Symptoms and their interpretation / by James Mackenzie.

  • Mackenzie, James, 1853-1925.
Date:
1912
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Symptoms and their interpretation / by James Mackenzie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Chapter 111. PAIN. % 12. Definition of Pain. 13. Constitution of the Nervous System. 14. The Sensitiveness of Tissues to Painful Stimuli. 15. Mechanism by which Pain is ;produced. 16. Radiation of Pain. 17. Effects of Chloroform on Pain. 12. Definition of Pain.—The due recognition of the factors concerned in the production of pain is of the first importance in the study of disease. Not only is Pain the most important of complaints, hut it is the most instructive diagnostic sign, for the study of its mechanism gives often the key to the best means for attaining relief. The term “ pain ” used here is easy to understand though difficult to define. It is beside my purpose to enter into abstruse metaphysical considerations regarding the conscious- ness of pain and its mental affinities. Nor do I include other disagreeable sensations, which are sometimes spoken of as of pain, as when a brilliant light or a piercing noise unpleasantly affects the sense of sight or hearing. The term is limited to that very definite form of disagreeable sensation which everyone has experienced, and we all recognise. The meaning attached to the term pain in the hook may be summarised shortly as follows :—