Address delivered at the presentation of prizes at the Army Medical School at Netley on the 2nd of February 1888 / by George David Pollock.

  • Pollock, George David, 1817-1897.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Address delivered at the presentation of prizes at the Army Medical School at Netley on the 2nd of February 1888 / by George David Pollock. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    regardless of all theory. One patient may tell you of some idiosyncrasy, or you may detect one in the treatment of condition which may prove a most important point in your treatment. I have reason to say that we should always respect an idiosyncrasy of the most trifling character. As an instance the following well-authenticated case is a good illustration : A gentleman could not partake of rice without being attacked by such severe sym- ptoms that it might be said that rice acted as a poison on his system. Some friends, sceptical of this peculiarity, had biscuits prepared with a grain of rice in each. The gentleman was invited to din- ner, and after dinner partook of one or two. He soon complained of feeling ill and left the table, observing that were he not morally certain he had not partaken of rice at dinner, he should suspect he was being then poisoned by it. It is impossible with our present knowledge to explain the conditions which give rise to idio- syncrasies, but it is highly important that we take practical cognizance of them, for we do not appear to possess any means by which to overcome or anticipate their injurious influences. These may appear trifles when compared with what may be considered more important questions in practice ; but it is the attention to trifles, to these peculiarities of system, which marks the difference between the observant and the careless, the watchful and the indifferent practitioner.