Dr. Dobell's Reports of the Progress of Practical and Scientific
31edictne' in Different Parts of the World. (Lamgmans.)—This is the second volume of what promises to be a very valuable series. Dr. Dobell has established communications with the professors and practisera of the art of medicine in various parts of the world, and here presents to us a, collection of their combinations. The amount and extent of observation and discovery are in these days so vast that there is urgent need of such a re'sume; to give to ordinary students the benefit of what is being achieved. The subject-matter of the article lies, as may be supposed, beyond the scope of these columns ; but we may notice, as especially interesting, an account, under the head of "Turkey," of supposed out- breaks of the plague (which is commonly thought to have disappeared since 1844), one in Tripoli, the other in Irak-Arabi. We must else mention a charming place in Iceland, Thingveller by name, the seat of the old Icelandic assembly, the " Althing, which seems to be the dwel- ling of the "long-lived Hyparboreans." The mortality is about 1 in 120 (twelve having died in eleven years out of a population of 136). When we add that there is good trout-fishing, and that the scenery is magnificent, we used add no more. The volume has been deprived by an unfortunate series of accidents of the chief part of what would be the most interesting part, the report on the health of the United States ; but it deserves, and doubtless, by increased value and usefulness, will repay, a liberal encouragement.
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