1 SEPTEMBER 1838, Page 19

In the Medical department, we have as many publications and

of as great a variety as well could be,-1. A general exposition of the Human Body ; 2. The Materia Medical, and its application on ienerally-adopted principles; 3. A view of the practice of Hoinceo- PathY ; 4. A treatise on a very important branch of our system, thaTeeth,

kE. tenants of Phyciohom ; being an account of the Laws and Prin- apies of the Animal Economy. By THOMAS JOHNSTONE AITKIN, aze, 2. A Practical Compendium of the Materia Medica. By ALEXANDER L'RE, M.D. 3. Practice of Honwropathy. By P. F. CURIE, M.D., &c. 4. Dental Practice. liy JO1IN GRAY, Surgeon-Dentist, &e. I. Dr. Aismiris Elements of Physiology is an able, elaborate, and painstaking exposition of the functions and senses of the human frame, illustrated occasionally by comparative anatomy. Under the that head he describes the wonders of circulation, respiration, diges-

tion, absorption, and secretion, together with the character of' the blood. He next proceeds to the nervous system ; then sight, hearing, touch, smell; then the organs, bones, and muscles directly engaged in motion; lastly, there is a chapter on foetal life. It will be seen that all of these subjects are familiar to the pro- fession, and that several have already been popularly described, as Digestion, by Dr. COMEX. Dr. AITKIN. however, has treated them systematically, connectedly, and plainly; though he does not exhibit much felicity of expression, and sometimes overlays his subject by the scholastic fulness of phrase with which lie treats it.

2. Dr.ALEXANDER URE'S Practical Compendium of the Materia Medica is a very useful and able little book. It contains a vocabulary of the articles of the materia medica, describing their nature, pro- perties, medicinal effects, and uses, with the doses generally pre- scribed for children, the authorities for the prescription, and nume- rous formulas when the medicine is used in combination. The Materia Medico, is prefaced by a Dissertation on the effects of more general remedies, as bloodletting to infants and children ; which is chiefly drawn from the opinions of Continental writers, as are the comments on the Materia Merlin.. It should be added, that the foreign prescriptions have been modified to correspond with the London Pharmacoposia ; and al!ogether the little volume may be recommended as a valuable va le-mecum.

3. Dr. CURIE'S Practice of Homeopathy. When this subject began to force itself into notice sonic two years since, we entered at such length into its principles—its benefits, supposing the soundness of the system could be established—the very equivocal practice adopted—and the suspHuus cases by which the theory was upheld, that we need not now recur to the subject. As- suming that the vis medicatrix naturee is the grand curative power, and that the business of art is to stimulate or assist Nature, the theory that similia similibus eurantur is perfectly intelligible, and as good as any other. It would be a great im- provement in medicine to cure violent disorders without those violent remedies that sometimes are as bad as the disease, and always weaken the patient for a time, if they do not shatter the constitution. But if the cases of the homceopathists are admitted to be true, the causes assigned are incredible, being contrary alike to reason and experience. We grant that the rigid system of regimen and diet which this class of practitioners enforce may often produce powerful effects in chronic disorders; and this and imagination are the only assignable cause of any curative re- sults. It is inconceivable that doses so minute as the millionth part of a grain can have any operation.

These opinions are not shaken by Dr. CURIE'S book, but on the contrary confirmed. Sonic of his eases are of an extraordi- nary nature; and the powers he ascribes to sonic of the medicines rather throw ridicule on homceopathy than establish its truth.

4. Mr. Guav's Dental Practice has this mark of knowledge, that be holds out no promise of wonders, and trusts very much to simple means skilfully applied. He has, however, that weak one-sided way of expressing himself which distinguishes an un- practised writer ; and he indulges somewhat too much in diatribes against irregularly-educated dentists. The two most marked points in his little book, after his plates of new instruments, are— that teeth should only be drawn by medical men, or those who have been educated as such ; anti that metal fastenings of any kind are unnecessary to fix artificial teeth. If the tooth, he says, be pro- perly made, the pressure of the atmospheric air will retain it in its place.