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The Stars and the Mind H No. 4042 April 19, 1947 NATURE 521 reasonable to be told that the drawing of, for argument that the law of entropy involves a example, a nightjar, is two-fifths natural size, but it 'creation', Dr. Davidson devotes a complete chapter is singularly useless and rather comic to see beneath ( 17) to the "Second Law of Thermodynamics and the an illustration of a charging bull elephant the words : Beginning of the Universe", in which not only "Environ I/37 de Ia grandeur naturelle" ! Whittaker's views are discussed, but also the principle There are many other minor points that might of the conservation of angular momentum, especially justifiably be criticized, but equally it would be in relation to Jeans' tidal theory; and further, the unjust to lose sight of the great achievement in question is raised as to how far the second law of enlightened Nature preservation that the volume thermodynamics has a universal application. represents. British zoologists will indeed have reason A short chapter on "The Expanding Universe" is for satisfaction when the British Colonial Office followed by one on "How the Heat and Light of the shows even a small part of the intelligent enterprise Stars are maintained", and this includes some and enthusiasm for Nature conservation which has explanation of atomic structure. so long been manifest by the Belgian Government ; In concluding his interesting book, Dr. Davidson and when we realize that this volume bears the date urges the need "to adjust our view of the processes '1941' it is not easy to find words to express our of the universe and of the place of human destiny to admiration. W. H. THORPE a new framework of knowledge". He claims that every religion, every philosophy is based ultimately on a conception of the cosmos, and his frank state­ ments of the implications of astronomy concerning ASTRONOMY AND HUMAN such conceptions should stimulate both philosopher and theologian in the task of relating their beliefs to THOUGHT the trend of modern scientific development. The Stars and the Mind H. D. ANTHONY A Study of the Impact of Astronomical Development on Human Thought. By Dr. Martin Davidson. Pp. x+210+8 plates. (London: Watts and Co., Ltd., 1947.) lOs. 6d. net. JEWISH PHYSICIANS AND MEN OF N this book the author discusses the effect of SCIENCE THROUGH HISTORY I astronomical developments on human beliefs, and in addition gives an outline of the history of the Jewish Luminaries in Medical History science from the earliest times to the present day. By Prof. Harry Friedenwald. And a Catalogue of The latter occupies about two thirds of the work and Works bearing on the Subject of the Jews and constitutes a valuable and comprehensive survey, Medicine from the Private Library of Harry Frieden­ illustrated by interesting plates and several diagrams. wald. Pp.viii+l99. (Baltimore,Md.: JohnsHopkins In the opening chapters, an estimate is made of Press, 1946.) 3 dollars. the worth of the Chinese, Chaldean and Egyptian contributions to astronomy. A short chapter on the R. HARRY FRIEDENWALD, professor emeri­ uncertainty of the subject of Hindu astronomy is D tus of ophthalmology in the University of followed by a full appreciation of the Greek thinkers Maryland, has added to his two-volume work "The and their measurements, including the compendium Jews and Medicine" (Baltimore, 1944; reviewed in known as Ptolemy's "Almagest". Throughout the Nature, 156, 31 ; 1945) a third volume entitled historical survey, the impact of ideas on human "Jewish Luminaries in Medical History". beliefs is not overlooked, and in particular two This volume, equal to the former publication in chapters are devoted to Hebrew astronomy, including beauty and accomplishment of production, embodies the origin of the Jewish week-a mystery which at an address containing new material on Donnolo, present remains inexplicable. Special attention is Maimonides, Amatus Lusitanus and others, down to given to the work of Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, Moritz Schiff and Paul Ehrlich. It refers to the wide Kepler and Galileo. The chapter on Newton con­ contribution made by the Jewish medieval physicians cludes with a reference to deism. "From Newton to to astronomy, notably to Mashallah (770-820), whose Recent Times" covers the period from the establish­ "Astrolabe" formed the source of Chaucer's treatise, ment of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1675 to the Jewish physicians who were commissioned in to the work of modern cosmogonists. the thirteenth century by King Alfonsus X to compile The remainder of the book deals in some detail the "Alfonsine Tables", and to Zacutus the Elder, with the impact of astronomical developments on who, at the end of the fifteenth century, wrote his the Christian faith. The author finds it hard to agree "Almanach", a copy of which was carried on his with Dr. Barnes' contention that the progress of voyages by Columbus. An astrolabe made by Zacutus science has not forceq us to admit any mistakes in was put to practical use by Vasco da Gama. Bonet Christ's views of God or of man's relation to God. de Lattes, physician to several popes, published in Dr. Davidson directs attention to the influence that 1493 a description of his astronomical ring-dial. current Jewish ideas concerning the universe had on Friedenwald's essay is follow!'ld by a catalogue of the early belief concerning the imminence of author's unique collection of books bearing upon the the end of the world, and advocates the recasting of subject of "The Jews and Medicine". The collection all theological doctrines which rest on the geocentric was started by his father in 1858 ; it consists of theory of the universe. Modern astronomy has (a) the writings of individual physicians and pub­ tended to modify views of 'the Fall', and the author lications concerning them, and (b) the more general examines at some length Canon Peter Green's work, works of reference. "The Pre-Mundane Fall". Special attention is also The catalogue, replete with biographical and biblio­ given to "The Beginning and End of the World", by graphical detail, forms an indispensable source for Sir Edmund Whittaker. In view of Whittaker's the historian of science and medicine. W. PAGEL © 1947 Nature Publishing Group.
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