An inquiry into the physiognomy of phthisis by the method of 'composite portraiture' / by Francis Galton and F.A. Mahomed.

  • Galton, Sir Francis, 1822-1911.
Date:
[1881]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the physiognomy of phthisis by the method of 'composite portraiture' / by Francis Galton and F.A. Mahomed. 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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    Beprintedfrom Vol. XXV of' Guy's Hospital Reports.''] ,^ AN INQUIRY INTO THE PHYSIOGNOMY OF PHTHISIS BY THE METHOD OP « COMPOSITE PORTRAITURE. By FRANCIS GrALTON,1 F.R.S., AND F. A. MAHOMED, M.D. The doctrine of diatheses, or what is often called tempera- ments, in other words, the belief that certain physical con- formations indicate predispositions to certain diseases, has always held so prominent a place in medicine from the earliest ages that it is unnecessary to dwell upon its history or its pre- sent position at any length. Of late years this doctrine has been repudiated by many of our most able teachers, though on the other hand it still receives the powerful support of some of the most distinguished and experienced of our physicians. So that what heretofore has been generally accepted has now become a much disputed question. The objections that have been raised against the doctrine by those of what may be called the new school are chiefly these: that it is founded on the utterly false and erroneous doctrine of humours held by physicians in the dark ages j that it is therefore only a relic of false traditions; and lastly, that it is not supported by any modern scientific observations, and that the statements of 1 Though it would be difficult wholly to disentangle our respective shares in the inquiry, I must at least give the entire credit of the following moinoir to Dr. Mahomed.—F. G.