A view of the prevailing theories of inflammation : submitted to the consideration of the Honourable Robert Smith, provost, and the regents of the University of Maryland / by Philip R. Edelen, of St. Mary's County, Maryland ; honorary member of the Baltimore Medical Society.

  • Edelen, Philip R.
Date:
1815
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A view of the prevailing theories of inflammation : submitted to the consideration of the Honourable Robert Smith, provost, and the regents of the University of Maryland / by Philip R. Edelen, of St. Mary's County, Maryland ; honorary member of the Baltimore Medical Society. 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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    those opinions were. Nor is it from motives of curiosity alone that we prosecute such a review. From the closeness and industry of research, for which some of the ancients are remarkable, we meet in then writings with much fidelity of ob- servation, and considerable ingenuity in the de- ductions they have attempted to establish. A glimmering of light occasionally broke in upon their labours, and in their efforts to trace its source, they made indirectly one step towards its discovery, by affording to their successors a warn- ing, how, and where, they had failed. They also detailed effects with a minuteness and accuracy, which obviated every difficulty in this respect to those who came after them; and by the extent and variety of their conjectures as to cause, fur- nished hints which modern commentators have appropriated to their use, and by a dextrous man- agement of them have built up theories for which they arrogate reputation, while they are disinge- nuously silent about the debts they have contract- ed. Although it is no more than a dextrous management of specious errors, adopted from the suggestions of others, it is one purpose of this re- view, occasionally to restore to the right owner, what has been borrowed without acknowledge ment.