment of asthma, we observe no notice of datura-smoking, which is now so generally practised in different parts of India.

Consumption, defined as a rupture or ulcer of the respiratory organs, is entitled the prince of diseases, from its frequent and fatal nature; but we suspect that other diseases, as land scurvy, &c., are sometimes confounded with consumption, which is rather a complaint of the northern, than of the southern parts of India. Urinary diseases seem also to have obtained considerable attention; and we may observe that diabetes mellitus appears to have been known to the Hindoos long before it had been noticed by others. Of urinary calculi it is said, the disease is dangerous like poison or thunder. "When recent, it may be cured by medicine, but when of long standing, an operation is required." The operation is then described,

but the authors in which the earliest accounts occur are not mentioned. Among the diseases of the organs of generation, syphilis is treated of by Dr. Wise; but he states that it is not mentioned in old Sanscrit works, but was introduced into Hindoostan by way of Persia, and also by the Portuguese into the southern parts of India, and in comparatively recent

times.

Towards the conclusion of the work there is a chapter on "Poisons and their Antidotes." The poisons are usually arranged into two classes: the first, consisting of vegetable and mineral poisons, are named Stábarch, and the second, animal poisons, Jargamah. The first class is, however, afterwards divided into mineral and into vegetable poisons; but we have considerable doubts respecting the Sanscrit names being correctly translated. Among the animal poisons, serpents, poisonous rats, the bites of mad dogs, and the poisonous bites of insects are enumerated. We are sorry to observe here the same inattention to correctness in translating the names of antidotes as we observed in the case of medicines: thus Kusta, which is elsewhere translated Costus (p. 403), is called Strychnos Nux Vomica, and mentioned as an antidote to be given internally, and also applied externally, after the parts poisoned have been scarified and burned.

Having taken a general view of the contents of the celebrated work of Susruta, as far as the Latin translation has as yet been published; and of Dr. Wise's Commentary more briefly than we should have done if the authorities had more generally been given; because many of the opinions and statements derive their chief value, from being found in medical works which can be proved to have been in existence prior to the time of the Arabs. Any later opinions may have been derived, though this is not very probable, through the medium of the Persian translations of Arabic works, which are used everywhere in India by the Mahommedan practitioners of medicine. But the parts of the Ayur Veda which still remain, as well as the works of Charaka and of Susruta, prove that the Hindoos had a system of medicine, containing much of original observation and of opinion, before the Arabs had paid any attention to literature or science. Among the opinions and reasons, however crude, of these early medical writers, we cannot but observe a remarkable coincidence in many points, to opinions which were entertained in early times both in Egypt and in Greece. It still remains an interesting subject of inquiry to ascertain the causes of this general resemblance; whether all were indebted to some common source, as to the early civilized and powerful empires of Assyria, Babylon, or Persia; or whether medicine was cultivated first by the Egyptians, or by the Hindoos, and from the one spread to the other: the Greeks deriving their information only from those who were placed nearest them. At all events, we cannot but admit, after the evidence which has been adduced, that, however degenerated may be the natives of India at the present day, there can be no doubt, that at an early period they paid attention to, and had made advances in different departments of medicine. We must also express a wish that these early works should be carefully translated, and the synonymous scientific terms correctly applied, so that we might be able to weigh more accurately the evidences of originality, or trace the mass of curious information to some early source. We hope that the Sydenham. Society may be induced to undertake the translation of these early works,

accompanied with medical and scientific commentaries, as has been sû ably done by Dr. Adams with the translation of Paulus Ægineta.

In conclusion, we could not but have wished that the medical talent displayed by this early civilized nation should have opportunities of cultivation in the present day, but we call to mind, that we have in a former volume, reviewed a work embracing the Reports from the dispensaries in Bengal, where the Practice of the Native assistant surgeons, educated in the Medical College established by the East India Company in Calcutta, is given in detail and in their own words. Colonel Sykes read a paper before the British Association at Southampton, and now published in the Journal of the Statistical Society, March, 1846, on the further progress of these Europeanly educated native practitioners of medicine, where further proofs are given of continued improvement and of extended usefulness. As similar institutions have been established in Madras and in Bombay, there cannot fail to be raised a class of well-educated practitioners, who will carry the benefits of modern science and of greatly improved medical practice, into every part of the widely-spread dominions of the British East India Company.

ART. XVIII.

Zum Andenken an Dr. Johann Stieglitz, Königl. Hannoverschen Obermedicinalrath und Leibartz. Von Dr. K. F. H. MARX, Hofrath und Professor in Göttingen.-Göttingen, 1846.

A Tribute to the Memory of John Stieglitz, M.D., &c. By Professor MARX, M.D., of Göttingen.-Göttingen, 1846. pp. 172.

THE Memoirs of Stieglitz by Professor Marx is a charming biographical brochure, and we are quite sure would have been freely used by Dr. Mackness in his work reviewed in another part of this Number, had he had the good fortune to see it entire before publishing his translation, for we believe the greater portion of its contents was unknown to him. We shall therefore notice it here, as a sort of supplement to our former article, and do not doubt that should Dr. Mackness's work attain to a second edition, he will find room for longer and more numerous extracts from it.

The Memoirs contain, first, the information supplied to Dr. Mackness; secondly, a series of extracts from the letters addressed by Stieglitz to his friend the Göttingen Professor; and then an estimate of his character. An Appendix contains some of his earlier reviews (referred to in the letters), two curious letters by Heim, and a fac-simile of Stieglitz's handwriting. Respecting the latter, we can truly say that it much more closely resembles the Arabic characters than those in use in Europe, and the Englishman must be well practised in German writing to decipher onehalf of it.

Stieglitz was in extensive practice at Hanover. He was court-physician, chief of the medical police of the kingdom, obermedicinal-rath, &c. After Professor Marx had been three years at Göttingen, he paid a visit to Hanover, and called upon Stieglitz before eight o'clock in the morning: this first interview is thus described::

"I found a man of an uncommon aspect; serious and friendly; his ample fore

head showed the thinker. He sat enveloped in a cloud of tobacco-smoke, at a table covered with books and official documents, and drawing vigorously from time to time at his pipe. Our formal interview speedily changed into an animated conversation; but he was so discursive, and referred to such varied matters, that he touched upon men and things rather as if he were investigating than communicating. As we were interrupted, he pressed me cordially by the hand, and invited me to his table, that we might again resume the broken thread of our conversation. . The second visit, after the lapse of a few hours, was as if it were made to an old friend. Confidence was established, and an intellectual friendship cemented." (p. 17.)

From this time to his decease, a correspondence was kept up between the two friends. Extracts from the letters of Stieglitz are connected by a running commentary of the editor. We have marked a few passages as illustrating the everyday life and thoughts of the man. The following shows a crowded and defective state of the profession in Germany, or the writer is a laudator temporis acti.

"Towards the end of the last month I returned to Carlsbad; a journey I undertook for the sake of my wife, and not for my own pleasure or profit.

I have become personally acquainted with from thirty to forty physicians, and have had consultation with many. The estimation of our calling, the predominant treatment of chronic diseases, and the power exercised over them by our art have excited in me many depressing thoughts. Everywhere I find physicians to be shrewd and adroit, well versed in the concerns of life and their modifying circumstances, but often filled with perverse and prejudiced ideas, taking no interest in science, unacquainted with the progress of medical science and practice, and not feeling the necessity of keeping up and renewing their earlier studies. Either old or new writers are read only by a very few. Very few have won my esteem." (p. 20.)

The medical journalism of Germany is also estimated lightly by Stieglitz. In one place he observes it is wonderful how rapidly the journals multiply and how wretched they are. In another he expresses a very indifferent opinion of the criticisms of the journalists. He was well acquainted with English writers, and was an extraordinarily rapid reader, and thought his time was as well spent on one of Sir Walter Scott's novels as on a book of mere facts.

Touches of worldly wisdom appear here and there; as the following on giving advice.

"Whoever has lived long in the world and been observant, has discovered that the giving of advice is dubious and insignificant. Every result is doubtful, and innumerable contingencies may happen. Who can know the external and internal condition of a person? In the long run every one takes that course to which his inclination leads him, or to which he is impelled by a good or evil genius." (p. 28.)

Or this, on faith in the future:

"Every one who has the power, and understands how to use and apply properly the present, can and must confide in the future. Sooner or later the fate of such a man takes a turn for the better, often in a quarter from which he least expects it, and important circumstances happen which elevate him." (p. 31.)

The treatment of incurable diseases:

"I often think some information is necessary as to the conduct of physicians with reference to incurable diseases-not as to what should be done, but what should be left undone.

"It often shocks me to witness extensive methods of cure propounded in steatoma, cancer, and innumerable other cases, in which it is well known no cure can be effected. A physician newly called in begins over again from the beginning what his predecessor has already practised. The constitution is shaken more and more, and the heroic remedies used can have none other than evil results." (pp. 35-6.)

Danger of giving an unfavorable prognosis in incurable cases:

The patient will often have a distinct answer from the physician, whether he has to apprehend death, and whether it be now unavoidable. Reasons are given to prove the importance of this information, and with what fortitude and resignation it will be received. All ground of hope must not be taken away. In Berlin an officer of artillery shot himself on the steps of Selle's house, after the latter, on being earnestly pressed, told the truth respecting his phthisis, and not waiting even long enough to get to his own residence. I witnessed a scene in the first year of the present century of quite another kind, which impressed upon me the propriety of never expressing the full truth in cases of this kind. A man will not suffer that to be plainly spoken by another, of which he is fully conscious himself, if it be evil and goes against himself. He will at times think of the possibility of the contrary." (p. 38.)

What is wisdom:

"It is wisdom not to intermingle with public business or intrude into it. I have extended this doctrine for a long time even to circumstances within my own province, and limit myself to giving an opinion when desired officially, and doing the work I am required, without taking further notice thereof, to see whether my advice has been followed or not, and bringing no personal influence to bear on the matter. When a man has become old and had much experience, he arrives at last at this passive behaviour and indifferentism, in contradiction to his character and early struggles. The mode in which public business is now conducted and the trade-like manner of most statesmen, must lead every one to this line of conduct who values his own peace or has it in view, or who is not prepared to sacrifice his self-respect." (pp. 43-4.)

We might go on multiplying quotations of this kind; we forbear, however, with a recommendation of this little work of Professor Marx's to all who take a pleasure in the perusal of German literature. The price is a trifle. We cannot, however, close this brief notice without the closing paragraph of the Memoirs. Writing of his conduct towards his patients and professional brethren, Marx observes:

"His name alone gave confidence to the suffering; his presence, comfort and help. Faith and trust preceded and followed him. Kind and serious, sympathizing and inquiring, he approached the patient; with comprehensive searching and kindly questionings he firmly assured him. That which he prescribed was the result of the most careful thought. Where it was possible he used the simpler and milder remedies; if not, those by which he could more decidedly at

tain the distinct and desired end.

"So he completed a busy and useful life; to the state a faithful servant, to society an ever ready helper; to his own people and his friends a sure rock of defence.

"His memory will never fade from their hearts. And in the spot where he so successfully laboured it will be a sacred duty to maintain it ever alive; for he was very much to many, although all did not know his full worth. But he who has once seen the glowing sunshine on the Alps,-the summits glittering-while on all around is the calm and gloom of night, will never have the same effaced from his memory." (p. 122.)