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NEW SPECULUM.
513
Reviews
and
Noticesof Books.
An Experimental Essay on Ovaiiotoi2iy and Splenotomy. Also, A Case of Extirpation of both Ouaries. By Dr. J. M AS-
Vienna, 1868. Da. MASLOWSKY, in the first of the LOWSKY.
above essays, gives the results of his investigations on the process of the encapsulation of the eschar which remains in the abdomen after division of the uterine horns and omentum with the actual and with the galvano-cautery, and the degree of participation of the white corpuscles in the process. He operated on rabbits, dogs, and cats, and examined the bodies at various intervals, from fifteen hours to seventy days. He found that the eschar becomes invested with a fibrinous exudate, and that at a later period a membrane is formed by which it becomes connected with the adjoining structures. The exudate contains numerous white corpuscles, soon loses its finely fibrous structure, and becomes finely granular. The cells assume an oval form, and subsequently become spindle-shaped. In the course of four or five days capillaries form, and at the end of ten or twelve the vessels may easily be injected. He also observed in the newly formed membrane elastic fibres and squamous epithelium. That the white corpuscles of the blood participated in the processes of reparation he ingeniously showed by injecting a little vermilion into the jugular vein of the animal shortly after the operation. The white corpuscles take up the vermilion particles; and such pigmental corpuscles, with the changes they undergo, are easily discernible under the microscope. lIe undertook the extirpation of the spleen in various animals on fifteen occasions, and found the galvano-cautery succeed better than the silken ligature, the eschar of the former becoming encapsuled, whilst the latter underwent suppurative changes. Acupressure succeeded well, but he found that it sometimes gave rise to incarceration of the intestine. The second essay contains an interesting account of a case of multilocular cysts of both ovaries in a woman aged thirty,
which were removed at the same time, the pedicle of the right being burnt with the actual cautery, and that of the left ligatured ; both were reintroduced into the abdominal cavity. Perfect recovery followed. He states it to be the first case in Russia in which both ovaries have been removed. The pamphlet is accompanied by a plate, with drawings of the instruments
bearing upon the treatment of stricture by other methods than own before they came under his care, with the view of contrasting the results, which, without question, appear to be his
favourable to the new method. Of course all surgeons will not agree with the author in the estimation of his own proceeding ; but presuming a surgeon to be desirous of treating- a stricture cito, tuto, et jucuncle, the immediate plan," judged by the results here recorded, appears to be likely to commend itself to his notice.
Free-2vill ccncl Law ira peJfect HaJ’mony. M.D. London: Longmans. THIS is a metaphysical subject, on
By
HENRY
TRAVIS,
1868.
which, as medical journalists, we are scarcely prepared to enter; and, considering that the doctrines of free-will and necessity have ranged on their respective sides some of the ablest as well as subtlest intellects of the world, we are not sorry to escape a carefully matured criticism of Dr. Travis’s production. This, however, we may say: that he writes clearly, succinctly, and to the point; and speaks, moreover, like one having authority, even where he closes with Stuart Mill.
men
like Sir William Hamilton and John
___________
NEW
SPECULUM.
THE
engraving represents a self-holding Vaginal Fistula Speculum, which has been constructed by Mr. Foveaux, of the firm of Weiss and Son. That such an instrument is wanted can be attested by those who have had to hold the duckbill speculum in protracted and difficult operations. Several contrivances have been devised for this purpose, one of them a special and complicated operating table, but none of them have given satisfaction in this country. The instrument now under notice and depicted below is applicable in all the various positions for operation in vagina fistula. It has now been twice used by Mr. Spencer Wells, no assistant being present on the last occasion, and it was found to answer its purpose most effectually. Its mode of action is very simple, the speculum blade or vaginal depressor, of which there are three sizes, being steadily held in the desired position by a counterpressure arm, which takes its bearing on each side of the spinal column. A screw adjustment approximates these two parts of the instrument in a parallel direction, while the angle of the apex of the speculum, as also that of the counterpressure arm, can be regulated by small screws.
employed. A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene, for Schools, Families, and Colleges. By J. C. DALTON, M.D., Professor of Physiology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. With Illustrations. Small 8vo, pp. 399. London : Sampson Low, Son, and Marston. 1868. an excellent manual. It is clearly written, and free from technicality, without in any way being deficient in definiteness and accuracy. A better book for schools, where a general yet comprehensive knowledge of the physiology of man is alone required, could not well be desired. The work is freely illustrated by apt diagrams, and to each chapter is appended a series of questions.
THIS is
singularly
On the Inanaediate Treatment of St1’ictl1’e of the Urethra by the Employment of the" Stricture Dilator." By BARNARD HOLT,F.R.C.S., Senior Surgeon to the Westminster HosThird Edition. pp. 136. London: Churchill pital, &c. and Sons. 1868. A THIRD edition of any work requires but few remarks from the reviewer, and Mr. Holt’s method of treatment of stricture of the urethra by " immediate dilatation" is so fully recognised and practised by surgeons of the day, that his work, in which the results of his own practice are recorded, can need no recommendation. In his new edition Mr. Holt has added cases
is, at the suggestion of Mr. Wells, made German silver, for the greater facility of cleaning One or two napkins serve as padding for the counter-
The instrument
pressure
entirely of
it.
arm.
Reviews
and
Noticesof Books.
An Experimental Essay on Ovaiiotoi2iy and Splenotomy. Also, A Case of Extirpation of both Ouaries. By Dr. J. M AS-
Vienna, 1868. Da. MASLOWSKY, in the first of the LOWSKY.
above essays, gives the results of his investigations on the process of the encapsulation of the eschar which remains in the abdomen after division of the uterine horns and omentum with the actual and with the galvano-cautery, and the degree of participation of the white corpuscles in the process. He operated on rabbits, dogs, and cats, and examined the bodies at various intervals, from fifteen hours to seventy days. He found that the eschar becomes invested with a fibrinous exudate, and that at a later period a membrane is formed by which it becomes connected with the adjoining structures. The exudate contains numerous white corpuscles, soon loses its finely fibrous structure, and becomes finely granular. The cells assume an oval form, and subsequently become spindle-shaped. In the course of four or five days capillaries form, and at the end of ten or twelve the vessels may easily be injected. He also observed in the newly formed membrane elastic fibres and squamous epithelium. That the white corpuscles of the blood participated in the processes of reparation he ingeniously showed by injecting a little vermilion into the jugular vein of the animal shortly after the operation. The white corpuscles take up the vermilion particles; and such pigmental corpuscles, with the changes they undergo, are easily discernible under the microscope. lIe undertook the extirpation of the spleen in various animals on fifteen occasions, and found the galvano-cautery succeed better than the silken ligature, the eschar of the former becoming encapsuled, whilst the latter underwent suppurative changes. Acupressure succeeded well, but he found that it sometimes gave rise to incarceration of the intestine. The second essay contains an interesting account of a case of multilocular cysts of both ovaries in a woman aged thirty,
which were removed at the same time, the pedicle of the right being burnt with the actual cautery, and that of the left ligatured ; both were reintroduced into the abdominal cavity. Perfect recovery followed. He states it to be the first case in Russia in which both ovaries have been removed. The pamphlet is accompanied by a plate, with drawings of the instruments
bearing upon the treatment of stricture by other methods than own before they came under his care, with the view of contrasting the results, which, without question, appear to be his
favourable to the new method. Of course all surgeons will not agree with the author in the estimation of his own proceeding ; but presuming a surgeon to be desirous of treating- a stricture cito, tuto, et jucuncle, the immediate plan," judged by the results here recorded, appears to be likely to commend itself to his notice.
Free-2vill ccncl Law ira peJfect HaJ’mony. M.D. London: Longmans. THIS is a metaphysical subject, on
By
HENRY
TRAVIS,
1868.
which, as medical journalists, we are scarcely prepared to enter; and, considering that the doctrines of free-will and necessity have ranged on their respective sides some of the ablest as well as subtlest intellects of the world, we are not sorry to escape a carefully matured criticism of Dr. Travis’s production. This, however, we may say: that he writes clearly, succinctly, and to the point; and speaks, moreover, like one having authority, even where he closes with Stuart Mill.
men
like Sir William Hamilton and John
___________
NEW
SPECULUM.
THE
engraving represents a self-holding Vaginal Fistula Speculum, which has been constructed by Mr. Foveaux, of the firm of Weiss and Son. That such an instrument is wanted can be attested by those who have had to hold the duckbill speculum in protracted and difficult operations. Several contrivances have been devised for this purpose, one of them a special and complicated operating table, but none of them have given satisfaction in this country. The instrument now under notice and depicted below is applicable in all the various positions for operation in vagina fistula. It has now been twice used by Mr. Spencer Wells, no assistant being present on the last occasion, and it was found to answer its purpose most effectually. Its mode of action is very simple, the speculum blade or vaginal depressor, of which there are three sizes, being steadily held in the desired position by a counterpressure arm, which takes its bearing on each side of the spinal column. A screw adjustment approximates these two parts of the instrument in a parallel direction, while the angle of the apex of the speculum, as also that of the counterpressure arm, can be regulated by small screws.
employed. A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene, for Schools, Families, and Colleges. By J. C. DALTON, M.D., Professor of Physiology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York. With Illustrations. Small 8vo, pp. 399. London : Sampson Low, Son, and Marston. 1868. an excellent manual. It is clearly written, and free from technicality, without in any way being deficient in definiteness and accuracy. A better book for schools, where a general yet comprehensive knowledge of the physiology of man is alone required, could not well be desired. The work is freely illustrated by apt diagrams, and to each chapter is appended a series of questions.
THIS is
singularly
On the Inanaediate Treatment of St1’ictl1’e of the Urethra by the Employment of the" Stricture Dilator." By BARNARD HOLT,F.R.C.S., Senior Surgeon to the Westminster HosThird Edition. pp. 136. London: Churchill pital, &c. and Sons. 1868. A THIRD edition of any work requires but few remarks from the reviewer, and Mr. Holt’s method of treatment of stricture of the urethra by " immediate dilatation" is so fully recognised and practised by surgeons of the day, that his work, in which the results of his own practice are recorded, can need no recommendation. In his new edition Mr. Holt has added cases
is, at the suggestion of Mr. Wells, made German silver, for the greater facility of cleaning One or two napkins serve as padding for the counter-
The instrument
pressure
entirely of
it.
arm.