ference to them, may pass through polite life with credit, and be thought a very agreeable man: at the fame time that no talents, no amiable qualifications whatever, will atone, in a polite circle, for an ignorance or a diflike of play. A man who never plays must be contented to be received with pleafure, only at one time of the day. In the morning, when it is not fo much the custom to play, he may meet with his share of esteem and respect; but in the evening it is far otherwise : he must be contented with bare civility at moft, and has reafon to think himself happy if he is not grudged the chair he fits upon, which might be better occupied by a card-player. Adieu.

ALTAMONT.*

MONTHLY CATALOGUE.

13. In Novam Methodum Variolas Inferendi Commentarium. Authore T. Tomlinson, Chirurgo. 4to. Pr. Is. Baldwin.

THE

HE celebrated improvements lately introduced in the inoculation of the small-pox, muft, at present, render every treatise on that fubject most highly interesting, not only to the medical faculty, but likewife to the public in general. On this principle the production before us is intitled to more particular regard. This commentary contains a fuccinct account of the new method of inoculation, interfperfed with fuch observations and reflexions as the author has either made in the course of his own praЯice, or collected from the writings of others. The fubject is divided into the following eight articles, which fhall be feparately confidered; namely, of the age and temperament of the patient; of the season of the year and the weather; of the preparation; of the infection; of the ftate of the wound; of the process in the difeafe; of fome things to be obferved; of examples.

In treating of the age and temperament of the patient, the author accedes to the common opinion, that infants under two years old are not proper fubjects for inoculation: because children of that tender age cannot eafily be made to take medicines; and that teething, fevers, worms, and convulfions, coinciding with the variolous infection, might hurt the reputation of the practice. But he thinks that inoculation may be fafely performed from the fecond, or rather the third year of age, to the extremity of life; although towards the period laft mentioned it is the lefs advifeable, as the fkin of old people becomes hard

and

and impervious, and the absorbent veffels are fo much contra&ed as not eafily to imbibe the contagious matter: that, upon the whole, however, that age is moft to be preferred, in which hope, fear, and the agitations of the mind are less prevalent. With regard to temperament, he makes no fcruple of inoculating even when the fluids are tainted with acrimony: because the vitiated state of the humours may be rectified in the courfe of the preparation. But in a cancer, a confumption, and other dangerous disorders, no rational physician would advise inocu lation.

Of the feafon and ftate of the weather, the author obferves, that the variolous eruption is greater in fpring than at other times, becäufe the humours are then more abundant. But that in all feafons of the year, inoculation may be fafely performed, unless when epidemic and putrid diseases prevail: for that the heat of the weather, if it is not immoderate, can be qualified by the liberal ufe of fresh air.

Under the article of the preparation it is ordered, that the patient abstain for nine or ten days from all forts of flesh and fermented liquors, excepting fmall-beer drank moderately; as also from aromatics, spices, and whatever heats the blood: that people of a strong and full habit of body should be brought down, and the lax and feeble corroborated, that the conftitution may be reduced, as near as poffible, to a perfect ftate of health. During this regimen, Dr. Dimsdale's powders are recommended to be given three times, at proper intervals. The following is the dofe for an adult of a strong constitution.

R Pulv. e Chel. Cancr. comp.
Calomel. pp. aa gr. viii.

Tart. Emetic. grani octavam partem. m.

The author obferves on this subject, that young children, as well as thofe that are healthy, require lefs preparation than others; and that it is fufficient for fuch that they begin the use of mercury after the infection is received into the blood.

Mr. Sutton's method of communicating the infection is here recommended, as being the moft fimple, and requiring neither the use of plaster nor bandage. Mr. Tomlinfon is of opinion, that whatever regard others may pay to the fort of pox with which they inoculate, it is of no confequence from what kind of pox, or what conftitution of body the infectious matter is taken; provided that the perfon to whom it is communicated be of a habit fufficiently found.

Of the ftate of the wound. This article contains a detail of the gradual progrefs of the inflammation of the fmall wound, through which the variolous matter is communicated to the

F 2

body,

body, by means of inoculation: but as it relates chiefly to the method which has been long established, of performing that operation by puncture, and not by raifing the fkin only, we think it fuperfluous to give any account of it.

Of the process in the difeafe. As the patient is fupposed to have undergone the preparative courfe, there remains little more to be done throughout the fickness, than to infift on the proper regimen. Here, therefore, the grand innovation takes place; and the patients, inftead of being confined by the fetters which were formerly judged neceffary to be impofed upon them by the universal consent of phyficians, are enjoined to indulge themfelves in drinking cold water to their thirft, and walking abroad in the open air, without regard to the feafon of the year. By thefe means their fpirits are refreshed, their appetite is excited, they fleep better, and perfpire more freely. In short, the erup tion proceeds in the most desirable manner, and the fever is fuppreffed.

In the article of things to be obferved, there is little remarkable, except that the author acknowledges, that though the fever and eruption may both be reftrained by the method abovementioned, yet, that fometimes the fever will return, in an anomalous, erratic fhape, and be attended with a fresh eruption but that thefe diforders may be removed by gentle purges or calomel, or, if more obftinate, by the Peruvian bark.

We now come to the last article of the commentary; and make no doubt that the reader will be furprized, when, after having been amufed with a panegyrical detail of the advantages of the Suttonian practice, he shall find the author, at last, fluctuating in his opinion, betwixt the fuperior excellency of the new method of inoculation, and that which was formerly in ufe. But both are attended with their respective inconveniences; and Mr. Tomlinfon has clearly diftinguifhed them at the end of the commentary.

Denique obfervarem, ut ab ufu mercurii, aquæ & aëris frigidi contagium variolatum diminutum fore non dubitandum : adeo ufque ut ex hac fpecie infitiva vix ulla materies producitur, exacto nempe variis modis veneno quo fit ut rariffime in alia corpora ex hoc infe&tio tranfire poteft; nemo enim injuriam fufcepit ab infitivis in hoc oppido etiamfi cum aliis illi incautius verfabantur. Sed quo difcrimine vel ab nervorum vel glandularum malis fupprimatur eruptio variolata aliorum judiciis permittam. Nam neque in hanc neque in alteram partem nimis me duci vellem; in communem infitionis methodum morbus forfan erit fœdior, in novam incertior: in illam de inftante periculo, in hanc de futuro malo, cavendum efte. Poftremo igitur, in

fum

fummam apprime conveniat adagium illud, in medio tutiffimus ibis.

To conclude this fubject: It appears evident, from fome of the cases mentioned in the commentary, that though the celebrated improvement made in this part of phyfic, is of the greatest consequence in fuppreffing the variolous fever, yet that the profecution of the new method, in its fulleft latitude, in all cafes, may be productive of pernicious effects, and lay the foundation of such disorders as may arife from a treatment which counteracts the crifis of the disease. For more particular information, we refer our readers to the commentary itself, which is written with judgment, and without prejudice in favour of the established practice, or an affectation of novelty.

14. Thoughts arifing from Experience, concerning the prefent peculiar Method of treating Perfons inoculated for the Small-Pox. By William Bromfeild, Surgeon to her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales, and to St. George's and the Lock-Hofpitals. 8vo. Pr. 2s. 6d. Davies.

In this treatise, the new method of inoculation is examined, by the principles of rational practice and experience, and confidered under the five following articles; the preparation of the patients; the manner of the operation; the genuine nature of the difeafe, and of fome other eruptive cafes; the ufe of cold air; the effects of retarding or leffening the eruption, and of purging after it is over. There is added a poftfcript on the practice of Dr. Dimfdale. This performance contains several judicious ftrictures on the new method of inoculation, interfperfed with an account of the author's own practice, and of fome renfarkable cafes which have occurred to his obfervation; and will be highly useful to all those who are defirous of having a comparative view of Mr. Sutton's new plan.

15. The Tryal of Mr. Daniel Sutton, for the High Crime of preferving the Lives of his Majefty's liege Subjects, by Means of Inoculation. 8vo. Pr. 1s. 6d. Bladon.

This trial may be fummed up in few words. It appears then, that, during thefe three years pait, Mr. Sutton and his affiftants have inoculated a great number of patients, very few of whom have died: but that this is generally the cafe in inoculation and that upon examining into the method and medicines he makes use of they are found to be the fame with what have been recommended or practifed by fome others for the like purpose. The question, therefore, being put, whether Mr. Daniel Sutton is guilty of the high crimes and misde,

meanours of which he stands indicted, or not guilty? the jury having laid their heads together, returned their verdict, NOT GUILTY. However, as Mr. Sutton has profecuted with uncommon diligence a method of cure, which is allowed to be at leaft equally fuccefsful with any other; we think that he ought not to be entirely abfolved from the charge preferred against him.

16. An Addrefs to the Public, on the prefent Method of Inoculation: Proving that the Matter communicated is not the Small-Pox, becaufe Numbers have been inoculated a fecond, third, and fourth Time; that therefore it is no Security against a future Infection. With Obfervations on the Preparatory Medicines, and the remarkable Cafe of an eminent Perfonage, who had the Natural SmallPox in two Years and an half after Inoculation. To which is added, an Inquiry into the Nature of the Confluent Pox, and its Cure. By William Langton, M. D. 8vo. Price is.

Horsfield.

This is the feverest attack on the new plan of inoculation which has hitherto been made, and must be allowed to claim the most serious attention of the public. There is, however, no fubject in which it is more difficult to investigate the reality, by reasoning only, than in that of the prefent kind. Argument and analogy are opposed to the testimony of experience; which, in order to establish its own authority, perhaps is magnified to a degree of extravagance, inconfiftent with our conceptions of the operations of nature, and the refult of just obfervation. But as we would not determine of the merit of a practice from its incongruity with plaufible theory, we shall fufpend our judgment concerning the abfolute futility of the new method of inoculation, until the facts on which Dr. Langton proceeds are fufficiently confirmed by experiments, namely, that numbers have been inoculated a fecond, third, and fourth time. We with impatiently to see that fact ascertained; as on fuch an eclairciffement ought to depend the future establishment, or immediate abolition of a practice which has fo much agitated the nation in general; and by which thousands have either been faved from the ravages of a fatal diftemper, or made the dupes of credulity and empiricism.

17. Some friendly Cautions to the Heads of Families: containing ampie Directions to Nurfes who attend the Sick, and Women in Childbed, c. By a Phyfician. 8vo. Pr. 25. Wilfon.

This piece affords directions for difcharging rightly the various offices in the apartment of the fick; and for the compofition of moft forts of phyfical drinks and aliment of use in acute diforders.

18.