38

season on the animal kingdom was strongly exemplified in thelarge flights of migratory birds that tarried on these shores ontheir course to their northern fields, in the improved conditionof those domestic animals that had withstood the vicissitudesof the winter, and in the joyful spirit pervading the camp.The heat of the summer was at no time excessive.- not equal

to that to which our troops are accustomed when stationed atGibraltar and Malta,; but in May and June it was oppressivefrom extreme dryness of the atmosphere, with northerlywinds that absorbed every atom of moisture, giving very fewshowers in return. This dry heat was much complained of,because of the great evaporation that goes on from the surfaceof the body while it lasts, but it does not appear to be un- ,,

healthy. The summer season changed, imperceptibly, into I,that of autumn; and, regarding the autumn as a whole, Dr. ISmart knows no country in which the climate is found more agreeable to the sensations, by a succession of cool nights towarm, clear days, than marked its course to the end of October,when the north wind, blowing coldly at intervals, suggestedthe necessity of a return to winter clothing.

The change from autumn to winter, in 1854, was as suddenas that from winter to spring. This change depresses evenmore than that exhilarates, in consequence of the continuedrains rather than of severe cold attending its commencement.The sudden mutations of temperature to which the climate ofthe Crimea is liable in the winter months, were more hurtfulto the health of our forces than any other of the climatic con-ditions. These changes of heat and cold were the sequencesof the shiftings of the winds from the northerly and southerlydirection, or vice versâ. A fall of 30° Fahr., within a few

hours, was by no means an unfrequent occurrence. It hasbeen said, that these great vicissitudes of temperature of thewinter season, together with the frequent electric changes ofthe summer, are dependent upon the alternations of the twoprincipal winds, or rather on the changes of relative altitudeand position of the planes of these atmospheric currents, as

determined by the mixed continental and insular conditions ofthe land, and by the configuration of its surface. High moun-tains range along its southern coasts, and form a boundaryrising into the clouds that causes the insular conditions ofclimate to predominate south of the barrier over that narrowstrip of coast which resembles in its scenery, as well as in itsclimate, the Italian " Riviera," between Nice and Genoa. Tothis shore the imperial family and the nobility resort to enjoythe balmy influences of a southern clime, in villas seated amidthe soft seclusion of luxuriant valleys, or on the sunny aspects,of mountain slopes that decline rapidly towards the sea. North-ward of the mountain range, the whole aspect of the countryand its climate, except in a few sheltered vales, are assimilatedto the continental conditions of Southern Russia. The flanksof the mountain range, of which the western was the seat ofwar, are obnoxious to all the inconveniences of the alternations,of climatic condition to which allusion has been made. Thecharacter of the produce of a land, and the earlier and laterdate of its harvests, are general, but withal good criteria ofthe average conditions of a climate. To apply this, it may beatated, that on first arriving on these shores, in the middle ofSeptember, 1854, it appeared significant of a moderate meantemperature of the summer, that the cereals had just then beenreaped, and were but partially gathered, while the grape wasnot ripe for the vintage; and the absence of the olive afforded- evidence that the production of its oil does not enter into theprofitable agricultural resources of a country where much ofthe commodity is in demand.These facts would lead to one of two inferences: either that

the summer of 1854 was behind the average of years; or thatthe climate of the south-western portion of the Crimea, in itsmain features and mean temperature, resembles more closelythat of Belgium and the south of England, that lie five degreesnorth of it, on the western or oceanic contines of Europe, thanthe plains of Lombardy and central France, which are situatedwithin its own parallels.

Dr. Smart thnn proceeds to examine, seriatim, the atmo-spheric and marine currents; the effect upon temperature andclimate of the great rivers which-after draining the vastexpanse of land extending from the northern slopes of theCaucasus to the eastern precipices of the Swiss Alps, and fromthe Balkan and Dalmatian Alps to the hills of modern heightthat form the northern boundary of the great central plain ofRussia,-pour their waters into the Euxine; and the hygro-metric and electric conditions of the atmosphere. For the

explanation of the various phenomena of the Crimean climate,Dr. Smart handles these elements in a most able and philoso-phical manner. Dr. Smart’s paper was concluded by a masterly

sketch of the principal diseases of the camp in the Crimeaduring its occupation by the allied forces.A discussion followed the reading of the paper, in which

Dr. Milroy, Mr. Rawlinson, Dr. Snow, Dr. Greenhow, andDr. Mc William took part. Dr. Milroy and Mr. Rawlinson,having been employed as sanitary commissioners in the Crimea,bore evidence to the great zeal, ability, and usefulness, whichmarked Dr. Smart’s conduct while in the responsible charge ofthe Naval Brigade Hospital at Balaclava.

Reviews and Notices of Books.Outlines of Ophthalmology. Third Edition. To which is pre.

fixed an Introductory Discourse, &c. By WILLIAM MAC-KENZIE, M.D., Surgeon-Oculist in Scotland, in Ordinary, toher Majesty, &c. &c. London: Longman & Co. 1856.pp. 4’2-

Defectg of Sight; tltei?- Nature, Causes, Prevention, and GeneralManagement. By T..WHARTON JONES, F.Ii"S., F.R.C.B.,Professor of Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery in UniversityCollege, London, &c. &c. London: John Churchill. pp. 149.THE first of these two volumes consists apparently of what

may be considered a syllabus of the author’s lectures. Dr.Mackenzie’s reputation as an oculist is too well established torequire any corroborative testimony from us. We may observe,however, that if the lectures delivered in Glasgow Universityat all fulfil the promise of the syllabus, they must as nearlyexhaust the subject of ophthalmology as is possible. The pre.fixed discourse is judicious. The advice contained in the fol-

lowing passage should be laid to heart, not merely by allophthalmic practitioners, but by all engaged in the practice ofmedicine or surgery.

" Another point on which success in this department ofmedical practice very much depends is the doing of whateveris done to the very best of one’s ability-doing nothing slovenly,nothing carelessly, nothing at random-prescribing no remedywithout a clear and reasonable object in view, applying everyremedy with the utmost care, and watching the effect of everyapplication with diligence."We cannot commend Mr. Jones’s work. To whom is it ad-

dressed-to the profession or the public ? If to the former, itis unnecessary, by reason of the substantial works of Mr. Joneshimself and others already before the profession; and if to thepublic, we think the book extremely objectionable, for the fol-lowing reasons: it contains too much and too little; there istoo much ophthalmic pathology, medicine, and surgery, andtoo little anatomy, physiology, optics, and hygiene. In the

preface, Mr. Jones professes to have for his object the layingdown of some principles to guide people in the care and pre-servation of their sight. To this end, he says he has " throwntogether" certain observations, &e. They certainly are "throwntogether." ’’ If they had been more numerous and systematic,the book would have been more useful to general readers andmore creditable to the author. We should like to know ofwhat use, to non-professional persons, it is to address to thema disquisition on the relative merits of the operations for cataractby displacement, extraction, and division ! The only effectwe can conceive of such a proceeding is to imbue the mind ofthe innocent reader with a profound conviction of the learningand abilities of the author, and in all probability such reader-will repair to Mr. Wharton Jones whenever he needs theservices of an oculist.We entertained a profound horror of, and rooted dislike to,

books which occupy the debatable ground of the volume inquestion. Let the public have anatomy, physiology, naturalphilosophy, and hygienics by all means; they will really benefitby a knowledge of the subjects; but in the name of professionaldignity we do protest against writing at the public in these

semi-medical two-and-sixpenny books. They do not teach,

what is useful, and all the physic and surgery they contain isonly so much of advertisement, besides being incomprehensible

39

to the reader. While making these remarks, we desire alsoto record our dislike to the manner of naming medicalworks which is creeping into use. It may be very well for an

ephemeral littérateur to call his book " Pera to Piccadilly," orany short alliterative title which will fix itself readily uponthe memory; but for scientific writers to try any such schemes ismost unbecoming. " Pain after Pudding" is not a professionalstyle of nomenclature, and we should not recommend it or anysimilar title. Really we almost expect to see " Cakes andConstipation," or "Beer and Bile," by -, F.R.S., &c., on

our table some day. Such violations of good taste shall, how-ever, meet with their deserts. ,

Hygienic Medical and Surgical Hints for Young Officers of the Royal and of the Merchant Navy. By W. M. SAUNDERS, IM.D., R.N. pp. 96. London: Churchill. 1856. jTHE author, having felt the want of some concise source of

guidance when first entering on his duties, within the tropics, Ias an assistant-surgeon, in 1842, and again when in the more IIresponsible position of surgeon in later years, conceives the Isame deficiency may be experienced by others holding a like position. He has therefore put together a series of notes, taken ’,from the works of Blane, Lind, Wilson, Bryson, Johnson, and !,others, chiefly relating to such hygienic precautions as should Ibe adopted by "young naval officers......for the preservation Iof their own health and that of those who may be under their icommand in course of years.""We see," remarks Sir Gilbert Blane, "indeed, infinite i

pains taken to prevent cordage from rotting and armsfrom rusting, but, however precious these may be, as thenecessary implements of war, it will not be disputed thathuman hands are still more so; yet, though there is the addi- I

tional inducement of humanity to watch over the health of the Imen, I no not think that this, in general, is studied with a degree of attention equal to what is bestowed on some in-animate objects."Dr. Saunders’s b?-oc7ture is, no doubt, full of useful and sound ,

information, but we think may, in the future edition, be con- isiderably improved. We would, inter alia, advise the wholesubject of "Asphyxia" to be re-considered, particularly inreference to the views and method of treatment promulgatedby our valued and respected correspondent, Dr. Marshall Hall;and we think naval officers might not care to miss such anaphorism as the following :-" CAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED IN A THUNDERSTORM.—Never

take shelter under a tree, haystack, wall, or hedge, but keepin the middle of a field or road, especially if raining. "-p. 65.

Medical Despotism, or Official Injustice. By the late Physicianto the Crimean Railway Expedition. pp. 28. London: Bos-worth. 1856.

OUR opinion being sought by David M’Cormack Reed, thelate surgeon of the 2nd Regiment of Beatson’s IrregularCavalry, on the question discussed in the pamphlet before us,we have no hesitation in giving it-viz., that the " DeputyInspector-General" (Dr. Cockburn) was in duty bound to ad-monish Dr. Reed to practise a scientific and rational system ofmedicine, instead of homoeopathy, and that the defence of Dr.Reed, of which the following extract indicates the nature, isinsufficient :—" I consider any attempt on the part of the Deputy Inspector-

General to interfere with the freedom of my practice as a regi-mental surgeon, or as an experienced civil practitioner em-ployed for a time in this corps, is altogether uncalled for, andis quite opposed to the spirit of liberal inquiry which ought tocharacterize the acts of all enlightened practitioners of medicineand surgery in the present day. "-p. 15.

Secondly, we are of opinion that, as regards Dr. Reed’s re-fusal to obey Staff-Surgeon Kalazdy, the following admonitionof General Smith was not too severe :-" Dr. Reed,-I make great allowances for you as a civil prac-

titioner of medicine; but in a military point of view, you arewrong; you should have obeyed first, and complained after-wards, if you thought youiself aggrieved. It is my duty toadvise you to apologise for the offence, and to promise in futureto obey all the lawful orders of your superior officers, or I shallhave to report you for insubordinate conduct."-p. 3.

Thirdly, we are of opinion, considering the reply and afterbehaviour of Dr. Reed, that Lieutenant-General Vivian, com-manding, was justified, on the representation of Major-GeneralSmith, in ordering Dr. Reed to be removed from the service onaccount of his " insubordinate and litigious spirit. "-p. 6.

The London and Provincial Medical Directory for 1857.London: Churchill.

OF this work it is unnecessary, after our former eulogiumsupon the manner in which it was prepared, to say more thanthat it faithfully represents the present presition of the membersof the profession. The volume for this year contains severaladditions to the list of the various medical societies intown and country. The list of coroners has been speciallycompiled from original returns. Lists of Government inspectors,and surgical instrument makers, have been introduced; andthe general information has been increased. Altogether thework may now be regarded as complete.

POOR-LAW MEDICAL REFORM ASSOCIATION.To the Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,-I have addressed a letter to the Right Hon. ViscountPalmerston, with a statement of the grievances of the Poor-lawmedical officers, and remarks on sanitary measures and vacci-nation, a copy of which is now in the press, and will shortlyappear in the form of a pamphlet, for distribution to eachmember of Parliament and Poor-law medical officer.

I beg to lay before your readers the annexed correspondencebetween Mr. Fox and the Romsey guardians, which speaks for-itself. I can only add that I hope no gentleman (especially acolleague, as in the case of the late vacancy in the FromeUnion) will be found to accept the appointment, and thusverify the words of the Poor-law Board, that "whenever a.vacancy occurs there are plenty of candidates for the office,and therefore there is no need for increasing the salaries." Letthe profession be true to itself, and the guardians will be com-pelled to do Mr. Fox justice by reappointing him at an in--creased salary, which undoubtedly he merits, or they wouldnot have permitted him to hold the office during the last-twenty years. I am, Sir, yours, &c.,

I Royal-terrace, Weymouth, RICHARD GRIFFIN.Jan. 5th, 1857.

’, " To the Board of Guardians of the Romsey Union.GENTLEMEN,—I beg respectfully to state that, as the price

of articles consumed in conducting a union practice—viz.,.corn, hay, and horseflesh (not to mention double income-tax)-has advanced, I am compelled to apply for an increase ofsalary. I would remind the board that my present stipend isonly 13s. lOd. per week for attendance on the sick paupers ina population of 1400, over an area of 5000 acres: a sum quiteinadequate to the duties required. I am, &c.,

Dec. 20th, 1856." _____

L. OWEN Fox.

" Romsey Union, Dec. 29th, 1856.

The application of Mr. Fox, medical officer, for an increase:of salary, for reasons stated in his application, was considered,and it was moved and resolved unanimously, That at the spe-cial meeting held this day the board declined to augment thesalary of Mr. Fox; but in case Mr. Fox should be dissatistiedwith the present rate of payment, the board will be happy to-receive his resignation.

Ordered, That the clerk do forward a copy of this minuteand resolution to Mr. Fox."

″ GENTLEMEN,—I beg to inform you that I cannot continuemy services as medical officer on the present terms, and there-fore give you notice that on and after the 26th January next Ishall resign my appointment. I am, &c.,

Dec. 31st, 1856." L. OWEN FOX.

RICHARD GRIFFIN.

L. OWEN Fox.