Neuro-dynamic medicine ; Neuro-therapeia / by E. Haughton, M.D.
- Haughton, E. (Edward)
- Date:
- [1866-67]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Neuro-dynamic medicine ; Neuro-therapeia / by E. Haughton, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.
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![\From the Medical Mirror for October, 1867.] NEURO-THERAPEIA. BY E. HAUGHTON, M.D. On Vital Resistance, Nervous Equilibrium, and Rhythmical Continuity. As health has three principal aspects in which it may be viewed, so every living organism, in its relation to morbific agents, is en- dowed with two remarkable properties, whereby its life is preserved amidst all the varying influences by which it is surrounded. These two properties are respectively named Vital Resistance, and Rhythmical Continuity; and by their mutual antagonism tend towards the maintenance of that healthy condition of the system which has been denominated Nervous Equilibrium —a term by which we understand that the nervous currents are properly dis- tributed in proportionate quantities to the various parts of the body, and that the said currents run in proper directions, according to the necessities of the organs. Vital Resistance is likewise properly called reaction, as it is essentially the rebound of nature against all agents by which the present condition of the living system would otherwise be altered in any respect, either for better or worse. This it is which forms so useful a safeguard against the effects of variations of temperature, diet, sleep, &c., by preventing any permanent change from being suddenly effected in vital conditions. It is easy to see that without a knowledge of this principle, not one single step can be taken in rational therapeutics. But the antagonism by which sudden alterations are met, is only one element in the maintenance of nervous equilibrium. There is also a principle of conservatism in the body, whose tendency is to con- tinue in operation any action once commenced, just as a series of advancing waves tends to overcome, by a repetition of vibrations, any obstacle which does not rest upon a sufficiently solid foun- dation. These rhythmical vibrations may be good or evil in their ultimate effects; and we thus find that disease has its conservatism as well as health; and that the rhythm of its irregularity is ofttimes as perfect as the healthful music of the strong man's pulse. To use a political simile, the rightful government has been temporarily deposed, and the nervous system is just as tenacious in adhering to bad habits once acquired, as a country is unwilling to give up a government to which it has been long accustomed, however much it may have resented its establishment in the first instance.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21481957_0005.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
