Methodus medendi : a sketch of the development of therapeutics / by Sir William Henry Allchin.

  • Allchin, William Henry, Sir, 1846-1911.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Methodus medendi : a sketch of the development of therapeutics / by Sir William Henry Allchin. 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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    supply, the trophic guveniance of the nervous system, and tlie e(|uully important, though as yet little known, influence exei-cised by the tissues one upon another, one aspect of which is represented by the so-called internal secretions. The appreciation of the influence of the environment upon the body, whether for health or disease, and that life itself might be reju'esented as the outcome of the interactions taking place between the bod}^ and its surroundings, had an important effect upon therapeutics. Dietetics were put upon a scientific basis; pure watei-, fresh air, and ventilation were recognised as necessities ; in fact, the several constituents of what we know as personal hygiene became the objects of careful solicitude, sometimes, as was inevitable, amounting in their pursuit to a craze. The .subtle influences of various climates, mineral waters, occupations, and pursuits all became the subject of investigation, and were adopted as means of treatment not only for the individual, but as the groundwork of the care of the public- health, particular!}^ in the direction of the prevention of di.sease. Among the factors of the environment that Avould affect the body prejudicially is the class of agents known as poi.sons, but how numerous and widespread these are was far from apparent at first. It was fairly obvious how .such mineral substances as ansenic, lead, copper, mercury, phosphorus, and others might obtain entrance to the body by food or water contamination, by dusts from wall pajjer, in the com-se of certain trades, or by other channels, and their effects and treatment were well understood. They were, however, but exceptional causes of illness. So, too, are to be reckoned that class of food poisons represented by the parasitic invaders of certain grains, such as the ergot of rye, mouldy maize, and the like, which have been the cau.se of serious and widespread outbreaks of disease. Of much narrowei- extent, but quite as fatal, have been the attacks of illness due to decompo.sed fish or meats, known as ptomaine poisoning. The ill- effects of alcohol are to be attributed rather to its abuse than to its moderate employment, and it must bo admitted that its exce.ssive administration under medical direction .siich as for a time prevailed was not iinattended with harm. Most of the.se substances, however, as causes of di.sease are, as I have said, exceptional in occurrence and limited in range, as a rule readily detected aud dealt with; not so, however, with respect to anothei- grou]) of toxic agents which were becoming recognised, or, to speak moi-e correctly, the e.xistence of which was becoming assumed, since they were not, and, indeed, have not been, isolated. T refer to those injurious compounds which are produced in the course of the chemical and metabolic changes which go on in the body, and that gi\e rise to what is known as ante-