Researches on primary pathology, and the origin and laws of epidemics / by M.L. Knapp.

  • Knapp, M. L. (Moses L.), 1799-1879.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Researches on primary pathology, and the origin and laws of epidemics / by M.L. Knapp. 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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    frrite of sleep; now if you write in this manner it is ten to one it will make all who read it fall a-sleep, consequently, what better can be Baid on the subject: but rather by this work and the method of the Author, science is held to be progressive, and the Profession is especially complimented as worthy of being treated to great truths, and capable of discerning them. Nevertheless, though the new doctrines maintained may be clear and truthful, there is no probability of their being received and endorsed by acclamation. Time is the arbiter of all things, all newly-presented theories, doctrines, and innovations. To make a record is the first thing. All great truths have first to be announced. An argument or theory is indispensable. It has been objected to the author's views that the whole matter is but a theory—Theory run riot. The same may be, and was objected to the theory of the revolution of the earth ; no man can ever appreciate the fact by his external senses. The phenomena, how- ever, in both instances are explained by the respective theory of each, thus gaining the assent of the reason, the interior sense. The old theory of the revolution of the heavenly bodies round the earth, we know, when we reason on the subject, to be impossible. The same of the old theories of disease. Still, whoever is bold enough to speak, write, and adopt truth for truth's sake, must expect little present reward. So satisfied is the Author of the truth of his deductions, that he hesitates not to adopt the enthu- siastic language Kepler used in announcing his discoveries, see Ilarmonices Mundi, proem to 5th book, De Motibus Plane- tarium. Eighteen months ago, I saw the first ray of light; three months since I saw the day; a few days ago I saw the sun himself, of most admirable beauty. Nothing can restrain me; I yield to the sacred frenzy. I dare ingenuously to confess, that I have stolen the golden vessels of the Egyptians, (alluding to the ideas of Ptolemy on the same subject,) and will build of them a tabernacle to my God. If you pardon me I rejoice ; if you reproach me I can endure it; the die is thrown, I write a book to be read, whether by the present or future ages, it matters not. It can wait for a reader a century, if God himself waited six thousand years for an observer of his works. If this impulsive language be justifiable in heralding the truths of Natural Philosophy, how much more so in announcing new truths in the humanitary Science of Medicine.