The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-12 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Body and its Health. By E. D. Mapother,
Professor of Physiology, Royal College of Sur-
geons (Ireland), Medical Officer for the City of
Dublin, &c. London : Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.
. .

Dr. Mapother proposes that every child in the
kingdom should be taught a portion of medical know-
ledge, with its other studies, and in order that difli;
culty may not be experienced in the choice of a book
of surgical and medical tendency, he writes one, em-
bracing all those morsels of physiolcgical science
which be advises should be available to child minds.
It has seldom, been our privilege to come across a
work so suitable to the design h view as the pre-
sent. We fine a little volume, not filled with, a
series of technical facts and vague theories,
but possessing ample directions for the alle-
viation or the cure of all ordinary cases of illness
or accident, offered for the small sum of sixpence.
The little work is filled with information, rendered
interesting to the reader by the narration of parti-
cular incidents, and trustworthy by reference to the
opinions of eminent practitioners. Dr. Mapother's
theory, that the young should learn to observe the
laws of health in their youth, and that the kpowlelge
i eyen more essential than other sctienc s, is highly
vuluable, insomuch as we must grant, if men and
women were taught in their infancy the consequences
of intemperance and physical excess, many vices
which darken and destroy their existence in later
years might be avoided. It has been said
by an illustrious physician, " Christians have the
highest motives to use the body well, and therefore
they ought to learn medical knowledge enough to
enable them to modify temperament, so as to offer
the least impediment to the working of its principles."
We, therefore, gladly welcome a book which affords
one the means of gaining a knowledge of a subject
which tends to human happiness and to the alleviation
of pain. We open Dr. Mapother's book at random,
and we find that Howard, the great philanthropist,
said—" I never enter an hospital or a prison before
breakfast, and in an offensive room I never draw my
breath deeply," The author then applies his own
remarks on the subject, and finally adds—" A sick
room should be airy, silent, and none should stay
there but the nurse, whose duty it is to be patient,
cheery, and obedient to the doctor's orders." The
thought strikes qs at t4s moment, while
so much commotion is being made about women's
employment, that an order of deaoonesses, skilled in
the rudiments of physical science, might be instituted,
whose office, as the Dean of Chester suggests, would
be to minister to the sick and destitute in the manner
for which nature has eo well fitted the women of
England. It is our sincere wish that Dr. Mapother's
scheme may be widely successful, and that his book
may in a short time be adopted by those energetic
and willing minds, who usually cause the healthful
movements in our social system.

The Government have determined to proceed with
the Irish Land Bill in its original form, and Part 2 will not
be separated from the bill.

Sir R. Palmer will prollably take a peerage and his
seat as one of the Lords Justices, on the way for the Chan-
cellorship.
Further reductions are ordered at Chatham Dock-
yard. The number of hired men is to be considerably
reduced. Established hands of tea years' service are
invited to retire on superannuation, whilst those under ten
years are offered a bmus to leave the service.
Lord and I,,ady Elphinstone are shortly expected
in town from Carbery Tower, Musselburgh, for the season.
The Duke and Duchess of Grafton have arrived in
town from Wakefield Lodge, Northamptonshire.