surface of the body was much greater, and the quantity of carbonic acid formed in his lungs much less than in our own case although our size and weight were equal. Hence we are led to infer that, in this race of the human species, the skin performs a much greater supplementary function to that of the lungs, than in the inhabitants of cold or temperate climates. "In two cases which came under our observation, in which the lungs were partly destroyed from an imposthume, and the side of the chest was consequently contracted, the cutaneous functions were afterwards very remarkably increased." P. 632. After offering a classification of the fluids of the body, and giving the results of the recent observations respecting the nature of the blood, Dr. C. states the following respecting a topic, which interested philosophers about a century ago, and which still seems by no means unworthy of investigation, we allude to the transfusion of blood. An expedient which has been in any one instance successfully resorted to in our endeavours to save human life, is at least deserving of notice: "MM. Prevost and Dumas found that, after bleeding an animal until all organic actions ceased, and injecting, within a few minutes afterwards, the warm blood taken from another of the same species, until a quantity equal to that taken away was restored, the animal gradually revived and took nourishment, and perfectly recovered, if the operation was well-performed. "If, however, the blood injected was taken from an animal of a different species, possessing globules of the same form, but different in dimensions, the animal was very imperfectly revived, and could be rarely preserved beyond six days. The pulse became frequent, the temperature fell remarkably, if not artificially preserved, while the respiration retained its natural frequency. Immediately after the operation, the dejections became mucous and bloody, and preserved that character until death. "If blood with circular globules, was injected into the veins of a bird, the animal generally died before the operation was completed, in violent and rapid nervous convulsions. very "Transfusion of blood from the cow or sheep into the veins of the cat or rabbit, was followed by the recovery of the animal in a number of cases. "The blood of the sheep excited in the mallard duck the most violent and rapid convulsions, which were immediately followed by death, as was observed to follow the injection of the first syringe full in landbirds." P. 639. Dr. Copland proceeds next to treat of secretion and exhalation; of nutrition; of the decussation of the optic nerves; of the motions of the eye; of the formation of the spinal marrow and brain; of the functions of the cerebro-spinal system of nerves; and of the faculties of the mind, as evinced through the instrumentality of a perfect nervous system. Under this last head he has given us an arrangement of the powers of the mind, commencing with its lowest manifestations, or those most extensively disseminated through the animal kingdom, and proceeding to the highest and most perfect faculties: "CLASS I. INSTINCTIVE POWERS.-(Strong and immediate incentives to Action.) ORDER I. Instinctive Powers which tend to preserve the Individual. 1, The appetite for food and drink. 2, The desire of preserving the animal warmth. 3, The desire of repose. 4, Desire of place. ORDER II. Instinctive powers which tend to perpetuate the species. 1, The appetite for procreation. 2, Parental and filial affection. 3, Desire of society. 4, Social affection, giving rise to mutual support. 5, Sympathy." "CLASS II. INTELLECTUAL POWERS. ORDER I. Powers of Consciousness, or the Simpler 1, Perception. 2, Attention. 3, Me ORDER II. Powers of Intellect, or the more Active 1, Association of Ideas. 2. Abstraction, 3, Imagination. 4, Judgment or rea- ORDER III. Ideas of Reflection, springing from the 1, Personality. 2, Time. 3, Power. 4, "It will be perceived that the third order of ideas, into which we have here arranged the intellectual powers, are chiefly derived from reflection, or from the mind itself." 10 This classification is, in our opinion, philosophical; it pos sesses also striking claims to originality. Dr. Copland next offers some remarks on the formation and developement of the muscular structure, and on the source of irritability; on galvanic electricity; ossification; of the varieties of the human species, &c, He observes respecting the mean duration of human life "From the observations made during more recent periods, it would appear that the mean duration of human life has experienced an increase of nearly five years in the greater number of European countries. This may be in some measure owing to the introduction of vaccination, but perhaps the chief causes may be found in the progress of science and civilization, as a general improvement in the habits of life, particularly with regard to ventilation and cleanliness; better habitations; a more ample supply of food, clothing, and fuel; greater sobriety; a more general cultivation of the soil, and consequent removal of the sources of several diseases; improved management of children; and the advanced state of medical knowledge. "The same causes that conduce to longevity must, of course, increase the population of a country. The suppression of monastic. celibacy, and the more equal distribution of landed property, consequent on the revolution in France, have tended to increase the population of that country, notwithstanding the destructive wars in which she has been engaged.' P. 542. In answer to the questions, Do the calculations on the probabilities of human life present results applicable to the generality of cases? And is the mean duration of existence nearly the same with all men, in all climates? Dr. Copland gives us these data : 66 In order to answer this question in a satisfactory manner, it would be necessary to have tables of mortality kept with care in the different countries and climates of the globe. The religions and superstitions of the East, of all Africa, and of a great part of America, oppose invincible obstacles to these researches, independently of those resulting from the state of civilization, and the policy of the various governments of these countries. Judging, however, from the results already before us, the northern kingdoms of Europe appear to be those in which mankind enjoys the longest term of existence. The tables of mortality of the empire of Russia, for the year 1811, gave, in 823,561 individuals deceased belonging to the Greek church, 947 who had reached an hundred years and upwards; amongst whom were 83 of 115 years of age, 51 of 120, 21 of 125, 7 of 130, 1 of 135, and another who had reached 140. "According to the abstract of the population returns of Great Bri every tain in 1821, the number of individuals in England, aged from 90 to 100 years, was 9.90 in every 20,000; and, of those aged 100 and upwards, 34: the general mortality was 1 in 57; in Scotland, of those aged from to 100 was 14.13, and 100 and upwards 1.03, in 20,000. In Wales, the number of persons aged from 90 to 100 was 9m 90 17.97, and of those aged 100 and upwards, .50 in 20,000: the mortality was 1 in 69.-The maximum longevity was found to be in Scotland, in the shire of Ross and Cromarty. Here the proportion of individuals aged from 90 to 100 was 34.39 to the 20,000, and of those aged 100 and upwards 9.22. In the shires of Inverness and Argyle, the proportion of persons aged from 90 to 100 were 32.49 and 29.84, respectively, to 20,000. In 1811, the population of Scotland was 1,865,900; in 1821 it was 2,135,300. "The first actual enumeration of the inhabitants of England and Wales was made in 1801, and gave a population of 9,168,000, and a mortality of 1 in 44.8. The second was made in 1811, and gave a population of 10,502,900, and a mortality of 1 in 50. The third and last, which took place in 1821, has given an enumeration of 12,218,500, and a mortality of 1 in 58. "It would appear from these returns, that the healthiest counties in England and Wales are Pembroke, Sussex, Cornwall, Cardigan, and Monmouth, the mortality in these being 1 in about 71; and that the least salubrious are Middlesex, Kent, Surry, and Warwick, the mortality being in these 1 in about 50. It is not easy to explain altogether the difference in salubrity in the different counties.. Locality is, doubtless an important agent. Cities and large manufacturing towns modify greatly the ratio of mortality in a particular district. This is well illustrated with respect to London. In 1700, the annual mortality of this city was 1 in 25; in 1750, 1 in 21; in 1800, and the four preceding years, 1 in 35; in 1810, 1 in 38; and in 1821, 1 in 40. "It must be evident that the increase or diminution of the population of a district, as well as the mean term of life in it, must depend upon the nature of the climate and soil, its mean elevation and temperature, the state of its civilization and cultivation, pursuits of its inhabitants, and means of subsistence. The government and religion of a country also exert no inconsiderable control on the mean duration of life, and increase of its population. Together with these already mentioned, many other causes of a moral and physical nature may be adduced, as influencing, in no slight degree, the extent of population, and the salubrity of a district or country.". P. 543. It is our opinion that the mortality stated in the population returns is considerably less than it usually is. This has arisen, we believe, from the very loose manner in which the registrations of deaths are kept throughout the united kingdom. Births are generally registered with much punctuality; but we know that, in some parishes at least, no such attention is paid to the registra tion of deaths. The more despotic governments of some foreign countries, and the organization of their police, are the means of furnishing more accurate returns of the number of deaths which take place annually. The recent population returns of some continental countries, at which we have lately glanced, give a mortality about one-fourth greater than that furnished by the British population returns of 1821. The concluding chapter of this Appendix contains a particular account of the analyses which have been made of the different fluids and solids composing animal bodies. It constitutes itself an epitome of animal chymistry, with a particular relation to the human body. Of the notes generally, we may say that they contain much original, as well as compiled information; and that the author's disquisitions are calculated to interest both the cultivator of general science and the medical philosopher. Castle Baynard; or the days of John. By HAL WILLIS, Student at Law. Small 8vo. London. G. and W. B. Whittaker. 1824. A PERUSAL of the early pages of this volume is not calculated to inspire a very exalted opinion of its merits, chiefly in consequence of a plethora of puns; which, as they have been claimed as the property of many a prior wit, would have subjected the author to the charge of plagiarism, were it not that his character of historian of the events of a very remote period transfers the imputation from him to them, and compels us to conclude that the personage to whom he ascribes them was the great original. A small portion of a dialogue between Walter Hardie and Gilbert the Gosling, (the former of whom is rallying the latter on his avowed intention to marry) will suffice to exhibit the quality of these effusions. "Alas!' (says Walter) "who would have thought thou wouldst have been hanged!' "Hanged!' ejaculated Gilbert, with a stare of astonishment. 'Hanged!' repeated Walter-'ay, art thou not now on the very point of slipping thy neck into the noose of matrimony-and what's the difference? you are both of you led to the halter-a priest officiates— thou sayest thy prayers and art turned off-and must hang together till you are dead! dead! dead! |