His Remarks on the Assistance to be derived from the consideration of the Phenomena of Apoplexy, his reference to the cases which had occurred in the practice of other surgeons, and the observations he makes on the lamentable _omission of facts in the record of cases_, are all worthy of profound attention. Equally excellent is the ingenuity with which he attempts the distinction between the cases of concussion, and compression, of the brain. His endeavour to discriminate the cases in which the effusion, or inflammatory action, respectively, affect one or other membrane, is also extremely sagacious and characteristic. Whether we consider all or any of these features in the paper before us; or, lastly, that triumph of science and humanity with which he has so defined the limits of a dangerous operation, as to have achieved a comparative abandonment of it; we think most surgeons will be inclined to regard this essay as one of his happiest contributions to the improvement of practical science. In 1804, he added some cases in illustration of the views unfolded in this paper; and one case which appeared to be exceptional, with what he considered to be its appropriate explanation. He also gives an interesting case of a suicide, in whom he had tied the carotid artery, and in whom the operation was followed by an inflammatory state of the brain. Here, again, his quick perception suggested to him the significant idea that _similar_ conditions of brain might result from _different_ and even _opposite_ states of the circulation—a conclusion now, I believe, well established; one of great practical importance; and one for which, so far as I know, we are greatly indebted to the observations of Dr. Marshall Hall on blood-letting. In this case, Abernethy eulogizes the plan recommended by Desault, of feeding a patient by a tube introduced through the left nostril. In concluding this remarkable paper, which shows how much a great mind may extract from common subjects— "Tantum de medio sumptis accedit honoris"— we quote one remark, which impresses the importance of a requisition, the essential basis of all scientific inquiries—namely, a careful collection of facts. "In proportion as we advance in knowledge," says Mr. Abernethy, "we are led to record many circumstances in the progress of the disorder which had before passed without notice, but which, if known and duly attended to, would clearly point out to us the nature and remedy of the complaint. Hence the records of former cases are of much less value, as the symptoms about which we are _now anxious to inquire_, have in them _been entirely overlooked_." [Footnote 23: Bichat, Eloge de Desault. Œuvres.] CHAPTER XI. ABERNETHY'S EXPERIMENTS ON THE MUSCLES IN FROGS, ETC. "There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio," is a sentiment which, in some form or other, occurs to the most uninformed peasant, and to the most profound philosopher.