Volume 1

The science and practice of medicine / by William Aitken.

  • William Aitken
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The science and practice of medicine / by William Aitken. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    38/770 page 4
    CHAPTER II. HOW THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF DISEASES MAY BE ELUCIDATED. The nature of tlie derangements to which the human body is lialble may be studied under the three following aspects:—(1.) As diseases present themselves in individual cases, becoming thereb} the subjects of Clinical Instruction; (2.) As they constitute particular genera or species of disease, forming the topics of Special Pathology ; (3.) As they may be reduced to and studied in their primary elements, forming thereby the science of General Pathology. But, in whatever aspect we may view disease, there is invariably presented to the student the same subjects for investigation, namely,—First, The morbid phenomena or symptoms by which we become aware that derangements have taken place in the economy. It is by a mental effort that either the student or the physician converts these symptoms into signs of disease; and hence arises the necessity of studying Symptomatology, or Semei- ology. Second, The agents by which derangements and diseases are produced, generated, or brought about, constituting the depart- ment of Etiology. Third, The seats or locahties of disease, or of derangements, constituting Pathogeny. Here the peculiar natm^e, general forms, and types of disease must be studied, together with varieties in their course, duration, and termination. Fouiili, The morbid alterations discoverable in the structure of the body before, but more especiaUy after death, constituting Morbid Anatomy. Tliese alterations must be studied in connection with the symptoms, the causes, and the com'se of the disease. Lastly, The elementary constituents of diseased products, consti- tuting Morlid Histology, must be recognized in the first instance, and contrasted with analogous constituents of the body in the healthy state.
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