Pathological inquiries, or, An attempt to explain the phenomena of disease, and philosophically to direct the methods of cure / By George Smith Gibbes.

  • George Smith Gibbes
Date:
[1818]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Pathological inquiries, or, An attempt to explain the phenomena of disease, and philosophically to direct the methods of cure / By George Smith Gibbes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    naturally subsisting betwixt the animal and vegetable depart- ments, that in its contemplation the line which determines their distinction is inevitably ctTaced - the fine and ilImo^it imperceptible gradation which marks their union witli each other rend-.'rs it impossible to define their respective limits— and we are led nilher to ri-gard their discrimination as at least unnecessary or tirtilicial. If we contrast the two ex- tremes of the animal and vegetable kingdoms, their dispai ity iniglit perhaps iiulliorize the distinction ; but if instead of this we trace slowly step by step tlirougli the intermediating bond of connection, their ilissimilarity gradually breaks upon the mtml. and we see the existence of this connection from the cabbage to the very giant. 1 am led to ihf'se remarks because it is to be observed that the same laws apply in some degree tovegetaliles, to which the organsof animal bodiesare subservient, and at all events, I shall procewl to shew the analogy wiiich subsists between tiiem in the ptirticular prin- ciple of their instinctive means of individual preservation, and furthering the duration of their vitality. Plants tu'esaid to vegetate, aiiimnls to live—they botli are stiid to die; but in either in-liuice there are proces.-es ordtiined, which tend in a degree mc.re or less extensivt*. in proportion to the pevfectiou of their organization, to avert tlie occurrence of the irrecover- able state of dee.th. Tu plants onrobsen-.-ition can only extend itself (otbe means wl'.icli they possess of avoiding or repairing the injuries in- llicted from external causes we tireuntible, tis in the instance of tinimals, to recognizt* tlie vast number of salutary efforts whic!) are continually taking place to rectify derangements, wiiicli would otlterwise occur from causes of a more iuterntil opertition, because we are not possessed of means of detecting these chtinges as they tire* ])roduce(l. As ftir however as our opportunities will p'*niiit, we have reasons for concluding that the (lisor.lers of plants tire equally freqtienf, and are in- stituted forthesame most beneficent of purposes ns in animals — we observe them one dtiy languishing, and the next revived; they tire at one time lively and erect, tmd they are shortly iifterwiirds drooping and tibou! to perish—in fact, the several chtmges which thw iimlergo tire nut less leei.uetit or sudden thantne changes which take place in animal bodies, indicat- ing to us that which we erroneously designate by the term di- sease. As regill (Is the operation upon them of external causes,