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with ruinous castles and towers, the quondam residence of Caledonia's doughty chieftains. Passing through the Torwood you arrive at Bannockburn, where a handful of Scots, animated with the ardour of liberty and independence, triumphed over the tyrannical and perfidious Edward. Hav-' ing refreshed yourself at Stirling you may ascend to the castle, and from thence contemplate the beautiful and sublime of Nature's works. You next proceed to Dumblane, and there view a huge gothic pile, still venerable from the extent and entire state of its ruin, On the Sherriff muir, hard by, in 1715, the whigs and tories fought and fled. At Ardoch you behold the deep intrenchments and extensive area of a Roman encampment, the most entire of any in Britain. Thence you pass through a country, barren, yet not uninteresting, from the many bloody encounters of our doughty ancestors. Along the banks of the Erne it is pleasant and fertile; and arriving at Perth, your thoughts will be directed into a new channel, and almost lose the recollection of what is past. You here see neat and crowded streets, coaches, liveries, elegant houses, and shewy shops. In short, Perth may be termed a second metropolis, Passing along the bridge, you descry the old palace of Scoon, modernized by its present owner, and the Omnis terræ Tumulus, or Mote-hill, so famous in the annals of Scotland. Directing your course eastward, you traverse the pleasant and fertile carse of Gowrie, which may justly be termed the garden, as well as the granary of Scotland. You next arrive at Bonny Dundee, a name which appears to be almost a literal translation of the ancient Allectum. It however hardly merits this name, as the situation is low and unhealthy, and the streets crooked and irregular. Leaving this large town, you traverse a rich fertile district. The sands of Barry and Penbride were the scene of a bloody battle betwixt the Scots and

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From the German of Frank, (Reisen nach, Paris, London, &c. 2 vols, amo. Vien na, 1805.)

(Continued from our last, p. 910.)

PRACTICE of MEDICINE. Dr Gre

gory. From 9 to 10.

Although this learned man gave no lectures during the time I was in Edinburgh, yet his particular goodness afforded me many opportunities of enjoying his learned and agreeable society. However much I believe such a man exalted above my praise, I shall merely write down what the general opinion, which a traveller can best trace out, says of him. Dr Gregory's extraordinary abilities excite universal astonishment. The studious youth attend his lectures with enthusiasm. The public value him as a distinguished practical physician.

One of the first questions which Dr Gregory put to me was, Whether I placed great confidence in the power of the medical art?" According to circumstances," was my answer: "In many cases I esteem it less than formerly'; and I employ fewer active remedies, than in the beginning of my

prac

practical career." Dr Gregory agreed with me, and made the remark, that this is the case with almost all physicians.

He did not consider Dr John Brown as at all a physician, and frankly own ed, that he had not read his work; but that he knew, however, his theory, from the many theses which, as censor, he was obliged to read.

Dr Currie's method of treating fe vers, by the affusion of cold water, meets Dr Gregory's approbation, although he has hitherto contented himself with merely washing his patients with it. He would also have no scruple, according to Currie's advice, to employ it in scarlet fevers. On this subject I shall say more in the sequel.

Dr Gregory has no experience of the uses of Digitalis Purpurea in consumption; and yet this remedy is of ten of remarkable service in certain cases. Tobacco, according to Dr Gregory, operates nearly in the same manner as the digitalis; and its operation is even more speedy. He praises the Nicotiana, especially in the Cynanche Trachealis.

Consumption occurs very frequent ly in Scotland. It is almost always from a scrophulous origin. Dr Gre gory places his sole confidence in the use of a warmer atmosphere, and in the avoiding of every thing which can excite cough. In general, with regard to scrophulous diseases, he is convinced of the pernicious influence of cold, and of the benefits of heat.

Dr Carmichael Smith's fumigations with saltpetre appear to Dr Gregory very useful. Still he places his chief confidence in the observance of cleanliness.

Among the books which have lately appeared in England, he is remarkably pleased with Dr Heberden's Praxis. A work, which has appeared under the title of Edinburgb Praxis, consists merely of a poor compilation, drawn up by indigent students. Dr

Gregory is, with reason, very indig nant at the author of such a book.→→ He promises us soon a work of his own, under the title, Prospectus Medicine Practice; till then, he hopes that an intelligent public will not judge of the talents of the Edinburgh professors from such poor productions as the book called Edinburgh Praxis.

With the greatest interest, I saw at Dr Gregory's, the picture of his, in every respect, valuable and memorable father. The acquaintance of Dr Gregory's sister, Mrs Alison, awaken ed in me the recollection of the work which her father left behind him, for her use, under the title of Legacy ; à work, which I have formerly perused with great pleasure, and which I would wish to see in the hands of every young lady.

Clinical Lectures. All the profes sors of medicine in this University have a right to give clinical instruca tions; a right of which they avail themselves, with the exception of Dr Hope. In Winter, two professors give always clinical lectures; that is, each three months. During the Summer, a third supplies their place. In this manner, the professors exchange with each other. During the time I was in Edinburgh, this office fell to the lot of Dr Duncan. Before I speak of the method which he employs, it must be known, that the clinical lec ture-room is in the public hospital, of which I shall speak fully hereafter. No medical student is allowed to attend, till he has first paid a fee This consists, the first year, of three gui neas. The second year, they give only two guineas. The third, only one, Afterwards, the class is open to them gratis. During the above-mentioned period, the students have permission, not only to attend the clinical lectures, but also to accompany the physicians and surgeons of the hospital in their visits to the sick. The chamber appointed for clinical lectures is confined and low. The number of sick of

both

both sexes amounts to twenty. The clinical lecturer chuses two of his trusty scholars, who then perform the office of assistant physicians. One of these attends the men, the other, the women. These assistants draw up accounts of the cases, and read them in presence of the professors, and of the other hearers, in Latin. They also state to the professor the daily report upon the state of the patients. In all feverish diseases, not only the quickness of the pulse is given, by means of a watch which indicates seconds, but also the degree of heat is given, by the thermometer. The lecturer then puts some questions respecting the patients, and dictates to his audience a description of the symptoms of the disease. Then, without farther inquiry, he explains the method of cure. The visit to the patient is then at an end. The clinical lectures are given twice a-week. In one of these, the clinical professor treats of the patients who have been newly admitted; in the other, he speaks of those dismissed, or dead. By this means the hearers have before them the descriptions written at the sick-bed, accompanied with remarks, which are here communicated to them.

This method certainly has its advantage. Still it appears to me hurtful in this respect, that the young physician has too little share in the clinical employments. The same fault is observable in the infirmary at Paris So long as young physicians are mere spectators at a sick-bed, they will seldom feel the same interest in their patients, as when they themselves take a share in their management. The method established at Pavia, Vienna, Wurtzburg, Wilna, and elsewhere, of giving to every student one or more patients to attend under the direction of the professor, is, without doubt, far more useful. The young physician is thus trained to the difficult art of making observations himself; he learns attentively to question his patients, and

writes down their cases himself: he is drilled to the formulary, and has, lastly, an opportunity to shew his capacity and knowledge before the professor. True it is, that all hearers must not be admitted to the management the sick; that privilege can be granted only to those who have already attended one year as mere spectators.

of

A thing, on the contrary, which pleased me much in the clinical establishment of Edinburgh, is, that all hearers are in possession of the cases of the patients, and have even an opportunity given them of accompanying these cases with remarks. This, indeed, may very well be done in other clinical establishments, and is done, perhaps, by a few of the most industrious students. The greater number, however, (who doubtless have themselves to blame,) take as small an account as possible of the cases of the patients whom they have an opportunity of visiting. In Edinburgh, on the contrary, the students are in a manner forced to keep a diary respecting their patients.

It may be objected, that much time is spent in dictating the cases. This objection would not be without foun dation, if the time, which is spent in thoroughly explaining and rendering useful a subject of such importance, could be considered as lost. Still, it is certainly better, when clinical students attend only a few patients, and examine thoroughly into their cases; than when, from the great number, they are forced to go over them only superficially.

It is asked, whether it is better to give the whole clinical instruction at the sick bed, or to communicate it to the students, afterwards assembled, in a separate lecture-room? In my opinion, each method has its advantage, and its disadvantage. Instruction at the sick bed infallibly makes a deeper impression on the hearers. The view of the patients also awakens many ideas in the mind of the lecturer, which,

when

when they are out of his view, are frequently lost. On the contrary, nothing is more burdensome and fatiguing for a sick person, nor more inconvenient, and often injurious to bystanders, than long continuance at a sick bed, especially when the number is very great. To this, we may add, that the advantage derived from im mediate instruction at a sick bed, is commonly enjoyed by those only who stand close to it, whilst those who are more remote can see little or nothing. They are tired too with long standing, are often incommoded by troublesome neighbours, or scatter and talk among themselves. Of two evils, therefore, we must chuse the least, and remove the lecture from the sick bed. I believe, however, that a middle way might be found, in which the remarks which had an immediate relation to the symptoms exhibited by the patient, and especially those connected with the art of observation, might be treated of in a few words at the sick bed; and the others, as well as the illustrations, reserved for a separate lec

tnrc.

SUMMER COURSE.

particularly deep into pathological anatomy, which his extensive knowledge of anatomical subjects renders extremely easy to him.

There is no doubt, that this learned man would have also an extensive practice in the city, were he not withheld from it by repeated attacks of the gout. He enjoys, however, the particular confidence of very many families. I had an opportunity of hearing a botanical lecture of Dr Rutherford, and also, of visiting along with him the botanical garden. This lies an English mile from Edinburgh, on the road leading to Leith. It is of considerable size, and in the best order.Among others, I saw a beautiful Ferula Asa Fætida in bloom. The garden at Kew received these plants from this garden.

Natural History. Dr Walter. (Walker.) From 2 to 3.

The present professor had been prevented for two years, by bad health, from giving lectures.

I have already mentioned, that clinical lectures are also given in Sum

mer.

Private Lectures. In Edinburgh,

(From the beginning of May to the end besides the public, many private lec

of August.)

Botany. Dr Rutherford.-In the morning, from 8 to 9.

Dr Rutherford has a very plain exterior, from which one cannot discover the uncommon abilities and extensive knowledge which he possesses. This useful and learned man has travelled through all the provinces of physic and medicine. Chemistry has been his favourite study. We have to thank him for the discovery of Azote, (Rutherford Thesis de aere mephitico, 1772.) The Encyclopedia Britannica, at least, ascribes this discovery, without hesitation, to Dr Rutherford.

He is also the founder of the clinical school of Edinburgh; his clinical lectures are extremely prized. In the course of these, Dr Rutherford goes

tures are also given. Every one is allowed to deliver them, without asking permission of any. People are convinced, that one who should want the requisite qualifications, would draw upon himself a prohibition to lecture from the mere want of hearers.

Here follows the list of those private lectures which are most regularly delivered:

Chemistry. This science is treated of, both by Dr William (Thomas,) Thomson, and by Mr John Murray.

Dr Thomson. Mr Davy gave me a letter to this chemist, already known and celebrated by his works. These lectures are very highly prized on account of their depth, and particularly sought after by those who wish to cultivate the study of chemistry. I heard one of them myself: Dr Thomson

spoke

spoke of the combination of acids with coal, and without any notes before him, treated the history of this subject with such depth and perspicuity, that I could not have expected a more elegant lecture from Vauquelin himself. Dr Thomson's own remarks on the oxydized gas from coal, were particularly interesting.

Mr Murray has an extremely agreeable delivery, which really approaches very near to that of Fourcroy. These lectures are attended by most of the students, and even by ladies. Mr Murray also lectures throughout the Summer on Materia Medica and Pharmacy.

Anatomy and Physiology. Dr Barclay. He is the author of a new anatomical nomenclature. His lectures are praised. I could not attend them, as Dr Barclay lectures only during the winter.

Anatomy, Surgery, and Midwifery. -Mr Charles Bell, This able young man has very agreeable manners, and displays much knowledge. He possesses an interesting collection of pathological preparations. Besides these, he has many anatomical preparations, and in the department of midwifery, has formed a number in wax, with his own hand, of which I must say, that they are the most beautiful, that is, the most natural I have ever seen; those of Florence. Vienna, and Paris, not excepted. Mr Bell is, besides, a particularly skilful painter.

Clinical Surgery. Mr Russel. Although this useful man has the title of Professor of Surgery, he does not belong to the medical faculty. He gives, twice a-week, clinical lectures in the hospital, which excite universal inter,

est.

Mr Russel has two assistants, Dr Brown, and Mr Thomson. I have had an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the latter. Mr Themson is completely acquainted with literature in general, and particularly with German literature. Along with

this, he has a great zeal for his own science. I have spent many interesting hours with this amiable and agreeable man.

The subject of animal medicine is commonly lectured npon by Mr AlIn, who was then travelling. I regretted very much not being able to make his acquaintance, as I heard his praise out of every mouth.

The number of students at this University exceeds a thousand; those who attend the medical classes amount to five hundred. The latter are bound to spend three years in the study of medicine alone, before they can attain to the degree of Doctor, unless they can prove that they have studied at other medical schools.

A Journey through the HIGHLANDS and WESTERN ISLES, in the Summer of 1804.-In a Series of Letters to a Friend.

BY THE ETTRICK SHEPHERD.
(Continued from our last, p. 892.)
Letter VII.

DEAR SIR,

Took leave of you in my last when we were hovering to the N.E. of the isle of Egg, and suffering the most poignant throes of hunger. “Sirs, "have you ainy bridd" said Mr J. "Hu, she, she," said Angus. "I. wish you would gie me a small piese," returned he. Angus either did not understand, or took no notice of him, for the request was never granted.The worm continued to gnaw. "There will be nothing for it," said I, "but to eat oakum and drink bilge water;" "Faith," said Mr W., we'll lick meal and eat cheese." "L-d preserve us," said Mr J. Angus now struck up a good fire, and put on a pot full of ugly ill-washed potatoes, with six salt herrings. I have seen the day when Mr W. would have thought them next to

poison;

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