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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    all the cellular membrane, and the substance of every part, the two last of which are the most universal, or upon internal canals and outlets, which are in common only excretory ducts. It would seem unnecessary when we contrast the de- structive consequences of inflammation with this position, (of healthy inflammation) to enter upon its refutation. It must be rejected upon this prima facie evidence. But I will pay it some attention, because it is a necessary auxiliary of increased action. Increased action can re- sult from capacity only, and capacity is inseparably al- lied to health. Mr. Hunter says, that healthy inflammation attends a healthy constitution or part, and is to be considered as a restorative action, rather than a diseased one. I have before asserted upon the testimony offacts, that unhealthy constitutions are most liable to inflammation. And when inflammation has taken place in a part there is a sensible change in the appearance and condition of that part, differing from the common signs and state of health. Its healthy functions also are impaired. Mr. Hunter himself, asserts in another place, that unhealthy inflam- mation is spontaneous, and arising from constitutional disease. He also declares, that when granulations are forming, (in plain terms, the work of restoration go- ing on,) inflammation has ceased. Inflammation (common or healthy inflammation, says Mr. Hunter) is capable of producing three effects, adhe- sion, suppuration and ulceration; the last, he says, is only a secondary effect, however, he observes, it may keep up inflammation, as it always keeps up a species of violence, viz: a destruction of parts. Here Mr. Hun- ter makes one of the conditions of inflammation keep up inflammation, because it produces a species of violence, viz: a destruction of parts. I should like to be in- formed upon what ground it is presumed that the injury and destruction of a part are consequences of a healthy action. Yet Mr. Hunter asserts this unqualified contra- diction, when he says, that inflammation depends upon a violence and destruction of parts, and is at the same time healthy.