On the functional diseases of the renal, urinary, and reproductive organs : with a general review of urinary pathology / by D. Campbell Black.

  • Black, D. Campbell (Donald Campbell), 1841-1898.
Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the functional diseases of the renal, urinary, and reproductive organs : with a general review of urinary pathology / by D. Campbell Black. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    30/396 (page 2)
    of chemical laws, preserving intact for so long a time the most delicate structures, and above all, in man, of developing an appreciation of the eternal verities in the exercise of the reasoning faculty, is believed to be something distinct from matter. Where there is so much to admire, as indicating the most perfect adaptation to particular ends, it is difficult, and it were foolish, if it were possible, to institute relative comparisons of perfection. Yet, on contem- plating abstractedly the functions performed by the genito-urinary system, and the delicate mechanism subserving to their accomplishment, wonder and ad- miration are alike excited; and it does seem surpass- ingly strange, that our emancipation from a morbid repugnance of referring to the diseases of this system should, even in these days of vaunted progress, still remain practically unaccomplished. One of the most interesting properties of organised structure is that which might be termed the law of material correlation. In other words, the various parts of the body perform their several functions in physiolo- gical correlation with the materials with which it is their purpose to deal. Thus the stomach secretes a fluid capable of reducing like elements to itself, to lower compounds, without being itself afiPected thereby; the bladder tolerates with impunity the presence of a fluid which acts upon the peritoneum, and even the skin, as a powerful irritant; and the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach receive into them, without injury, fluid at a temperature which would scald the exterior of the body. This elementary correlation may be destroyed, on the one hand, by structural changes in tissues them- selves; and on the other, by any departure, from the