ADVERTISEMENT. Since the Oration of Dr. W. P. C. Barton, before the Medical Society of Philadelphia, became public, James Webster, the proprie- tor of the 66 American Medical Recorder ” has been daily called upon for the Reviews of Dr. Whilldin’s Thesis and Dr.Chapman’s pa- per on the Nourishment of the Foetus. With a view to accommodate those gentlemen who are unacquainted with medicine, and to satisfy public curiosity, he has been induced to re- print these Reviews as originally published in the Medical Recorder.—Price 25 Cents. Philadelphia, March, 1821. From ihe American Medical Recorder, vol. III. p. 500. REVIEWS. CRITICAL DEPARTMENT. Quidquid venerit ohvium, loquamur Moroia nine cointatione. MARTIAL. «fn Essay on the Nature and Treatment of that Stale oj, Disorder generally called Dropsy By John G. VY bill/ din, M D Philadelphia. Printed for the Author, by William Fry, 1820. It is not our intention that publications of the character of the one, whose title we have given above, should come under the censorship of our criticisms. Our object ia bringing before our readers, Dr. YY'hilldin's Thesis, is two fold 1st, VY e consider ourselves bound to animadvert upon certain strange and unheard-of measures pursued in relation to it, by certain of the professors ; and 2dly, to review a system of preparation of studeidsfo' examination, which is rapidly gaining ground, in the school of Pbysick of the University of Pennsylvania, and which if not checked by the interference of the regents of the establishment, will in a very short time, lower the character of the institution, and destroy the reputation ef her diplomas Dr. Whilldin’s thesis is written with great neatness and modesty, it contains a considerable number of valuable ®b- 3 servations, and is highly creditable to the talents of a young gentleman just entering on the practice of Ins pro- fession It was not written with the view of being pub- lished and has only been brought before the public, for the purpose of giving a true explanation, of the cruses of dif- ficulty experienced by the author, in obtaining nis degree. The doctor, however, .ells his own st >;y so simply, and clearly, that we make no apology for transcribing his preface : “ As I would not venture the following essay before the impartial tribunal of publie opinion on its own intrinsic me- rit, justice to mysell requires a brief explanation of the cir- cumstances that have led to its publication ; and as I pro- fess to give a plain and candid narrative of facts, I shall be pleased to acknowledge any thing that may be hereafter found to be partial or essentially imperfect in my state- ment “ Having strictly complied with every prerequisite, I pre- sented the following essay to the Dean of the Medical Facul- ty in the University of Pennsylvania, about the 20th of Fe- bruary last, and requested bun to enter my name on the list of candidates for the degree of doctor of medicine, and o:i the 20th of the next succeeding month, having been previously notified by him, I appeared before the Faculty, to sustain the customary trial. “ During my examination, the Professor of 'he Practice of Physic slated to the rest of the Faculty, that he had read my thesis, and found my pathological and practical views correct, hut that l had gone from the poi. t to give a loud deou elation against Nosology ; that I declared of Nosological tyran- 4 ny, and who, while he warmly advocated the national li- 4 berty of his country, achieved her Independence in Me- 4 dicine. Impelled by an ardent love for truth, and encou- 4 raged by the hope that it would Finally prevail against the 4 Strongest opposition, Dr. Hush not only discovered and ’embraced it, but stood almost alone in it def ace ; and so 1 far from being discouraged by the opprobious epithets that * were so abundantly showered on him, vie ed them as in- 4 centive to increased efforts, and became stronger by res’.s- 4 tance. Bui though he has done much, though he has 4 routed the enemy, and made his final exiennination inevita- ble, the conquest is not yet cornpiete ; and we still find that 4 in the very quarter in which truth was first lighted, the 4 magic spell of error is not yet eutirely broken, and physi- 4 cians too frequently follow its allusions.’* * '* Though this is not the place to enter intoa formal defence of the op n ions I have advocated, I may remark, that diseases, like plants and animals, were formerly divided imo classes, or- ders and genera, cept from a conviction of their being erroneous, and reques ed tbe Faculty would grant me some time to consider their demand. This request tbe Dean refused, telling me I bad but one alternative, either to comply or lose mv degree ; and leaving me with direction to wait till he could converse with the rest of the Faculty. “ After an interval of about an hour, being called before that body, I was told by the Professor of Anatomy, that the Faculty were dissatisfied with the part of my thesis pre- viouslv sh >wn to me. and insisted that it should be rescinded, and that 1 must immediately say yes or no. I replied, 1 was ready to conform to the laws of their school, if I would not be considered as in any m< asure abandoning my opinions This being fairly understood, I complied witV the demand ; and now, to obviate any trroneous impres- sions as to the naiure of my difficulty with the Medical Fa- culty, 1 siil.mil to the public my essay as originally present- ed, and am at any moment ready to vindicate the opinions ad- vanced therein J G. W.” We have printed the obnoxious passages conspicuously, and we wouid Deg our readers to peruse them again and again, to ascertain whether they can find any thing ia them, deserving of so severe a sentence, as the one pro- nounced against them by the learned faculty—for really we must confess, that after a long and careful consideration of them, we cannot discover a shadow of objection against the doctrines they contain The fiist paragraph sets forth, country, and which are now daily gaming ground in Europe, he was greatly persecuted. “ During my residence in the Philadelphia Alms-House, I had an opportunity of seeing the truth of these principles ex« perimentally proved ; and as I have adopted them from a firm conviction of their being correct, cannot hesitate to ascribe ho»- eur to their distinguished author.” , that it is not only dangerous, but absurd, to address our re- medies to one particular symptom of disease, without re- ference to the immense variety o1 circumstances under which it may occur. We consider this excellent sense, and give the observation our most hearty concurrence. How the faculty of physic, can object to it, we are at a loss to know ; but in their corporate capacity, they may have an illumination, which is refused to us plain physicians. The second paragraph is brought forward to support and con- firm the maxim contained in the first. Surely the profes- sor of the practice of physic, would not wish his colleagues to assist him, iu crushing and concealing, the facts delivered by Sydenham. The third contains a beautiful comparison from Dr. Rush. The fourth states, that, when the mon- ster Nosology reigned unopposed, a practice like the above might prevail ; but that we would not expect it, when the first doctrine taught, is “ to attend to the state of the system, and to prescribe accordingly.” This passage being in perfect accordance with the doctrines taught in the school, we have puzzled ourselves very much to find out an objection to it. We feel not a little proud at having, as we flatter ourselves, unriddled the enigma. The professors are a worthy, well-behaved body of gentlemen, and so guarded against the use of abusive epithets, that they have felt, we conceive, angry with the young graduate for personifying Nosol: gy, and calling him a monster ! i he two conclud- ing paragraphs contain a deserved eulogimn upon the late Dr. Rush. That transcendant genius, whose powers of mind, seconded by the most unremitting exertion, enabled him in a few years to establish for America, a high and deserved medical reputation in Europe, and who, supported on the one hand by a istar, and on the other by a Barton, gave to the establishment, with which he was connected, a rank far above that of any other institution of his country— a rank not inferior to that possessed by any other medical university in the world. e fear, from what vve have found it our duly to write, that the faculty may suppose the bearing of our observations invidious, and that it would be handsomer in us to allow these things to pass unnoticed. We are happy now, to have the pleasing task of vindicating the faculty, and we trust, they will allow, that if/justice forces us to criticise with independence, that that justice is equally heard, when she calls on us to defend the faculty from traduction. There ire in every society, a sufficient number of .idle, ill tempered people, who give to the actions of their cotem- poraries, the most unjust and uncharitable explanations. Now, this has unfortunately been the case to a very great extent, in relation to the explanation of the difficulties op- posed to Dr. W.’s gradual ion. They not having sufficient tact to discover, like ourselves, the true reason in the naughty word monster, have gone the length of declaring, that the single cause of difficulty consisted in an unworthy spirit of jealousy possessed by certain members of the fa- culty, prompting them to desire, that the name and the fame, of the immortal Rush, should be allowed to sink int« oblivion. We feel satisfied that we shall be enabled to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of our readers, that this was not the case. 1st. We are persuaded that the gentlemen who com- pose the medical faculty, have too much good sense to suppose, for a moment, that any endeavour of their’s could have the eiiect of blotting the name of Rush from the page of immortality. 2dly We know that the two gentlemen of the faculty who became most conspicuous in the transaction, owe too mm h to Rush to come forward, and endeavour to take a just tribute of admiration from the memory of their de- parted friend and supporter. The Professor of anatomy, who demanded the categorical answer, yes or no, we are well assured, respects and honours the reputation of his departed teacher and patron. And although we have been told that the present Professor of the practice of physic had some disagreement with his predecessor previous to his decease, still we know, we think, enough of Dr. Chapman, to believe him above so contemptible a meanness as the one he has been charged with It must be confessed, that there is some difficulty in explaining, how the professor eould think there was any personality in Dr Whilldin’s observations, and in case a disagreeable suspicion might arise in the minds of some, who do not know the doc or as well as we do, we shall not rest our assertion, tha: that gentle- man venerates the memory of Rush, on our own simple dictum ; .ve shall bring forward unanswerable data to prove it. It is a fact well known io those gentlemen, who were in the habit of attending the lectures of Rush, and since, of listening to the prelections of h s success or, 'hat the doc- trines delivered by the former are continued to be taught by the latter, and that the most beautiful of the illustra- tions employed by the present pr fessor, are literally copied from the notes of the late one. Nay more that in some instances nearly whole lectures delivered by Dr. C. are virtually the same with some that had been read from that ehair by Dr. R. We do not mention these facts with the view of finding fault with the present professor, for although we know him to be a man of very extensive abili ies, still we are persuaded that the students are garners by the plan he has adopted Our object in bringing forward these facts, is to furnish incon;rovertible proof of the gentleman’s ve- neration for the memory of his predecessor. It is quite absurd to ay in objection to Dr. C. that he del vers many of Dr. Rush’s lessons witho it acknowledging the source from winch they are drawn. When an infant draws a pic- ture of a horse it may be necessary in order that the looker- on may ascertain what animal is designated, to write e’ a horse,” under it ; or when a man borrows an occasional idea from another, that he honld acknowledge him for it But as evert one can .at once discover one of Paul Potter’s horses, without he name being written under it, so the Dr in borrowing so freely and openly trom Rush, very justly con- siders, that to name him, would be a mere work of supere- rogation. Having thus fulfilled our duty to the faculty, in defend- ing them from the unjust censures brought a-ainst them, we are again in our characters of public censors, called on to point out fully the danger of their adopting a line of 11 conduct so unheard of, as ihat, pursued in relation to Dr. Wbdldin. If we re lew the history of science we observe, that in proportion as the freedom of enquiry was tolerated and en- couraged so have < and improvements crowned the investigations of her otaries ; that in those dark ages, wl en tyrant' considered 'he ignorance of the subject neces- sary for the power of t:te ruler science sank nt>» a state of feebleness a .d decay, a d, that it required the illumination and effort' of the Medician family to bring into life, that ex- piring sp ok, which i lazed with such lustre during the age of a Ptolemy, and an Augustus. So self-evident is this position, and so important is the well-being of science to the prosperity of ttie community, that the powers of Europe, although ir ny of them are sufficiently aristocratic, have allowed to the investigations of science, the most perfect and unconstrained latitude of enquiry. We are sa isfied that we are supported by truth, when we make the asser- tion that the Faculty of Physic of the Pennsylvania Uni- versity, have in iheir conduct to . r. Whilidin, employed a •tretch of power without a parallel. In the former part ef the enquiry, we have, for the purpose of entering into a clear investigation of the subject, taken it for granted, that such a power as that exercised by the piofessors was really with- in the rule of their office We have been unable in this view, to discover that the matter coinplaiued of, could, by the most learned, be considered destitute of good sense, or by the most squeamish as tinctured with odious personality. But we shall now go farther and suppose, that Dr Whili- din, instead of euiogising the late Dr. Rush, had thought fit either Lo criticise Dr Pbysick’s animal ligatures, or Dr. Chapman’s theory of generation ; we aver that had he even done o, neither of these genllemeu were, in their profes- sional characters, entitled to offer a single objection against the reception of his thesis. They might have demanded from him a defence of his opinions , but this t.eing giving in a spirit of rationality, they were in duty bound to award t* him the honour, which he bad a right to look for. 12 Should the system pursued by the faculty in this instance be continued, there is a chilling influence thrown ove; the investigations of the student. If he must measure the scale of his mind by the line of his teacher, what are we to expect of him ?—A commentary on one of the new medi- cal classics ! ! Had the mind of Harvey continued to bind itself to the dogmas of Galen and Avicenna, where would have been the discovery of the circulat on of the blood ? or if the genius of Columbus had allowed itself to continue fettered by the narrow and confined views of the navigators of his day, what would now be America ? Genius is a plant of the most delicate growth ; one which requires the utmost care and attention in its culture. If darkened and crushed when it first seeks the light, it is more than probable that its progress will be feeble and unen- ergetic. But if it be cherished and supposed when it first appears, by the countenance of a respected teacher, it will take root, and “ its fruits will be f or the healing of the nations.” Could any treatment have a more deadening influence on a young man just entering into life, than that pursued towards Dr Whilldin. “ The faculty,” says a professor, are dissatisfied with a passage in your thesis : we shall not reason with you, as to whether you are right or wrong, tear out this disagreeable passage and we sha 1 give you you diploma ; refuse to do s >, and we shall withhold it.’’ We are only sorry that Dr. Whilldin was iwt better advised, and that he did not bohlly refuse to comply with a request so inconsistent with the laws of liberality, of justice, and of his country. We would not wish to be misunder- stood here ; we are among the last living who disire to en- courage a spirit of disorder in the student We venerate, and so far as we have the po er, shall support the privileges and the character of the conscientious professor. We duly estimate the character, and shall ever plead for the rights of the diligent and attentive student. That our views may be perfectly understood in relation to these two characters, we shall endeavour in a few words to portray the features of each T ie professor, who is anxi- ous to obtain the love and respect of his pupils, must devote bis whole heart and soul to the department he teaches. His chief delight must consist in acquiring and conveying information ; he must teach for the love of teachiug, not for the love of gain To his students he must be ki d and attentive, frank, but not familiar. They will soon discover how anxious he is to promote their improvement, and the kindlier feelings of the one party, will bring into action those of the other. The interests of both become amalga- mated, and the compact of benefit being mutual, harmony is the necessary result. When a professor fulfils his part of of the contract, he does not require to be endowed with any restrictive power over the mind and opinious of the student. If a man, however, in the high character of a professor does not fulfils his duties, he ought not to calculate on the respect and attachment of his pupils. If lecturing is to him a task which he is glad to hurry over, one which he performs mere- ly for the consideration of money ; if he is irregular in his attendance, and instead of appearing exactly at his hour in bis class-room, he comes in late, and after a desultory half hour’s conversati n dismisses his pupils discontented ; if he is so ill informed on the subject he professes, as to re- quire to have noted on a scrap of paper, the doses of the simplest medical substances, the names of the processes of the boues, or the simplest combination of the acids, and al- kalies ; if he does all this, he ought neither to be beloved nor respected. There is no character more to be estimated than that of the diligent and attentive student. The young man who pursues bis professional enquiries with ardour and enthusi- asm, who listens to the prelections of his professor with at- tention and respect, who examines with care all he hears, and reserves, under the control of a just circumspection, the privilege of examining facts, and judging with modes- ty for himself; such a man is in his character as honoura- ble, and ought to be as cherished a character as his professor. Let it ever be remembered that tie professor was o*ce the student. The duties of the physician *re the most interesting to hu- manity. The tenderest and most cherished ties of society 14 are in his hands, and upon his skill or ignorance, these are either lo be strengthened or broken. Every man can form a pretty just estimate of the abilities and character of his pastor, or of the genuis and talent of his lawyer. No man but a physician is qualified to judge of the skill and medical learning of a physician. As the character of the medical practitioner is, therefore, one of such importance in socie- ty, and one which is so difficult justly to judge and esti- mate, we conceive that no branch of medical police should be more carefully watched and guarded by the public cen- sors, than that of granting diplomas Colleges are erected by the legislature for examining young men, and declaring whether they are entitled to public confidence ; we allow that under the best arrangement ignorance will frequently pass this ordeal ; but the knowledge of this fact, merely operates as an incentive to us, in searching out, and ex- posing every departure from duty in the conduct of those who are entrusted with the guardianship of the public safety. We confess that we are further incited to notice, in terms of severe reprehension, the system of prepara- tion which has of late gone into exteusive usage in our uni- versity ; for the connection which in after life subsists be- tween an alumnus and his alina mater is of a kind and filial character. He naturally considers her fame and re- putation in a manner as interwoven with his own ; and hold- ing, as he does, his diploma from her, he correctly judges that the respectability of this his certificate of qualification, will vary in the honour it bestows, just as the institution from which he holds it rises or sinks in the scale of re- putation. Children as we are, of the University of Pennsylvania, we have with the most anxious solicitude watched her for the last few years. With grief and despair we have seen her deprived of her Kush, her Barton and her Wistar. We felt persuaded that such losses were not to be replaced, and under such an assurance she has had our most tender sympathy. We do not pro- pose now to enter into the enquiry whether the chairs b,e filled judiciously, or what exertions have been made 15 with a view of balancin'; the loss of talent ? Such queries, however interesting and important they may be, we wave for the present, as being foreign to the avowed object of the enquiry. With the subject of graduation alone do we intend to occupy ourselves. So far as our information goes, we are prepared to grant that it has been customary, both in the medical in- stitutions of this country and in those of Europe, for the graduates elect, to prepare themselves for their exami- nations, by a course of questionings on the topics which were probably to be enquired of them by their profes- sors. Under due restrictions, we have no great objec- tions to such a preparatory exercise ; for, although we had much rather see students prepare themselves, by a full and extended study of the different branches of the science, still we are willing to allow, that for the sake of the timid and fearful, the grinding system of Edinburgh, or the quizzing one pursued by the students themselves, may offer some advantages. As all of our readers may not be aware of what we mean by the terms grinding and quizzing, we shall for their sakes explain in a few words what is understood by these two terms. An Edinburgh Grinder is generally one of those un- fortunate young men called sticked ministers, who dur- ing the term of their study for the ministry have allow- ed, in some unlucky moment, the organ of VJimour Physique to overrule that of theosophy; in simple lan- guage, one of those who become the parent of an off- spring without any other title than a natural one. Un- fitted by these faux pas for the service of the kirk, they are obliged to draw on their classical acquirements for the means of present support, and no plan is more likely to succeed, than that, of going to Edinburgh and be- coming grinders. That is to say, to go about the medi- cal classes, and for a certain consideration, to meet the students privately and converse with them in the Latin language, on the subjects which they will probably be examined on hereafter, by the professors. The quizzing system formerly pursued, in the school of medicine of Pennsylvania, was confined altogether to the students. Small parties associating themselves together, met and spent an occasional hour, in ques- tioning each other. We again repeat, that all this is very well, and so long as it is confined to the grinder or the student, we have no fault to find with preparatory exercise. When, however, the professor descends from the rank and dignity which his situation confers upon him, and condescends, for the sake of an enormous fee, to become the grinder or the quizzerofhis student, we can no longer remain silent ; our every interest, public and private, calls upon us imperatively to enter our protest against a proceeding, which will more effectually tend to undermine and ruin the reputation of our alma mater, than all those injudicious arrangements, which have been of late years adopted. We think much too highly of certain of the professors who have gone into the quizzing Business, to believe that they could possibly be aware of the baneful and ruinous tendency of the system which they have adopt- ed, and we feel almost persuaded, that so soon as they have perused this essay, they will thank us for opening their eyes to a true view of the fearful consequences of the plan they have inadvertently followed. That the effects of this preparatory system may be fully exposed we shall, in a few words, show the ten- dency of such a quizzing exercise. The professor is the quizzer, his pupils are the quizzed. The indivi- dual, who is afterwards to decide upon the qualifications of the candidate for a diploma, is (he same person who, for a year previous to it, is in the constant daily practice, of enquiring of him, answers to those very questions, which are afterwards to be proposed to him, as a test of his qualification for the highest honour in medicine. AgaiD, more than one professor associates in the same concern ; in plain undisguised language, a copartner- ship is formed, for making Doctors, in which the divi- 17 sions of the profits are as well calculated as the licest settlings on the exchange. We can find no apology for this money-making system. The professors in this university have been in the habit, of late years, of re- ceiving, from their chairs, a remuneration ' n money su- perior to that received by any other body of men in the same situation. For four months teaching, these fees, for some years past, ranged annually from $8,000 to $10,000. It must become selfevident that from one year’s quizzing, the most trifling and deficient student will ac- quire from this continued drilling, a parrot-like habit of giving answers to questions ; concerning the spirit, the science, and the philosophy of which, he remains in the darkest and most disgraceful ignorance. Are we, who laboured incessantly during the term of our studies, to be placed on the same rank with every driveller, who can afford to fee this company ? God forbid! If it should be determined, that money is to purchase that, which ought only to be awarded to diligence and exertion, we would propose that the farce of an exami- nation should be wholly dispensed with, and that de- grees should be sold wholesale and retail after the fashion of the schools of Aberdeen and St. Andrews. There is a stern, plain simplicity adopted by these an- cient Scottish seminaries, which we cannot help admir- ing. They do not attempt to varnish over the matter, but with perfect candour declare, that they will make doctors for the small charge of 24/. 5s. 3|-tZ. ; this is perfectly open and candid, and as we cannot see any difference betwixt giving a diploma, without any ex- amination, and granting one to a candidate, for an- swering questions he has been drilled into for a year, we would, if the quizzing system should be allowed to continue, seriously advise, that the plan of Aberdeen be adopted “ in tuto.” It will save the students much time and money, and will bring into the general coffer, that which under the present arrangement falls only te a portion of the body corporate, and may then go to- wards buying books or founding a museum. As we should wish to anticipate any objection which may be attempted against the consistency of our obser- tions, we would observe, that a professor having pri- vate pupils, and holding a quizzing class, are two very different things. We allow that those great men whom we have mentioned with so much respect were in the habit of having private pupils. Yet the knowledge of this fact, takes in our estimation nothing from their re- putation. To bestow medical instruction upon a limit- ed number of young gentlemen, and to allow them the benefit of colloquial information, is perfectly in tone with the rank and character of a professor. But to be- come a quizzer, to receive g 100, from fifty or sixty students for drilling them to answer questions, is really and truly to quiz the pupil, and to tend to degrade the high standing of the professjr, to the same level as that of the “ sticked minister One caution and we have done; as the spirit and bearing of all our observations are intended merely as correctives, we would wish to convey no personalities, and have therefore wrote as generally as the nature of the case would admit. We are aware that our general- izing may be taken amiss by certain members of the faculty, who feeling equally with ourselves the inju- rious tendency of the system of quizzing, give to it their most decided disapprobation. It is an unfortu- nate, although a necessary evil, that when there is any variation from correct thinking or acting in one or more members of a body corporate, the blame is thrown not on the individual, but on the corporation. We sincere- ly hope, however, that these our observations will be taken in the spirit in which they are intended. When we observe the great strength which rival institutions on each side of us are acquiring, we tremble for our alma mater. We would wish to purge her from every thing which can derogate from the respectability of her di- plomas, and to open the eyes of all her professors to the 19 fact, that it will require from them great exertions to retain the standing which this school now holds. Let them not, we beseech of them, continue to deceive them- selves by applying this flattering unction to their minds, that, as the school of Pennsylvania was once the great medical establishment of the United States, it must for ever remain so. It was their Woodhouse, their Barton, their Kush, and their VV istar, that gave to it this high and elevated standing, and although their great and de- served reputation wiay have thrown a halo around it, which will require some time to dissipate, still the hour is rapidly approaching when the University of Philadel- phia must be measured by the talent which she pos- sesses, not by that which she could formerly number. Art. XX. The Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences. Edited by N Chapman, M. I). Among the new publications which have appeared since our last number, the above Journal, from the manner of its being ushered in the world, and from the high auspices un- der which it has appeared in the literary horizon, is particu- larly calculated to attract our attention. The avowed ob- ject of the Philadelphia Journal is “ to evolve and stimulate the genuis of the country to invigorated efforts, by holding out a respectable and more permanent repository for its productions to stand forth the champion of American science, and to retrieve the medical literature of the coun- try, from the contumelious sneers and aspersions which have been so illiberally cast upon it. For the successful perform- ance of this undertaking, all the talent of what has been considered the first school of medicine in our country, was emphatically and loudly pledged. We confess that we looked for the first number of this Journal with an interest, and impatience, which we have seldom experienced. We should not think, that we were discharging our duty to our readers, should we pass over this publication, without giving them some idea of the manner in which these high promises have been fulfilled, in the first number. Indeed, on perusing it, we have found so much to which we are dis- posed to call their attention, that if we were to indulge our inclinations in this respect, our remarks u’ouid occupy too large a portion of that department of our journal which is devoted to these inquiries. The prospectus, which is placed as a preface to the Jour- nal is written with great care and considerable talent. In the selection of its topics, the writer has been judicious ; but there is something, in the management of them, which we cannot approve. There is a constant appeal made to popular prejudtce, an effort to conciliate public favour, at the expense of truth and independence, a frequent rertera- of “ unrivalled” excellence of our countrymen, in every qual- ification required in a physician, Sec. Sec. Now we should not be surprised to see all this in a political composition. We know that there are men who rise into an ephemeral distinction, by artfully playing upon such feelings ; and who owe their eminence, mainly, to their unprincipled address in this respect. It would not excite our surprise, or any other sentiment but pity, to find such a person, at one time speaking of Great Britain in terms so hyperbolical, that even Englishmen would blush at the exaggeration and gros-ness of the flattery, while, at another, he would ex- haust invective, and be unable to find terms of reproach sufficiently bitter, in speaking of the same people ;—if we should find him at one time discoursing of his country, as if all the worth and talent, and virtue in it, were confined within the narrow limits of a small political sect, and that all the other parts, including its government, were only re- markable for their baseness and inbecility, and in a short time afterwards, courting this very government, by eve- ry act of self abasement and by every fawning, vile art, which an ignoble mind can imagine. We say, that these things would not excite our wonder, and scarcely our indignation, should we witness them in a politi- 21 cal demagogue, because we know that these are the arts which such cha acters employ to mislead the judgment, lull asleep the suspicions, and steal upon the confidence of the people. But when we see the editor of a Journal which is dedicated to science, and the avowed object of which is to elevate the medical character of the country, stooping from the dignity of his station, and seeming to depend for suc- cess, not upon its intrinsic excellence, but upon bis ad- dress, in practising upon the infirmities of mankind, we can- not avoid expressing our decided disapprobation. There are none, who feel more indignant at the base calumniators of our country than we do. We believe we feel an interest as deep, an affection as ardent, and a pride as sensitive in every thing which relates to the true dignity and welfare of the country, as those who talk more about it. We will yield to none in our admiration of the structure of our government, and the energetic character of our country- men, and we most sincerely believe, that there are none, who anticipate, with more confidence, or more fondly look forward to our future literary greatness, than ourselves. Nevertheless we do think, that the proper way to hasten and effect this object is not to tell our countrymen that they have already arrived at perfection, or to flatter their national vanity by saying to them that they have done more than any one else, and therefore, that but little remain* to be done. Since, however, the editor of the “ Philadelphia Journal” is so zealous a stickler for “ American genius,” since he is so anxious “ to invigorate its efi'orts by holding out a re- spectable and more permanent repository for its produc- tions,” we would inquire how it happens that, on one oc- casion at least, he seems to have been utterly insensible to its claims. It is a fact too notorious to be so*n forgotten, that he stands charged before the public, with being a viru- lent persecutor of one of the best men and most distinguish- ed citizens, which this or any other country had produced. That a person should have been active in impugning the genius of the illustrious Rush, undoubtedly the first physi- 22 cian that has yet appeared amongst us, and whose name has been long consecrated among the benefactors of his nation and his age, and then talk about his anxiety “ to evolve the genius of the country,” and seems to us an instance of in- consistency that cannot well be reconciled. We trust, that the independence with which we have spoken, and shall continue to speak of this and every other production, concerning which we shall undertake to pass judgment, will not be mistaken. We hope, we shall not he suspected of allowing narrow jealousies, personal pique, or any unworthy motives to influence, or seduce us from exercising our editorial functions with integrity. On examining our minds, we do not perceive in any manner this to be the case, nor can we doubt that the peculiar and independent relation in which we stand, will totally exculpate us in the minds of our readers from such a charge. We shall, on this, and every other occasion, exert our limited means to awaken and keep alive, a spirit of free enquiry, to encourage merit, and foster genius. On the other hand, while we studiously avoid any wanton attack upon the feelings of another, we shall not hesi- tate to explore hollow assertion and empty pretence, whenever we find it; nor will we allow the delinquent to escape, whether he be found with a cap and bells, or under the grave and imposing robe of a professor. We shall now proceed to examine the scientific part of this Journal; the first article of which is eutitled, “ On the nourishment of the Foetus. Jfij N. Chap- man, M. D This article, we perceive, is a lecture, which the author has been in the habit of delivering to his class for seve- ral years past. About three years ago, it was read, as we are informed, before the Philosophical Society of this city ; and during the last summer four or five abor- tive. attempts were made, to convene the medical com- mittee of this association, for the purpose, as the mem- bers were informed by special notification, of hearing 23 Dr. Chapman read his paper on the nourishment of the foetus. It was finally read to a few of the members of that committee ; and now at length, we find it gracing the front of the “ Philadelphia Journal of the Medical and Physical Sciences.” We mention these circumstances, in order to show with what fondness and pride, the author cherishes this new embroidered bantling, and how evidently he seems to regard it as one of the most happy offsprings of his intellect. We must confess, however, that we see neither comeliness in its form nor vigour in its consti- tution; and, as in fact, it is the legitimate offspring of another gentleman, we cannot help expressing ourselves a good deal displeased with Dr. Chapman, for having shown himself so had a foster-nurse in the present in- stance, since what was originally a fine and sensible little urchin, he has now turned out into the world, “ to bide the peltings of the pitiless storm.” a pale-faced sickly snd distorted brat, whose tinsel trappings, serve but to excite our commiseration. He begins by referring all the various speculations respecting the nourishment of the foetus, to the two fol- lowing heads : 1. That the foetus is sustained by the liquor ainnii received by the mouth. 2. Taat it derives its food through the umbilical vessels. The first of these doctrines has been conclusively re- futed by Alexander Monro the elder, nearly a century ago, and our author, accordingly, very properly rejects it. We do not find that he has brought forward any new arguments on this point, in the present instance. Having dismissed this doctrine, he enters upon the consideration of the second one just stated, and after adducing a variety of arguments, in opposition to it, he rejects that also. Although it be now almost universally admitted, that flhe foetus receives its nourishment from the mother, through the medium of the umbilical cord, yet the par- ticular circumstances connected with this phenomenon are by no means settled. By some it is believed that the arteries of the maternal portion of the placenta secrete, a nutritious, chvliform fluid, which is taken up by the umbilical veins, and carried to the foetus, for its nourishment By others, it is maintained, that the blood of the mother constitutes the foetal nourishment, and that this fluid is conveyed directly from the vessels of the womb, by those of the placenta and funis, to the foetus. The first of these doctrines, Dr. C. rejects only in part; for he admits, that the “ vessels of the placenta secrete a fluid for ti e nourishment of the foetus;” but he does not believe, that this, fluid is taken up by the extremities of the umbilical veins, and bv them carried to the foe‘us. The latter opinion he rejects altogether, and brings forward arguments against its reception. AVe shall presently examine the force and bearing of these arguments. Admitting therefore, as he does, that the arteries of the placenta secrete a chvliform fluid, “ highly elabo- rated, and adapted to the nourishment of the foetus,’’ how is this fluid conveyed to the foetus, if the veins do not perforin this office ? Upon this point, the author says : “ To me it is manifest, that the fluid is taken up by a set of absorbents, opening into the cells of the placenta, which run along the umbilical cord and ter- minate in the liver of the foetus.” This is the sum total of the pr Teasor’s doctrine (for we will for the present call it his);—a doctrine upon which, if we are to judge from the great anxiet y he shown to bring it forward on all occasions, he seems to rest no trifling claims to reputa- tion. and by the publication of which, he no doubt hopes to dissipate the contemptuous interrogatories cont ' ied in his motto, from the Edinburgh Review.* * “ In the four quarters of the globe, who reads an American book ? or goes to an Arm rican play ? or looks at an American picture ? what does the world yet owe to American physicians and surgeons.” Edinburgh Itevien. In reading this article, we are struck with the evident anxiety which the author betrays, in almost every paragraph, to impress his readers with the belief that the doctrine he advances is original with him. That he is not, however, entitled to the least credit, for originality in this instance, is readily shown ; nor will it be more difficult to show, that bis arguments are altogether futile, and his doctrines unte- nable. In the second volume of the “ Medical Essays and Observations published by a society of physicians at Edin burgh, 1734,” there is an essay on the nourishment of the foetus, by Dr. Alexander Monro, the eider, in which all the leading arguments and doctrines brought forward by Dr. Chapman in the article under review, are explicitly and un-* equivocally set forth. We will now give extracts from this essay in proof of this assertion. After adducing some very common place arguments, against the existence of a continuous circulation of blood, from the mother to the foetus, our author says : “ Driven forward by the energies of her (the mother’s) heart and ar- teries, the stream or blood urged in this way, could not fail, at once to crush and reduce to chaotic mass the exquisite- ly delicate and tender organization of the embrio, or even of the more advanced foetus.” Dr. Monro says : “ JTis worth while to remark, by the way, the inconveniences that are shunned by the want of an anastomosis between the vessels of the womb and secundines. The violence of the mother’s cir- culatory fluids are not in hazard of destroying the embrio whde tender.*” Dr. Chapman asserts that the red blood of the mother, is not carried, by the vessels of the funis, to the foetus ; and, that its nourishment is derived frmn a fluid of a lac- tescent character, secreted by the placental arteries “ I cannot help thinking,” says Dr C. “that Jam entitled to th' conclusion, that the foetus fabricates its own blood, and that the only dependence which it has on its mother, is fora supply of materials, out of which it is formed Does an) thing more take place, here than in the egg ? Confessedly the chick by its own o? gans, produces the blood, and what reason is tnere to doubt, that the foelusin the viviparous animals, which has * Vide Medical Essays and Observations, vol. ii. p. 131, 26 an equivalent apparatus, is not competent to the same of- fice ?” Monro* says : “ The red particles ef blood are not p obably absorded ; my reasons for thinking so, are : the chylous appearance of what is separated by the glan- dulas of cows, and sheep ; and the want of an example of red globules being absorbed any where else. If it be asked, whence then has the foetus the red blood ? I answer, with- out entering into any philosophical comparison of the pla- centa in the foetus, and of the lungs in respiring animals, that foetuses of viviparous animals have their red blond from the same source that chickens in ovo have theirs ; which can have no other, than the action of their heart, and of the ves- sels in their body and secmdines.” Dr. Chapman’s remarks on the analogy between the nourishment of the foetuses of viviparous and oviparous ani- mals, is an abstract of Monro’s chapter “ On the nourish- ment