Text book of a course of lectures, on the theory and practice of physic: for the use of the medical students of Harvard University (Part 1).

  • Jackson, James, 1777-1867.
Date:
1825-27
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Text book of a course of lectures, on the theory and practice of physic: for the use of the medical students of Harvard University (Part 1). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    examination of the body in the fatal cases of that disease. But, in considering only what happens in the living body, this cause must be learnt by at- tending to the symptoms in the order of their oc- currence ; by noting at what intervals they follow each other; and by considering, in respect to each symptom to what organ it is to be referred, and of what function it denotes a derangement; and finally, by inquiring how far one of these derange- ments has an influence in producing another. On these points physiology affords material aid. XC. It must be obvious that the expression, proximate cause, is relative. The symptoms may all be traced to one local affection ; and this is the proximate cause of those symptoms. But the question may then arise, on what particular changes or actions of the part this local affection depends. Thus, if the symptoms be traced to an inflammation of any part, it will be asked in what does inflammation consist, and what is its proximate cause. XCI. When the symptoms and their proximate cause are ascertained, an inquiry must arise how the original affection denominated proximate cause has been produced. The causes of this original affection are called remote causes. Of these, there are said to be two kinds. XCII. There are many circumstances, such as ex- posure to vicissitudes of weather, great fatigue, errors of diet, watching, &c. which are often fol-