The various species of Hernia are much better understood within the last fifty years; and much of the progress in this branch of surgery is due to the acuteness and indefatigable labours of the late Mr. POTT. The disease termed Hydrocele has also, within the same period, been investigated with much more success than ever before; for this much is to be ascribed to Mr. POTT, Mr. BENJAMIN BELL, and Sir JAMES EARLE.

The interesting subject of Aneurisms has derived great additional light from the researches of modern anatomists and surgeons. Dr. WILLIAM HUNTER examined the phenomena of this disease with great diligence and success. The present treatment of the popliteal aneurism, which forms a memorable improvement in surgery, is to be ascribed to Mr. JOHN HUNTER.

The lateral operation of Lithotomy, which is now generally preferred, owes much of its present improved state to the labours of the surgeons of the late century. Mr. CHESELDEN did a great deal to improve it in the first half of the century; and, since his time, much has been done by POTT, BROMFIELD, GOOCH, Sir JAMES EARLE, and many others. The Gorget, which is so important among the several instruments employed in this operation, was the invention of Mr. HAWKINS, of London.

In the management of Fractures and Luxations much advantage has been obtained, within the last fifty years, by avoiding the constrained and unnatural positions formerly imposed in such cases, and generally placing the affected limbs in that easy, relaxed and bent position which the natural inclination of the patient prompts him to assume. By this means much pain is spared, and the straightness and perfect recovery of the affected limbs exceedingly promoted. The efforts of Mr. PorT in

effecting this salutary reform deserve very honourable mention.

The treatment of Gunshot Wounds is another point on which the surgery of the eighteenth century claims a great deal of improvement. This has been chiefly effected by giving up the artificial and over-officious management of former times, by admitting the operation of general principles, instead of considering them as poisoned wounds, and by adopting the light, easy and superficial dressings which experience has been found to approve.

Much light, during the late century, has been thrown on the various diseases of the Eyes, and particularly on the Cataract. The same may be observed of Fistula Lachrymalis, and of Fistula in Ano. Among many others, Mr. POTT has largely contributed to the elucidation of all these subjects, and to the banishment of many prejudices and errors concerning them, which fifty years ago existed in great force. To the same distinguished practitioner surgery is indebted for a mode of treating Curvatures of the Spine, far more successful than any previously known.

Lately Mr. ABERNETHY, of London, has suggested a mode of treating Lumbar Abscess, which sometimes succeeds very happily, and often affords reasonable grounds of hope in that deplorable disease. And not long since, the theory and management of Ulcers has been greatly improved by the persevering labours of many surgeons, among whom it would be unjust not to mention Mr. BENJAMIN BELL, Mr. HOME, Mr. BAYNTON, Mr. WHATELEY, and Mr. NAYLER. The subject of Wounds has recently been treated with great ability and discernment by Mr. JOHN BELL, of Edinburgh, who deservedly sustains a high rank among the surgeons of the Scottish metropolis.

But the greatest of all improvements in surgery which the eighteenth century can boast, consists in the maxim of Saving Skin in all operations, and in the universal doctrine and practice of Adhesion, as now received. This improvement is so simple and so important that it is wonderful to find it reserved for the surgeons of so late a period. The merit of this discovery does not seem to belong exclusively to any individual. A share of it doubtless attaches to Mr. ALANSON, of Liverpool, in Great-Britain, and several others who directed their inquiries to this object about the same time. But to Mr. JOHN HUNTER more is certainly due than to any other person. This improvement was first applied to amputation, then to the operation of the trepan, next to the extirpation of schirrous mammæ, afterwards to all the great operations, and, lastly, to all recent wounds. In short, it would not be too much to assert, that this doctrine and practice of adhesion has done more to promote the progress of surgery, within a few years, than any discovery of modern times, not excepting, perhaps, even that of the circulation of the blood.

It remains to offer a few remarks concerning the progress of Obstetricks in the late century. By this term it is usual now to understand not only the art of facilitating the birth of children, but that of managing pregnant and puerperal women. During the period of our retrospect, the improvements which this art has received may justly be considered as numerous and important, and fully equal to those which are claimed in the other departments of medicine.

Both the theory and practice of obstetricks have assumed a much more regular and scientific form within the period in question. The anatomical structure of the body, so far as it concerns this art, was well understood in former ages. But the in

tricate and interesting relations of one part to another, their distances and their inclinations, both with respect to each other, and to different parts of the body, as well as with regard to the fœtus, form a branch of inquiry on this subject which has been prosecuted to advantage only in modern times. Dr. SMELLIE, of Great-Britain, is supposed to deserve the praise of beginning this improvement and pursuing it to considerable extent.”

By the light of the eighteenth century, not only many new truths have been brought into view, but a multitude of errors, prejudices and superstitious opinions, which formerly misled the obstetrical art, have been in a great measure banished." Nature has resumed its dominion, and is now followed as the safest guide. Much of the officious and violent interposition of former practitioners, to hasten or controul the natural process of parturition, has been found to be injurious, and is now generally relinquished. The modern instruments, in comparison of those employed by the ancients, are few in number, simple in construction, and seldom re

sorted to.

The diseases of the puerperal state have been much better understood, discriminated and treated within a few years, than in preceding times. The late publications of Dr. SMELLIE, Dr. MANNING, Dr. HULME, Dr. LEAK, Mr. WHITE, Mr. Moss, Dr. HAMILTON, Dr. DENMAN, Dr. OSBORN, M.

m Dr. SMELLIE is said to have been the first writer who considered the shape and size of the female pelvis, as adapted to the head of the fœtus; and to have abolished many superstitious notions, and erroneous customs, that prevailed in the management of women in labour, and of children; and to have had the satisfaction to see the most of his maxims adopted in the greater part of Europe. RAMSAY's Review, p. 13.

n VAN SWIETEN quotes several authors of reputation, who had advised lying-in women to keep their beds till the tenth or twelfth day after parturition; and this was frequently done without changing their bed-linen. The children were also incased from head to foot, so as to be totally deprived of the use of their limbs. These absurd and unnatural practices have, within the last half century, been gradually exploded. Ibid.

BAUDELOCQUE, and many others, whose names are only excluded by the brevity of our plan, have thrown much light on the subject of obstetricks, and do great credit to their profession. The elegant plates of Dr. WLLLIAM HUNTER, before mentioned, may also be considered as a great acquisition to the theory and practice of this art.

MATERIA MEDICA.

The knowledge of the nomenclature, the methodical arrangement, and especially of the virtues of those substances which are employed either for nutriment or the cure of diseases, must be considered as forming a very important branch of medicine. Accordingly it has received much of the attention of physicians in all ages. But in no period of equal length have inquiries on this subject been pursued with so much accuracy and success, or the discoveries and improvements been so numerous, as during the century under review. Many new articles, in this period, have been added to the former catalogues; the properties of articles formerly known and employed have become better understood than before; the application of old remedies greatly extended; and the whole subject made to wear a more scientific aspect.

From the account which has been already given of the state of the other branches of medicine, at the close of the seventeenth century, the reader will readily perceive that materia medica, so closely connected with them, in its principles and application, must have been, at the same period, in a corresponding situation; perhaps it may even be said to have been less cultivated at that time than any other branch of medical science. But soon after the commencement of the eighteenth