Case of hydrophobia : with remarks / by P. Redfern.

  • Redfern, Peter, 1821-1912
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Case of hydrophobia : with remarks / by P. Redfern. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    structural lesion whatever exists in this and in many other nervous diseases, for there is much more than matter to be attended to, and every observable phenomenon is doubtless of the utmost importance. We have scarcely achieved more in the examination of purely vital actions than to ascertain the existence of a vital force, energy, or principle, which has hitherto eluded our grasp, and is yet most powerful in determining the action of various forms of matter. Matteucci and others have opened up a vast field of research in the observation of several of the most wonderful phenomena of organi¬ zation, and have abundantly proved to us that there are yet many volumes of the book of nature, the perusal of which we have not commenced. It is, indeed, already shown that a peculiar force is manifested in animals in the physiological actions of the nervous and muscular systems, and that, though this force resembles electricity, yet it is perfectly distinct from it. How possible, then, does it appear, that an increased or perverted action of such a force upon the tissues of an animal body may give rise to the whole phenomena of alarm¬ ing and destructive diseases, and yet leave their structure without a single evidence of material change? MURRAY AND OIBB, PRINTERS, EDINBURGH,
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