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From the Medical Bulletin: A Monthly Journal of Medicine and Surgery, Volume 3 [1881]: This admirable work forms the sixth volume of the Library of Standard Authors for the current year. It contains twenty-one chapters by Prof. Charcot, devoted almost exclusively to the consideration of gout and rheumatism, the latter three bearing specially on the value of thermometry in old age. The important subject of gout is handled in a masterly manner by the distinguished pathologist, and it is undoubtedly true that the gouty diathesis underlies not alone the diseases to a great extent of old age in this country, but also those of the middle or mature period of life, and in this respect the value of the book to the general practitioner will be at once apparent. In this connection the concomitant diseases of gout as described are of much interest, and the proper method of study and diagnosis is clearly laid down. Although, as is well understood, the disease is greatly modified by climate and locality, and the volume was written for French territory, a careful perusal of the work will throw much light upon maladies which in many instances are to American practitioners not alone of doubtful origin but difficult to manage. Many obscure cases now ascribed to malarial poisoning can be readily cleared up in the light thrown upon them in this work. Rheumatism, in its varied phases, receives the attention it deserves, the relation between the acute articular form and gout, as also chronic and visceral types, being thoroughly described, in a succinct yet comprehensive manner. The treatment of these disorders is discussed at length, due stress being laid on the value of the older remedies, colchicum, iodine and its combinations, etc., but the now fashionable salicylates are not mentioned. The ten concluding lectures are by Prof. Alfred L. Loomis, of New York, and form an exceedingly interesting and valuable part of the volume. Pneumonia, catarrh of the bronchi, asthma, fatty heart, and the important gastro-intestinal disorders of advanced age are taken up in the author's forcible style, and a vast fund of practical information is condensed in a comparatively few pages. The cerebral senile disorders are also given due prominence, and the troublesome disorders of the bladder and prostate are treated in the concluding chapter, which also refers to ammonaeaemia, a disorder seen frequently in the old, but about which not much is said in works in general practice. Twenty-eight wood-cuts are introduced in the text, and fifteen lithographic figures close the work, the latter not being up in coloring to those in some recent dermatological treatises, but they are nevertheless equal to the ordinary efforts in this direction. The book is a decided success, and will be of real value to the conscientious physician. The translator, Dr. Leigh H. Hunt, of New York, has done his work faithfully and skillfully.

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9781500180980

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