Part 5

* * * * *

“OFFICIAL FORMULÆ OF AMERICAN HOSPITALS” is the title of a 16-mo manual of 238 pages, published by the _Medical World_ of Philadelphia. It contains the formulæ of some twenty-nine American hospitals, collected and arranged by C. F. Taylor, M. D. Price $1.00.

* * * * *

“ORGANIC MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS,” in accordance with the sixth revision of the United States Pharmacopœia. By James Young Simpson, M. D., of Orange, New Jersey. Book of 337 pages, well printed and very neatly bound. Published by J. H. Vail & Co., New York.

THE ASTRONOMIC DOCTOR.

By request we take pleasure in reprinting this poem from the CLEVELAND MEDICAL GAZETTE of April, 1860. A modest country practitioner discovered a planet. The medical and scientific world prepared to give him a public dinner at the “Hotel du Louvre.” But word was sent from the modest doctor he would rather “stay at home in his wooden shoes” (it is his own expression).

I.

To grace the brow of savans Astronomy has twined the crown, The trumpet sounds their giant deeds, And celebrates their high renown. But from the shrouded face of night A doctor draws the veil, and first Upon his modest, upturned sight, The splendors of a planet burst.

II.

His country rounds he still pursues, The storm he bears, and winter's cold; Nor does his simple heart refuse Creation's wonders to behold, But Lescarbault with lifted eyes, And hand upon his earnest heart, Slow walks, to view the stars, but flies, Relief from suffering to impart.

III.

Upon the doctor's humble life Simplicity her graces sheds, From grandeur far, and envious strife, Goodness to diligence he weds. His coat of serge he wears content, Nor e'er for gilded splendor sighs, But when he scans the firmament He sees his “star of honor” rise.

IV.

On history's page enshrine his fame, Yet other glories claim our song; Friends, collegues, share another's name! To Laennec too our toasts belong, An echo to his ear betrays The seat of misery's hidden dart— 'Tis well on stony worlds to gaze— 'Tis nobler far to read the heart.

The above verses were written by Dr. Piory, one of the celebrated physicians of Paris, and were sung by Dr. Mayne at the annual dinner of the Medical Society of the Arrondisement of the Elysee. For the elegant and faithful translation which we have given, we are indebted to the kindness of a very accomplished young friend.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES

1. Corrected nevrosis to necrosis (or might be neurosis) on p. 110. 2. Silently corrected typographical errors. 3. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed. 4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_. 5. Superscripts are denoted by a carat before a single superscript character or a series of superscripted characters enclosed in curly braces, e.g. M^r. or M^{ister}.