A course of fifteen lectures, on medical botany : denominated Thomson's new theory of medical practice; in which the various theories that have preceded it are reviewed and compared. Delivered in Cincinnati, Ohio / ... With introductory remarks by the proprietor.

  • Robinson, Samuel
Date:
1830 [i. e. 1831]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A course of fifteen lectures, on medical botany : denominated Thomson's new theory of medical practice; in which the various theories that have preceded it are reviewed and compared. Delivered in Cincinnati, Ohio / ... With introductory remarks by the proprietor. 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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    About the middle of the seventeenth century, the circulation of the blood came to be generally known; and this knowledge to- gether with that of the discovery of the receptacle of the chyle, and of the thoracic duct, combined finally to explode the Galenic system.. A considerable revolution had now also taken place in the system of natural philosophy. Tn the course of the seventeenth century, Galileo had introduced the mathematical mode of reason- ing; and Lord Bacon had proposed to the world his new mode of reasoning, by an induction of facts. These new modes of philoso- phizing, as might be supposed, ha«l soon a visible influence on the science of medicine. A disposition to observe/«c/s, and make ex- periments, began to prevail in the schools, and to fix the attentiun of keen and accurate inquirers. The clear view of the organic system of animal bodies, pre- sented by the knowledge of the circulation of the blood, led not only to a deeper acquaintance with the interna] structure, but also, to the application of mechanical philosophy, in explaining the phe- nomena of animal life. This became the fashionable mode of reasoning until a very late period. But it has been found very defective in explaining the animal economy; and, although it is still partially in use, and may still continue to be used, it would be easy to show, that its application must be very limited and partial. Still, however, down till this period, the physician, whether Galenist or Chimist, was so accustomed to consider the state and condition of the fluids, both as the cause of disease, and as the foundation for explaining the operation of medicine in its cure, that they were both termed the Humoral pathology. It now soon appeared that chimistry promised a much better explanation of the system, than the Galenic or Aristotelian philo- sophy had done. These were therefore, almost entirely laid aside, and chimical reasoning every where prevailed. Lord Bacon, with his usual sagacity, had early discovered that chimistry promised a great number of facts; and he therefore gave it credit, and covered it with the shadow of his mighty name. The Corpuscular philosophy, restored by Gassendi, readily united with the reasonings of the Chimists; and the philosophy of Des Carte*, with great facility, combined and commingled with
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