An introduction to pathology and morbid anatomy / by T. Henry Green ; revised and enlarged by H. Montague Murray.

  • Green, T. Henry (Thomas Henry), 1841-1923
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: An introduction to pathology and morbid anatomy / by T. Henry Green ; revised and enlarged by H. Montague Murray. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    ailments are due to transient errors in tlie mehibolism of the cells, so hat there is at least a chemical change in the affected tissue. y JETIOLOGY OF DISEASE.—The causes of disease arc ^livided into two classes—Predisposing and Exciting. X/ Predisposing Causes.—Any agency which tends to cause I'l'^ departure from the physiological condition of a function must be /regarded as predisposing to disease—e.g., privation, and frequent jt*' irritation. Many such agencies, when acting more strongly, become ^ ■ excitants of disease—i.e., cause a departure beyond the physiological ■ ^ limit. Thus if to normally acting ciliated cells, detached from the \ ' body, a hot iron be apjaroached, the first effect will be to increase or stimulate the movement of the cilia; but if the iron be kept near them long, or be brought closer, the movement becomes slower and soon ceases. If the iron be then removed, the cilia will after a period of quiescence begin to work agaui—at first one here and there, then all—and may after a time completely recover their movements. This experiment of Lister's illustrates a point of fundamental importance in pathology—the inherent power of evenj cell to recover after injuri/. It shows for the elements what every one knows of the whole—namely, that, cceterispcmbits, a strong man will recover from a disease which would be fatal to a weakly one. It is certain, too, that the life of cells resists the action of injurious agencies ; and that this power of resist- ance varies not only in different individaaLs, but in different tissnes— e.g., tlie rabbit's ear resists the eff'ects of anaemia much longer than a knuckle of its intestine, or than the cortical cells in its cerebrum. Thus it is a common observation that certain people, who have not suffered from an infectious disease, may even nurse those ill of that disease without themselves catching it; whilst others again fall victims to it, though not specially exposed. Such power of resisting certain causes of disease does not imply ability to resist others of a different nature; nor does it necessarily go with muscular strength. It varies at different times in the same individual. 4. The following, among others, may act as predisposing causes : Age.—The special liabilities of childhood are to some extent ex])lained by supposing that the power of resisting injury, which all cells possess, is not fully developed until adult age ; and those of old age, by the fact that the vital powers are wearing out and degeneration occurring. Sex.—The organs peculiar to the sexes render each liable to special 1 diseases. Women are also the special victims of hysteria and chlorosis. J We cannot explain the greater liability of women to endemic and ex- r 'j^lyv^phthalmic goitre and to myxcedema, nor their comparative immunity ^'^ .,_^m Addison's disease, locomotor ataxy, and general )iaralysis. , Ilereditij.— lt has already been stated that feeble vital power, without actual disease, may be the heritage of the body, or of one oi'
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