The medical companion, or, Family physician : treating of the diseases of the United States, with their symptoms, causes, cure, and means of prevention : common cases in surgery, as fractures, dislocations, &c. : the management and diseases of women and children : a dispensatory, for preparing family medicines, and a glossary explaining technical terms : to which are added a brief anatomy and physiology of the human body showing, on rational principles, the cause and cure of diseases : an essay on hygieine [sic], or the art of preserving health without the aid of medicine : an American materia medica, pointing out the virtues and doses of our medicinal plants : also, the nurse's guide / by James Ewell.

  • Ewell, James, 1773-1832.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The medical companion, or, Family physician : treating of the diseases of the United States, with their symptoms, causes, cure, and means of prevention : common cases in surgery, as fractures, dislocations, &c. : the management and diseases of women and children : a dispensatory, for preparing family medicines, and a glossary explaining technical terms : to which are added a brief anatomy and physiology of the human body showing, on rational principles, the cause and cure of diseases : an essay on hygieine [sic], or the art of preserving health without the aid of medicine : an American materia medica, pointing out the virtues and doses of our medicinal plants : also, the nurse's guide / by James Ewell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    into all the rest, distending the body to a frightful size; as also, in general dropsy, wherein all the cells, filled with water, may, by puncture, be emptied in the course of a night. In health this mem- brane is filled with an oily substance, giving an agreeable rotundity to the limbs. It is also the seat of biles, and contributes to keep the inner parts warm and pliant; and, by filling the interstices of the muscles, renders the surface of the body smooth and plump. The Head, that majestic dome, being the seat of the brain, in which the soul is supposed to reside, resembles the General's tent in an army, or the Monarch's in a city. It has a communication established with all, even the most remote parts of the system; having outlets and avenues, for the ready despatch of couriers to all quarters, and for the reception of speedy intelligence on every inter- esting occasion. It is furnished with lodgements wherein to post sentinels of various characters, and appoint to various offices, to expedite their operations, whether employed in reconnoitering what passes without, or examining what claims admittance within. The whole turns upon a curious pivot, most nicely contrived to afford the largest and freest circumvolutions. This stately capitol is screened from heat, defended from cold, and, at the same time, beautified by a copious growth of hair. The Great Creator, profusely gracious to mankind, has made us an inestimable present of the senses to be the inlets of innu- merable pleasures, and the means of administering the most valuable comforts. High in the head, bright and conspicuous as a star in the brow of evening, is placed the eye. In this elevated situation, like a sentinel posted in his watch tower, it commands the most enlarged prospect. Consisting only of simple fluids, enclosed in thin tunicles it conveys to our apprehension all the graces of blooming nature' and all the glories of the visible heavens. How prodigiously won- derful that an image of the highest mountains, and a transcript of the most diversified landscapes, shall enter the small circlet of the pupil! How surprisingly artful, that the rays of light, like an in- imitable pencil, should paint on the optic nerves, paint in an instant ot time paint m the truest colours, and exactest lineaments, everv species of external objects. ' y The Eye is so tender, that a slight accident, scarce perceivable bv ZZ° l7-PartS °/ thlhody> Proves very injurious to its delicate frame. It is guarded, therefore, with the most solicitous care; with fuZQJlI''t]VroP?m7oned t0 its nice textu,e' and extensive use- 1 1 mtrThld dGep m the head' and barricaded on every of the Cr^r°ng f0rtlficatr of bone*- The wisdom and goodness wh ch the pv. f,TarT ^ Mto™™ng apparatus of muscles with W ™r y ^hed to produce all the necessary and conve- nient motions ,n the situation where it is placed. The eyebrows serve to defend this delicate organ from too strong a light fanUs the incursion of the smallest fly would incommode the polished sup face, it is farther defended by two substantial curtains (eyelids)