He takes not the least notice of the able answer which the younger Duncan has given to the letter of-we believe, Dr. Thomson. Not but that we coincide in the sentiments contained in this memorial respecting a better education for the medical practitioner. We believe that all regulations will be defective where a good classical and general education is not made a sine qua non. But the doctrine of limiting the acquisition of this education to two or three universities is preposterous, and must soon be scouted by the public at large.

But to return to the College. Sir Arthur, after paying a just compliment to the President, laments that the interior economy of this stately pile by no means comports with its exterior magnificence.

"Now three years have elapsed, and things are just as they were, with the unhappy difference, that placed more prominently, it has been made to excite more envy, and a narrower inspection, and a closer dissection of its defects. But in truth, the error is not so much in the College as in our Universities. It is there the main reformation ought to commence; and the only reformation required, is simply to raise the respectability of their medical degrees. I should say, let no degree be henceforth conferred by any University in the kingdom, that is not fully answerable to what it sets forth regarding the bearer, in every respect, both of character and competency. The only authority the College of Physicians would then be required to use, in reference to the graduates of any University, would be that of merely verifying the authenticity of their degrees, and of enrolling them in a list to be published regularly for the information of the public.

"In raising the respectability of the University degrees, it would be necessary to have it surely settled that the candidate should be able to produce certificates of his having passed through some established course of medical instruction, under some competent authority, that the Universities could recognize whether within the walls of an University or elsewhere. This measure would furnish a supply of competent medical practitioners to meet the demand of the public, and effectually rescue the profession of the physician from the hands of its spurious pretenders. No one province of the profession would then trench upon another." 319.

This is so liberal, that we began to wonder how we could have so much mistaken the aim and end of this publication. But we were soon undeceived. In the very next page we find the Corporation spark kindle into a bright flame.

"As to the constitution of the College itself, I conceive it most important and essential that it (the Fellows of course) should be composed of men of a degree of learning and acquirement much above that wanted for the fitness of the ordinary members (Licentiates)

of the profession. It is only by keeping up a superior rank of this description that the profession can be saved from the same degeneracy that has been so universally its portion in all other parts of the world, and to which it has itself so natural and prone a tendency." 320.

So, then, by keeping a handful of men educated at particular seats of learning, in possession of rank, power, and privileges, to domineer over all others, is the way to prevent degeneracyto promote harmony-to ensure liberality-and to counteract that tendency to descend-" especially if tempted and drawn by the divellent attraction of self-interest." Now we do maintain that such a distinction, founded as it is, not upon superior learning, talent, medical acquirements, or moral worth, but upon certain corporation rights attached to insulated seats of learning, is the very apple of discord which will keep up a con-stant source of arrogance, pride, and tyranny in one party; and just indignation, if not deadly hatred, in the other, as long as such

an odious barrier exists.

Sir Arthur is an excellent classical scholar, and seems to be an enthusiastic admirer of the lions of literature in ancient times. We ask him if it was by means of corporation laws that his favourites of the olden time, the Platos, Aristotles, Horaces, and Virgils of Greece and Italy, were enabled to "keep up a superior rank" above their cotemporaries? Was it by virtue of this corporation supremacy that Licentiate Sydenham has transmitted his name to posterity, in every language of the world, while the Radcliffes, and other FELLOWS of his time, have only a momentary and despised existence in the Mems. Maxims, and Memoirs of Wadd? If, indeed, the fellowship of the College were a station of eminence to which talent, learning, and professional acquirements had a right to aspire, as a reward, and to which nothing else could give a claim, there might be some foundation for the observation of our author. But he and every body knows that merit has no claim o the fellowship, and that the paths to it are two particular highways, lying between the metropolis and two provincial towns! is this the way to forward merit and foster talent in the nineteenth century?

At page 155, Sir Arthur tells us, that-

If the College of Physicians had never been of any use beyond that of keeping up a reputable rank in the profession, it is worthy of all its power and patronage."

Yet, at page 321, we have the following somewhat contradicsory declaration:

"As things have for a long time been conducted, the authority of

the College in the country is absolutely a dead letter, and its testimonial, in place of a benefit, a positive nuisance; in fact it is a millstone about the neck of the bearer, by imposing obligations at variance with his private interests, and so far putting bad faith at a premium."

How the author can reconcile the above passages, it would be difficult to imagine; nor do we well understand how the followship hangs as a millstone round the neck of a physician in the country. But this we may surely say, that the "testimonial" of the College hangs as a millstone about the neck of the Licentiate in London.

In thus offering a critique on the medical politics of the volume before us, we beg it may be distinctly understood, that we mix up no personal feelings as regards the author. We have every reason to believe, and, indeed, to know, that Sir Arthur Faulkner is an accomplished scholar, a talented physician, and an honorable man. His work on the Plague has long made his name favourably known to the profession, and the present volume proves him a man of literature and observation. "But these good. qualities cannot always clear the mental optics, when things are to be viewed though the medium of medico-political lights and shades. Every man is entitled to his opinion on these topics. We may be wrong, and our author may be right. The public tribunal is that to which we shall appeal, firmly, but we hope freely, alike uninfluenced by the smiles of one party, or

the frowns of the other.

III.

Clinical Observations on the Efficacy of Hydro-Chloruret of Lime, as a Remedy in certain Stages of Fever and Dysentery. By ROBERT REID, M.D. &c. &c. Octavo. Dublin, April,

1827.

In the late and, indeed, present epidemic fever of Dublin, (April, 1827,) Dr. Reid had occasion to notice some circum stances, not observed by himself or others in former epidemics. In individuals affected with the prevailing fever, the disease usually increased till the sixth day, when a severe rigor took place, followed or not by profuse perspiration. When this occurred, the fever was generally at an end, and the patient be

came convalescent-the speedy convalescence being generally proportioned to the severity of the rigor. The great majority of patients, however, had not this good luck. The disease yielded with difficulty to the usual remedies, and the patients were brought to a doubtful convalescence, thinking themselves well. There would be no tangible or appreciable disease-and yet the physician would frequently be surprised at hearing of his patient's sudden death the day after he had left him apparently convalescent.

We shall notice one or two cases in illustration. Anne Watson, aged 19, after being five weeks ill with fever, was received into the hospital on the 9th January, 1827. The disease seemed mild-her bowels were regulated by aperients--and she was then ordered the saline diaphoretics. She appeared gradually getting better till the 13th, when, after a quiet sleep, she awoke, gave a sigh, and died.

On

Dissection. The stomach was much distended with flatus, and some dark spots were observed on the mucous membrane. The duodenum and other intestines were natural. The liver not enlarged, but the colour of a deeper red than usual--" the biliary function apparently suppressed." There was much red fluid in the pericardium--left ventricle of the heart flabby, its parietes thin, and the cavity much larger than natural. opening this cavity, a gush of air rushed out, and it did not contain any blood or coagulum." The left auricle, on pressure between the fingers, gave a distinct sensation of crepitus, from air contained in its cavity. There was no sign of putrefaction in any part of the body. The right auricle was distended with venous blood; right ventricle natural. The contents of the pulmonary veins did not appear to have undergone the usual change in the lungs, which, in other respects, seemed healthy. The internal surface of the aorta was of a dull pink colour, and the texture of the vessel appeared softened--which state seemed to extend through the whole arterial system. In the head, the dura mater was found extremely vascular, and an extravasation of blood and coagulated lymph was observed covering the entire right hemisphere of the brain, causing a considerable depression in the middle region. The coagulated lymph pointed, as usual, to the source of the hemorrhage, which was ascertained to have flowed from a small vessel at the side of the longitudinal sinus. There was no extravasation on the left hemisphere. The medullary substance of the brain seemed in a state of congestion.

Case 2. Catherine Hannon, a nurse or the hospital, took the fever, and was confined to bed, on the 9th March, 1827.

On the 12th, she appeared nearly convalescent. On the 13th, in the morning, she had a slight rigor, and in eight hours afterwards she was dead.

Dissection. The surface of the body exhibited a dirty purple yellow hue. The viscera of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis healthy. When the scull-cap was removed, the dura mater seemed of a brownish yellow colour, and a yellow matter, as if bile had been suffused, was found between the arachnoid and pia mater. The substance of the brain had a yellow tinge. Nothing remarkable in the ventricles.

Case 3. William Ludlow was admitted into the hospital, labouring under a relapse of fever. He seemed progressively mending until the 28th of March, when he complained of slight pain in the abdomen, and general feeling of returning disease. These symptoms rapidly increased, and next morning he died.

Dissection. The serous surface of the peritoneum was healthy-the mucous membrane of the ileum exhibited patches of congestion, with some tendency to ulceration. The viscera of the thorax and abdomen were healthy. The blood appeared decomposed and watery. The medullary substance of the brain was congested, and much watery blood was discharged from the cut parts.

Case 4. John Anderson was admitted on the 2d of April, being six days ill with fever: he complained of tenderness of abdomen on pressure--skin and eyes yellow. On the 5th he appeared much relieved, and had a quiet preceding night. At mid-day the pain of abdomen returned, and leeches were ordered; but, before any means could be used, he turned quite purple, and quickly died. There was no dissection.

Case 5. Master had been ill several days with fever, but became convalescent. In a few days more he complained. of violent pain in the abdomen, and leeches were ordered, but, from mistaken lenity, they were not applied. In 48 hours he died.

Dissection. Great tendency to putrefaction in a few hours after death--abdomen tumid, and integuments green--back and lower extremities black. On opening the abdomen all the viscera were found covered with a yellow curd like matter, and a considerable quantity of pus and sanies diffused through the cavity. The liver was studded with a crystaline miliary eruption, similar to what had been observed on the surface during his illness. The head was not examined, as it had shown no symp tom of disorder during life.