486 Hosack's Theory and Practice of Physic. [April, are devoted to the phlegmasiæ, and their most frequent and various locations in the system. In the descriptive details which Dr. Hosack has recorded of the causes which predispose, and of those which excite to disordered action, may be found the evidence of his admirable talents, as an acute observer, while his history of disease, and his remedial measures, no less evince his rare and excellent judgment, and profound practical sagacity. Dr. Ducachet observes, that the intelligent reader cannot fail to discover that Dr. Hosack was considerably in advance of his own times. "He lived," says correct. he "to have the satisfaction of seeing many of the views and principles for which he had contended almost single-handed, adopted extensively in Europe and in his native country, and had he lived a few years more, his triumph, no doubt, would have been still greater." So far as relates to the views which the late eloquent teacher imparted on the vexed doctrines, associated with the theory of the humoral pathology, the enlightened editor is unquestionably At an early day, Dr. Hosack was accustomed to consider the human body as one entire whole, and ever considered disease, as equally disturbing the functional harmony of every part of the system: an exclusive theory, therefore, whether of solidism or of fluidism, was, in his medical philosophy, equally untenable and inadmissible. It is undeniable that the severer observation of the present day, grounded upon nicer reasoning and the recent truths unfolded by animal chemistry, give additional countenance to that pathology which does not overlook the importance of the fluids, in modifying the various morbid affections or derangements of the constitution. Nor would we withhold our assent to the soundness of the declaration, that the expositions which these lectures contain on the subject of fevers, both general and particular, and embodying a mass of well authenticated facts and reasonings, are eminently calculated, if properly considered, to promote a wide range of philosophical investigation, and lead to a more liberal and salutary code of medical prescription. Many of our inhabitants still well remember the zeal and intrepidity with which Dr. Hosack discharged the laborious and responsible duties of physician, during the several visitations in New York, of the malignant yellow fever, which prevailed at different periods in this city, since 1791; and all have heard of his numerous publications on the nature and treatment of that dreaded pestilence. The book before us contains rich materials on the nature of this peculiar disease, and many interesting reminiscences may here be found, of its several appearances in the United States and in this city, powerfully calculated to awaken the curiosity of the general, as well as of the professional student. The group of inflammations, technically denominated the phleg masiæ, are next considered: they include a list of many of the most serious affections, to which physical organization is vulnerable. Conspicuous among this catalogue of ills which flesh is heir to, we find pulmonary consumption, so often the treacherous destroyer of youthful hopes, and gout, the often merited sequel of luxurious indulgence. It were well if the hygeian precepts inculcated by our author, under the head of the first named complaint, were better known and regarded by all classes; and the disciples of Apicius might profit by the lessons this able teacher here gives of the causes and consequences of gastronomic luxury. The task confided to Dr. Ducachet, of preparing for publication these valuable lectures, has been faithfully and ably executed; and we have little doubt of their wide diffusion among the practitioners of the healing art throughout our country. We are gratified to see that the distinguished professor of the practice of physic in the university of Pennsylvania, Dr. Chapman, has honored the book with his imprimatur. Professors Hosack and Chapman were long at the head of the once rival medical schools of New York and Philadelphia; the rivalship between the two professors has evidently left no angry feelings in the breast of the survivor. 2. Sixth Annual Report of the Trustees of the State Lunatic Hospital, at Worcester.- December. Boston: 1839. Dutton & Wentworth, State Printers. 8vo. pp. 81. THIS noble institution, established and sustained by the state of Massachusetts, has now been open six years, under the pre-eminently able superintendence of Dr. Woodward. During this period, eight hundred and fifty-five persons have been received into the institution; of whom three hundred and forty-four have been restored to their reason, and the rest, with few exceptions, have been reclaimed to a condition of comfort, quiet, and comparative cheerfulness. But, besides these results, the trustees are of opinion that an effect scarcely less important has been realized, in rectifying the prevalent erroneous impression in the community - by demonstrating, namely, that insanity is a physical disease; that it is a curable disease; and that the means both of cure and of tion in ordinary cases may be readily understood and applied. Insanity is almost entirely a disease of civilized life. The proportion of the insane to the whole population, differs in different countries. In the United States, this proportion is put down at one in eight hundred. There must be, therefore, a lamentable deficiency of accommodations for the proper treatment of this unfortunate class. Massachusetts, with three hospitals, does not afford provision for more than two thirds; and the deficiency in preven other portions of the country, we apprehend, must be much greater. Accompanying the report of the trustees is that of the superintendent, which the trustees justly characterize as "a document of extraordinary interest and value." It contains eighteen different tables, presenting a great variety of facts, bearing upon almost every general inquiry of importance that could be framed. Some of these tables do not, as yet, warrant any definitive conclusion; but such records, kept in all similar institutions, may in time lead to the most important results. Among the points, however, which may be taken as established by these tables, are two or three of great interest. One of these is, that intemperance is the chief cause of insanity. Of the cases admitted to the hospital, one hundred and fifty-eight, are attributable to that cause; being one third more than the next most frequent cause, nearly twice as many as the next, and more than twice as many as any of the others. It appears, also, that the insane from intemperance furnish a less proportion of cures than any other class, with the exception of one. 66 Another important fact is shown from these tables namely, that insanity, though generally speaking, one of the most curable of diseases, if seasonably attended to, becomes, when inveterate, one of the most intractable and hopeless..... The proportion of cures in recent cases - that is, cases of less than one year's duration at the time when received - is ninety-four per cent.; while the proportion of cures in cases of more than five year's duration is only twelve and a half per cent.; and in cases of more than ten year's duration, only three and a half per cent." With this hospital is connected a chapel, in which religious services are regularly held every Sunday, attended by all the patients who promise to conduct quietly and decorously; and experience has proved, that independently of the soothing influence of religious considerations, of sacred music and the solemnities of worship, the promise and desire to control themselves during the services has also the happiest effect. The superintendent declares that "the benefit of one hour of self-control in such a case, from such a cause, is incalculable." The statements in regard to the salutary influence of religious worship upon the patients, is one of the most striking portions of the superintendent's report; and we commend them, as well as the whole pamphlet, to our readers, as furnishing matter of uncommon interest, not only to medical men and philosophers, but to the community at large, which certainly has a duty in regard to the prevention of insanity. 3. A Funeral Discourse, occasioned by the death of the Honorable Stephen Van Rensselaer; delivered in the North Dutch Church, Albany, by THOMAS E. VERMILYE, D. D., Pastor of the Church. Albany: 1839. pp. 43. IN the death of Mr. Van Rensselaer, the community lament the loss of one of the best and most venerable men in the country. It is not for us here to write his eulogy; we have only to observe, that in commemorating the departure of one of his flock, Dr. Vermilye has discharged an office of delicacy with great good taste and propriety of feeling. Simply to tell, in the plainest and most quiet language, what Stephen Van Rensselaer was every day, and all the days of his life, in all the relations in which he stood, is to describe a character full of every kind of worth and excellence. That which would be exaggerated panegyric in regard to most men, is short of the truth in regard to this good man. Dr. Vermilye has contented himself with just alluding to some characteristic traits, the truth of which is felt, in the hearts of all those who knew Mr. Van Rensselaer, with a strength no language can adequately express - his humility and simplicity of character and manners - his warm and kindly affections-his moderation in personal indulgences, and his singular liberality in the use of his princely fortune — his devout and consistent religious habits. We give the following sentence as expressing, what we believe all will admit, both in regard to the subject of this discourse, and to the fidelity of the author: 'Contemplated entire, there was observed in him an admirable blending of the rarest virtues, all ennobled by the operations of divine grace. In my sober conviction, he was one of the very best men the world has ever seen; one of a class, of whom but few appear in any age. I am not conscious of having beautified beyond nature, or colored too highly a single feature of the lovely picture. It was not my purpose. 'Tis not by pomp of words, nor studied phrase, nor yet by sculptured stone, his worth is to be duly honored. His deeds live after him. The simple story of his life and death, the tale of each day's acts could it be recalled, this were his most becoming and most enduring monument.” We are glad to find the following declaration : "to the honour of his Savior, for the sake of precious truth be it then observedChristianity made him what he was." This is true, and it is no less due to Christianity that it should be recorded, than to the principles of the venerable deceased. 4. Athenia of Damascus: A Tragedy. By Rurus DAWES. New York: 1839. Samuel Colman. THE publisher has brought out this tragedy in a beautiful style, as the first of a series of American plays, which he proposes to publish under the title of " Colman's Dramatic Library." We wish the enterprise all possible success. We think a true and great drama one of the highest works of human art. We have some good American plays, (among which we rank Mr. Sargent's Velasco, as the best,) and we should be glad to see them printed in a collective form; we have no doubt, too, that there exists in the country talent of a higher order for this department of literature than has yet been brought out — which needs only suitable encouragement to unfold itself. We shall frankly express the general impression this tragedy has made upon our minds, though we regret that our limits do not allow of that extent of analysis and citation which are desirable, in order fully to illustrate and justify the judgment we have formed. Mr. Dawes is unquestionably a man of genius, and a true poet; and there is no lack of genuine poetry in this play. It contains profound and beautiful thoughts, and exquisite single passages, illustrating the finest play of the fancy and of the imagination. As an example, we extract the following passage. Athenia is relating to Calous, her lover, a frightful dream she had dreamed, portending dishonor and a violent death to him. Calöus is endeavoring to banish the painful impression: ATHENIA. Oh, strange, mysterious Nature! strange Philosophy! It is because of their reflex conditions, Matter and mind thus imaging each other, |