Copy 1, Volume 1

The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good].

  • John Mason Good
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine. Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice / [John Mason Good]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    other instances, as must be confessed, invalidating, or even refuting them. | These stores of new and modern information, comprised in the writings of some of the most distinguished physio- logists, pathologists, and medical practitioners of the present time, have been extensively resorted to for the correction and improvement of this system of physic. Whether I have exceeded the editorial functions, or whether too little or too much has been done, it is not for me, but the profession, to determine. One apprehension has constantly followed me in the task, namely, that of stepping over the bounds, within which every discreet editor ought to confine” himself. On this account, I have not presumed to encroach upon the author’s. plan, which, whatever may be the defects in its execution, rests upon a solid foundation, and has the pleasing recommendation of originality. But although, with few exceptions, the arrangement of the subjects treated of has not been changed, I have sometimes ventured to express reasons for thinking some of them misplaced. With the same frankness, I have also stated the considerations, which have now and then inclined me not to adopt precisely the views entertained by the author on certain points in physio- logy, pathology, and the treatment of diseases. So far as my own knowledge -extends, no celebrated writers on medi- cine have yet been able completely to avoid hypothesis; and, if the present author has occasionally soared into the regions of conjecture, he has only imitated all the greatest of his predecessors. For such flights every man, conscious of the difficulties of medical science, and aware of the zeal, per- severance, and active mind of the late Dr. Good, will readily find an excuse. If the general tenour of the book is good; if many parts of it are executed in a truly superior style, (their matter being daily referred to as high authority on the sub- jects to which they relate, and this by authors and lecturers of acknowledged judgment,) surely the imperfections of so difficult an undertaking will be indulgently disregarded by every liberal critic, and its genuine merit warmly admired. As a system of physic, adorned with learned research, it is, perhaps, unrivalled. In this fourth edition, a great deal of new and interesting matter has been inserted, principally in the form of notes, in