nations, as long as the external surface of the skull corresponds with the internal surface, or makes no exception from the known aberrations.

In this section, I explain the origin of the bones of the head, whence it appears, that they receive their form from. the brain till the time of birth. I then speak of the influence of other causes upon the formation of the head. In this place, I shew, that the organs, till completely formed, unfold themselves in the same proportion and order, which we perceive, with regard to the respective degrees, and the order in which the capacities and inclinations are unfolded, from the earliest infancy, and that the bones of the head assume different shapes in the same proportion and order. At last, I explain the decline of our, faculties, by deducing it, in part, from the disappearance of the organs, and shew how nature re-produces, in the space that has grown vacant, new bony substances. Subjects which hitherto were unknown in the doctrine of the bones of the head.

PART II.

Application of the foregoing general principles.

Of the determination of independent capacities and dispositions.

As I assign a particular organ to every independent disposition, it is highly important that we should ascertain what dispositions are independent, in order that we may know what organs we may hope to discover. I have of late years met with many difficulties in investigating this matter. I shall lay some of them before my readers, and leave them to try whether they be more ingenious than myself. At last I come to the means which have been most serviceable to me in determining the independency of dispositions. Here I begin to treat more directly of the seat of the organs, after having previously stated and examined the means whereby we are enabled to find out the seat of the different organs. Amongst these I adduce:-1. The discovery of fixed protuberances and depressions of the skull, accompanying certain settled dispositions. On this occasion I shall take an opportunity of pointing out, how these investigation must be conducted. Fixed dispositions are accompanied by fixed protubran3. A collection of impressions in gypsum. 4. A collection of skulls. 5. Phenomena accompanying the diseases and injuries to which the brain is liable.-Here I shall, amongst other important observations, attempt to establish a new doctrine of the different kinds of madness and the cure

2.

ces.

thereof.

thereof. 6. The means of discovering the seat of the organs consists in a careful examination of the component parts of different brains, as well as of their proportion to each other, whilst a constant regard is paid to their respective capacities and dispositions. 7. I now return to one of my favorite subjects, viz: the scale of refinement.

The second Section contains miscellanious Subjects.

****

1. Of National-heads. Here I again begin to agree in some measures with Helvetius, with whom I have hitherto been at variance. 2. Of the difference between the heads of men and women. 3. Of Physigonomy. Here I prove that I am far from being a physiognomist. I am informed that some literati call me a Cranioskopist, and my system a Cranioskopy, but I must deprecate this title, as the brain is the principal object of my investigations, and the skull comes under my consideration only so far as it exhibits a faithful impression of the superficies of the brain, and consequently only is a part of the main object of my investigations. Then I adduce some proofs, in order to enable my readers to conclude from facts what they may expect to result from these discoveries. Finally, I caution my implicit followers against the abuse that might be made of my system, &c. &c.

CRITICAL RETROSPECT

OF

NEW PUBLICATIONS IN GERMANY AND THE NORTH.

MEDICINE!

ART. I Tersuch einer pragmatischen Geschichte der Arzneykunde, &c.--An Attempt towards a Practical History of Medicine: By KURT SPRENGEL, Vol. I. second edition, revised and enlarged, Halle, Gebauer, 1800. pp. 688. Crown 8vo.

THIS second edition of prof. Sprengel's history of medicine, generally allowed to be a classical work, is justly announced as carefully revised and considerably enlarged, with respect both to matter and form. Whole sections are entirely altered, whilst others are improved and enlarged in a manner that reflects the highest honor on the author's

zealous

Zealous endeavours to render his work as perfect and complete as he possibly could. Few physicians are so intimately acquainted with the ancient medical literature as prof. Sprengel; wherefore we have just reason to expect, that this new edition will prove very acceptable both to the physician and the historian.

15 E

ART. II. Versuch einer theoretish-practishen Darstellung der Wirkungen der Arzneyen, &c. &c.-An Attempt towards a theoretical and practical Explanation of the effects of Medicines: By Dr. FR. KRETSCHMANN. Vol. Ï. Halle, for Hemmerde and Schwetschke, 1800, pp. 216, 8vo.

"

No science is more important to a practical physician than that of the effects of the different medicines now in use. Mr. Kretschmann's essay, therefore, cannot but prove very acceptable to the philosophical and theoretical, as well as to the practical physician, as it explains the effects of the different medicines in a plausible, and frequently convincing manner. This first volume contains an account of the general effects of the different medicines, or a sketch of the whole work, and the second volume is to comprise the special or individual effects.

ART..III. Beschreibung einer Reihe von Kuhpockenein

impfungen, &c.-Account of a series of Inoculations for the Cow-pox, &c. &c. By WILL. WOODVILLE; translated by Dr. FR. G. FRISE, with some annotations and a supplement. Breslau, for Meyer, 1800, pp. 152, 8vo.

The original of this interesting composition being sufficiently known to the profession, we have only to take notice of the supplementary part, which contains: 1. A short account by Dr. Woodville, in which he informs the translator, that since the publication of his work, he has inoculated, with vaccine matter, three hundred and ten persons; of whom, only ten were affected with suppurated pustules. 2. A letter of Dr. Pearson, containing the general results of the vaccine. innoculations, performed by himself and Dr. Woodville. 3. A passage from Moseley's treatise on sugar; in which, he shews himself inimical to the vaccine innoculation, and ridicules that invention 4. Experiments of German physicians upon vaccine inoculation. The translator adds, that he hopes soon to have an opportunity of making some experiments of his own; the result of which, he promises to comVOL. II. Y municate

municate in the Archiv der Heilkunde für Schlesien und Südpreussen.

NATURAL HISTORY.

ART. IV. Entomologisches Taschenbuch, &c.--Entomological Pocket Book, for Collectors of Butterflies:-By C. L. VON MULLER, Breslau, W. G. Korn, 1800, pp. 182. with a coloured plate.

The intention of this volume is to furnish those that collect butterflies with a catalogue in which they may see what caterpillars and butterflies each month produces, and where they must look for them. This practical guide, compendious as it is, is not confined to the local abode of these insects, but points out their native country, and the artifices by means of which they elude the search made after them, as well as the best method of catching them. The author modestly confesses in the preface, that he is sensible of the defects of his composition, requesting all entomologists to communicate to him their monthly observations, in order to enable him to speedily publish a supplement to this work.

GEOGRAPHY.

ART. V. Reise von Amsterdam über Madrid, &c.—A Journey from Amsterdam to Genoa, by way of Madrid and Cadiz, &c.-By C.A. FISCHER.

(Concluded from p. 64.).

The account which, the author gives of the present state of Spanish literature is highly interesting. The medical writers have, of late years, made more use of the works of foreigners than at any prior period. The history and geography of Spain have lately been considerably improved; though it plainly appears by the titles of historical books lately published in Spain, that national pride is the genius that enlivens the historical study in Spain. The most interesting work in this department, that has lately appeared in Spain, is a new universal history, which, when complete, will consist of forty-six volumes in octavo. Mr. Fisher, however, has not informed us, how many volumes have already been published, but observes, that the authors pledge themselves in the preface, that the work shall not contain ridiculous stories or tedious and diffuse accounts of warlike exploits, but the spirit of history adapted for the use of persons of a refined understanding

and

and good taste. The best works in the department of belles lettres, which have appeared within the last eight years, are: The Conquest of Mexico, an epopee in twentysix cantos; The Death of Cæsar, Peter the Great, and Catherine II. three dramas of considerable merit. The author concludes his letters from Badajoz with a brief account of the celebrated Prince of Peace. His parents lived upon the interest of a small capital, after they had sold the farm, from the cultivation of which his grand-father had derived his principal support. The high station, for which he is said to be chiefly indebted to his fine person and his skill on the guitar, has not made him forget the friends of his youth. He has largely contributed to the progress of mental improvement in Spain, and no act of injustice will brand his name in the annals of history "Manuelito es bueno (Manuel is a good little fellow,) is constantly repeated by the old women of Badajoz, especially by his nurse, who enjoys a pension highly honorable to his sense of gratitude."-The author's description of Cadiz is delineated in a masterly manner. "The vivacity of the French, beyond the Pyrenees, visibly increases the nearer we approach the frontiers of Spain; but the fire of the northern Spaniard becomes, in the southern parts of the country an all-consuming flame. The influence of the scorching heat of the Andalusian climate may easily be traced n all the inhabitants of that province. The ardour with which they pursue the enjoyment of pleasure is impetuous in the extreme. The most unbridled licentiousness manifests itself every where, especially in the intercourse of the sexes. The beauty of the Andalusian women, their vivacity, eccentricity, and exquisite sensibility, are particularly conspicuous at Cadiz, where the climate seems to prompt to the most unrestrained enjoyment of sensual love. But the impulse of sensuality is at no time more impetuous than when the solano blows." We pass over the author's observations concerning the blockade of Cadiz, by the English fleet, the scarcity of fresh and potable water, and his description of the voluptuous dances (voleros,) which is too highly coloured to be conformable with the rules which decency prescribes to the English writer.

ART. VI. Briefe eines ehrlichen Mannes, &c. &c.

Letters of an Honest Man, written during a temporary residence at Weimar. Germany, 1800, pp. 92. 8vo.

THESE twelve letters give an account of Jena and Weimar, which partly is true and interesting, and partly extremely trivial.

ART.