Volume 3

The study of medicine / By John Mason Good ... Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice.

  • Good, John Mason, 1764-1827.
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The study of medicine / By John Mason Good ... Improved from the author's manuscripts, and by reference to the latest advances in physiology, pathology, and practice. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PHYSIOLOGICAL PROEM. The numerous and complicated train of diseases, we are now entering upon, appertains to the highest function of visible beings: the possession ot which emphatically distinguishes animals from plants, and the perfection of which as emphatically distinguishes man from all other animals : these are the diseases of the nervous function; which, in the sphere of its activity, embraces the powers of intellect, sensation, and muscular motion. Each of these powers evinces diseases of its own, and will consequently lay a foundation for a distinct order, under the class before us. While,, as there are also other diseases that affect several of them simul- taneously, we become furnished with a fourth order, which will complete the series. All these diversities of vital energy are now well known to be dependent on the organ of the brain *, as the instrument of the intellectual powers, and the source of the sensific and motory. Though, from the close connection and synchronous action of various other organs with the brain, and especially the thoracic and abdominal viscera, such diversities were often referred to several of the latter in earlier ages, and before anatomy had traced them satisfactorily to the brain as their fountain-head. And of so high an antiquity is this erroneous hypothesis, that it has not only spread itself through every climate on the globe, but still keeps a hold on the colloquial language of every people ; and hence the heart, the liver, the spleen, the reins, and the bowels, geneially, aie, among all nations, regarded, either literally or figur- atively, as so many seats of mental faculties or moral feeling. We trace this common and popular creed among the Hebrews and Arabians, the Egyptians and Persians, the Greeks and Romans ; among every savage, as well as every civilised tribe ; nor is there a dialect ot the present day that is free from it: and we have hence an incontrovertible proof, that it existed as a doctrine of general * Perhaps, instead of the expression “ organ of the brain,” it would be more correct to say “ nervous system; ” for it is not every animal that has a brain, and certain functions of the nerves, even in the human subject, seem to be in- dependent of this organ. “ A nervous system appears essentially composed of w o parts o a central organ, consisting of two chords ; one corresponding with er half of tlle body> uPon which nodular masses are generally placed ; and secondly, of other chords, called nerves, derived from the central organ to the sentient surfaces, or contractile parts of the animal. In the star-fish, a radiated anima , t le central organ consists of a ring of white nervous matter, which sur- uncs tie ounce ol the stomach, and gives off opposite to the centre of each 1828°—E„r itS SUpply*” See May°’s Outlines of Physiology, p. 252. 2d edit. VOL. Ill, B Class IV. The nervous function the highest of visible beings : embracing the powers of in- tellect, sensa- tion, and mus- cular motion. All dependent on the organ of the brain : though formerly ascribed to other viscera. This ancient error still tinc- tures popular language.