The pathology and diagnosis of diseases of the chest ; illustrated especially by a rational exposition of their physical signs ; with new researches on the sounds of the heart / by Charles J.B. Williams.

  • Williams, Charles J. B. (Charles James Blasius), 1805-1889.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The pathology and diagnosis of diseases of the chest ; illustrated especially by a rational exposition of their physical signs ; with new researches on the sounds of the heart / by Charles J.B. Williams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    THE PATHOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS, &c. &c. PART I.—CHAP. I. ON THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF DISEASE. By physical signs I mean such as depend on the direct opera- tion of known laws of natural philosophy on our organs of sensation. As they are produced by the physical state or con- dition of a part, they become indications of that state or con- dition, as certain, as the laws, of which they are exemplifica- tions, are unerring and sure : and the physical state of a part of the body may be ascertained with more or less certainty, as its physical signs, or relations to these natural laws, are more or less appreciable by our senses. The organs of vision, impressed by forms and properties in relation to light, and perfected by the immediate correction of touch, are, both by nature and habit, calculated to give us a more perfect knowledge of external objects, that can be de- rived from the other senses. But the number of diseases that come under the cognizance of vision is very limited, as by far the greater part of the body is excluded from its sphere. De- rangements of the surface, and of the openings of some of the passages to the interior, can alone be subjected to the direct examination of the eye. Mediately, physical changes of in- ternal organs can be perceived by sight only, when their size, B