The physiology of digestion, with experiments on the gastric juice / By William Beaumont.

  • Beaumont, William, 1785-1853.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The physiology of digestion, with experiments on the gastric juice / By William Beaumont. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/314 (page 7)
    & ¥ _ a ly * A ar] . PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. c of advancing human Rowicd ry, by engaging the pa- tient, at heavy expense, to live with him for several years, and become the subject of numerous and carefully conducted experiments. Of the results thus obtained, T have not scrupled to make the freest and most ample use ; both because they illustrate almost every point of importance connected with digestion, and because, from Dr. Beaumont’s work being still inaccessible to the Brit- ish reader, it is a bare act of justice towards him, and also the best way of fulfilling the objects he had in view, to make its contents known as wide as possible; for, whenever they are known, they will be acknowledged to redound to his credit, and not less as a man than as a philosopher.” In the prosecution of his work, Dr. work. After giving a brief history of the case, he says, on page 91, “ Dr. Beaumont was sensible of its value, (the opportunity of experimenting) and accordingly interestedness, highly creditable to his character, both as a manand asa philosopher.” Again, on page 93. “It ought to be added, in justice to the American physiolo- gist, that, from the excellent judgment with which he carried on his investigations, and the scrupulous care with which he announces his results, and separates facts from theory, it is impossible not to place great confidence both in his personal qualifications as an observer, and in the general accuracy of his statements. Moreover, as he enjoyed the rare advantage of seeing what he de- scribes to have taken place in the stomach during healthy digestion, his evidence comes before us with the strong- est possible claims on our attention.” After giving a somewhat detailed account of these experiments, Dr.