in which the reader will meet with an uncommon fund of curious and important agricultural and economical information. For the fake of greater perfpicuity, and to render his furvey more perfect, Mr. Billingfley has divided the county into three parts, which he calls the north-eaft, the middle, and the western diftricts; and under each diftrict has diftinctly difcuffed the different topics recommended by fir John Sinclair, in his very comprehenfive plan. On moft, if not all of thefe fubjects, he has brought forwards a variety of pertinent and valuable remarks, in many inftances the refult of his own experience, which merit the attention of agriculturifts in general, and which particularly demand the notice of Somerfetfhire farmers. Mr. Robertfon's "general View of the Agriculture of the County of Mid-Lothian, &c. drawn up for the Confideration of the Board of Agriculture, &c." fhews the author to have been a diligent and minute obferver of the agricultural practice in the diftri&t which fell under his furvey, and defcribes fome peculiarities which are worthy of general notice. We have to remark, however, with refpect to the prefent as well as the preceding reports which have been reprinted, and thofe which may yet be expected, that it were highly defireable that they were publifhed in a more compreffed form, and fripped of much of the ftatistical and • mifcellaneous matter which the plans preferibed to their authors call for; otherwife they will grow up to an enormous bulk, and by that means tend to fruitate the design for which they were undertaken. Sir John Anftruther's Remarks on the DrillHusbandry, by which the fuperior Advantages of that Mode of Cultivation are pointed out, &c." poffefs

6.

the merit of condensing, within a narrow compafs, the leading princiciples of Tull, Forbes, Millar, &c. and of proving the great benefit which foils will receive from frequent tillage, or the expofure of their furfaces to the influence of the atmofphere during the fuminer feason. But they appear to us to be the refult of his reading, rather than of an experimental acquaintance with rural fubjects. Of the qualities and usefulness of manure, he entertains very unphilofophical and inadequate ideas. The author of "a New Treatife on Tillage Land, &c." endeavours," for the whole human race fake, to feed the infant offfpring, and to keep our venerable fathers from the fear of neceflity and want," to disclose and abolish the prefent prevailing error in agriculture. That error is the ufe of lime, which being a white body, " cannot bring forth any, nay, not fo much as a fingle green leaf, being diametrically oppofite to the given laws of nature." As "vegetable matter is of a pure liquid, reary, black fubftance," the con genial manure which he recommends inftead of lime, is coal, Newcaftle coal! Thofe readers who fhall have the curiofity to examine the manner in which he fupports his hypothefis, may likewife be inftructed in "a method, or new invention, drawn from Nature, to preferve orchard and other fruit trees, from the fatal effects of blight." Mr. Morley's " practical Obfervations on Agriculture, Drainage, &c. in two Letters addreffed to Sir John Sinclair," although the refult of nearly forty years' experience, do not offer any thing either fufficiently new or important to have called for their publication. Mr. Lawfon's "Ellay on the Ufe of mixed and compreffed Cattle Fodder, for feeding and fat

tening Horfes, Oxen, Cows, Sheep, &c. particularly adapted for young Stock, and for Horfes and Cattle on Shipboard, in Camps, or in Garrifons, &c. &c. &c.' contain many obfervations and hints, which certainly poffefs the merit of novelty, and deferve to be brought to the teft of experience. One principal object, however, of the author in publishing it was, to advertife a commodity, which he prepares and furnishes in any quantity. Mr. Marshall's "Introduction to the Knowledge and Practice of Garden ing," is written in that agreeable , and lively manner which cannot fail of recommending it as a pleafing companion to the young horticulturift. The precepts which it contains are either the refult of the author's own experience, or fanctioned by the best authorities; and deferve to be recommended for their perfpicuity and utility.

Among the publications of the year which belong to Anatomy, Surgery, and Medicine, we find " three Treatifes on the Brain, the Eye, and the Ear, illuftrated by Tables, by Alexander Monro, M. D. Profeffor of Medicine, Anatomy, and Surgery, in the University of Edinburgh." In this work the author is chiefly employed in fubftantiating his own claim to feveral anatomical difcoveries relating to the organs mentioned in the title, and the doctrines founded on them which have been attributed to other medical practitioners, and particularly to the late Mr. John Hunter, and Dr. Hunter. Moft of thofe difcoveries and doctrines have been made known and established for fo long a time, and conveyed to the public through fo many different channels, that we fhall leave it to a jury of profeffional men to determine

who is their rightful claimant. In this department of our Regifter for the year 1794, we introduced to our readers Mr. Bell's "Anatomy," containing the bones, mufcles, and joints. During the prefent year that author has published a continuation of his work, in a fecond volume, containing the heart and arteries, which, in point of execution and utility, is deferving of equal commendation with the former. It is illuftrated by numerous well-executed plates. The "new and compendious Treatife of Anatomy, and Proportion of the Human Figure, illuftrated with Copper-plates, by W. F. Well," is defigned principally for the information of fuch ladies as practife the arts of defigning, painting, and fculpture, and may be recommended as a work which will be found of ufe to beginners. We are very far, however, from fubfcribing to the author's modeft statement in the title, that it is "abfolutely neceffary to all ftudents who wish to require correctnefs in the outline of the human figure." The "Collection of Engravings, defigned to facilitate the Study of Midwifery, explained and illuftrated by James Hamilton, jun. M. D." contains eighteen neatlyexecuted plates of the parts concerned in parturition, &c. accompanied with fuch judicious expla, nations and remarks, as will be ufeful to thofe midwives who have no opportunity of attending a courte of lectures on their art. Thirteen of thofe plates are copies from the magnificent engravings of Smellie, Hunter, and Boehmer; the rest are from preparations in the poffeffion of the author. In Mr. Rumball's "Attempt to afcertain the Nature and Caufe of the Pulfe, in a State of Health, as far as it depends upon the contractile Power of the Q 3

Heart

Heart and Arteries, and the mechanical Effect of the Blood, by Diftenfion," we have not been able to difcover any acceflion to the ftores of phyfiological knowledge. Mr. Abernethy's Surgical and Phyfiological Effays, Part III." will prove a very acceptable prefent to the medical world. Placed, as the author is, in a fituation which neceffarily engages him in extenfive practice, that of afliftant furgeon to St. Bartholomew's hofpital, and well known from his former performances to poffefs a philofophic fpirit of inveftigation, and indefatigable induftry, his brethren of the profeflion will expect to meet in them many important facts, judicious remarks, and valuable practical directions. And in fuch an expectation they will not be difappointed. The firft effay treats, in five fections, on the injuries of the head: the fecond is a fupplement to what the author had formerly advanced on the treatment of the lumbar abfcefs: the third contains fome experiments on irritability; and the last confifts of furgical cafes and remarks, chiefly under the heads of aneurism, emphysema, and mercurial fumigations. The "Treatife on Chirurgical Difeafes, and on the Operations required in their Treatment, from the French of Mefirs. Chopart and Default, late Profeffors of Surgery at the Practical Academy, and principal Surgeons to the Hotel Dieu, Faris, in two VoJumes, by William Turnbull, Surgeon to the Eaftern Difpenfary," vol. I. is a publication, for the appearance of which in an English drefs, on the whole faithful, but not free from Gallicifms, young practitioners are much indebted to the tranflator. Scarcely ever had. two men greater opportunities of acquiring various and ufeful inform

ation than the authors: and in the work before us they have detailed a vaft mafs of it, with uncommon precifion, and perfpicuity. Mr. Turnbull propofes to publifh with the next volume, notes on particular paffages, which will be divided in fuch a manner as to bind up at the end of each volume feparately, or to form a third, at the difcretion of the purchafer. Mr. Crowther's "Practical Obfervations on the

Difeafe of the Joints, commonly called White Swelling, with fome Remarks on Scrophulous Abfcefses," are of confiderable importance, as they defcribe the uncommon fuccefs, and in fome cafes that were very difficult, attending a mode of treatment which he adopted, and in which he was encouraged to perfevere by the recommendation of Mr. Pott. That mode confifts ia maintaining a continued difcharge of pus from the fkin covering the difeafed part. To procure fuch a continued and copious difcharge, Mr. Crowther very fortunately difcovered the peculiar efficacy of the juice of favine, when incorporated with cerate; and he has in the work before us given proper directions for making fuch a falve, and for its application to the difeafed joint. By the ufe of the fan. remedy be has alfo fucceeded in difperfing feveral large abfccifes. The "Practical Obfervations on the Treatment of Ulcers on the Legs, contidered as a Branch of Military Surgery, by Everard Home, Efq. Surgeon to the Army and St. George's Hofpital," are intended to introduce and recommend a mode of practice more rational and fcientific than that which commonly obtains, at least among the military. With this view, the author has inveftigated the different fpecies of ulcers on the legs; pointed out thofe diftin

guishing

guishing characters of each fpecies, which will make one mode of treatnient more likely to produce a cure than others of a different kind, and given an account of thofe local applications of which he has had experience, and their particular ef fects. His plan is undoubtedly judicious; and in the profecution of it he has introduced a variety of ingenious remarks, and ufeful obfervations, and defcribed fome new remedies and operations, which promife to contribute to the improvement of this branch of furgery. Mr. Baynton's" Defcriptive Account of a new Method of tre ting old Ulcers of the Legs," is the production of an ingenious and experienced furgeon, and merits the careful perufal of his brother practitioners. It brings forward fome ftriking cafes to thew, that "the mere application of a flip of adhesive plaifter, in a particular way, proves the eafieft, moft efficacious, and moft agreeable of all applications, to a wound fo proverbially irritable as an ulcer ;" and that it will," in moft inftances, be found fufficient. to accomplish cures for the worst cafes without pain, or confinement." The author's particular way of applying the plaifter is fufficiently explained in his pamphlet, and is attended with very little difficulty. Mr. Kentith's" Effay on Burns, especially upon thofe which happen to Workmen in Mines, from the Explofions of inflammable Air, &c." is an ingenious philofophical performance, the object of which is to invert the whole of. the old fyftem of treating burns, and to fhew the propriety, inftead of gentle and foothing means, of employing ftrong ftimulants externally, and cordials and opiates internally, to be gradually diminished, until the part affected becomes ca,

pable of acting by the ordinary and natural ftimuli. The cafes which he has adduced in fupport of his doctrine, are remarkable and im portant. Dr. A. P. Buchan's " Enchiridion Syphiliticum, or Directions for the Conduct of Venereal Patients," is fenfibly and neatly written, and as far as it relates to diet and external management may be fafely followed. With refpect to what is advanced in it about methods of cure, we think that perfons labouring under the complaint had better confult the author himfelf, than his pamphlet: and we doubt not of his perfect concurrence with us in that opinion. Mr. Bree's "Obfervations on the Venereal Difeafe, &c." and Dr. Godfrey's "Hiftorical and Practical Treatife" on the fame, are advertifements of the peculiar fkill of their refpective authors, and the infallibility of their noftrums. The "Short Treatife on the Glanders and Farcy, by a Lieutenant of Dragoons," confir's rather of hints, which appear to merit farther inveftigation, than of determinate principles refpecting either the nature or cure of thofe difcafes. Mr. Downing's "Treatife on the Dif orders incident to horned Cattle, &c." fo far as relates to many of his methods of cure, which feem to have been fanctioned by long experience, is deferving of the attention of veterinarians: but they will derive no information from it refpecting the rationale of their art.

The Annals of Medicine for the Year 1796, exhibiting a concife View of the latest and most important Difcoveries in Medicine and Medical Philofophy, by Andrew Duncan, fen. M. D. and Andrew Duncan jun. M. D." volume I. may be confidered as a continuation

of the Medical Commentaries, and without any material alteration in the plan and arrangement. In the fections devoted to original obfervations on medical fubjects, and medical news, many particulars are inferted that are highly curious and ufeful. Among our felections, under the head of Philofophical Papers, our readers will find a very interefting account of the effects of the nitric acid, in difeafes of the liver, and particularly in cafes of fyphilis. In a collection of "Reports, &c." published by Dr. Beddoes, a variety of important facts are brought forwards in illuftration of the fame effects. The 5th, 6th, and 7th volumes of " Medical Facts and Obfervations," befides a variety of original communications from the editor's medical friends, fome of which poffefs confiderable merit, contain numerous extracts from printed books, particularly from the tranfactions of learned focieties, felected with judgment and difcrimination, and abounding in much important and useful matter. This work grows more valuable as it increates in magnitude. The 4th volume of " Medical Extracts on the Nature of Health, &c." is chiefly employed in thewing, that the laws of morality and phyfic reft upon the fame broad bafis, by illuftrating the progrefs of the mind, and its vaft power of improvement, and by contemplating the effects of great mental excitement, and its operation when in an under proportion. Of the author's defign we cannot speak too highly; and the manner in which he has executed it is ingenious, if it be not perfectly fatisfactory. Dr. Cullen's Clinical Lectures, delivered in the Years 1765, and 1765, taken in Short Hand, by a Gentleman who attended," are of much lefs moment at

the prefent period than at the time of their delivery, on account of the numerous improvements introduced into medical practice, in confequence of difcoveries in the different branches of fcience connected with medicine. The learned profeffor's pathological obfervations and remarks will prove the most valuable part of them in the estimation of modern phyficians. Dr. Currie's "Medical Reports on the Effect of Water, cold and warm, as a Remedy in Febrile Diseases, whether applied to the Surface of the Body, or used as a Drink, &c." conftitute a very interefting and important publication, which profeffional men will find to abound in numerous ftriking facts, fagacious remarks, and useful practical directions, that promife to lead to confiderable improvements in the medical art. Mr. Parker's "Practical Treatife on Fever, contrafting a Tonic Treatment with the Antiphlogistic, &c." contains fome facts, illuftrating the happy effects of an early exhibition of Peruvian bark and red wine in cafes of typhus, which delerve the notice of the faculty; but it is of little importance in other refpects. The anonymous author of

an Enquiry into the Nature and Caufe of Fever, more especially the Intermitting, containing an Inveftigation into the Nature of Miafma, and the Manner of its Action upon the Human Body," informs us that the period is near at hand when the mystery of fever is to be unfolded, and that the inaterials are all ready for that purpose. From his prefent labours, however, we have not been enabled to derive any illumination. From Dr. Clark's "Treatife on the Yellow Fever, as it appeared in the Island of Dominica, in the Years. 1793, 4, 5, 6, &c." the medical reader will obtain little informa