that it is one essential to life. If it were completely suspended, even for a moment, death would follow. The black blood, or the blood of the veins, or venous blood, as it is called, cannot support the animal functions; they require the stimulus of the red arterial blood.

If respiration be suspended, the heart will for a time continue to throw the blood to the lungs; but when all the air is exhausted in these organs, so that they return purple blood to the left side of the heart, death immediately follows. This is owing, in great measure, to the circumstance that black blood is now of course thrown into the coronary arteries, the nourishing arteries of the heart; and this organ ceases to act, when not excited by arterial blood. The action. of the brain, too, cannot be continued for an instant, without the stimulus of oxygenated blood, and all the organs of the body are dependent on the brain and nervous system for their power of action.

But, as remarks and speculations on this subject might be considered travelling too far from the contents of the book under notice, we shall, as we have disposed of that portion of the work which treats of solid foods, take a glance at the rules laid down in respect to drinks.

"The quantity of fluid separated from the blood and thrown out of the system, in the course of twenty-four hours, by perspiration, exhalation from the lungs, the urinary discharge, and the various other secretions, is very great; and were not the loss as regularly supplied by the ingestion of liquid, either as food or as drink, the blood would speedily become so thick as to be unfit for circulation. This actually happens in Asiatic cholera, in which the watery portion of the blood is drained off through the bowels with frightful rapidity, and in which, consequently, the urgency of thirst is almost always excessive. In the healthy state, however, the loss of fluid is never too rapid unless under severe exertion or exposure to a very high temperature, both being circumstances in which it is well known that thirst becomes urgent in proportion to the necessities of the frame.

6

"In proof of the sensation of thirst being greatly dependent upon the quantity of fluid circulating in the vessels, Professor Dunglison of Maryland refers to the fact, mentioned by Dupuytren, that he succeeded in allaying the thirst of animals by injecting milk, whey, water, and other fluids, into their viens,' and to Orfila's statement, that, in his toxicological experiments, he frequently allayed, in this way, the excessive thirst of animals to which he had administered poison, and which were incapable of drinking owing to the oesophagus having been tied. He found, also, that the blood of animals was more and more deprived of its watery portions as the abstinence from liquids was more prolonged;' and hence the greater thirst naturally experienced under such circumstances.

As a general rule, then, the desire for liquids will in itself be an indication of their propriety; but in gratifying it, we should be careful not to drink so fast as either to distend the stomach beyond proper bounds, or to disturb the progress of digestion by undue dilution too soon after eating. Many persons, from habit rather than thirst, impair the tone of the stomach

by drinking largely during or immediately after meals, and thus relaxing the mucous coat, and probably affecting the quality of its secretions. If the gastric juice be greatly diluted by extraneous fluids, it is natural to suppose that its solvent power must be diminished; but whether this explanation be sound or not, the practice of drinking frequently is certainly hurtful, and therefore we ought to avoid it.

"Experience proves that a moderate quantity of liquid during a meal is beneficial; and if we drink little at a time, the risk of exceeding the proper limit will be very small. Dyspeptics, however, ought to be on their guard against taking too much, as they are apt to be misled by uneasy sensations in the region of the stomach, which are relieved for the moment, but afterwards aggravated, by the free dilution of the food. Those, also, who live well, and are in the habit of taking wine daily whether the system requires it or not, often fall into the error of excessive indulgence in liquids to mitigate the thirst and irritability which the unnecessary use of stimulus never fails to induce, especially at night. The continual dilution, however, adds to the mischief, by increasing the debility of the stomach, and, as pointed out in the chapter on Thirst, the only effectual remedy is to adapt the diet and regimen to the real wants of the constitution. Except in disease, a continually recurring thirst must proceed from mismanagement, and it is to be satisfied by an improved and rational regimen, and not by oceans of fluid, which only weaken the stomach still more, and aggravate the craving they are meant to cure.

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The opinion is very prevalent, that mild drinks may be taken with most advantage about three or four hours after a solid meal; and, certainly, the almost universal use of tea or coffee about that time appears to sanction its soundness. Theoretically, too, we might expect this result; for digestion is then nearly over, and any food remaining in the stomach is already in a fluid state. Many objections, however, have been made to both tea and coffee as an evening beverage; but most of them seem to me to apply to their undue quantity and strength rather than to their temperate use. When made very strong, or taken in large quantity, especially late in the evening, they not only ruin the stomach, but very seriously derange the health of the brain and nervous system.

"The question of drink is of little importance as regards breakfast. During the night, the chief expenditure of the system-by perspiration, urine, and exhalation from the lungs-is of a fluid nature, and hence, there is a marked and general preference of fluids as a part of our first meal. In this country, accordingly, tea, coffee, and chocolate are in almost universal use for breakfast, and no other liquid is required merely as a drink. If, from the mode of life or other causes, thirst be excited in the forenoon, no valid objection can be urged against its moderate and reasonable gratification." -pp. 289-293.

There is still, however, one subject left untouched by us, to which we wish to direct the reader's attention, which is, the proper regulation of the bowels; relating to which, the views of Dr. Combe are both valuable and easy of practice.

"The mere fact of the bowels not being emptied so frequently as usual, is therefore, when taken by itself, no evidence that they ought to be stimulated by medicine. Before coming to this conclusion, we ought to

determine clearly, whether the diminished action results from morbid sluggishness of the intestinal canal, or is the natural result of an accidental change of diet, or temporary excess in the other excretions; because the remedy which is appropriate and efficacious in the one case, may be altogether inapplicable to the other. Where it arises entirely from the aliment leaving little residual matter to be thrown out, the health may suffer from the diet being inappropriate, but it will not suffer merely from the diminished action of the bowels. Whereas, when the diet is of the ordinary mixed kind, and the costiveness proceeds from morbid inaction, then general derangement of the system will be induced, unless the bowels be attended to, and their natural action restored. This distinction ought never to be lost sight of.

"Judging from the prevalent notions on the subject, from the univer sal reference of all kinds of bad health to derangement of the stomach and bowels as their source, and from the scarcely less universal use of purgatives as remedial agents, one would be apt to suppose that, to ensure health and long life, nothing more was required than to procure, no matter by what means, an intestinal evacuation regularly every day; and the inference would, to a certain extent, be confirmed by the acknowledged extensive utility of laxative medicines. The real state of the case, however, is not quite so simple; and as it is of importance that it should be understood, I shall attempt to explain it as clearly as I

can.

We have seen that inactivity of the intestinal canal may arise from the use of too concentrated aliment, and from excess in the other excretions. In the great majority of cases, however, the cause is very different. In general, the diet is sufficiently varied and abundant, and the balance of functions sufficiently equal to leave a considerable quantity of alimentary residue and effete matter to be thrown out by the bowels; and if it is not regularly expelled, some obstacle of a different kind must exist, which, in the first place, ought to be removed, before we can expect to succeed in restoring the natural action. To learn how we may discover what that obstacle is, let us turn our attention for a moment to the natural means by which the intestinal evacuations are effected.

The progress of the intestinal contents along their canal, depends, first, on their affording the necessary stimulus to excite the contraction of the muscular coat; secondly, on the assistance derived from the free action of the abdominal and respiratory muscles, not only during respiration, but during every kind of bodily exercise; and thirdly, on the inner surface of the intestine being duly lubricated with the mucous secretion. If any or all of these conditions be unfulfilled, the inevitable result will be morbid sluggishness of the intestinal action, and the various consequences dependant on it; and hence when the evil exists, the first point to be determined is the nature of the cause by which it is produced.

"As already remarked, farinaceous and other concentrated aliments do not afford the requisite stimulus to the muscular fibres of the intestine; because they are in a great measure absorbed, and leave little to be thrown out. If, therefore, concentrated food be the cause of costiveness, the proper remedy is to alter the diet, and to have recourse to other meens only where that proves insufficient.

Where, however, as most frequently happens, the constipation arises not so much from an inappropriate diet as from the absence of all assistance from the abdominal and respiratory muscles, the first step to be taken is again to solicit their aid-first, by removing all impediments to free respiration, such as stays, waistbands and belts; and secondly, by resorting to such active exercises as shall call the muscles into full and regular action; and the next is to proportion the quantity of food to the wants of the system, and to the condition of the digestive organs. If we employ these means systematically and perseveringly, we shall rarely fail in at last restoring the healthy action of the bowels, with little aid from medicine. But if we set these natural conditions at defiance, we may go on for years, adding pill to pill, and dose to dose, without ever attaining the end at which we aim.

"How, indeed, can it be otherwise? If the Creator has so constituted us that the free play of the lungs and muscles is indispensable to proper intestinal action, it is in vain for us to struggle against the arrangement, and expect to substitute beneficially the stimulus of purgatives for that of the natural play of the muscles. Either we must give up our own obstinate adherence to sedentary pursuits and conform to the divine laws, or we must submit to the punishment inseparable from disobedience, and merely endeavour to mitigate its severity by such partial remedies as lie within our reach.

"Where bodily weakness, or any other cause absolutely prevents us from engaging in active bodily exertion, continued kneading and rubbing over the region of the bowels, when used daily and persevered in till the strength is restored, is of great service in promoting their healthy action. Where great sluggishness of the bowels exists, and no exercise can be taken, the rubbing generally requires to be continued for an hour or more daily, or even twice a-day.

"The observance of a proper adaptation between the quantity of the food and the state of the digestive organs and mode of life, is not less essential to the proper action of the bowels than to that of the stomach. If the quantity be too great the bowels become oppressed and weakened by their load; and it is in such circumstances that purgatives afford immediate relief by the removal of the superfluity; and, by blinding the individual to the real nature of the evil, tempt him to recur too frequently to the use of medicine."-pp. 313-317.

We have not room further to prolong our remarks, and notice the other subjects of interest discussed in this little volume; nor is it necessary. Enough, we trust, has been said, to exhibit something of the character of the work, and of the able and faithful manner in which the author has executed his purpose.

ART. VII.-Sketches of the Coasts and Islands of Scotland, and of the Isle of Man. By LORD TEIGNMOUTH, 2 vols. London: Parker. 1836. VERY lately, in reviewing Sir George Head's " Home Tour through the Manufacturing Districts of England," we could not but make use of the trite remark, that before a man betakes himself to foreign

travel, he ought to be well acquainted with the condition of his own country. It may be besides, that that country is in reality far better worth investigating and describing, than any other the tourist is likely to visit, and superficially to glance at; while it is necessarily the case, that he should be much better calculated to judge accurately of what is near his own door, than what is distant, and situated in an entirely different manner. Sir George Head happily succeeded in his undertaking, and to show not only how rich and fresh our domestic field really is, but to exhibit this fertility to the best advantage. Lord Teignmouth has broken quite a distinct, though not less interesting, yet much less accessible and familiar ground; and has also happily succeeded in showing, that there is no occasion for an Englishman bidding adieu to his native island and its shores, whether he be in search of the romantic and picturesque, in scenery, or of social and moral phenomena; regarding which there is a more prevalent ignorance in our own country, than as regards many regions and provinces of the continent of Europe. Britain is therefore indebted to these distinguished authors, for countenancing. a more healthful, because more natural and beneficial taste, than has generally been of late fashionable. At the same time, both works possess individual merits, which entitle them to be ranked far above the ordinary class of Tours and Sketches of the present age, when every traveller must needs indite a book, be he capable of observing, and putting down upon paper his observations, or not. We do not mean that Sir George Head, and the noble author of the volumes before us, are of one school in modes of thinking or styles of writing. Far from it; but we look upon the works of both as highly interesting, and good of their distinct classes. It is only regarding the latter, however, that we have now to speak.

Lord Teignmouth is a sober, not a brilliant writer; truth is the object of his pencil, not exaggerated pictures. He is also an industrious inquirer and minute observer; but he is not remarkable for the enlargement of his views or the comprehension of his conclusions. He would far rather not write at all, than be in error; but he is not conscious that his very decided opinions on certain subjects, unfit him for being an impartial judge, or that he has stepped beyond the fields which have been most familiar to him, and which he regards with highest favour, without leaving behind him prejudices and partialities, that make us hesitate to yield complete reliance to his authority, even where we have not the means of correcting him. Nay, he falls into mistakes as respects matters of fact, and also draws unauthorised conclusions from given premises; which causes us regret, in a work really so well meant, and so abundant in good sentiment, as well as entertaining statements. Our wish, however, is to exhibit his Lordship to advantage, as the number of extracts about to be introduced, which please us, will show, compared with