3. On granular Degeneration of the Kidnies, and its Connexion with Dropsy, Inflammation, and other Diseases. By Opinions of Rayer, Christison, and Bright on Albuminous Urine 133 Die Lehre von der Erkenntniss und Behandlung der Lungen- und Herzkrankheiten. Mit vorzüglicher Hinsicht auf die Auscultation, Percussion und die anderen physicalischen Explorationsmethoden. Von Dr. P. J. PHILIPP. Zweite, gänzlich umgearbeitete Auflage. Berlin, 1838. Doctrines for the Recognition and Treatment of Diseases of the Lungs and Heart, with particular Reference to the Methods of Exploration by Percussion, Auscultation, &c. A Synopsis of the various Kinds of difficult Parturition, with practical Remarks on the Management of Labours. By SAMUEL MERRIMAN, M.D., F.L.S., &c. &c. Principles of General and Comparative Physiology, intended as an Introduction to the Study of Human Physiology, and as a Guide to the philosophical Pursuit of Natural History. By WILLIAM B. CARPENTER, M.R.C.S.L., &c. Elements of Physiology. By J. MULLER, M.D. Translated Reports of the Proceedings of the Pathological Society of Address delivered at its first Meeting in the Rotunda, November 14, 1838, by EVORY KENNEDY, M.D., Master In consequence of some arrangements relating to the delivery of this Journal We have great pleasure in announcing, that the Reports of the Obstetrical We beg to acknowledge the receipt of numerous works for review, notices of ART. I.-Researches on the State of the Heart, and the Use of Wine in Typhous Fever. By WILLIAM STOKES, M. D., M. R. I.A., Honorary Fellow of the King and Queen's College of Physicians, &c. BEFORE I enter on the investigations which form the basis of this paper, I may premise, that I consider typhous fever as an essential disease, not symptomatic of any known local lesion. To British readers this may appear unnecessary, as it is only the expression of opinions entertained by our most learned and experienced physicians. But as on the Continent a different doctrine is held by some eminent pathologists, and as I have found it necessary to state to many continental physicians who have honoured the Meath Hospital with their presence, that we were opposed to the doctrine of localization, I trust that the expression of these opinions will not be considered unnecessary or egotistical by my readers at home, VOL. XV. NO. 43. B There can be no doubt that the typhus of Great Britain and Ireland is a disease of the whole system, not symptomatic of any particular local lesion; shewing on the one hand a tendency to a favourable termination, after a period which varies indefinitely; and on the other, being capable of destroying life with various lesions, or without any appreciable change in the solids. It is a disease on which anatomy sheds but a negative light, not telling us what it is, but rather what it is not. With respect to the organic lesions, I consider them as much secondary to the general disease, as the pustule in smallpox is to the disease of variola. Their not unfrequent absence in the worst cases of the disease proves that they are not the cause of typhus, while in cases where they do occur, we observe a signal want of proportion between their amount, and the severity of the symptoms. They are in the fullest sense inconstant in their seat and extent, incompetent to the explanation of symptoms, and unnecessary to the characteristic phenomena of the disease. In making these observations I do not mean to throw the slightest doubt on the accuracy of those observations, which, accumulating for many years, have shewn the singular frequency of intestinal ulceration in the fever at Paris and other situations on the Continent. That there exists a much greater disposition to these forms of disease in those situations must be admitted, a frequency almost sufficient to justify the doctrine of the justly celebrated Broussais, that typhus was but a gastroenteric irritation. But as my excellent friend Dr. Staberoh has well remarked, we must study disease in various countries before we come to any conclusions as to its nature. Had Broussais examined the typhus of Great Britain and Ireland he would never have formed his theory of fever.* If we compare the inexperienced man with him who has Dr. Lombard of Geneva has lately endeavoured to shew that the typhous fever of Ireland is a peculiar affection, differing from that of the Continent in the ab |