We are indebted for the above account to the Revue Medicale for March—the No. for February, also contains a review of M. Dupau's Lettres Physiologiques et Morales sur le Magnetisme Animal, 8vo. Paris, 1826. In order to show our readers how they manage these matters, we shall translate the following from p. 269.
"Here, says M. Rostan, is an experiment that I have often repeated, but which I was finally obliged to interrupt, because it fatigued my somnambulist prodigiously, who assured me, that if I continued, it would make her go mad. This experiment was made in presence of my colleague and friend, M. Ferrus. I took my watch, which I placed three or four inches from her occiput. I asked my somnambulist, if she saw any thing: "certainly, I see something that shines; it hurts me." Her countenance was expressive of pain, and ours expressed astonishment. We looked at each other, and M. Ferrus breaking silence, said, if she sees something shine, she can doubtless tell what it is. "What do you see that shines?—Oh! I don't know, I can't tell. Look at it well—Stop, it fatigues me, wait—(and after a moment of great attention) It's a watch." More astonishment. But, if she sees the watch, said M. Ferrus, she will doubtless see what o'clock it is. "Could you tell me what o'clock it is?—Oh! no, it is too difficult." "Look at it, try." "Wait then, I'll try; may be I can tell the hour, but I never shall be able to see the minutes;" and after the greatest attention—"It wants ten minutes of eight o'clock:" which was exact. M. Ferrus now desired to make the experiment himself, and repeated it with the same success. He made me turn the hands of his watch several times, and when presented to her (occiput we suppose,) without her having seen it, she never made any mistake."
These statements we have thought fit to lay before our readers, who will observe the respectable names which are connected with them. We shall seize the first opportunity to give the report of the new commission, and if they confirm the miracles, we can still say, credat Judaeus apella. If it will make no cure, it will probably make much pay; since Mesmer got upwards of 340,000 francs for his mumming exhibitions, to the spectacle loving quidnuncs of Paris. The commission consists of 11 members, viz. Leroux, Bourdois, Double, Magendie, Guersent, Laennec, Thillaye, Marc, Itard, Fouquier and Gueneau de Mussy.
36. Sketch of the Medical Literature of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway—by Dr. C. Otto, of Copenhagen, apud Bulletin des Sci. Med. Feb. and March.—"Denmark is richer in medical literature, than the other countries which in conjunction with it, composed the ancient Scandinavia. Although it does not in this respect, bear a comparison with France, Germany, England, and Italy, nevertheless, medicine, of all the sciences, seems to be that which is most successfully cultivated, and Copenhagen contains a great number of learned, and able physicians." In proof of what Denmark has done, Dr. O. refers us to the great names of the two Bartholins, of Steno, of Winslow, of Callisen, &c.
"In the 16th century, Denmark possessed the anatomical works of the two Bartholins: (Instit. Anatomicæ de vasis lymphaticis, &c.) and other works of the same kind, which have been translated into all the languages of Europe. Steno, the disciple of Thomas Bartholin, followed the career of his master, with an equal success. Haller never spoke of this anatomist, without the highest admiration. Rode enriched the literature of Germany and Denmark, with works which have made his name illustrious, wherever science is cultivated. Among these, we may chiefly distinguish his Bibliotheca, and Materia Medica." The Danes are indebted to him for several popular works on medicine, which are in the judgment of Dr. Otto, chef d'oeuvres of this sort of writing. He published more than 13 volumes on these topics. "To the celebrated Callisen, who is recently deceased, we are indebted for 1st, a Systema Chirurgiæ Hodiernæ, a work of the highest merit, and which has reached a fourth edition. 2nd, a Medical Topography of Copenhagen, published in Danish. (2 vols. 8vo. Copen. 1807.) 3d, the Director of the Academy of Surgery. He is also the author of several important memoirs, inserted in those of the Roy. Soc. of Sciences, of Denmark, and in some other collections. The late professor Math. Saxtorph, composed an excellent manual of labours, for the use of midwives. A second edition with plates, appeared in 1804. T. L. Bang, has given a Praxis Medica, an excellent guide to young physicians in their first outset in practice. Herholdt has shed some lustre on Danish Physiology: his dissertations on the life of the fœtus, and on the question, whether vision is performed with both eyes, or with one only, bear testimony to his genius and penetration: he is also author of a memoir on penetrating wounds of the Chest, inserted, as well as the former dissertation, and many other pieces, in various medical journals.
"Tyschen published in 1804, a Treatise on Pharmacy, in Danish; and professor Mynster, gave a work on Pharmacology, of which two volumes only had appeared, when death interrupted his useful labours. In 1794, he commenced the publication of a journal, the Bibliothek for Physik Œconomic og Medicin, which was continued in 1799, by Bahn, and afterwards under several names, till 1807. We now come to the existing state of Danish medical literature.
"The Royal Medical Society of Copenhagen, which, without contradiction, holds the first rank among those of Scandinavia, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1822. It publishes at irregular periods, its memoirs, under the title of Nova Acta Societatis Medicæ Havniensis. The last volume appeared in 1821. Professor Jacobsen, is ardently devoted to the study of Comparative Anatomy, and has published several works on the subject, inserted in the Mem. of the Roy. Soc. of Sciences, extracts from which have appeared also in several foreign journals. The collection we have just now cited, (for 1824, V. I.) contains a memoir of Dr. Gartner, which confirms the opinion entertained by the ancients, as to the presence of a glandular body in the uterus of some animals. The author has added a plate to this interesting dissertation. Dr. Otto has enriched the physiological sciences with his Phrenology, and is zealously occupied with all that relates to this subject. Professor Wendt, physician to the General Hospital of Copenhagen, has recently published several small medical works. We may cite his Historical and Chemical Supplements, to the knowledge of some therapeutical agents, of the class Euphorbiæ; some notices on small pox, vaccina, and modified small pox.
"Denmark possesses three periodical journals of medicine, without counting those of the Royal Societies of Sciences and of Medicine of Copenhagen. The first and best of these journals, is the Bibliothek for Læger, published by a society instituted for the advancement of medical studies. Classen, the founder of this association, bequeathed to it a sum of money, to purchase annually, some foreign medical works. This collection is composed of original memoirs, extracts, and announcements of other works, and a review of the course of the faculty of medicine. It is specially consecrated to the practical department of the art—(three numbers per ann. of 70, to 100 pages each.) The 2nd collection, is the Nye Hygæa, the editor of which, (M. Otto,) embraces in his plan, all the medical sciences. This journal, although specially devoted to physicians, is in reach of all those persons of education, who can be interested in a variety of important medical questions. It contains original memoirs, and extracts from foreign works, (five leaves per month.) The 3d collection, Archives for the History of Medicine in Denmark, (Archiv. for lægevidens kabens historie in Danmark,) does not appear periodically, but at indefinite times. Professor Herholdt, the editor, has only published one number, in 1823.
"As to inaugural dissertations for the doctorate, the number amounts only to three or four in the space of ten years; because the title of M. D. is not requisite to the practitioner in Denmark."
The above is taken from the Bulletin for February, the ensuing portion of the sketch is contained in the March number of the same journal.