The action of medicines in the system, or, On the mode in which therapeutic agents introduced into the stomache produce their peculiar effects on the animal economy : being the prize essay to which the Medical Society of London awarded the Fothergillian Gold Medal for MDCCCLII / by Frederick William Headland.

  • Headland, Frederick William.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The action of medicines in the system, or, On the mode in which therapeutic agents introduced into the stomache produce their peculiar effects on the animal economy : being the prize essay to which the Medical Society of London awarded the Fothergillian Gold Medal for MDCCCLII / by Frederick William Headland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The Tenth Proposition treats of Eliminatives. It is not said simply that these increase the secretions of a gland ; or that they stimulate the glands while passing by them in the blood. But it is laid down as a rule that they act by them- selves passing out of the blood through the glands, and that while so doing they excite them to the performance of their natural function. They are substances which are unnatural to the blood, and must therefore pass out of it. In so doing they tend to pass by some glands rather than by others; in these secretions they may be detected chemically ; and it is on these glands that they have an especial influence. Their uses in treatment are various and manifold. In these classes are included all medicines that act after entry into the blood, On referring to the classification which precedes this chapter, it will be seen at a glance what groups of medicines are arranged as orders under each class or divi- sion.* In the third chapter I shall attempt at some length to prove the propositions which treat of these four classes; and I shall also attempt to explain the nature and mode of action of the orders, or small groups of remedies. In the fourth chapter some of the more important medicines will be considered separately, either as individually interest- ing, or as illustrative of general modes of operation previously described. I may point to some parts of the Essay as being more ori- * It may be of some use if I adduce here a characteristic example of each of the great groups of medicines to which I have alluded above: Class I. Haematics. Div. 1. Restoratives. Iron, in Anaemia. Div. 2. Catalytics. Mercury, in syphilis. Class II. Neurotics. Div. 1. Stimulants. Ammonia. Div. 2. Narcotics. Opium. Div. 3. Sedatives. Hydrocyanic Acid. Class III. Astringents. Tannic Acid. Class IY. Eliminatives. Cantharides, and Croton Oil.