Volume 2

An elementary system of physiology ... / [John Bostock].

  • John Bostock
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An elementary system of physiology ... / [John Bostock]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tinued to be a popular doctrine to the present day. Besides this nature, which is regarded as the prime agent, there are other subordinate principles or faculties, (Quvawies) which especially operate in the production of the various functions. With respect to the body, he conceives it to be composed of three kinds of substances, solids, fluids, and spirits, which are themselves formed by the combination of the four primary ele- ments. The nature of the body is supposed to be materially affected by the nature of the four elements which enter into its composition; as well as by the four qualities of hot, cold, moist, and dry; which, by their respective combinations and propor- tions, produce the four temperaments. These are considered as original predispositions existing in the body, influencing both its mental and corporeal character, and laying a founda- tion for the diseases to which the individual is more especially liable. In his account of the different functions of the body, although we observe many marks of sagacity and acuteness, yet there is much that is Inaccurate and erroneous. His ac- quaintance with the minute structure of parts was limited; but little was known of the nature of the external agents which affect the corporeal organs; while the use of the organs them- selves was derived from vague conjecture or false analogy. Hippocrates also adopted the mysterious opinions of Pythago- ras respecting the occult power of particular numbers; and he believed that the stars exercise an influence over the operations of the body’. Little or no advance was made in the science of Physiclogy from the time of Hippocrates to that of Aristotle. The genius of Aristotle and the course in which it was directed were, in many respects, well adapted for the improvement of this science. He appears to have been the first among the ancients who advanced comparative anatomy and natural history to any con- siderable degree of perfection; and while he enjoyed great ad-_ vantages for obtaining information on these topics, he cultivated these advantages with much assiduity. Hence he acquired an extensive acquaintance with natural objects, and may be con- sidered as having made an actual advance in our knowledge of the animal ceconomy, although perhaps less than might have been expected frora the means of information which he enjoyed, and the powers of mind which he displayed on other topics. After the death of Aristotle we have another long interval, during which no progress was made in physiological science, when it received a new impulse from the genius of Galen. A considerable share of the celebrity which this extraordinary character attained is derived from his physiology. When we 1 The best view of the Physiology and Pathology of Hippocrates, which are every where blended together, is contained in his treatise ‘“‘De Natura Hominis ;” Opera a Feesio, t. 1. p. 224. .231. For a more detailed view of the character and writings of Hippocrates, I shall begto refer to the second chapter of my History of Medicine.
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