Remarks on "The present state of the theory and practice of medicine" : being a review of Prof. Bennett's published introductory lecture (University of Edinburgh, session 1855-56) / by John M'Gilchrist, M.D.

  • McGilchrist, John, 1821-1864
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on "The present state of the theory and practice of medicine" : being a review of Prof. Bennett's published introductory lecture (University of Edinburgh, session 1855-56) / by John M'Gilchrist, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    truth is so remarkable that prejudice only can venture to ig- nore it), how infinitely does such an observation as this transcend improved treatment of tape-worm, oleaginous ap- plication to scalp of dirty boy, and eke theoretical smother- ing of aceri! Seems it not amazing—where so much pre- vious ingenuity had been exercised in ferreting out the mi- croscope ills exceptional skin is heir to—that this vital and compi'ehensive speculation (supposing it no more in the meantime) should be so lightly jumped over ? If found to be correct, what an important fact, in the history of disease on the large scale, is this on which Dr Bennett turns his back! Of what consequence to mankind that physicians should determine, one way or other, the alleged fact. Dr Alison may possibly be right. Why not ? If it be true— and it is true—that disease has undergone vast historical re- volutions, why may not special diseases change their type ? it is at least natural and likely that they should. It is matter of undoubted fact, in the history not so much I of medicine alone as of the human race, that great diseases I have undergone great revolutions; that certain of them have < disappeared, and that new ones have appeared from time I to time amongst mankind. Where now is the true leprosy, I once the most loathsome and the most dreaded pestilence of I the civilized world ? It is confined to Eastern India and the «extreme north of Europe, where even it is on the decrease. Syphilis, which appeared as the successor of the true leprosy i in Europe, and which is therefore not a very old disease, ; seems in its turn destined to give way ere long to a new dis- (ease, perhaps generically allied to it, and, may be, even short- i er lived. As a European disease, syphilis seems to be on the ' wane; in its most malignant form it is now comparatively r rare, and in no form can it be said to rage as a pestilence. ' On the other hand, the Asiatic cholera is quite a new disease; * 80 new, and so little understood that, for all purposes of cure —nay, of palliation even—the most accomplished and ex- perienced physician who finds himself face to face with it, seems powerless as its victim. Yes, it is at such a test as this—in the presence of a new
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