On this interesting topic, Mr. M. adds his opinion that little or no improvement can be expected from the plans pursued in our recent Military Schools.

Chusing to be rigidly systematic, and treating of his subject on general grounds, the author uses the term election where only that of appointment is applicable, according to our institutions.

re

In prosecuting these inquiries, the penetration, the patient investigation, and the powers of analysis, which Mr. Macdiarmid displays, appear to considerable advantage; and we are of opinion that his labours deserve the notice of those who are in situations of authority and influence, since they may derive from them useful hints and practical suggestions.-If he appears to be a stranger to some celebrated systems, specting the branch of knowlege by the application of which he proposes to reform our institutions, he seems to be by no means ignorant of the conclusions which these theories meant to establish, nor of the facts on which they have been founded; and if he has not shewn himself an adept in metaphysics, his pages throughout are characterized by a liberal spirit, by manly sentiments, and by an ardent and enlightened patriotism

ART. XIV. The Anatomy of the Human Ear, illustrated by a Series of Engravings of the natural Size; with a Treatise on the Diseases of that Organ, the Causes of Deafness, and their proper Treatment. By J. C. Saunders, Surgeon of the London Dispensatory for Diseases of the Eye and the Ear. Folio. 11. 58. Boards. R. Phillips. 1806.

T

HE organ of hearing has not obtained, either from the anatomist or the pathologist, that attention which the intricacy of its structure and the importance of its functions deserve. Although the several parts of which it is composed have been occasionally described with considerable minuteness, yet the descriptions are generally obscure, or the works which contain them are difficult of access; so that the young practitioner, who wishes for information on the subject, finds his progress impeded by almost insurmountable difficulties. These obstacles the volume before us must, in a material degree, tend

to remove.

Mr. Saunders's work is arranged in four chapters; in the first three of which, the anatomy of the ear is described, and in the last we have some remarks on its diseases. He divides the complicated mechanism of which the ear consists, into three parts; the external, by which the air is received and conveyed to the seat of sensation the internal, which forms

the immediate seat of sensation; and the middle, which connects the two former together, and carries the impulse of the air from the one to the other. Of the first three chapters, which consist merely of anatomical description, we shall not attempt any analysis. The account of the several parts appears to be correct, and as perspicuous as so intricate a subject can be made; while the accompanying figures are numerous, and well executed. As we do not meet with any thing which can be said to be new, either as to the anatomy or the physiology of the ear, the merit of this part consists in its correctness; on which point it is intitled to much commendation.

Chapter IV. on the diseases of the ear, occupies nearly twothirds of the whole volume, and will by many persons be deemed the most interesting part. Our great ignorance on the subject is generally admitted and lamented; and the obstacles to the acquisition of information respecting it are, as the author remarks, almost insuperable. Nature has placed the greater part of the Ear in a situation absolutely beyond the reach of examination in the living body, and as its diseases are rarely if ever mortal, morbid Ears are seldom dissected in the dead. Such observations as are related have mostly been made on subjects that have casually fallen into the hands of the dissector, and the history of the cases is unknown.' These im pediments seem to have prevented us from attempting to acquire that little knowlege which is within our reach the diseases of the ear have been almost entirely overlooked by the regular practitioners; and its morbid anatomy has seldom been an object of attention with the anatomist. In this state of uncertainty, we feel the more grateful to Mr. Saunders; who has not only directed our attention to this object, but has been able to make some important advances in it.

Mr. S. commences with the diseases of the meatus externus; and he particularly describes an herpetic eruption of these parts, by which the integuments are thickened, and a fœtid ichorous discharge is produced. The disease is cured by alterative met curial medicines taken internally, together with the external application of mercurial lotions and ointments. After having noticed some less frequent and less important complaints of the meatus externus, the author proceeds to the diseases of the tympanum. The most serious complaint of this part is acute inflammation, to which may be referred that painful sensation called the earache. When this advances to the state of suppuration, it resembles in some respects the herpetic affection just mentioned: but, as the cure must proceed on very different principles, it is of considerable importance to establish the diagnosis between them. This may frequently be done by observing whether the

patient

patient has the power of expelling air through the membrane tympani; if this membrane be imperfect, it is nearly a certain proof that the disease is seated in the neighbouring parts: but this is not absolutely an unerring criterion: the disease may exist in the tympanum, and yet the membrane may not be ruptured; while, on the other hand, the membrane may be ruptured, but, owing to the inflammation having extended to the Eustachian tube and closed it up, the patient will not be able to force out the air. When the nature of the disease is ascertained, the cure of it, in the early stages, is to be attempted by the employment of the most powerful antiphlogistic plan, while all stimulants are to be carefully avoided. Unfortunately, however, the opposite system is too frequently practised, and the most acrid substances are employed. After some time, they indeed appear to produce relief:-not by causing a resolution of the inflammation, but by bringing on the suppurative process; a highly dangerous state, which frequently ends in the loss of some part that is essential to the functions of the organ. When this puriform discharge from the tympanum has taken place, it has been a question among practitioners, whether it be more advisable to leave the disease to the operations of nature, or to endeavour to check it by the interference of art. Mr. Saunders argues strenuously in favour of the latter opinion, and, we think, with much propriety. The evils that are supposed to arise from stopping the effusion are merely hypothetical; whereas the most serious injury to the structure of the parts is occasionally induced by permitting the discharge to continue without interruption.

The diseases of the internal part of the ear are much more obscure in their cause than those of the exterior, and lie só far beyond the reach of assistance that, even were their nature accurately ascertained, it is probable that they would in general be irremediable. As the author remarks, they may consistin a want of sensibility in the nerve, some alteration in the structure of the membranes on which the nerve is expanded, or change in the properties of that fluid which is contained in the membranes, and is the immediate agent in impressing the sentient extremities of the nerve.' The diseases of this part of the ear have been classed together under the title of nervous; a term which has been used in a vague sense, to denote all those cases in which no visible defect could be perceived. It may be applied in a more appropriate manner to signify those diseases, the seat of which is in the nerve, or the parts containing the nerve. The symptoms of this species of deafness are very variable: but in general they consist in the perception of different kinds of noises in the lead. This state of hearing

has

has been referred to a defect in the power of the nerve itself: but the author was led to conclude that it was rather the parts surrounding the nerve, than the nerve itself, which were diseased, by observing that a similar species of deafness was occasionally present in syphilitic affections of the throat; and that the operation of mercury, in removing the primary disease, also relieved the deafness. Guided by this analogy, Mr. Saunders resolved to try how far what is usually called nervous deafness might be relieved by a similar plan of treatment; and in some cases, which were not of long standing, he found his hypothesis justified by very considerable success. He enjoined a rigid diet, gave active cathartics, and alterative doses of calomel, for some weeks; and from the result of his experience, he feels himself authorised to conclude that recent cases of nervous deafness may be relieved by a strict antiphlogistic re gimen, conjoined with those medicines which are the most adapted for promoting absorption. This suggestion we con sider as being highly important, and we hope that it will be confirmed by the experience of other practitioners.

MONTHLY CATALOGUE, For MARCH, 1807.

NATURAL HISTORY.

Art. 15. A short History of Reptiles, (extracted from Works of Credit,) designed as an Introduction to the Study of that Branch of Natural History, and as a Pocket Companion to those who visit Museums.

12mo. PP. 55. sewed.

Darton and

Harvey. A BRIEF account of the crustaceous animals is also here annexed to that of the reptiles: but the whole is a very imperfect and desultory compilation, and, as a scientific manual, more calculated to bewilder than to guide. Some of the detached passages may, nevertheless, afford both entertainment and instruction; and we certainly have been amused with the grave assertion that butterflies, fascinated by toads, will fly down their throats. Indian, English, and Linnéan names are strangely jumbled, and form a rattle, in their way; though not, we appreh nd, of that fascinating power which will compel the devoted shillings to fly into the pockets of the

writer.

EDUCATION.

Art. 16. A Summary of parental and filial Duties; or an interest. ing Description of what Parents and Children owe to each other; inculcating also the most valuable Requisites for a liberal Education. Extracted from the Works of the Sieur de Charron.

By

By J Taylor, Head Master of the Academy, Dronfield. 12mo, Pp. 100. 28. Longman and Co.

A collection of sensible instructions and remarks, which merit the regard both of the parent and the child, as being calculated to contribute to the improvement of each. It was well said by the Latin Poet, Dos est magna Parentum Virtus.-Happy is it, indeed, that, in the clashing vicissitudes of human life, worthy and useful men have arisen from worthless and useless parents; while, to the grief of many virtuous minds, vicious and wicked descendants have sprung from most honourable ancestry: yet it is true that the mistakes and follies of those to whom the nurture of youth is committed, even of such as are on the whole truly respectable, leave ill impressions which are not easily worn out, and have been productive of great and lasting evils; and that those young persons possess great advantage, whose parents or governors present in their own conduct an example of rectitude and virtue. The tendency of the present publication is to assist both parties; and on the whole it is calculated to effect this design.

Art. 17. Twenty-four Lectures on the Italian Language, by Mr. Galignani in which the Principles, Harmony, and Beauties of that Language are, by an original Method, simplified and adapted to the meanest Capacity, and the Scholar enabled to attain, with Ease and Facility, a competent knowledge of the Language without the Help of any Master. In this Second Edition, the Work is enlarged one-third, by numberless Additions and Improvements, by the Editor, Antonio Montucei, Sanese, LL.D. Italian Master. 8vo. pp. 340. 75. Boards. Boosey. 1806. Art. 18. Italian Extracts, or a Supplement to Galignani's Lectures; consisting of an extensive Selection from the best classic and modern Italian Authors, preceded by a copious Vocabulary, with familiar Phrases and Dialogues. By the Editor, Antonio Montucci, Sanese, LL. D. 8vo. pp. 376. 7s. Boards. Boosey.

1806.

For several reasons, we forbear to dwell minutely on the merits of these publications.-Of Galignani's original work, we have already spoken at some length in our XXIst Vol. N.S. p. 87. and the present Editor's ample title pages display the nature and extent of his additions. Besides, as we labour under the disqualification of tramontane birth, we wish not to be taxed by some future compiler of an Italian Grammar and Extracts, with ushering to the public, trash of the most barbarous and despicable kind. On the other hand, we should be grieved to offend a polite Tuscan writer, who talks at his ease of the often detested Veneroni's Dialogues', and of the very coarse packing. cloth of Signor Mossolini.' In this dilemma, we must observe, ge nerally, that the Sienese Dr. manifests no ordinary diligence in his labours, and a very intimate acquaintance with the genius and minutiæ of his native language; that the alphabetical list of the irregular verbs is by far the most complete that has fallen under our notice; and that, with the exception of heavy and impure English, we may pass the same verdict on this brace of volumes, which the Dr. pro.

nounces