THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Biology 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Mlton Sturgis 
 
THE 
 
 PHILOSOPHY OF MEDICINE, 
 
 DEDUCED FROM ANALYZING 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF MAN, 
 
 LEGITIMATE STRUCTURE AND ACTION. 
 
 BY EZEKIEL WEBB, M. D. 
 
 SECOND EDITION, 
 
 WITH THB ADDITION OF 
 
 PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS, 
 
 FULLY DEVELOPING BOTH THE LEGITIMATE PRINCIPLES PERTAINING TO THE 
 FUILOSOPHT OF MEDICINE AND CONSTITUTION OF HUMAN NATURE ; 
 
 AND 
 
 AN APPENDIX, 
 
 COKTAIKINO BOHR 07 THE PRINCIPAL COROLLARIES, CONSKQUKNTIAL TO THE PRBMIBBI, 
 8DPP0RT1NO BOTH THB TKXT AND INTRODDOTION. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 
 1834. 
 
Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1834, by 
 
 MOORE & PAYNE, 
 
 In the Cleric's Office of the District Court of ihe Southern District of 
 the State of New York. 
 

 TUE 
 
 FOLLOWING WORK AND ITS INTRODUCTION, 
 
 UNFOLDING TO INTUITIVE DEMONSTRATION, 
 
 NOT ONLY THE 
 
 PHILOSOPHif OF MEDICINE IN PARTICULAR, 
 
 BUT 
 
 OF HUMAN NATURE IN GENERAL: 
 
 ARE RESPBCTFCLLY AND CONFIDKNTLV ADDRESSED 
 
 TO xMEDICAL PHILOSOPHERS, 
 
 FOR JUDICIOUS INVESTIGATION : 
 
 BY THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT, 
 
 THE AUTHOR, 
 
 570 
 
ERRATA. 
 
 IN PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS, 
 
 Page 22, line 17, for veitable read veritable. 
 
 IN APPENDIX, 
 
 Page 9, line 17, for medical read medial. 
 
 " 11, line 32, for assimilationa read assimilation. 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS 
 
 The remarks now to be made are for the purpose, not only of unfolding 
 more fully the general principles supporting the following Philosophy, but 
 likewise to proclaim that it must be exclusively through the legitimate re- 
 cognition and appreciation of such principles, that mankind can ever reach 
 the great Philosophy of Human Nature, in its most extensive and com- 
 prehensive sense considered. 
 
 We present these principles, first, to the consideration o? Medical Phi- 
 losophers, because they alone, of all the talented amongst men, are to be 
 considered as qualified to reveal to the world the legitimate basis on 
 which the Philosophy of all Knowledge must be erected. 
 
 It is impossible to reach the Physiology of the total nature of the Hu- 
 man Constitution, without reaching the total Physiology pertaining to 
 all the creations supporting it. 
 
 Of all the Literati in the world, the Medical Physiologist alone has an 
 appreciable foundation for analyzing man to legitimacy, through deductive 
 and inductive research. All other philosophers are driven to interminable 
 speculations on the baseless fabrics of the visions of mysticisms — never 
 conducting them to the condensation of knowledge that can be appreciated 
 by the legitimate faculties inherent in the constitution of man. 
 
 We consequently address our exertions to unfold the great Outlines of 
 the Philosophy of Nature to the Medical Profession — alone qualified to 
 estimate their merit or demerit. 
 
 We commence, therefore, with observing, that because the philosophy 
 of medicine has, with more or less assiduousness, been so repeatedly 
 sought for and not found, it does not legitimately follow that it is to be 
 considered as unattainable. 
 
 Although the most of those who have been and are now engaged in the 
 study and practice of medicine, appear to have arrived at the conclusion 
 that the philosophy of their science was beyond reach; and although, in 
 all ages, the many have primarily commended, in greater or less degree, 
 the exertions of those who endeavored to unfold it ; yet they have ulti- 
 mately most unceremoniously criticised their doctrines, consigned them 
 to oblivion, and renounced the hope of ever seeing their science honored 
 with its true philosophy. 
 
VI PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Now, although it be true that all the systems of the philosophies of the 
 medical sciences, which have been presented to the profession for recog- 
 nition, have justly failed to produce conviction in toto, does it legitimately 
 follow, from such failures, that they must be considered beyond acqui- 
 sition ■? No. Let the talented members of the pi-ofession release them- 
 selves from the prejudices which they have imbibed from education, and 
 carried to confirmation by practice — study and think for themselves — and 
 they will soon conclude that this philosophy may be reached through the 
 legitimate exercise of their reasoning powers. They will then soon re- 
 ject the treacherous dogmatism of the schools, and free themselves from 
 the pernicious consequences of practising the noblest of all the sciences 
 in blind obedience to their erroneous dictation. And they will soon be 
 convinced, that of all knowledge in the power of man to acquire, none 
 can be justly considered as surpassing in utility that which legitimately 
 constitutes the Philosophy of Medicine. 
 
 This will not be denied by medical philosophers, because they will 
 immediately see, that to reach such philosophy, they must reach, both in 
 structure and operation, the whole nature of the constitution of man ; and 
 consequently, reach the true basis on which the acquisition of all know- 
 ledge must be founded. Medical philosophers will thus see, that it is 
 their exclusive province to reveal the true ground of philosophizing ; in- 
 deed, it must be self-evident to them, that none but those scientifically en- 
 gaged in investigating the nature of the human constitution, from its re- 
 productive state till its extinction in time, — none but those scientifically 
 engaged in the study and practice of medicine, — can possibly elicit such 
 revelation. 
 
 Although medical pliilosophers must inevitably admit these truisms, yet 
 it is worthy of observation, that nearly all the professed philosophers, 
 both amongst the ancients and moderns, have totally neglected to study 
 and exercise their faculties in such easy and natural manner as would in- 
 evitably have conducted them to these important recognitions. Deserting 
 the plainest suggestions of nature, they have interminably luxuriated in 
 the wildest hypotheses of mysticism, and thereby enveloped in darkness 
 not only the naturally moral and religious nature of man, but prevented 
 likewise the legitimate recognition of such nature, as revealed and con- 
 firmed to mankind by the divine herald of their salvation — Jesus Christ. 
 
 Although some of the ancient sages appear to have recognised the ne- 
 cessity of man's studying his own nature, and to have inculcated the im- 
 portance of such study through Uie inscriptions of such apothems on 
 their temples as "Know thyself," &c., yet they do not appear to have 
 realized in any measure the absolute necessity and importance of studying 
 it in any material sense considered as indispensably necessary to the 
 attainment of such knowledge. And although some of our modern phi- 
 
PRELIMINARY OllSERVATlONS. vil 
 
 losophers have inculcated the necessity of acquiring tlic legitimate know- 
 ledge of the nature of man, and though Bacon has directed them, in ge- 
 neral terms, into the path which he considered necessary to be pursued 
 for reaching it, yet neither he or any of his followers have indicated the 
 necessity of studying the organization of man materially, for the impor- 
 tant purposes of unfolding its intellectual and moral powers of action. 
 And although a few of the medical philosophers of modern time, and 
 others embracing their opinions, have endeavored to base the philosophy 
 of man on the operations of his physical organization, yet they have in- 
 variably failed to produce convictioo. They have failed, because their philo- 
 sophical positions were totally repugnant to those entertained by the mystic 
 psycologists and religionists who exercised unlimited dominion over the 
 opinions and consciences of men in general, and consequently anathema- 
 tized all doctrines contrary to their own, and branded their supporters 
 with advocating not only materialism, but atheism, pantheism, &c. ; and 
 as they were, and still are, the legitimized censors of morals and religions, 
 and dictators exclusively of the principles to be put in requisition, for 
 sovereignizing both churches and states, it is no wonder that they have 
 uniformly failed to produce conviction. It is true, that the several phy- 
 sical bases of philosophizing which they endeavored to establish, could 
 not have been maintained or rendered productive of much improvement 
 in the science of man, because they were severally more or less errone- 
 ous ; but it is also true, that if such philosophers could have been permit- 
 ted to progress, unimpeded by the scholastic jargon of the metaphysi- 
 cians, they would long since have reached the only legitimate basis of 
 philosophizing, and the unintelligible subtleties inevitably attaching to the 
 dark and mystic doctrines of spirituality, would have been banished from 
 the world by the bright sunshine of inductive research. Since the fall of 
 man, this mystic philosophy of idealism has been more or less prevalent 
 throughout the world — as all the metaphysics of the heathen nations are 
 but corruptions derived from the primordiate stock of Christianity ; and it is 
 needless to say, that such visionary philosophizing will ever empower even 
 the wisest of mankind, to study the science of human nature to its legitimate 
 results. The moralizing and religionizing speculations arising from these 
 fallacious philosophies, furnish both churches and states with all their 
 knowledge and wisdom, and are consequently acting successfully as im- 
 pediments to the acquisition of the true and only principles, which can 
 direct mankind universally to the realization of true knowledge, virtue, 
 and happiness here, and for ever. That mankind are far short of having 
 reached the legitimate philosophy for effecting these desirable results, the 
 history of the race, through all ages to the present time, affords woful 
 and melancholy proof; and the religionizing and moralizing operations of 
 •all the philanthropists now enlisted in the great cause of improving the 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 human race, must beyond contradiction be considered as confirmatory of 
 this fact. For, at no period of our race have greater exertions been made 
 for rendering men wiser and better, and for preparing them for present 
 and future happiness, than are now making, and have been made, for many 
 years past, by many of the wisest and best men amongst the Christian 
 nations of tlie earth engaged in diffusing the incomparable blessings of 
 religion : and what are now, or what have been, or are likely to be, the 
 fruits of their philanthropic exertions 1 Let the sad prevalence and in- 
 crease of crime amongst the nations, and the deplorable physical and con- 
 sequently moral and political degeneracy of the human race, even as ex- 
 emplified in our own boasted country of freedom, respond to this question. 
 Is not experience in our own country rapidly proving to us, that under the 
 prevalent metaphysical system of philosophizing, in proportion to the 
 liberty with which men are privileged, in such proportion will their lower 
 propensities to action predominate, and luxury, and every species of licen- 
 tiousness, prevail 1 And is it not a lamentable fact, that the demorahzing 
 consequences which have been experienced from importing and imitating 
 the frivolities and licentiousness of Christian Europe, in addition to those 
 of our own manufacture, have well nigh driven all manly and virtuous 
 patriotism from the world ? 
 
 Does not such woful degeneracy, occurring under the full dominion of 
 the metaphysical philosophy, wielded by the united wisdom of the age, 
 prove that the great affairs of education and government must be errone- 
 ously grounded ? This subject is fruitful of important consideration be- 
 yond the possibility of exhaustion, and inevitably elicits the conviction, 
 that all the powers and faculties inherent and inevitably operative in the 
 constitution of man, which render him a philosophizing, moral, and reli- 
 gious being, eminently lack legitimate philosophy — the indispensable pre- 
 cursor to true religion — to direct the desires and affections of men to such 
 action as may conform to the monitions of their intellectual and reflecting 
 faculties. 
 
 The metaphysical philosophies being thus predicated on the visionary 
 doctrine of spirituality, considered as being directly emanative from Deity 
 to and into all human beings at some period or other during their existence 
 in time, for the great purpose of endowing them with their respective 
 souls for directing the operations of their material organizations to the 
 production of moral and religious sentiments and actions, must be aban- 
 doned. Improvement to much extent cannot with any reason be expected 
 to arise from this doctrine of idealism, which immediately transports its 
 devotees into the clouds, to be buffeted by the currents and counter cur- 
 rents of atmospherical vibration, to the prevention of affording them any 
 stable equilibrium for exercising their faculties to the production of such 
 virtuous action, as concerns their highest and best interests here and for 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. IX 
 
 ever. Mankind in general will never repose sufficient confidence in it, 
 because belief in it is neither required or warranted by Deity, through any 
 of the lights which he has afforded us of his will through our nature or 
 his revelation. His scriptures no where command men to believe in ab- 
 surdities and incomprehensibilities. Such belief is utterly irreconcilable 
 with the inevitable nature of man, made by Deity after his own image, and 
 consequently empowered to form volitions to action, approaching in purity 
 to his own. 
 
 Who will deny this statement, that philosophy, since the fall of man, 
 has consisted of more or less mystic aggregation of visionary speculation, 
 and that all education in morals, religions, and governments, has been 
 exclusively erected on the visionary dictations thence arising, and va- 
 riously operative in different Christian and Pagan countries from variant 
 interpretation, but without exhibiting radical deviation] Who will deny 
 that this metaphysical philosophy is still dominatively operative to the 
 production and regulation of all our knowledge 1 Who will deny, that to 
 such extent as man can reach knowledge, and practise virtue, the current 
 creed of mysticism proclaims that it cannot be effected in any other way 
 than by and through spiritual emanation from Deity ,!acting abstractedly from 
 the material constitution 1 But that this is erroneous philosophy, and that 
 it has kept the world in ignorance and iniquity through all time, has been 
 made manifest by the inductive researches of several distinguished inves- 
 tigators of the medical sciences lately directed to the structure and opera- 
 tion of the material organization ; and by none more ably than by Gall and 
 Spurzheim, and their followers. We do not advocate phrenology to such ^ 
 extent as these men have carried it ; but it must be admitted, that by a beauT^ 
 tiful train of inductive reasoning, they have incontrovertibly proved, that \ 
 all our mental phenomena are elicited by the brain, the perfection of or-_j 
 ganization. But they have proved this important position without recog- 
 nising the beautiful scries of causes that are variously but harmoniously 
 operative in and throughout the constitution of man, to the production of 
 such perfection of structure and action in the brain, as causes it to elicit 
 these mental phenomena ; and they have, in a radical sense considered, 
 proved this also, without denying the agency of spirituality in the produc- 
 tion of the soul ; — as if they were fearful of committing sacrilege by 
 barely questioning the validity of the mystic doctrine of spirituality. But 
 it is consolatory to know that the philosophical doctrines of mysticism, 
 which have operated to the enslavement and degradation of the human 
 species throughout the earth, were not necessarily derived from Deity 
 through our own creation, or any of his revelations. They originated in 
 man himself througli the perversion of his own reasoning powers, by re- 
 peated infringements of the laws of his nature. Deity created man with 
 ample powers for correctly compreliending and enjoying the beauteous 
 
X PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 felicities of holiness, and at the same time enjoined on his observance but 
 one restriction intended to keep him in the path of felicity here and for 
 ever ; — viz, that he should not taste of the fruit of the tree of life. This 
 restriction was inculcated on man for the great purpose of keeping liim in 
 his proper sphere of action, that he might exercise his faculties legiti- 
 mately to acquire knowledge and practise virtue, for the enjoyment of his 
 own proper felicity in time, without attempting to reach the knowledge of 
 the creative power of Omnipotence. This primal lesson from Deity con- 
 tained the total category of man's duties to his Creator, to himself, and 
 his own species : for it is to be remarked, that man at his -creation re- 
 ceived incontrovertible evidence of the existence of Deity, and of his 
 divine attributes of benevolence and good will to him, by teaching the 
 manner in which lie should exercise his faculties for learning and prac- 
 tising his duties, and leading him to the enjoyment of happiness here and 
 for ever, by keeping his aspii'ations after knowledge and wisdom within the 
 boundaries prescribed to him through the legitimate exercise of his rea- 
 soning powers. Surely the woful history of the human race consequent 
 on transgressing the commandments of this primal lesson, and of all those 
 contained in the lessons since received through revelation, proves the ne- 
 cessity of man's duly appreciating the sad causes and consequences of his 
 fall, that he may, through the legitimate recognition and exercise of the 
 noble faculties implanted in his constitution by Deity, recover the inno- - 
 cency and happiness of his primitive creation. Surely the revelation of 
 Jesus Christ unfolds fully, but nothing more nor less, than what the pow- 
 ers of human nature, when legitimately understood, and exercised in con- 
 formity with its divine precepts, are capable of rejoicingly performing, and 
 thereby regaining its primeval condition of innocency and happiness. It 
 is impossible to examine the fruits of this divine revelation without recog- 
 nising the indispensable necessity of man's being regenerated and disen- 
 thralled from the pernicious consequences of illegitimate education erected 
 on a mystic and fallacious philosophy of his nature. But the absurd and 
 visionary notions which, in one shape or other, have been diffused through- 
 out the world since the fall of man, by predicating all knowledge and ac- 
 tion on the visionary and unappreciable dictations of the metaphysical 
 philosophies, is inexhaustible of important observation and reflection. In 
 this introduction, we can give this great subject but slight discussion ; but 
 for the reasons already given, and others that may occur, we now observe, 
 that we have in the following work not only unfolded the legitimate philo- 
 sophy of medicine, but likewise exhibited to palpable view the powers in- 
 herent and operative in the constitution of man, which can alone enable 
 him to reach all the legitimate knowledge pertaining to every other science. 
 We have revealed such powers, and proved them to be inevitably opera- 
 tive when not perverted by ideal philosophy, as will enable men to detect 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. XI 
 
 the errors which have ensued iVoiu tlie long prevalence of sucli philoso- 
 phy, and rec6gniso the glittering- elViilgences of truth which have been eli- 
 cited by superior minds emancipating themselves from the thraldom of 
 metaphysical dogmatism, and thinking for themselves in obedience to na- 
 ture's commandments. 
 
 We cannot, therefore, reach the legitimate philosophy of medicine, 
 without recognising that we have thereby reached such knowledge of the 
 constitution, as must be put under legitimate requisition, for reaching the 
 philosophy of all the other sciences. And we are confident that our 
 brethren of the profession by studyingnature's laws, under the legitimate 
 guidance and exercise of nature's faculties, will realize the same conclu- 
 sions ; — because nature's faculties are radically the same now as they 
 always have been and ever will be, during our stay in time ; — and when 
 exercised in conformity with the legitimate philosophy of organization, 
 will always lead to similar results, under similar circumstances, in healthy 
 constitutions under appropriate education. But siich have never been the 
 effects of the metaphysical philosophies vnuler their wisest administra- 
 tions, and never will be, for it is self-evident, that no philosophy except 
 that which conclusively and incontrovertibly settles the science of the 
 human constitution on its legitimate basis, can ultimately prevail and 
 become ultimately operative in meliorating the condition of mankind 
 universally. Under the present administrations of the metaphysical phi- 
 losophies, and the education and government consequential to their ope- 
 ration, no portion of the hmnan race is to appearance materially bene- 
 fited, except that which exhibits the phrenic department of the organiza- 
 tion favorably formed for inevitably developing the moral sentiments and 
 intellectual faculties with unusual vigor of action, and such are a law 
 unto themselves. 
 
 Now although man through the spontaneous operation of the faculties 
 which Deity has given him, be a philosophizing, moral and religious being, 
 as evinced during childhood, even in the savage condition of the race ; — 
 yet he has never studied his organization to any successful effect, with the 
 express view of discovering through what powers inherent in it, — it was 
 rendered thus inevitably operative. All men when disenthralled from the 
 scepticism inevitably attaching to ideal philosophy, spontaneously recog- 
 nise that every portion of creation is irresistibly prolific in evidences of 
 Deity. The most uneducated and unsophisticated human being, with 
 sound organization points with the rapidity of intuition to the moss on 
 the rocks of the arctic regions, as readily as he does to the loftiest cedars 
 of Lebanon, for evidence of a Divinity to love, adore and worship. 
 
 Now if man in his primordiate condition of simplicity, be thus inevita- 
 bly engaged in the pursuit of good and the eschewing of evil, — in the 
 recognition and performance of mural and religious duties, have we not 
 
Xll PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 proof conclusive, that in searching for the philosophy of human action, 
 we should direct our studies for discovering and analyzing the causes 
 which render the constitution in itself considered thus productive of these 
 goodly operations 1 
 
 And, if man was created after the image of his Creator, and consequent- 
 ly endowed with powers for acting in conformity with his will — is it not 
 legitimate to conclude that a construction thus derived must be in itself 
 considered, thus operative 1 — and therefore that the true ground of phi- 
 losophizing must be sought for in such construction, and the inevitable 
 operations pertaining to if? The legitimacy of such conclusion is indeli- 
 bly sanctioned by the majestic constructor of all the creations ; — and we 
 shall find that such conclusion after developing generally and specially 
 the reasons to be seen, and unavoidably recognised, in the construction 
 and operations of the organization for arriving at it, — is far more copi- 
 ously elicitive of our admiration of the divine power and goodness — as 
 exemplified in all the wonderful adaptations of the human powers, to the 
 reception and elaboration of all the vivifying influences in the creations, 
 which are necessary to make man a being for the enjoyment of mortal 
 and immortal felicity, — than all the visionary picturings that ever have 
 or can be engendered under the sublimating influences of the speculative 
 philosophies. 
 
 " Knowledge is power," true — How necessary therefore that it should 
 be grounded on true philosophy, which can alone regenerate the fallen 
 world. 
 
 Do the ministers of the religion of Jesus pretend to believe that under 
 the reign of their metaphysical philosophy, mankind will ever be prevailed 
 on universally to adopt and practise the virtuous and eternal life saving 
 precepts inculcated in it? 
 
 Do they believe that they will ever be able to enlist mankind under the 
 banners of their metaphysical spiritualism, and lead them universally to 
 millennial felicity 1 
 
 The truth is, that no creed of ideality which inculcates and enforces 
 the observance of dogmas, that cannot be comprehended by the faculties of 
 man, will ever command such universal credence, as must be considered 
 indispensably necessary to operate such godly consequences. 
 
 Universal faith in legitimate philosophy, can alone produce such delecta- 
 ble effects, and it never will be predicated on the incomprehensibilities of 
 metaphysical spiritualism. 
 
 We do not deny but that under the reign of fallacious philosophy, the 
 great truths, both of natural and revealed religion may be comprehended 
 and faithfully practised, by those favored mortals, whose constitutions are 
 so constructed as to inevitably develop the moral and intellectual powers 
 in super-eminent degree. 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. XIJl 
 
 But, \vc deny most unequivocally, that all those who are organized in 
 such manner as to present their lower faculties, either more or less pre- 
 dominent over their superior, will ever either believe or practise the pre- 
 ceipts of morality and religion, under the dominion of Ideal philosophy. 
 
 The fundamental principles of phrenology are indisputably true — they 
 were super-eminently true before the fall of man — and notwithstanding 
 the repeated transgressions of nature's ISws throughout the world, ever 
 since, they have always been recognised by most of the great and good 
 men of the earth, in all ages. 
 
 Therefore, if all mankind could be brought under the dominion of the 
 legitimate philosophy of human nature, deduced from examining through 
 all observation and experiment, the inherent and inevitably operative 
 powers of its constitution, when unpervertedby the sophistical reasonings 
 consequent to ideal philosophy ; — they would then, universally and ine- 
 vitably recognise the practice of virtue, to constitute their highest and 
 best interests here and for ever ; — and all their desires and affections would 
 irresistibly lead them to the formation of such pleasurable and duteous 
 volitions to action, as would ultimately result in universal felicity. Then 
 would be realized the universal reign of happiness throughout the world, 
 as depicted by the eminently talented metaphysician — Bishop Butler. 
 
 Upon this great subject we are positive — not dogmatic, — when we re- 
 peat, that men under the reign of the true philosophy of their nature, 
 would not form their volitions to the transgression of its commandments, 
 if they were positively convinced that such transgressions would inevita- 
 bly bring upon them misery here, and if persisted in, — misery for ever. 
 
 From all the considerations suggested by examining this important sub- 
 ject, we derive unanswerable reasons for concluding, that if all human 
 beings could be educated^ to the recognition of the great truth ; — that their 
 constitutions were exclusively receptive of physical stimuli, and elabo- 
 rative of them to the powers of performing all the thoughts and actions 
 constituting the sum total of vitality, as manifested during the whole his- 
 tory of human formation and existence in time ; — they would not only 
 conclude that their organizations were material in composition, but ma- 
 terial in all their movements, from the reception and elaboration of food 
 and other appropriate stimuli, to the full development of all their mental 
 phenomena, constituting them rational, and responsible, and immortal 
 beings. 
 
 Physiologists must, therefore, unfold to the view of legislators, the con- 
 stituent principles to be put in requisition for educating mankind scien- 
 tifically, to the acquisition of knowledge, that will inevitably and exult- 
 ingly lead them to the practice of all the virtues, necessary to confirm 
 their happiness in time — for eternity. Physiologists are rapidly advancing 
 to the recognition of such constituent principles, but will never reach them 
 
XIV PRKLIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 to their fully scientific extent, until they abandon their insulated manner 
 of analyzing the several departments of the constitution into their com- 
 ponent elements, for the purpose of discovering the great principle of 
 vitality which actuates the organization as a whole ; — for such researches, 
 for such purposes, (however useful they may be for others,) are vain and 
 illusive, and will never lead them to the great and total truth. The con- 
 stituent elements of no things or beings, can be reached by the finite 
 powers pertaining to the soul of man. The true philosophy of soul, pre- 
 scribes and limits the powers of man, both in the acquisition and practical 
 application of knowledge, and disclaims as visionary and fruitless, all 
 attempts towards reaching a knowledge of the component essences con- 
 stituting any portion of the creations of Deity : and such visionary aspi- 
 rations would never have been entertained for a moment, under the influ- 
 ence of any other than the idealizing creeds of philosophy. 
 
 The true philosophy of man is exclusively enclosed in his own con- 
 stitution, and the laws which regulate and continue it in time, to pre- 
 pare it for eternity, are inherent and inevitably operative in it, through 
 nervous power exclusively, as unfolded and illustrated in the following 
 Treatise. 
 
 All the creations of Deity within bur cognizance, were made for the 
 sovereignty of man, or of beings generically similar to him ; and they are 
 all governed and continued in being by a few simple and general laws, 
 developing through their primary operations, all the stimulating influences 
 which are necessary through the different collocations and dispositions of 
 the different materials composing them, to produce all the different com- 
 binations and modifications for constituting them whole and perfect crea- 
 tions, in such sense as Deity determined that they should ultimately reach, 
 through the continued operation of these laws, for the great purpose of 
 preparing them for the creation and residence of reasonable beings, des- 
 tined for progressive advance to perfection in time and eternity. Whether 
 all the creations destined for the formation and habitation of rational ex- 
 istences, be yet sufficiently matured for these great purposes, may for 
 many reasons be made matter of question ; — but we know that there is a 
 general analogy and harmony pervading them, not only as to the primary 
 laws, by and through the agency of which they are governed, but likewise 
 as to the varied combinations arising from the operation of these primary 
 laws, and acting in subservience to them, for the production of such a 
 series of generic and specific effects, as are necessary to ultimately con- 
 stitute and show them into their respective wholes. The laws of motion 
 and gravity »,by and through which Deity governs the immense masses of 
 matter composing his universal creations, manifest numerous combinations 
 and modifications that are to much extent cognizable and appreciable by 
 man ; and they are all recognised to be thus operative, in perfect unison 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. XV 
 
 and concert to the production of an incommensurable system of systems, 
 of worlds. 
 
 The proper study of mankind, therefore, is not only of man himself, 
 but of the laws inherent and inevitably operative in the very texture of 
 the creations, which fit him for existence in them. These laws are the 
 legitimate subjects for philosophical investigation ; and many both of 
 the primary and secondary laws have already been reached, — and many 
 more will be subjected to our recognition, through the continued improve- 
 ments which will be elicited by inductive philosophy. 
 
 We thus present to philosophical man, the only true mirror through 
 which he can see and appreciate the great and important truism, that the 
 grand focus of vivification ordained by Deity, to become pertinently ope- 
 rative to the formation, preservation, and progressive perfection of our 
 earth, and all the primary planets, with their satellites, and all the erratic 
 comets, — is the Sun, — the central luminary of our system of Worlds, — 
 originating all the beautiful and sublime operations pertaining to the 
 varied, but harmonious motions of every pai-ticle of matter composing 
 them, — and thereby dispensing to them, through the combinations arising 
 from the operations of these general laws of matter and its motions, all 
 the necessarily varied stimuli of heat, light, air, electricity, galvanism, 
 magnetism, &c. &c. — to produce all the necessarily varied mechanical 
 actions, and chemical affinities for aggregating and keeping all these im- 
 mense masses, united into their respective wholes ; — and furnishing them 
 also with an immeasurable ocean of luminiferous ether, to perform their 
 revolutions around him, for the continued reception of all their appropri- 
 ate stimuli to action. 
 
 We have thought proper thus to enumerate some of the radical influ- 
 ences originating from the great central luminary of our system, which 
 vivify and animate all the organized things and beings entering into the 
 constitution of our earth, and all its productions, — mineral, vegetable, and 
 animal ; — not that we are enumerating any thing more or less than tru- 
 isms, — but for the great purpose of observing, that such truisms should 
 be kept constantly in the view of philosophers engaged in investigating 
 every department of nature, either in a constructive or operative sense 
 considered. It is exclusively through this legitimate spirit which should 
 govern all our philosophical researches, that we recognise the undoubted 
 fact, that all the geological formations are products of solar influence, 
 through the operations of mechanical and chemical laws, and furnish 
 through such influence, all the necessary substrata for vegetable and ani- 
 mal life ; and consequently that they are all mutually dependent and in- 
 separably connected with each other, in the direct series of cause and 
 effect. We are thus led to recognise the beautiful concatenation of vivi- 
 fying influences, which through the will of our Creator, have been insti- 
 
XVI PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 tuted and continued inevitably operative, to the glorious creation and 
 destination of man. 
 
 The grand radical power therefore, employed by Deity in his creations 
 is mechanical, and operative to the production of all the diversified chem- 
 ical combinations, that are necessary to carry them to their destined 
 perfection. From the minutest molecules of which these creations are 
 formed, to their aggregation as wholes, these radical and derivative influ- 
 ences are operative and indispensably necessary, to all such geological 
 creations as are required, not only to furnish the matrices of all vegetable 
 and animal existences, but to conduct them in their growth to maturity, 
 through their destined periods of duration. Frem these and many other 
 considerations that might be mentioned, we derive legitimately the phi- 
 losophical proof of the fact, that all the worlds of Deity were made to 
 become ultimately, abiding places of probation, for rational and responsi- 
 ble beings destined for immortality. 
 
 The legitimate philosophy of the creations therefore, drawn from ob- 
 servation of all the phenomena pertaining to them, within the cognizance 
 of man, proves that they are rendered receptive and elaborative of all 
 the necessarily varied stimuli, imparted to them in their very creations 
 by Deity, through such varied sensibility as he respectively endowed them 
 with the powers of inevitably exercising, in obedience to the operations 
 of his creative laws, to the production of all the severally destined spe- 
 cific effects, necessary to constitute them perfectly harmonious and whole 
 creations. None of the creations can therefore be philosophically con- 
 sidered, as inorganic. Sensibility is as much the radical property of 
 geological, as it is of vegetable or animal formations. The philosophy of 
 all knowledge needs regeneration. Man is an intellectual, moral, religious 
 being, through the operation of the powers existent in his physical con- 
 stitution ; and through such powers exclusively, is rendered capable of 
 exercising undisputed sovereignty over the terrestrial creation. It is 
 impossible, that any Christian philosopher, who will thus scientifically study 
 his organization, both as to structure and action, and the vivifying causes 
 operative throughout the creations which render it so, can fjr ajnoment 
 hesitate to acknowledge himself, as an intellectual, moral and religious 
 being, exclusively through the powers inherent and inevitably operative 
 in his organization. The whole system of created things and beings, is 
 a physical system, in structure and operation, and irresolvable into pri- 
 mordiate elementality, through any philosophical processes, within the 
 powers of man to institute. With the creative power of Deity, and con- 
 sequently, with the resolution of any of the things or beings he has made, 
 into their component elements, the powers of man cannot be legitimately 
 concerned — but with the general laws which Deity has ordained for the 
 government of the world, and with all the vivifying influences derived from 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. XVU 
 
 the operation of these general laws, man is fully endowed with powers 
 for ascertaining such satisfactory, positive, and probable knowledge, as by 
 legitimate explication and application, may bo rendered rcsultive both to 
 his highest temporal and eternal interests. 
 
 We thus unfold the only true philosophy, through the due appreciation 
 of which, man can both generalize and individualize, and consequently 
 define, the legitimate boundaries of such knowledge as his faculties, under 
 legitimate operation, can reach in time, viz., that the majestic system of 
 the universe is an organized mechanical system, rendered operative through 
 the influences of its central luminaries, to the formation, aggregation, and 
 continuance, of all the things and beings composing it, from the smallest 
 elementary particles, to a Bacon or Newton, and from these to angels, 
 and all other things and beings secondary only to Deity. 
 
 How sublime the idea, that the universe of God was made thus opera- 
 tive to the production of rational beings, to prepare for eternal advance in 
 blessedness ! and how humiliating the idea, that our race, from having 
 neglected to reach the legitimate philosophy of tlieir organization, have 
 made such slow advance towards recognising this — the most important 
 of all the momentous truths concerning man ! 
 
 We have thus summarily opened to palpable view the true philosophy 
 of the science of human nature ; and have now to observe, that the fol- 
 lowing outlines of medical philosophy, will be found strictly conformable 
 to it, and inevitably deducible from all the observations, experiences, and 
 reasonings, that have been, or can be, legitimately elicited, through the 
 scientific study of man's constitution. When we simply reflect on the 
 indisputable fact, that no thinking or acting can be performed through any 
 other than nervous influence ; that all the desires, affections, and voli- 
 tions, that are operative in eliciting the germs of reproduction, are ex- 
 clusively dependent on nervous influence ; that these germs are vivified to 
 fetal maturity through similar influence, and conducted to maturity, and 
 continued in time, through nervous power ; the conclusion becomes irre- 
 sistible, that such power is the whole power of man ; as much so, as that 
 the powers of motion and gravity arc the powers instituted by Deity, — 
 not only for effecting the revolutions, &c., of the heavenly bodies, but 
 likewise for becoming ultimately operative to the production of immortal 
 existences. And, it may be observed, that the modus operandi of these 
 powers is as palpable to observation in the one case as the other, and 
 their effects equally patent to observation. Therefore, all the various 
 functional operations, of all the variously structured organs composing 
 the total constitution of man, are legitimately consequential to the diflTir- 
 ent collocations and dispositions, and consequently different arrange- 
 ments, of the different materials entering into its composition : and they 
 
XVlll PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 are all so connected together through the influence of the total powers 
 of innervation, as to act in undisturbed harmony and concert as a whole. 
 
 Through legitimate reasoning, we arrive at this conclusion intuitively. 
 Logicians may rest assured, that a process of reasoning, however simple 
 it may be, is made by the intellectual powers, for reaching the recogni- 
 tion of any truth however simple ; and that all the knowledge composing 
 what are denominated the exact sciences, both as respects the proposi- 
 tions supporting them, and the inferences that may be deduced from them, 
 are the results of self-evident knowledge, derived through the exercise of 
 the reasoning powers. As far as we can positively and probably, or 
 through legitimate analogy, trace a chain of effects to their antecedents, 
 so far we have intuitive knowledge. The mystic jargon of scholastic 
 philosophy will soon be banished from the literary world, under the en- 
 lightening influence of such inductive research as is gaining ground in it. 
 For, the belief of the existence of Deity, and all his divine attributes, 
 spontaneously arises from an intuitive process of reasoning; and we 
 therefore, when unshackled by the mysteries of ideality, naturally and in- 
 evitably assume this as a fundamental proposition, through which we may 
 investigate our highest interests and happiness, and deduce from it a se- 
 ries of causes and effects, by observations, experiences, and reasonings, 
 on the phenomena of animal and vegetable existences, from the highest 
 to the lowest, and on the geological formations supporting them ; and 
 thus possess a chain of knowledge more easily recognised, and infinitely 
 more useful and satisfactory to us, than all such as may be rendered re- 
 sultive from the figurings which mathematicians resort to, for deducing 
 consequences from their propositions. And we can reverse the reasoning 
 process, and do so naturally and inevitably, when not sophisticated by the 
 visions of mysticism, by ascending from effects to their causes — begin- 
 ning, for instance, with monadic existences in the animal department of 
 creation, and ascending from them to the majestic Creator of them all ; — 
 thus reaching the primary link in the chain of all such ratiocination, as 
 concerns man's highest interests and happiness in time and eternity. 
 Now, if we,, for the purpose of arriving at truths of highest concernment, 
 reason thus deductively and inductively, naturally and inevitably, what 
 need have we of the labored, and too often sophistical argumentations of 
 the metaphysical theologians and philosophers, to prove the existence of 
 Deity and his divine attributes 1 
 
 Such argumentations might well have been spared ; for they lead inevi- 
 tably to the creation of doubt and uncertainty in the minds of those who 
 believe in the mystical philosophy originating them. Man — we repeat it, 
 because it cannot be too often presented for serious consideration and re- 
 flection — naturally and inevitably believes all the great truths which con- 
 cern his highest interests and happiness here, and for ever, through the 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. XIX 
 
 spontaneous operation of his reasoning faculties ; and but for the perver- 
 sion of sucli powers, tlirough the visionary operations of ideal philosophy, 
 would as really believe in the confuniation of such truths through Divine 
 revelation, as he docs the trullis of nature's religion ; and under legitimate 
 education and legislation, would act in conformity with its divine precepts. 
 
 But mankind must be under the full operation of the natural laws and 
 precepts developed by the true philosophy of their constitution, before 
 they can be disenthralled from the innumerable evils which have ensued 
 from the prevalence of the ideal philosophies for thousands of years. 
 
 Their regeneration must be commenced ab ovo ; for be it observed, that 
 virtues and vices are hereditary, in proportion to the noble and ignoble 
 characteristics of organization ; and many of the most malignant and in- 
 curable diseases afflicting mankind, have originated from the promiscuous 
 intercourse of sound with unsound constitutions, and in still greater de- 
 gree of unsound with unsound constitutions, in the propagation of their 
 species. Vices and diseases from this promiscuous intercourse, have 
 become hereditary, and inevitably transmissible from generation to gene- 
 ration, to an incalculable extent of deterioration. Nations are poisoned 
 to the very core, from the long prevalence of these causes, originated and 
 continued from age to age, since the creation of man, — from the repeated 
 transgressions of nature's laws, which have ensued, and been riveted and 
 perpetuated with increasing effect, from the uninterrupted domination of 
 metaphysical philosophies. 
 
 What a departure from the native nobility of man, from having neg- 
 lected the monitions of his nature, although Deity explained the philoso- 
 phy of their operation at the time he created man, and inculcated their 
 philosophical observance, and distinctly announced the deplorable conse- 
 quences of transgressing them ! 
 
 How few are the bright and noble spirits who may be considered as 
 having enlightened mankind since the fall, and previous to the advent of 
 the herald of their salvation ! And have the number of such spirits in- 
 creased in proportion to the bright lights shed upon the world by Divine 
 Revelation 1 
 
 Let the sad history of the world since it was matured by Deity, for the 
 creation and residence of man, be phiiosophically written, — and it will be 
 found to have been since the fall, principally a history of crime. 
 
 And has this sad state of it, originated from necessity or fatalism ? — 
 No, — man was created upright, — with powers for choosing good and hap- 
 piness, and rejecting crime and misery. The majority of the world under 
 the influence of erroneous philosophy, has chosen and practised the latter; 
 and the race of man has consequently become so far degraded by the pre- 
 valence of the transgressions of nature's laws, that many years will be 
 necessary, under the full recognition and practice of the legitimate phi- 
 
XX PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 losophy of knowledge, to regenerate and redeem mankind, — and raise 
 them to their native nobility of organization. 
 
 Vices and diseases, through the influence of metaphysical education and 
 government, have become so ingrafted into their very nature, as to cause 
 whole pagan nations, and many of the philosophers and others amongst the 
 Christian nations, to advocate the absurd and visionary doctrines of ne- 
 cessity and fatalism, to exculpate their aberrations from the practice of 
 virtue, which unsophisticated nature teaches them, and the benevolent 
 revelation of their Creator confirms. 
 
 To redeem mankind from the deplorable consequences of such degen- 
 eracy and wretchedness, nothing more nor less is necessary, than to make 
 them philosophically acquainted with the powers inherent and operative 
 in their very constitutions, and inevitably so, — when not sophisticated by 
 false philosophy. Such education, notwithstanding what many of the 
 medical profession might allege to the contrary, could easily be given to 
 mankind, as would in due time, result in such redemption and confirmation 
 of revelation, as would conduct them to universal felicity. 
 
 That such regeneration is not impracticable of accomplishment, and 
 that it would inevitably result from the establishment of education and 
 government, on the legitimate philosophy of the science of man, may be 
 considered as in a train of proof, from the observations, experiences, and 
 reasonings, that have lately been elicited by many distinguished investi- 
 gators of the medical sciences, who in their researches appear to have 
 manifested an approach to the recognition of such physical philosophy, as 
 we are now unfolding. 
 
 We conclude, therefore, that the constitution of man in which all the 
 powers that elicit all his thoughts and actions are inherent and operative, 
 may be studied and well understood anatomically and physiologically, by 
 all mankind in early life ; — and that when thus understood, they will 
 legitimately exercise their faculties in acquiring knowledge, and practising 
 all the virtues, leading to their highest interests and happine ss for ever. 
 Such knowledge of the constitution should therefore constitute the very 
 ground-work of all education, viz : after the faculties shall have been phi- 
 losophically exercised, in the acquisition of such preparatory knowledge, 
 as would lead the students to just comprehension of the structure and 
 operations of the constitution. Under the influence of such knowledge, 
 and such only, can we philosophically ask the most important of all ques- 
 tions, concerning man, viz : whether any portion of the race, of sound 
 construction, and under the full recognition of such legitimate philosophy 
 of organization, as we have in very general terms unfolded, would suflTer 
 their lower propensities to preponderate, and lead them to destruction 
 here and for ever ? We unhesitatingly answer, that every human being of 
 sound formation, as soon as he thus understands the science of his con- 
 
PKELIMINAUY OUSKRVATIO.NS. XXI 
 
 stitution, and its glorious destination, will rejoicinnrly, and legitimately 
 respond to this great question. This subject is inexhaustible and full of 
 highest interest, beyond all others that can be presented to the considera- 
 tion of the world. The history of all human action, proves the woful 
 necessity of abandoning the false philosophies which have governed it ; 
 and never since our creation, did the history of human conduct more im- 
 peratively call for legitimate philosophy, to control and direct it, than at 
 the present time. We have, therefore, thought proper simply to broach 
 this great subject, — for we cannot now enlarge upon it, — cannot now 
 give the full philosophy of sensualization and wretchedness, in time and 
 eternity, or the philosophy of righteousness and happiness, here and 
 for ever. 
 
 We shall hereafter more fully discuss this philosophy of the constitu- 
 tion of man, and hope to carry it home to the conviction of all those 
 philosophers who are willing to become disenthralled from the fallacious 
 dictation of the ideal philosophies, by studying the legitimate philosophy 
 of human nature and its confirmation by revelation, through the legitimate 
 exercise of the reasoning powers which are bound up exclusively in their 
 own physical constitutions. 
 
 They will then readily recognise, that all the things and beings com- 
 posing the creations of Deity, have manifested such successive advance 
 to perfection, as they were ab initio constructed to reach ; and that man, 
 although he was created after the likeness of his God, was yet for the 
 wisest of purposes (which we cannot now enumerate) made imperfect, 
 but still with such powers, that through their legitimate study, and philo- 
 sophical direction, he might attain his best and highest happiness, not only 
 in his present state of being, but likewise enjoy the delectable foretaste of 
 the blessedness of eternal progression in the happiness of exercising his 
 intellectual, and moral, and religious powers, in glorifying the almighty 
 source of all the intelligential creations. 
 
 The true philosophy therefore of the science of human nature, as we 
 have revealed it, may be easily taught and understood, — but the ideal phi- 
 losophy deals in mysteries that cannot be comprehended and appreciated, 
 by the legitimate faculties implanted in the human constitution. 
 
 The true philosophy leads directly to the melioration of mankind through 
 the acquisition of the true knowledge of nature, and the spontaneous 
 practice of virtue, in conformity with its precepts, and the enjoyment of 
 happiness here and for ever, — but the false philosophy leads directly to the 
 deterioration of mankind, either by creating such doubt and uncertainty 
 respecting morals and religion, as ultimates in their rejection, — or by cre- 
 ating a bigoted, or fanatic, adherence to such mystic creeds as inevitably 
 arise, and receive the stamp of govermental dictation, under the meta- 
 physical philosophies. 
 
 D 
 
XXll PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 It is worthy of special remark, that in proportion to the advance of a 
 few distinguished investigators of the nature of man, toward the recogni- 
 tion of its true philosophy ; the metaphysical philosophers have increased 
 their exertions to mystify and confound all knowledge, morals, and religion. 
 Witness the visionary and whimsical speculations of Kant, and other 
 German philosophers, and their commentators, even in our own country, 
 who pretend to the conception and recognition of such incomprehensible 
 mysteries, as subtilize and confound all knowledge and virtue totally be- 
 yond the power of receiving any support, even from sophistical ratiocina- 
 tion. But the acute and sublimated processes of reasoning which have 
 thus been resorted to, for the purpose of supporting the baseless fabrics 
 of idealism, which have been erected under the domination of the preva- 
 lent philosophies, can never be rendered resultive to the condensation of 
 the philosophy of man on its legitimate basis. Better that chaos had 
 remained, than that man should have been created, to lose his nature in 
 the mystics of such ideal philosophy. 
 
 The veitable philosophy of the constitution of man, arising from the 
 legitimate basis on which we have placed it, is not only in accordance 
 with all the severally varied vivifying operations of the severally varied 
 structures, geological, vegetable and animal, which compose our world, — 
 but is also in philosophical accordance with the scriptural history of the 
 creation of the world, and of man, its sovereign arbiter. The true phi- 
 losophy of man, therefore, brings us into such intimate relationship with 
 Deity, and admiration of his powers and goodness, as cannot faiHo render 
 us wiser and better here, and prepare us for the enjoyment of happiness 
 for ever. 
 
 Who can view the beautiful machinery of any department of man's 
 organization, for instance, such machinery as constitutes his primary inlets 
 of knowledge, the external senses,— without recognising their admirable 
 adaptation to the reception of their respectively appropriate stimuli to 
 action, through the beautiful varieties of structure composing them 1 And 
 who can reason from the fact, that all these stimuli are derivative, either 
 immediately, or mediately, from the great centre of vivification ; without 
 arriving at the conclusion that they have been operative to the preparation 
 of our world, for the formation and habitation of man, not only for con- 
 tinuance in time, but eternity 1 Who therefore, does not see, that through 
 the operations of such vivifying influences, man was made after the im- 
 age of his Creator'? And who can refrain from acknowledging the inti- 
 macy of relationship, thus naturally and inevitably existing between man, 
 and his Creator] 
 
 And who ever saw such delectable intimacy through any of the visionary 
 media, suggested by any of the metaphysical philosophers ? And who, 
 tjierefore, can help recognising the indispensable necessity so often in- 
 
IMli: LIMINARY OnSERV.VTIONS. XXUl 
 
 ciilcatcd by Deity, of man's studying and understanding his own organi- 
 zation as thus arising, without coming to the conchision that ail his facul- 
 ties for thinking and acting, are bound up in his own constitution, and 
 inevitably inherent and operative there, to the perception and practice, of 
 all the felicitating commandments of natural and revealed religion, when 
 not sophisticated by the visionary education consequential to the ideal 
 philosophy? Well, therefore, may we proclaim, that the philosophies 
 which have prevailed throughout the world, since the fall fearfully es- 
 trange man from his Creator, and subtilize all his affective emotions, to such 
 unappreciable tenuity as defies any philosophical condensation. 
 
 But it is satisfactory to know that the metaphysical philosophies origin- 
 ated not with Deity, through our creation, or his revelations, but from the 
 perversion of Deity's laws. Know thyself, instead of having originated 
 in the brain of the Miletian philosopher, was first taught and inculcated by 
 the Creator of all philosophers. 
 
 Therefore, the philosophical chain of causation, leading to the recogni- 
 tion of all the knowledge which man can reach in time, is inceptive in 
 the power of Deity ; for all the positive and probable knowledge that man 
 has the power of acquiring through the exercise of his intuitive faculties, 
 is deductive immediately in and from Deity, to his lowest things or beings, 
 and inductive from these to himself again. This is nothing more than a 
 self-evident truth, deducible from the slightest consideration bestowed on 
 any, or all, of the organic things and beings composing our creation ; — 
 and this self-evidency arises from the simplest exercise of our reasoning 
 powers, resulting in the admission, that man can create none of these 
 things or beings, or resolve them into their component elements. 
 
 Man's legitimate province of study, therefore, is to discover and ana- 
 lyze the general laws which Deity has instituted for governing, and thereby 
 continuing and perfecting his creations, and to develop the combinations 
 and modifications arising from the operations of these general laws ; — 
 and not to waste his time unprofitably, in endeavoring through the aid of 
 any of the mechanical or chemical powers, to resolve things or beings into 
 their primordiate elements. 
 
 Until, therefore, mankind shall have fully adopted the legitimate phi- 
 losophy of their physical organization, they will never universally learn 
 to do God's will on Earth, as it is done in Heaven. 
 
 We have already much transcended the limits which we prescribed to 
 ourselves when we commenced this introduction, and can therefore say 
 but little more at the present time, concerning this great doctrine of the 
 philosophy of man, which we are unfolding, for the purpose of exhibiting 
 to the perusers of the following Work, a synoptical view of the philoso- 
 phy of the reasons, which induced us to compose and present it to the 
 medical profession for serious and attentive examination. 
 
XXIV PRKLIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 These principles will be found by all medical philosophers who will 
 give them such examination, to be the products of the reasoning faculties 
 existent, and inevitably operative in the constitutions of all men pos- 
 sessing sound organizations. And they will find them alone, by due ap- 
 plication, operative to the explication and elucidation of all the physio- 
 logical phenomena pertaining to the organization, both in health and 
 disease, through all their varieties of manifestation ; and to all the varied 
 pathological phenomena elicited through diseases arising from every variety 
 of causation ; and to all the therapeutical phenomena and their varia- 
 tions, as exhibited by nature in its diseased state, and to all such as are 
 elicited through medication, when resorted to, for removing the diseased 
 conditions of the organization. 
 
 The vitality of man, therefore, and of all other beings radically similar 
 to him, existent in the other habitable creations of Deity, is exclusively 
 dependent on the great fundamental law of Neurosity, which he instituted 
 for its governm.ent. 
 
 This great law of innervation, through all the general and variously di- 
 versified operations, characterizing its manifestations of aninialization, as 
 resultive to the perfection of Deity's creations, is derivative through a 
 direct series of cause and effect, satisfactorily appreciable, through the 
 general and variously combined and modified operations of the mechanical 
 laws of motion and gravity, which Deity endowed the great central lumin- 
 ary of our system, and all the central luminaries of all the other systems 
 composing the universe, with the powers of originating and continuing 
 operative, to the production cf rational beings, destined for immortality. 
 
 The law of Keurosityj therefore, is the grand result of the operation of 
 all the laws governing the creations, and this grand hnk in the series, is 
 continued operative in the same direct line of cause and effect, to the 
 production and continuance for ever, of nature's perfection, a reasoning 
 and responsible being, made after the image of his God ; who needs nothing 
 more nor less, than to understand the true philosophy of his organization^ 
 to enable him to act during his sojourn in time, in obedience to the pre- 
 cepts of both natural and revealed religion, and be happy for ever. For, 
 it is a self-evident truth, tbat no other than the legitimate philosophy of 
 human nature can ever regenerate mankind, and restore them to their 
 primitive nobility ; no other can ever teach individuals to legitimately love 
 themselves, and to love their neighbors as themselves, or teach societies 
 and nations, to establish education and governments, on such bases, as 
 shall ensure them the enjoyment of such rational and practical liberty, as 
 will result in such universal felicity, as mankind are destined sooner or 
 later to reach. 
 
 How will the present agitations among many of the principal nations 
 of the earth, arising from aspirations after liberty, ever be made tmder the 
 
I'UELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. XXV 
 
 domination of ideal philosophies, to subside and settle down to the pro- 
 duction of even the less and less partial good, that we as a nation, are 
 daily experiencing, from having disregarded the monitions of those bright 
 lights who achieved our liberties, and established them on a more philo- 
 Bophical foundation, than any other were ever in ancient or modern time 
 established, under the dictations of metaphysical philosophies. 
 
 Of all the great questions for solution that can at the present time be 
 proposed, this is imperatively the most momentous, not only tons, but the 
 whole family of man ; — and it is far more appropriate that such question 
 should originate and receive its solution in our own great empire of free- 
 dom, than in any other region of our world ; as we are considered by 
 all those panting after freedom, the only legitimate pioneers to its ex- 
 tension. 
 
 But how shall we teach the aspirants for freedom, to attain and secure 
 it to the productiveness of universal amelioration, when we ourselves 
 have so recklessly abused its privileges, and suffered it so wofully to 
 degenerate ? 
 
 When we duly reflect on the very partial benefits which we have ex- 
 perienced, and the less and less that we are daily experiencing from our 
 boasted freedom, — have we not reason to conclude that such degeneracy 
 cannot be attributed to any thing in the nature of freedom itself, — and, 
 therefore, that it must be attributed to such erroneous direction, as our 
 own nature has been made to assume, through erroneous philosophical 
 dictation 1 
 
 Need we ask, therefore, whether the great privileges of freedom can 
 be recognised and enjoyed by us, or any other nation of men, without 
 understanding philosophically the science of human nature? 
 
 When we reflect on the numerous and variant mystic philosophies which 
 have arisen in ancient and modern time, in Christian and pagan countries, 
 since the fall of man from his native nobility ; do we not derive proof con- 
 clusive, that mankind need regeneration, and that they will never reach 
 it, through the operations of any of the metaphysical philosophies, which 
 ever have or ever can be fabricated ] 
 
 We repeat our conclusion, therefore, that until morality and religion 
 be legitimately recognised, and legitimately applied, amongst the nations, 
 through legitimate education, based on the legitimate knowledge of the 
 constitution of human nature ; mankind will never reach such universal 
 regeneration, as Deity has made them capable of reaching, and designed 
 them ultimately to reach. 
 
 Let those who doubt the meliorating consequences which would ensue 
 to mankind, from coming under the dominion of the true philosophy of 
 their organization, and recognition of the glorious destiny awaiting them, 
 from the legitimate exercise of their intellectual and moral faculties, — 
 
XXVI PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 reflect seriously on the universal purification which would ensue from sci- 
 entifically purging the present and future generations of men, from the 
 crimes and diseases entailed on them, through the repeated transgressions 
 of nature's laws, for thousands of years, — and they will soon see their 
 way clear, to the redemption of their pristine nobility of constitution. 
 They will then realize the most important truth concerning man, viz : — 
 that the universal redemption of his species must be commenced ab ovo 
 and carried to consummation, through the sovereign efficacy which would 
 inevitably result from universal education, erected on the legitimate phi- 
 losophy of human organization. 
 
 Let philosophers simply reflect on the great truth, which they cannot 
 help acknowledging, viz: — that they can neither create any of the things 
 or beings composing the world, or resolve them into their constituent ele- 
 ments ; and they will soon see, that they have been philosophising on such 
 ideal ground, as will never conduct them to satisfactory knowledge of the 
 total science of medicine, or any other. 
 
 They will then see, that instead of exercising their powers in vain 
 attempts to resolve creations into their constituent elements, they should 
 legitimately exercise them through appropriate observation and experiment, 
 for discovering the beautiful associations of material substances, compos- 
 ing many of the things and beings of creation within their reach for in- 
 vestigation ; and they will then gratefully recognise, that they were de- 
 signedly made, and delectably adapted to their wants ; and as to those 
 combinations and modifications characterizing such of the higher creations 
 as they cannot so easily bring within their cognizance, they will neverthe- 
 less, from the considerations which will be inevitably presented to them, 
 through analogy, legitimately conclude, and find them to be, equally adapt- 
 ed to their wants, both as to the vivifying influences which they manifestly 
 exert in their creation and preservation in time. 
 
 Through the legitimate study therefore, of the instrumental powers of 
 Deity, for the governance of his creations, they will reach as positive and 
 clearly prospective knowledge, of the beautiful associations of material 
 substances, adapted to their indispensable wants, as they can realize from 
 the combinations, &c. of nnmbers, or quantities, eliciting their mathemat- 
 ical knowledge, and recognise them as equally in the one case, as the 
 other, derivative through observation and experiment, viz : through the 
 inevitable operations of the reasoning powers, which elicit all their intu- 
 itive knowledge, viz : all their knowledge. 
 
 We repeat — they will thus see, that man's proper province, is to study 
 the beautiful combinations and modifications of things and beings, arising 
 from the operations of the instrumental laws instituted by Deity, for ruling 
 his creations ; — and they will then see, that they are all harmoniously and 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. XXVU 
 
 beautifully adapted to man, as respects their indispensable fitnesses for 
 his creation and preservation, and happiness in time and eternity. 
 
 Why tlie« recur to the labored and sophistical arg-umentatioiis inevita- 
 bly consequential to the adoption of ideal philosophy, which luxuriates 
 interminably in the visionary recognition of souls, emanating immediately 
 from Deity, and absurdly imputes to their operation on, and in the consti- 
 tution, all the phenomena of mind. Of all the monstrous interpretations 
 of man, ever engendered through perverted reason, none can be consider- 
 ed more derogatory to the majesty of the Supreme Creator of the Uni- 
 verse. And the weakness and absurdity of all the reasons which the 
 metaphysicians can bring from nature, or the revelations, in support of 
 the doctrine, are instantly met by thousands of opposing reasons, drawn 
 from the inherent and inevitably operative powers of the human consti- 
 tution, which we liave proclaimed it as possessing, through the inevitable 
 operations of a beautiful concatenation of vivifying influences, emanating 
 from the grand central luminary of our system of creations, and operative 
 not only, to the formation of such geological substrata as furnish the 
 innumerable matrices for vegetable and animal existences, that flourish 
 during their destined periods of duration and perish; — but operative like- 
 wise, to the formation of appropriate foundations, for the creation and 
 preservation of existences, destined for eternal duration, through the per- 
 fection of such nervous power, as elicits all the sentiments and emotions 
 pertaining to free agents and responsible beings. 
 
 But we must hasten to our conclusion ; for we cannot now do more than 
 barely intimate the great outlines of either false or true philosophy ; to 
 analyze them into scientific detail, through legitimate induction, would 
 require all the talents of the world to be placed under legitimate investi- 
 gation. 
 
 We shall, therefore, conclude that the great law of Neurosity, govern- 
 ing and regulating the vitality of man, in all his varieties of structure 
 and operation, from his reproductive state, till his extinction in time, 
 — is considered in the following Treatise, as legitimately constituting 
 the fundamental proposition, on which rests the total philosophy of medi- 
 cine : — 
 
 I. Because all the physiological phenomena, both as to cause and effhct, 
 pertaining to the human organization, from its reproductive state, till its 
 extinction in time, are receptive of satisfactory demonstration from the 
 principles developed by this proposition. 
 
 II. Because all the pathological phenomena, generally as to their 
 causes, and always as to their effects, are receptive of similar demonstra- 
 tions, and 
 
 III. Because all the therapeutical phenomena of nature, and gener- 
 ally those excited by medication, are receptive of such demonstration. 
 
XXVUl PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 Under the recognition, therefore, of this fundamental proposition, and 
 the others developed by it, as explained in the following work, physicians 
 will carry with them to the bedside of the sick, such total philosophy of 
 the diseases afflicting their fellow beings, as will enable them both to 
 generalize and specialize the pathological conditions presenting themselves, 
 to such satisfactory demonstration, as will scientifically direct them with 
 the greatest rapidity of intuition, to the selection of such general and 
 special medication, as will most efficaciously help forward the recuperative 
 powers existent in the constitution, to the elimination of the pathological 
 phenomena. 
 
 We therefore respectfully solicit our medical brethren, to attentively 
 study this philosophy, because we are convinced that they will not only 
 thereby recognise its legitimacy, but realize incalculable advantages in 
 their practice of the noblest of all the sciences. , 
 
 The propositions on which our philosophy is founded, are announced 
 and explained, not in a dogmatical or magisterial manner, but in such 
 positive language as becomes us to use in the promulgation of new and 
 important truths. 
 
 Those who peruse this work, will not fail to observe that it was hastily 
 composed, and consequently that elegancy of diction, was not particularly 
 studied ; but the great principles supporting it were thoroughly matured, 
 and these are confidently offered to the profession, because we are con- 
 vinced, that the more they are examined, the more importantly they will 
 rise in estimation, as they will be found to develope inevitably, not only 
 the total philosophy pertaining to the science of medicine, but to the science 
 of human nature, as a beautiful and harmonious whole. 
 
 As all the movements of the Universe were put in requisition by Deity, 
 for the formation of man, and of beings generically similar to him, after 
 his own image ; and as all these movements are resolvable into the primary 
 and subordinate operations pertaining to the laws of motion and gravity ; 
 so all the general and variously diversified and harmonious movements, 
 constituting the vitality of man a beautiful and harmonious whole, are 
 resolvable into the great law of Neurosity, developing through its ope- 
 rations the chiefest mechanism of all the creations, within the powers 
 of man to recognise, through analytic demonstration, — a mechanism ope- 
 rative to the production of immortal existences, having their inception 
 and ultimity, in the majestic Creator and Ruler of the Universe. 
 
 As all the subjects presented for consideration in this Introduction, were 
 constantly maintained in observance during our composition of the fol- 
 lowing Treatise, consisting of an uninterrupted chain of reasoning, for 
 establishing its fundamental and derivative propositions, all leading to one 
 result, and that of all which it concerns man to know, tae most momen- 
 
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS 
 
 tous, we considered it unnnecessary to divide the work into Cliupters, or 
 furnish a particular Table of Contents. 
 
 It may not, however, be amiss to observe to our readers, 
 that all the propositions supporting the philosophy of me- ' 
 
 dicine, are announced and explained from the beginning 
 to the 36th page. 
 
 That the principles consequential to the propositions 
 are illustrated through analyses made of Yellow Fever 
 and Cholera, from the 36th to 140th. 
 
 That the same principles are illustrated through analyses 
 made of Tetanus, Hydrophobia, Colics, Apoplexies, Pal- 
 sies, Epilepsies, &c., — and of Gastritis, Gunshot Wounds, 
 Scrofula, Phthysis, Hermorrhages, Small Pox, and Sy- 
 philis, and that they are all analyzable on the same gen- 
 eral principles, however specifically different they may 
 
 be, as arising from specifically diiferent causes, from 
 
 the 140th to 187th. 
 
 And that from the 187th to the end. 
 
 We have analyzed the recuperative excitations of nature when diseased, 
 and such as may be elicited through scientific medication; and the amount 
 of the whole philosophy is, that the principles supporting it, through le- 
 gitimate application, illustrate all the branches of medical science, to in- 
 tuitive demonstration, which will be admitted by every candid researcher 
 after truth, who may peruse the work with such attention, as it merits, 
 not only in the author's opinion, but likewise in the opinion of many of 
 his medical friends, fully qualified to judge. 
 
PHILOSOPHY OF MEDICINE 
 
THE 
 
 PHILOSOPHY OF MEDICINE. 
 
 Enunciations and Proofs of the Propositions on which 
 this Philosophy is based. 
 
 The science of medicine has been spell-bound byjspurious 
 systems of philosophy for thousands of years: to emancipate 
 it from such inglorious incantatory domination, and present 
 to the medical profession its true, beautiful, harmonious, to- 
 tal philosophy, we shall commence and proceed to the com- 
 pletion of our present work, (written expressly for the pur- 
 pose of accomplishing these most desirable and important 
 objects,) with asserting, and proving, to satisfactory demon- 
 stration, THAT THE NERVOUS SYSTEM IS THE WHOLE SYSTEM 
 
 OF MAN, and consequently that the laws regulating this sys- 
 tem, are the laws regulating all the vital phenomena pertain- 
 ing to the total organization of man. 
 
 This proposition on which the whole science of medicine 
 rests, will be admitted to be self-evidently based; when we 
 simply reflect that the nervous system possesses exclusively 
 the power of originating all the sensations, that are necessary 
 to produce all the irritations, contractions, or all other vital 
 operations, whether perceptible to philosophic observation or 
 not, that are necessary to produce all the corporeal and in- 
 tellectual movoments, or actions, which constitute the sum 
 total of vitality, as manifested in all the solids and fluids 
 composing the whole system of man. The study therefore 
 of the modus operandi of the nervous system, in originating 
 and continuing all the vital phenomena of man, from his 
 2 
 
6 
 
 creation or reproduction, till maturity and extinction in old 
 age, should constitute the first and last link in the syllogistic 
 chain of all medical ratiocination. 
 
 As the nervous system possesses thus exclusively, the 
 power of originating and transmitting all the sensations, 
 vi^hich are necessary to the production of all our vital phe- 
 nomena, another proposition equally self-evident, irresistibly 
 follows, viz. — that sensibility is the radical property of vi- 
 tality. 
 
 In this simple self-evident manner, the whole book of 
 physiology becomes opened for our perusal, because as long 
 as our nervous organization continues in a healthy condi- 
 tion, so long it continues to originate and receive salutary 
 sensations from its appropriate stimuli, and to distribute them 
 to all the varied departments of the organization, in such 
 portions, ways, and manners, as they severally need, for 
 causing all the vital operations to be performed in a salutary 
 manner; the due recognition and appreciation of which, will 
 constitute the whole of the science of physiology — a science 
 of all others, the most interesting to man — because the phi- 
 losophy of our physiological phenomena, leads us direct to 
 the mastery of the philosophy of our pathological pheno- 
 mena, and consequently to the formation of all our therapeu- 
 tical indications. 
 
 The book of pathology is consequently, with equal ease, 
 opened for our perusal, whenever our nervous organization 
 becomes the recipient and distributor of noxious stimuli. 
 These are the only truly philosophical grounds for the com- 
 position of all the physiological and pathological books, that 
 are required for the study of the vital phenomena manifested 
 in the organization both in its healthy and diseased condi- 
 tions. 
 
 On the truth of these propositions is grounded all true 
 medical knowledge. We have said that they are self-evi- 
 dent propositions— at any rate nothing more is required to 
 recognize them as such, than a common sense observation of 
 all the vital phenomena pertaining to the reproduction and 
 
continuance of man here in time, to conclude that he is made 
 and continued a sentient, motive, intellectual being, exclu- 
 sively through the power of his nervous organization ; and 
 that sensibility is its radical property. Let this suffice for 
 our present purpose; our propositions will receive abundant 
 illustration as we advance. ' 
 
 The instrumental powers governing and regulating man's 
 creation and continuance here in time, are much more pal- 
 pable to philosophic observation and appreciation, than are 
 the laws governing and regulating the material creations — 
 yet the essential nature and mode of action of the nervous 
 system in originating and continuing all our vital phenomena, 
 although thus more palpable to such observation, can never 
 be analyzed to such extent of demonstration, as the instru- 
 mental powers employed by Deity for governing and regu- 
 lating his material universe. The physical stimuli of the 
 material creations are subservient to the support and con- 
 tinuance of man in time, but they run, sooner or later, to 
 destruction; whereas man's nervous organization emanates 
 from, and enables him to return to. Deity for everlasting dura- 
 tion, after having finished his sojourn in the flesh. Hence 
 we recognize the difficulty of analyzing the vitality of man, 
 to such extent of positive demonstration, as we can analyze 
 the physical stimuli sustaining the movements of the mate- 
 rial creations. 
 
 The bane of all progress in true philosophy is now, as it 
 always has been, owing to the unwillingness of man to re- 
 cognize in an appropriately humiliating manner the omnipo- 
 tency of the God who made him. The cause of this unwil- 
 lingness, we admit, is obviously to be discovered in his 
 peculiarly and wonderfully compounded organization: — for 
 man is a material — intellectual being, occupying a midway 
 station in the scale of the creations; — by his more grossly 
 material organization, he is unavoidably chained to earth 
 and its duties, and by his more refined and perfected mate- 
 rial organization, he is at the same time rendered intellectual 
 to the anticipative extent of aspiring to celestial glories. 
 
8 
 
 Man, therefore, by the operations of his compound material 
 organization, is rendered an immortal being. It is man's 
 longing after immortality, and carrying his nervous aspira- 
 tions to unappreciable excess, that prohibits him from settling 
 such philosophy as his powers are adequate to reach and 
 comprehend on a true basis. Man, therefore, by and through 
 the perfection of his material organization, is enabled to 
 comprehend and appreciate during his present state of being, 
 his title clear to translation to the immortal felicities of the 
 ethereal creations. The soul of man is the divinity stirring 
 within him — it is the direct product of his nervous organiza- 
 tion — it is the intellectuality arising from the combined and 
 perfected operation of all his material powers. The most 
 savage and barbarous races of men are found to have more 
 or less longing after something purer and more blissful be- 
 yond their present life, and the most civilized and refined 
 races have the same longing in a more cultivated degree. 
 This is inseparably inherent and operative in the very nature 
 of all men, with perfect organization; — and even the most 
 perfect comprehension of the felicities of future existence re- 
 ceived through the medium of revelation, are not thus com- 
 prehensible in any other way than by and through the most 
 refined and perfected operations of his material organization. 
 This, therefore, may be justly and legitimately considered 
 as leading to the establishment of another Self-evident pro- 
 position ; by the a«lmission of which, the way becomes cleared 
 for understanding at once the whole philosophy of religion; — 
 for it at once removes and abolishes all the visionary specu- 
 lations of all the metaphysical theologians, who have enve- 
 loped the moral and religious nature of man in thick and 
 impenetrable darkness since the creation. It opens clearly 
 and incontrovertibly the whole philosophy of the way and 
 will of God to man, as far forth as it can be comprehended 
 by him, either through the operations of his material organi- 
 zation, or as far as his nature is thus made capable of under- 
 standing it through revelation, and no farther. Man, by 
 the natural operations consequent to his material organiza- 
 
tion, is a moral and religious being, and by cultivation, 
 without any aid from revelation, has advanced morality and 
 religion to a state of great perfection. We do not deny re- 
 velation, or reject its utility in perfecting the nature of man 
 in his present state of being; — but we insist upon it, that no 
 knowledge can be imparted through revelation to man, which 
 cannot be comprehended and recognized by the reasoning 
 powers pertaining to his material — nervous organization. 
 The philosophy of religion therefore has never been under- 
 stood. To suppose that Deity can impart any knowledge to 
 man which he cannot receive and comprehend through the 
 intellectual operations elicited by such material organization 
 as he has given him, is self-evidently impossible, utterly ab- 
 surd, ridiculous, and totally at variance with all true philo- 
 sophy. The difficulty, therefore, of reaching the true phi- 
 losophy of religion, has always arisen from viewing and con- 
 sidering the materiality of man in a too gross and brutal 
 sense. The Christian religionists have always considered man 
 as being by nature nothing more than a gross aggregate of 
 matter, incapable through its own operations of ever discern- 
 ing and distinguishing good from evil, or of ever arriving at 
 any perfection in morals or religion. But the true philoso- 
 phy of the human understanding recognizes no such consi- 
 deration: — nor can true religion, which must be grounded 
 on such philosophy, if on any, recognize it. Man is a far 
 nobler being in his present state than the metaphysical, mys- 
 tical theologians have ever been willing to consider him; — 
 for all their exertions have been expended in endeavouring 
 to make him exclusively recipient of unintelligible dogm'as 
 of their own creation, not warranted by a philosophic ex- 
 planation of the religion they pretend to teach: — thus are er- 
 rors and absurdities in morals and religions originated and 
 propagated from age to age and through all parts of the world. 
 We thus open to philosophic apprehension and apprecia- 
 tion, the true and whole book of religion — as it becomes self- 
 evident, from viewing the varied operations pertaining to the 
 organization of man, empowering him for existence in time, 
 
10 
 
 and eternity, that the composition of such book, must incon- 
 trovertibly be founded on the intellectual operations origi- 
 nated and perfected by the powers of the nervous system — 
 the whole system of man. And well may it be called the 
 whole system of man, when we consider that not a single 
 action pertaining to vitality can be produced, except by and 
 through the operation of the nervous power — however exter- 
 nal and apparent, or concealed and unapparent, such action 
 may be. As, is, the perfection of the nervous system there- 
 fore, such is, and unavoidably will be, the perfection of man. 
 To this conclusion we are inevitably led, from considering 
 what will not be denied, or if denied, not disproved, viz. 
 that the nervous system is the exclusive recipient, distribu- 
 tor, and transmitter, of all the external and necessarily 
 varied stimuli furnished by the physical department of crea-* 
 tion, to meet the exigencies, not only required by the orga- 
 nization of rnan, but in a greater or less degree of all other 
 animated existences: — that it is also the exclusive elaborator 
 of all the necessarily varied stimulations in the interior and 
 molecular departments of the animal economy, which are ne- 
 cessary to the production of all our motions, or actions, how- 
 ever voluntary or involuntary they may be; and of all the 
 refined and perfected sensibilities, that are necessary to the 
 excitation and thorough development, of all our intellectual 
 operations. When we further consider, that these intellec- 
 tual operations thus elaborated and perfected, excite in us 
 such ardent aspirations for communion, not only with supe- 
 rior intelligences, but with Deity himself, — and thereby 
 enable man to reach so near, to the enjoyment of the felici- 
 ties of the ethereal creations, while yet on earth, — we are 
 filled with amazement, at thus beholding and recognizing the 
 beautiful and harmonious operations of the instrumental 
 powers ordained by Deity, for the creation, continuation, and 
 conservation, of all the varied vital phenomena pertaining to 
 the organization of man. 
 
 The soul of man therefore consists of the intellectual ope- 
 rations of his material organization, which when appropriate- 
 
11 
 
 \y and philosophically considered and investigated to their 
 legitimate results, very naturally and rationally lead us to 
 the sublime conclusion, that matter must be progressively 
 continuous from man, to the grand architect, of universal 
 creation. Indeed when we contemplate and philosophically 
 appreciate, the amazing isfluences, exerted through the in- 
 strumentality of the cerebral centre of the nervous organiza- 
 tion, in exciting such subtile sensations, as to originate and 
 continue our intellectual aspirations, so nearly approximative 
 to the mental tangibility of celestial felicities;— we are doing 
 no violence to religion, when viewed in its truly philosophi- 
 cal sense, in declaring that we derive proof positive, that our 
 ascension to immortality must be effected, through the indi- 
 visible tenuity, and extensibility, of materiality. It will not 
 therefore be alleged, that we are engaged, in endeavouring 
 to prop and sustain the cause of infidelity ; — because the prin- 
 ciples and conclusions from our philosophy recognize, not 
 only, that the creation and duration of man here in time, are 
 exclusively dependent on the operative power pertaining to 
 his nervous organization; — but likewise that his translation 
 from time, to the endless blessedness of eternity, will be ef- 
 fected through the exaltation, and ethereal expansibility, of 
 the same divine power, after it shall have shaken off from it 
 as effete and useless, the more grossly corporeal substances 
 which it had animated for a necessarily given period of pro- 
 bation in time — for eternity. Our principles are therefor^ 
 to be considered as reverently philosophical, and incontro- 
 vertibly supported by the wisest considerations and reflec- 
 tions, that naturally, rationally, and religiously arise, from 
 contemplating the amazing operations, of the wonderful ner- 
 vous structure of the human system. In this manner we un- 
 fold to palpable observation the true ground-work of the phi- 
 losophy of man's accountability for his doings while in time, 
 and assert positively, without fear of successful contradiction, 
 by any of the mystic moralists or theologists; — that all his 
 actions during his present state of being, mugt and will be 
 estimated in a manner strictly consistent with, and corres- 
 
12 
 
 ponsive to, the physiological phenomena inevitably conse- 
 quential to his peculiar cerebral organization, or phrenologi- 
 cal conformation. This proposition consistent with, and re- 
 quired by, the true philosophy of religion, might easily be 
 illustrated by unanswerable argumentation ; — but as it is fo- 
 reign to our present purpose, we proceed to observe, that 
 without a duly philosophical reflection as to the cause, it 
 must appear astonishing to medical philosophers, thai the 
 nervous system, so self-evidently the whole system of man, 
 should have so long remained unrecognized and unappre- 
 ciated: — but we have the philosophy of the cause, at hand: — 
 it is obviously attributable to the unnatural circumrotatory 
 method of philosophizing, heretofore adopted by medical in- 
 vestigators, without any scientific starting point; — for it is 
 evident, that they might in this manner perform their cir- 
 cumgyrations to eternity, without arriving at the fons et 
 origo — which alone must exclusively constitute the philoso- 
 phical radicle, for all the effective medical inductions, that 
 are to be elicited by appropriate investigations, directed to 
 the study of the various vital actions manifested by the or- 
 ganization of man. To study therefore physiology, patho- 
 logy, and therapeutics, philosophically, we should perform 
 all our anatomical operations, under the influence of the full 
 conviction, that there must be a head to such a being as man; 
 that he must have a cerebral nervous centre, which is pre- 
 cipient, receptive, originative, distributive, and circulatory, 
 of all the varied stimuli, necessary to excite all the varied 
 functional operations of all the varied organs constituting 
 animal and organic life. 
 
 The elements of the reproduction of vitality elicited by 
 the intensely pleasurable sensibilities engaged in the luxu- 
 rious generant coalescence of the sexes, primarily manifest 
 their creative power, in the formation of all the vivific appa- 
 ratus required for the gradual evolution and development of 
 the organs of nutrition and assimilation, with all their appro- 
 priately varied nervous structures. Secondly, the spinal co- 
 lumn becomes apparent, and its formative progress observable ; 
 
18 
 
 and lastl}^, the cerebral centre is developed, which in due 
 time is to comjdete the new being, and exalt him to such 
 perfection, as to render him a subject for immortal existence. 
 This is now mentioned in the abstract, for the purpose of 
 declaring our ground for proving, that the orgasmal pro- 
 ducts of the sexual conjunction of vitalities, under the crea- 
 tive influence derived from their appropriate maternal sti- 
 muli, gradually elaborate the nervous organization of the 
 fcBtus, till it arrives at such degree of maturity, as enables 
 its cerebral centre to solicit expulsion from the uterus; after 
 which, by its capacity for receiving the free and open sti- 
 muli of caloric, oxygen, light, &c., it gradually ripens to 
 corporeal and intellectual maturity; — proving incontroverti- 
 bl}', that whatever the essential nature, and mode of action, 
 of the orgasmal plastic nuclei, under the appropriate mater- 
 nal sensibilities, uninterruptedly communicated to them 
 while resident in the fecundating apparatus of the female, 
 may be; — and whatever the essential nature, and mode of 
 action, of the appropriate stimuli afterwards' required for 
 ripening the new being to the maturity of manhood may be; 
 they are all, from the instant of conception, exclusively sub- 
 servient to the elaboration and perfection of the nervous sys- 
 tem; which alone originates and distributes, all the necessa- 
 rily varied stimuli, for all the necessarily varied structures, 
 composing the total nervous organization of mart. It is ut- 
 terly unphilosophical therefore, to split sm:h . organization 
 into vascular, muscular, cellular, osseous, &c. systems, when 
 they are all so self-evidently dependent on nervous power, 
 for their creation and preservation. 
 
 Our philosophy assigns to man his appropriate and me- 
 rited station in the scale of the creations, and incontroverti- 
 bly settles his true nobility. Through its influences and in- 
 cessant operations, the nervous system is uninterruptingly 
 instituting and continuing the more grossly corporeal ac- 
 tions which are necessaiy to enchain man to earth and its 
 duties; — but through its influences and operations, intellec- 
 tual actions are incessantly excited and formed, which burst 
 3 
 
14 
 
 the boundaries of flesh and earth, and anticlpatively roach to 
 heaven. All the actions therefore, of all the systems, elabo- 
 rate the perfection of the nervous system — the only system 
 which can be philosophically considered the primal and pro- 
 gressive cause of man's perfection, in time and eternity. 
 Can it therefore, be unphilosophical, or irreverent, or irre- 
 ligious, to consider man's true nobility here, and his perfec- 
 tion here and hereafter, to be exclusively dependent on the 
 progressive continuation of the operations of the subtile ma- 
 teriality of this perfectibility of the nervOus organization, 
 when it shall be released from its tabernacle here in the 
 flesh, which by the ordination of Deity, it had formed for 
 its abode, for a short probationary season? It is impossible 
 through the medium of revelation, or any other source of 
 knowledge accessible to man, to form any idea of spirit, se- 
 parate from matter; but the apprehension and recognition of 
 ' the progressive extension and expansion of^ matter, to the 
 subtile tenuity of such as characterizes the ethereal creations, 
 are warranted and irresistibly demanded, by all the philoso- 
 phy which the organization of man is capable of eliciting to 
 observation through its intellectual operations. 
 
 This sublime conclusion is awarded to the intellectuality 
 of man, by nature, reason, religion, and common sense; and 
 would long since have been acquiesced in, but for the false 
 philosophizing, to which the human system has forever been 
 subjected. 
 
 Man has always been anatomized and physiologized on 
 very erroneous principles; — or rather on no principles that 
 can be recognized and appreciated agreeably to such consi- 
 derations and reflections, as naturally, rationally, and inevi- 
 tably arise from viewing and studying the structure and ope- 
 rations of the human system. Let us simply ask the ques- 
 tion, — through what influence .or influences in the organi- 
 zation of man, have the laws governing and regulating the 
 universe been discovered? Or through the operations of what 
 influences, have all the arts and sciences ministering to the 
 welfare and dignity of man, been discovered? Or through 
 
15 
 
 what influences, have all mankind, in all ages, however ci- 
 vilized and refined, or savage and barbarous, been led to 
 their adorations of Deity, and establishments of religious 
 worship, in some shape or other? Certainly, not through 
 the influences of the vascular, cellular, muscular, osseous, or 
 any other of the systems, as they are called; — but through 
 the wonderful operations of the nervous system; — the beau- 
 tiful, harmonious, whole system of man; for whose perfec- 
 tion and nobility here, and forever, all the other systems are 
 unceasingly operative and subservient. 
 
 JNIany of the brightest medical luminaries of the present 
 day, are confident in. the belief of their ability for analyzing 
 man into demonstration, with as much facility, as they can 
 demonstrate the laws governing the present material uni- 
 verse. But no: — the material universe runs sooner or later 
 to destruction ; — but the duration of man is made everlast- 
 ing, by the ordination of his God, through the unceasing 
 instrumentality of his nervous system ; — through the medium 
 of which, he was primarily created by Deity, and endowed 
 thereby with the power of reproducing and continuing his 
 species here in time, and exalting himself to eternity of 
 existence. Let us therefore duly recognize and appreciate 
 the nobility of our organization, and improve and perfect 
 ourselves in our present state of being, that We may reach 
 and enjoy the endless nobilities and felicities of the ethereal 
 creations, which are to arise from the ashes of the present 
 creations, and to be endowed with stimuli for everlasting 
 revolution. Let us then, study the modus operandi of our 
 noble and glorious nervous organization: — for although it 
 may not be analyzable into positively mathematical demon- 
 stration, yet we shall be enabled by appropriate investiga- 
 tions, to make such near approach to certainty, through the 
 inductive process of ratiocination, as will elicit tiie eduction 
 of much more satisfactory knowledge of ourselves, than we 
 have as yet attained. Let us study it, as originating and 
 maintaining all our corporeal and intellectual phenomena, 
 and we shall reach much nearer perfection than we now are, 
 
16 
 
 and learn to limit our aspirations after more, within appro- 
 priately philosophical boundaries, and console ourselves with 
 the comfortable reflection, that when we shall have shuffled 
 off our more grossly material mortal coil, we shall be trans- 
 lated to the immortal ethereal creations of endless blessed- 
 ness, and have clearly unfolded to our view, all the myste- 
 ries of all the creations. 
 
 We must study the nervous system then, neither so much 
 after the circumrotatory manner adopted by the general run 
 of our physiological and pathological anatomists, nor so much 
 after the divisible, insulating manner, of Lobstein, Broussais, 
 Beclard, &c. ; — but we must study it asa whole system — an 
 indivisible system — however differently and variously its 
 operations in the several departments of the organization, 
 may be manifested. We should consider the whole nervous 
 organization of man, in its matured and perfect state, as act- 
 ing in strict and intimate subserviency, and obedience to its 
 intellectual cerebral centre: — the direct', or indirect, origi- 
 nator of all our sensations, both in health and disease, how- 
 ever palpably manifested in some, or obscurely in other de- 
 partments; — of all our motions, however voluntary and ap- 
 parent to observation, or however involuntary and inappre- 
 hensible they may be ; — and of all our intellectual operations, 
 however transcendently conspicuous they may be manifested 
 in some, or obscurely and inappreciably in other men. The 
 study of our nervous organization in this manner, will show 
 the most intimate relationship of action, for the production 
 of one beautiful harmonious whole, of all the nerves com- 
 posing it; — and that \hey are all dependent on their grand 
 philosophical radicle the brain; — and that they all emanate 
 from it, in a more or less direct manner, according as they 
 are destined by the ordination of their Creator, to perform 
 actions necessary to become more or less directly, or indi- 
 rectly, perceptive there; — for the consum^mation of one beau- 
 tiful harmonious whole system, of mortal and immortal vita- 
 lity. In this manner the nervous system must be studied, 
 and when so studied, in a duly philosophical manner, it will 
 
17 
 
 lead to results incontrovertibly confirmatory of our grand 
 position, that the nervous system is the whole system of 
 man's organization, and exclusively operative to the produc- 
 tion of all happiness in time and eternity. 
 
 We see, therefore, that the visionary notions agitating the 
 brains of many of .the most justly and meritoriously distin- 
 guished medical philosophers of the present day, respecting 
 the practicability of attaining positive demonstration in the 
 science of medicine, may be abandoned : and they may be 
 assured, that all the certainty, attainable in the science of 
 medicine, must arise from an appropriate recognition and 
 appreciation of t]ie principles composing our own philosophy. 
 In confirmation of which assertion, we request them to ob- 
 serve and particularly note, that the labours of Gall and 
 Spurzheim, visionary as many of their speculations must be 
 confessed — of Charles Bell, Wilson Philip, Lobstein, Teale, 
 Magendie, &.c. &c. are rapidly paving the way to the recog- 
 nition of our philosophy: — and that however unmindful they 
 may now be of it, the prosecution of their studies of the 
 nervous system, will unavoidably lead them, or some of 
 them, or their successors, to its adoption ; and place the 
 science of medicine on its truly philosophical basis. The 
 recognition and adoption of our philosophy, will readily 
 suggest the practicability of making great and important im- 
 provements in all the branches of the science; — and parti- 
 cularly lead us direct to the adoption of a far more efficient 
 and successful medication. And, as this should be the grand 
 end and aim of all our medical investigations, let us test 
 our philosophy by the consideration and study of diseases, 
 agreeably to the principles composing it. 
 
 The true philosophy pertaining to the organization of man, 
 both in its salutary and pathologized conditions, as clearly 
 and certainly apprehends and appreciates the indispensible 
 necessity of sensibility being precedent to, and causative of, 
 all the varied irritabilities, contractilities, and all other modes 
 of vital actions ; as it apprehends and appreciates the visibi- 
 lity of the sun at noon-day, through cloudless skies: — and it 
 
18 
 
 as clearly recognizes the nervous system, as possessing ex- 
 clusively, tlie power of originating all the varied sensibilities, 
 necessary to the production of all the varied actions, per- 
 taining to all the various solids, and fluids, constituting the 
 total organization: — for wliich purposes, all leading to the 
 production of one beautiful harmonious whole; we find the 
 sentient extremities of the nerves, spread in innumerable 
 myriads, throughout all the minutest portions, of all the ex- 
 ternal, and internal tissues, of the animal organism. The 
 truth of this philosophy is rendered self-evidently apparent, 
 by the examination and appropriate investigation, of all ani- 
 mated existences, from the monad, or polypus, up to man: — 
 and we may safely affirm, that all the positiveness, which 
 medicine may be now considered as having attained, under 
 the false philosophies to which it has been subjected; — can- 
 not receive conclusively plenary and satisfactory elucidation, 
 except it be tested by the principles composing our own phi- 
 losophy; which alone form the basis, for all such medical 
 reasoning, as will carry us nearest to positive demonstration. 
 We therefore solicit attentive investigation of this philoso- 
 phy, under full conviction, that the more if shall be canvas- 
 sed, the more incontrovertibly scientific and tenable it will 
 not only be found, but, inevitably confessed to be. It may 
 be denied; — but nothing can be brought forward in any ap- 
 preciable and philosophic shape, to disprove it; — because its 
 support is derived from all the philosophy, pertaining to all 
 the rational and instinctive departments of animated nature; — 
 and it is therefore philosophically consistent with all our 
 physical and vital, moral and religious, knowledge. We 
 consider then, our philosophy to be irremovably grounded; — 
 because recognising and appreciating, all the creative and 
 continuative instruments of vitality, employed by Deity, for 
 the reproduction and continuation, hot only of our species 
 here in time; but for our translation to the ethereal creations 
 of everlasting happiness; — whenever our probationary state 
 shall be terminated. 
 
 Our philosophy opens conclusively and palpably to view. 
 
19 
 
 the veritableness of the scriptural dccUiratioii, — that man is 
 made but little lower than the angels: — and that he is so 
 made exclusively by and through the instrumentality of his 
 nervous organization, — to be a connecting link between the 
 celestial and terrestrial creations, is a self-evident proposi- 
 tion^ — therefore beyond dispute. Who therefore^-shall gainsay 
 our piiilosophy, thus palpably opening and unrolling to our 
 observation and appreciation, the true and whole philosophy 
 of our religion? Indeed, who can for a moment, have the 
 hardihood, necessary to engage himself in the advocacy of 
 infidelity; after appropriately contemplating, and studying, 
 the wonderfully varied, but harmonizing operations, of the 
 vital mechanism of man; — a mechanism, which must in- 
 evitably be recognized, as proving to all philosophical de- 
 monstration, the immortality of the soul of man ? We thus 
 assign to man, his appropriate dignity, and merited nobility, 
 in the scale of the creations; — and to philosophers, the true 
 starting and ending points, in all their medical investigations. 
 The nervous system being therefore so demonstrably the 
 ■whole system of man, — and causative and continuative of all 
 the varied operations pertaining to his varied organization; 
 another proposition self-evidently follows its admission, viz. 
 that, there is constantly operative in the nature of man, a 
 conservative power, not only for governing, regulating, and 
 continuing, his duration in time; — but likewise, for exalting 
 him to the sublime enjoyments of eternal felicity. Thavis 
 medicatrix naturae therefore, which by many medical philo- 
 sophers of modern times, has not only been so peremptorily 
 denied, but ridiculed and laughed to scorn ;— inevitably 
 claims our unqualified recognition, because palpable to phi- 
 losophic 'observation, whilst vievving the operations of our 
 organization, both in health, and disease. As long therefore, 
 as the organization of man, continues to exercise such powers 
 of vitality, as are necessary to confine his existence to time; 
 so tong the conservative operations, of his nervous organiza- 
 tion, become palpably manifest to philosophic observation; — 
 to whatever extent disease may have assailed it. 
 
20 
 
 We must therefore see and acknowledge, that the science 
 of medicine can never be made to reach such demonstra- 
 tion, as will invest it with the dignity of ranking with the 
 exact sciences; — because the philosophy of the creative 
 power of Deity can never be revealed to man, during his 
 stay here in time. But, although we must in our present 
 state of being, remain unacquainted with the philosophy 
 of the operative power employed by Deity, in his primitive 
 creation of man ; — and equally so, with the essential nature, 
 and mode of action, of the powers operative to the repro- 
 duction, and continuation, of his species here in time: — yet, 
 it is matter of sublime and exalted satisfaction, to know, that 
 the nervous system is the exclusively instrumental opera- 
 tive in the creation and continuation of all the actions neces- 
 sary to the constitution of total vitality. It is therefore evi- 
 dent, that the dreams of medical philosophers about reaching 
 mathematical demonstration in the science of medicine, may 
 be abandoned. Common sense, sooner or later, becomes 
 the true test and standard of all philosophy within the reach 
 of man; — and it plainly proclaims to us, the impossibility of 
 resolving the operations of the vital laws governing and re- 
 gulating man, — endowed by his nervous organization with 
 mortal and immortal life, into demonstration. Medical in- 
 vestigators might indeed with equal propriety, and prospect 
 of achieving their aim, attempt the decomposition and recom- 
 position of their God :— the one being as equally beyond 
 their power, as the other. Man thus made for immortality 
 can never resolve his fellow man into demonstration. Na- 
 ture, reason, religion, comm.on sense, proclaim all such at- 
 tempts to be far beyond his ken. It is enough that we can 
 see and know the instrumental operatives of our" vitality, 
 w^ithout vainly and impiously essaying to reach the philoso- 
 phy of the creative power of Omnipotence. 
 
 We consider it therefore, as incontestibly proved, that the 
 true philosophy pertaining to all animated existences, from 
 the polypus to man, goes to the recognition and appreciation 
 of our grand philosophical radicle; — that the nervous sys- 
 
21 
 
 tcm is the whole system of man ; and, that life is originated 
 and sustained by the unceasing operation of appropriate sti- 
 muli on this system; and that, as long as it continues to re- 
 ceive, transmit, and distribute the requisite degrees, to tho 
 several departments of vitality, in such portions, ways, and 
 manners, as they severally need, so long the system will, 
 when healthily organized, continue to act in a salutary man- 
 ner: — and that any deviation from such just reception, trans- 
 mission, and distribution, will constitute disease. 
 
 The primal, progressive, and ultimate effects, therefore, 
 arising from the due reception ofappropriate stimuli, in appro- 
 priate quantities, by the absorbing nervous power of the ner- 
 vous system, is sensibility, the radical property of vitali- 
 ty; — which, by and through the agency of the nerves, is ex- 
 tended and distributed to every part of the animal organism, 
 in such portions, ways, and manners, as to excite all the 
 multiform and various irritations, contractions, and all other 
 vital operations, that are required for the production and con- 
 tinuation of all the various functional operations of all our 
 various vital organs. 
 
 Before proceeding more particularly to the consideration 
 of the philosophy of disease, it will be necessary to establish 
 another self-evident proposition, viz: — that all agents, salu- 
 tary and insalutary, operate stimulantly on the system, when 
 applied to, and received by, it; — consequently, that there is 
 no sedative agent in nature. The truth of this proposition 
 becomes apparent, and inevitably deducible, from our first 
 and main proposition, — that the nervous system is the whole 
 system of man — the primal, progressive, and ultimate reci- 
 pient, and distributor of all the stimuli, necessary to the pro- 
 duction and continuance of vitality: — consequently, as long 
 as life lasts, it lasts by stimulus. There cannot, therefore, 
 be any positively sedative agent, either amongst the salutary 
 or noxious stimuli, applied in whatsoever quantities, and 
 subjected to whatsoever modifications of action they may be ; 
 and true philosophy cannot recognize a negative sedative. 
 All salutary agents are therefore to be considered as acting 
 4 
 
22 
 
 to the production of healthy excitation — super-excitation — or 
 ab-excitation — according to their degrees of application to, 
 and reception by, the nervous organization. The highest 
 and lowest degrees of their application, develope pathologi- 
 cal phenomena widely difiering from each other, and re- 
 quiring widely different medications, for their elimination; 
 which will be duly considered, as we progress. But as this 
 is a subject on which medical philosophers widely differ 
 in opinion ; and as the most of them are strenuous advo- 
 cates for the sedative doctrine, it may be considered ne- 
 cessary to examine it a little more in detail, to render our 
 proposition acceptable to nature, reason, and common sense; 
 as every disputable subject must be brought to these stand- 
 ards, before it can be generally recognized and accepted. 
 Caloric is one of the most important of the natural stimuli, 
 both for the production and continuance of vitality: — in due 
 degree, indispensably necessary; — in a very exalted degree, 
 productive of such pathological condition, as may paralyze 
 the vital energies of the system entirely beyond their power 
 of instituting recuperative excitation, and thus terminate vi- 
 tality ; — and in a very diminished degree, productive of such 
 depression or congestion of the vital energies of the system, 
 as to render the institution of reaction equally impossible; — 
 and life is extinguished therefore in both cases, however dif- 
 ferent the pathological conditions: — the first arising from 
 the deleterious consequences of super-excitement, terminating 
 in such indirect debility, as prevents recuperative excita- 
 tion : — the second, from the paralyzing operation of cold, 
 or the abstraction of caloric, in such lowered degree, as 
 equally inhibits the production of recuperative excitations. 
 But, in neither of these pathological states, is there any se- 
 dative influence exerted for their production. As long as 
 life lasts, it lasts through the reception and action of appro- 
 priate stimulus, on and in, our nervous organization ; — how- 
 ever much above, or below, the normal standard of excita- 
 tion, it may be applied, without positively extinguishing to- 
 tal vitality. The same reasoning applies to all the natural 
 
28 
 
 salutary stimuli : — when in due degree, they produce healthy 
 excitation, in healthy organizations ; — when in undue degree, 
 either above or below the healthy standard of action, they 
 produce pathological phenomena in the manner mentioned. 
 The noxious stimuli act very differently on the organization; 
 being poisonous and malignant in their composition, they 
 effect their entrance into, and commit their ravages on and 
 in the system, of course through their stimulant operation 
 exclusively ; — but at the same time, poison and weaken the 
 parts involved in the circle of their location: — and in all 
 cases, produce depressions and congestions of their vital en- 
 ergies, constituting the true pathological conditions sequen- 
 tial to the application of noxious stimuli. We consider, 
 therefore, that the doctrines intended to be developed and 
 promulgated, by such medical philosophers as have written 
 on debility and sedation, are grounded on erroneous philo- 
 sophy; — whether restricted to the consideration of the vital 
 operations arising from the application to the nervous sys- 
 tem, of salutary or noxious stimuli, either in their highest 
 or lowest degrees. Debility, direct, indirect, or metastatic; — 
 the direct or indirect causes of sedation, enumerated by such 
 writers, can therefore receive no satisfactory elucidation, ex- 
 cept by and through the principles of our own philosophy; 
 which recognizes the existence of no sedative agents, either 
 amongst the natural and appropriate agents of healthy vita- 
 lity, in whatsoever manner or degree applied ; — or amongst 
 the noxious stimuli, productive of morbid vitality, in what- 
 ever manner or degree applied; — or amongst the affective, 
 or moral emotions, or mental passions, as grief, fear, despair, 
 &c. &c. — for these, and all other painful sensations, are pa- 
 thological conditions; — not causes of sedation; — they are in 
 themselves sedation, or would be so, if such term were de- 
 manded by veritable philosophy. 
 
 We have thus established all the propositions self-evidently 
 and indispensably necessary to the philosophic investigation 
 of all the diseases, or morbid sensibilities, that flesh and blood 
 are heir to. 
 
24 
 
 We shall therefore commence our investigation of disease 
 by observing, although by way of repetition, that it must be 
 very evident to every medical philosopher much conversant 
 with the operations of the vital organization of man both in 
 his healthy and diseased states, that positive demonstration 
 to much extent in the science of medicine, can never be at- 
 tained. But, although it be thus evident, that mathematical 
 certainly in our science must ever be unattainable, yet we 
 have the exalted satisfaction of knowing, that by the intelli- 
 gent and judicious application and management of the prin- 
 ciples developed by the self-evident propositions constituting 
 our philosophy, we may reach all the demonstration that 
 Deity intended man should attain to, during his probationary 
 continuance in time. And if we simply reflect, that by the 
 very nature of our being, we are unavoidably limited in our 
 analytic investigations, to such tangible material substances 
 as are within the reach of our recognition and appreciation; 
 and that we are therefore totally unimpowered to resolve 
 any of the animated existences above or below us into their 
 constituent elements, we should as wise philosophers here 
 in time, humbly await our translation to the ethereal crea- 
 tions, where, and when, under the bright lights of eternal 
 illumination, we shall have clearly revealed to us, all the 
 mysteries of all the creations. Let us then, as wise inves- 
 tigators should do, make the most of what we do, or can, be 
 made to know, by and through the inductive method of ra- 
 tiocination required by our series of self-evident propositions, 
 in studying the nervous system more scientifically and con- 
 sistent with the true philosophy of our organization ; that we 
 may arrive at more of certainty than we now possess, to guide 
 us to more philosophical and successful practice; — for the 
 accomplishment of which glorious and benevolent purpose, 
 the grand aim and end of all our medical researches, we 
 should have all our intellectual energies in full and untiring 
 requisition. 
 
 We shall therefore proceed in unfolding to palpable ob- 
 servation, such principles of m.edical philosophy, as will, 
 
25 
 
 when put in judicious requisition by intelligent practitioners, 
 inevitably lead to the accomplishment of all the successful 
 practice, that, that part of the organization of man, which is 
 destined to extinction in time, will now, or ever, can per- 
 mit. As sensibility then, is that power or property, inherent 
 in the organization by, and through, the operations of which, 
 all stimulations, salutary and noxious, effect their entrance 
 into the system, it follows, that all diseases must arise either 
 from salutary stimuli applied to our nervous organization, 
 in degrees, above, or below, the standard of salutary excita- 
 tion, or from the direct application of noxious stimuli, to the 
 sentient extremities of the nerves of some part, or parts, of 
 the external or infernal tissues, of the animal economy, 
 thereby producing such morbid sensibility, as constitutes 
 the true pathological phenomena. To resolve the patholo- 
 gized conditions of tiie organization, or the stimuli produc- 
 tive of them, into mathematical demonstration, we must ad- 
 mit, to be now, and forever, impossible. Yet, we do know 
 positively and demonstrably, that whatever the aggregate of 
 such pathological phenomena, thus induced in the vitality of 
 the part, or parts, receptive of them, mny be, — that they 
 constitute the sum total, or essential nature, of the diseased 
 or morbid sensibilities, primarily, progressively, and ulti- 
 mately considered, whether terminating in health or de- 
 struction. 
 
 All diseases therefore consist of morbid sensibilities of the 
 part, or parts, recipient of their causative agents. When 
 arising from salutary stimuli acting in an excessive degree, 
 the depressions and congestions of vital power, thence aris- 
 ing, may be characterized by the term indirect debility: — 
 and when arising from such stimuli acting in a very dimin- 
 ished degree, the depressions and congestions of nervous or 
 vital energy thence ensuing, are to be characterized by the 
 term direct debility: — and all the depressions and conges- 
 tions of the vital energies, sequential to the application of 
 all the noxious stimuli, may with equal propriety be charac- 
 terized by the same term; — because, all such stimuli from 
 
26 
 
 their primal invasion of the organization, derange, weaken, 
 depress, and congest, the vital energies of the part or parts, 
 receptive of them, in a direct and positive manner; — with- 
 out any impediment to their ravaging progress, except such 
 as arises from the resisting or conservative powers of the or- 
 ganization thus assailed. 
 
 The patliological plienomena thus induced, in many cases, 
 admit of satisfactory demonstration to much extent; — and in 
 all cases, hy due investigation of the nature, and modus ope- 
 randi of their causes, become very palpably manifest to phi- 
 losophic observation and recognition. All diseases are there- 
 fore to be characterized exclusively by the states of the de- 
 pressions and congestions of the vitality of the part or parts, 
 recipient of either the deleterious operations consequent to 
 the application of salutary stimuli in excess or deficiency; — 
 or of such as are sequential to the direct application of noxious 
 agents, to any part or parts of the organization, either in a 
 primary, sympathetic, or secondary sense considered. We 
 thus open to philosophic observation the nature and charac- 
 ter of all diseases whatever; — from the slightest abrasions of 
 the skin, to the most extensive wounds; — and from the 
 slightest ephemeral fevers, as they are erroneously denomi- 
 nated, to the most overwhelming prostrations and conges- 
 tions of the vital energies, constituting the most malignant 
 plagues, yellow fevers, choleras, &c. They are all depres- 
 sions and congestions of the vital energies of the part, or 
 parts, involved in the morbid sensibilities constituting them, 
 of which the cerebral centre of the organization becomes 
 percipient sooner or later, in all cases where itself has not 
 been attacked, to the paralyzing or irrecuperative extent, by 
 the causative agents; — and raises recuperative excitations for 
 eliminating the morbid sensibilities, sooner or later, or ne- 
 ver, according to the nature or state of the depressions and 
 congestions ; — characterized, as already mentioned, by the 
 terms direct or indirect debility. The recuperative excita- 
 tions raised by the conservative powers of the nervous or- 
 ganization, for resolving and eliminating the morbid sensi- 
 
27 
 
 bilities from whatsoever cause or causes arising, and wliether 
 characterized by direct or indirect debility, are principally 
 manifested in all the circulations subservient to the nutrition, 
 assimilation, preservation, and continuation, of organic and 
 animal vitality. 
 
 The recuperative excitations thus raised by the conserva- 
 tive powers of nature, for resolving and expelling morbid 
 sensibilities from whatsoever source or sources originating, 
 are invariably characterized by a more or less sthenic or 
 asthenic diathesis of recuperation, which, in either case, if 
 suffered to continue unchecked, or not duly regulated, by 
 appropriate medication, may run to the production of such 
 congestions and destructions as demonstrably determine the 
 ravaging extension and mastery of the pathological, over the 
 recuperative phenomena of the organization. As all the 
 morbid sensibilities, constituting all diseases, from whatso- 
 ever causes arising, are to be exclusively eliminated from 
 the organization, through its secretory and excretory appa- 
 ratus; — the indispensable necessity of recognizing and ap- 
 preciating philosophically the conservative powers exercised 
 by the organization, when under the deleterious influences 
 of morbid sensibilities, will readily be admitted. The high 
 importance therefore of this portion of our philosophy, will 
 meet with its correspondently merited attention, and satis- 
 factory illustration, as we proceed. Let it suffice at present 
 to observe, that all the pathological phenomena, constituting 
 all the diseases to which the organization of man is subject, 
 from exposure to any or all of the numerous and various ex- 
 ternal causative agents so frequently surrounding and assail- 
 ing him ; — or from his exposure to those, (however remote 
 their primary causes,) that are engendered by morbid action, 
 consecutively induced, deep in the interior of the system; — 
 that are accompanied or succeeded, sooner or later, by re- 
 cuperative excitations of the conservative powers of nature; 
 have been erroneously considered, by all medical philoso- 
 phers, as constituting the very essences of most of the dis- 
 eases of mankind. But, that this is erroneous philosophy. 
 
28 
 
 and such philosophy as has through all ages kept the medical 
 world enwrapped in utter darkness, will conclusively ap- 
 pear, from the simple consideration, that many of the patho- 
 logical phenomena arising from many of the noxious agents, 
 deaden the vital energies of the organization, in such an ex- 
 tensive and concentrated manner, as to utterly preclude its 
 cerebro-spinal centres, from instituting inflammations or 
 fevers, or even the abortive spasmodic and convulsive recupe- 
 rative excitations; — proving thus incontrovertibly, that irri- 
 tations, and inflammations, and fevers, are such recuperative 
 excitations, raised by the conservative powers of the organi- 
 zation, as are in all diseases, arising from all causes, indis- 
 pensably necessary for eliminating the morbid sensibilities 
 constituting them. Irritations, and inflammations and fevers, 
 are therefore salutary, not diseased actions. They are such 
 actions, raised by the conservative powers, as are exclusively 
 necessary to efiect the elimination of all diseases, through 
 the secretory and excretory apparatus of the organization; — 
 consequently, all abortive recuperation must be conducted 
 by appropriate medication, to this, — the only legitimate 
 standard of expulsion, which can be raised by the conserva- 
 tive energies of the organization, when pathologized from 
 whatsoever cause or causes. We observe then, that from 
 whatever causative agents the morbid sensibilities consti- 
 tuting diseases may have arisen ; that the inflammations or 
 fevers instituted by the conservative powers for their elimi- 
 nation, are the same recuperative efforts, acting with more 
 or less effect, in a manner strictly corresponding with the 
 characteristic nature of the causative agents, or the states of 
 predisposition in the organization to their reception, — or 
 both. The causative agents which originate epidemic dis- 
 eases of the higher grades, are, for instance, much more con- 
 centrated as to quantity, and morbific as to quality, than the 
 causes productive of the more ordinary diseases termed 
 febrile ; — and the systems of many persons constantly resi- 
 dent within the sphere of their activity, possess much higher 
 susceptibilities to the reception of the morbid sensibilities 
 
29 
 
 imparted by the noxious agents, than those resident in heal- 
 thier localities, and productive of the more ordinary febrile 
 diseases, as they are erroneously denominated: — still, the 
 fevers, or inflammations, or both, raised by the conservative 
 powers for their elimination, whenever they are not para- 
 lyzed to the irrecuperative extent, are to be philosophically 
 considered identical, in the sense, that they are all such recu- 
 perative excitations as the conservative powers are capable 
 of instituting, whether characterized by more or less sthenic, 
 or asthenic action. Every observant and philosophic prac- 
 titioner during the prevalence of epidemic yellow fevers 
 must have noticed, that in very many cases, the noxious 
 agents possess such concentratedly stimulant malignancy of 
 composition, as to overwhelm and prostrate the vital energies 
 of the important vital organs receptive of them, to such 
 paralyzing extent, that the salutary exertions of nature are 
 but feebly and unavaiiingly operative, in raising recuperative 
 excitations; and that in many cases, the vital energies are 
 positively deadened at once, to tlie preclusive extent of con- 
 servative operation. All pathological phenomena therefore, 
 arising from all causes, whether they are accompanied, or 
 sooner or later succeeded, by recuperative excitations or not, 
 will evince to philosophic observation a depressed and con- 
 gested state of the vital powers of the part or parts occupied 
 by them, to greater or less extent. If this depression and 
 congestion be in moderate degree, the recuperative powers 
 soon arise, and restore the energies of the vital part or parts 
 implicated in the diseased actions, by increasing through the 
 nervous sympath)'-, radically operative, in the cerebro-spinal 
 centres of innervation, the energies of the general and capil- 
 lary circulations, and consequently the energies of all such 
 secretory and excretory apparatus, as may be required for 
 expelling from the organization the deranged and disordered 
 sensibilities originated by the morbific agents. If the de- 
 pression and congestion of nervous energy be in greater de- 
 gree, the recuperative powers will be excited in such correa- 
 ponding proportion, as to occasion such violent febrile or 
 5 
 
80 
 
 inflammatory action, or both, as may or may not eliminate 
 the morbid sensibilities constituting the disease, even with 
 the aid of appropriate medication. And when the noxious 
 stimuli have been applied in an excessively high state of 
 concentration, the depressions and congestions of the vital 
 energies of the part or parts recipient of them, will be so 
 overwhelming, as in many cases to preclude the conservative 
 powers from instituting any other than the feeblest and most 
 unavailing recuperative excitation; and in many such cases, 
 from exciting any recuperative action at all .for expelling the 
 morbid sensibilities, even with the aid of the most appro- 
 priately philosophic medication. 
 
 Cases illustrative of these propositions may readily be ad- 
 verted to by every experienced philosophic practitioner, and 
 all the gradations of depression and congestion of one, or 
 more, of the departments of the organization when assailed 
 by causative agents, may be adduced from all the varied 
 specifications of fever, enumerated by all the nosologists. 
 Epidemic yellow fevers whenever occurring, will furnish 
 numerous cases of them for all philosophic and satisfactory 
 illustration ; showing the depressive and congestive effects of 
 the noxious stimuli originating them, from the slightest de- 
 grees of morbid sensibility, to the irrecoverable prostration 
 of the vital powers: — and it is to be particularly noted, that, 
 in very many of the highest grades of this fever, as it is 
 called, there is no fever at all; — no such thing as salutary 
 reaction, as it is denominated, raised by the conservative 
 powers; — but instead thereof, a total torpor or paralysis of 
 the nervous powers of the organization has occurred ; and in 
 fact in many cases, an incipient dissolution or putrefaction 
 of the vital organs involved in the morbid sensibilities has 
 occurred, utterly beyond the power of any recuperative ex- 
 citation, aided ever so much, by ever so potent, and appro- 
 priate medication. 
 
 These highly congestive cases of morbid sensibility, arising 
 from highly concentrated morbific agents, are beautifully and 
 conclusively demonstrative of the conservative power of 
 
81 
 
 nature resident in, and exclusively exercised by, the nervous 
 organization in all cases, where the noxious stimuli have 
 been positively applied to such paralyzing and deadening 
 extent, as to totally prevent recuperative excitation ; — for it 
 is to be particularly noted, that whenever the paralyzed and 
 deadened sensibilities constituting these highest grades, are 
 removed by appropriate medications, febrific excitations are 
 instituted by such medications; which, under the continued 
 controul and direction of the appropriate therapeutical philo- 
 sophy pertaining to, and demanded by them, restore the dis- 
 eased sensibilities to their accustomed salubrity; — proving to 
 demonstration, that all fevers and inflammations are recu- 
 perative excitations raised by the conservative powers of 
 nature, for eliminating the morbid sensibilities. 
 
 We consider it therefore as conclusively proved, that there 
 is a conservative power in the nervous system of man, con- 
 stantly operative, from the creation until the total extinction 
 of our nervous, vital organization, in time. It must indeed 
 be confessed, that the much derided vis medicatrix naturae, 
 arose from hypothetical speculations, simply and naturally 
 deducible from observation of the vital operations of the or- 
 ganization ; more particularly when in a diseased condition, 
 as exercising a sanatary influence in resisting the effects of 
 the pathological phenomena, and eliminating them from the 
 system. But this opinion, thus originating from simple ob- 
 servation, without much aid from anatomical or physiological 
 knowledge, to lead to its recognition, detracts nothing from 
 the merit of the great natural physician, who first taught and 
 deduced from it, such principles of practice, as have had 
 more or less sway over the opinions and practices of all his 
 successors, however much they may have affected to consi- 
 der its ground-work to have been hypothetical and falla- 
 cious. But, we of the present day, guided by the bright 
 lights of a numerous host of anatomists, physiologists, and 
 pathologists, have incontrovertible reasons for acknowledging 
 and appreciating the salutary operations of the vis conserv. 
 naturse, evidenced in the organization during health and dis- 
 
32 
 
 ease. Indeed, the healthy power of nature, evidenced dur- 
 ing the existence of the pathological condition in any and 
 every case of it, becomes palpable to philosophic observation; 
 and self-evidently arises from the inevitable recognition of 
 the nervous power being the whole power productive of all 
 the varied operations pertaining to all animal and organic 
 life. As long as life lasts, it lasts through the operation of 
 appropriate stimuli on and in the organization to whatsoever 
 extent, positively short of extinction here in time, it may 
 become pathologized from whatever cause or causes. 
 
 It must therefore be confessed, that all our medical studies 
 should begin and end with the study of the nervous system; — 
 as it exclusively originates and continues all the actions of 
 the organizations necessary to be performed, which lead and 
 pertain to the fecundation of the orgasmal products elicited 
 by the venereal congress; — conducts their growth and de- 
 velopment to the maturity of manhood, till extinction in old 
 age, and constantly exercises not only a conservative power 
 in the reception of appropriate salutary stimuli during this 
 long series of animated existence; but opposes the introduc- 
 tion of noxious stimuli, and when unable to prevent their 
 entrance, exercises all its powers of resistance for effecting 
 their elimination. 
 
 We are therefore warranted in concluding, that irritations, 
 inflammations and fevers, are conservative efforts of nature 
 identical in their general character, and absolutely necessary 
 in all cases, of all diseases whatever, however local, or ge- 
 neral they may be, — for eliminating the morbid effects, of the 
 morbific stimuli, which originated them ; and that in all cases, 
 where the conservative powers are incapable of instituting 
 such salutary operations, death of one or more parts, or, of 
 the whole organization, as the case may be,— will sooner or 
 later, be the inevitable sequent. 
 
 The philosophy therefore of the resistance manifested by 
 the conservative power of nature when assailed by noxious 
 agents, is self-evidently resident and inherent in the nervous 
 organization of man, — the cerebral centre of which is not 
 
33 
 
 only sensitively perceptive, but often successfully resistive, 
 not only of the deleterious operations of the noxious agents 
 while exposed to them, before they efiect their entrance into 
 the system, but after they have effected their location, on or 
 in it, exercises the same resisting power and curative agency 
 for dislodging and expelling the pathological phenomena. 
 
 The vis conservatrix naturaj, therefore, is no hypothesis ; 
 but eductive from the operations manifested to philosophic 
 observation and appreciation, palpably pertaining to every 
 department of what is called organic, and especially animal 
 life. 
 
 In the establishment therefore, of all our self-evident pro- 
 positions, leading directly and irresistibly to the full com- 
 prehension and appreciation of the whole of the true phi- 
 losophy of medicine, — we have had no recourse to the cre- 
 ation of any imaginary metaphysical entities; but have in- 
 controvertibly proved, that the laws creative, regulative, and 
 continuative of vitality, although not so positively adr/.issi- 
 ble of positive mathematical demonstration, — are yet more 
 palpable to philosophic observation and satisfactory cppre- 
 ciation, than are the laws of gravity governing the motions 
 of the physical bodies composing the material universe, al- 
 though partially subject to analytic demonstration. 
 
 We have thus cleared the way for studying as philosophi- 
 cally and consequently successfully the science of medi- 
 cine, as the nature and operations of the vital organization 
 will now, or ever can permit; — and have the only true 
 foundation laid, for improving ourselves in physiology, pa- 
 thology, and therapeutics. We thus present to the medical 
 profession a beautiful series of self-evident propositions, un- 
 folding to them principles equally self-evident, that irresisti- 
 bly lead to the satisfactory illustration of every thing, per- 
 taining to every department of the science of medicine, 
 which is demanded by its true philosophy. And well may 
 we consider it the true philosophy, because inevitably arising 
 from surveying the varied operations pertaining to the orga- 
 nization, particularly in its salutary state, all acting to the 
 
34 
 
 production of one harmonious whole system of vitah'ty-^to 
 the production of unity — not plurality of being. The phe- 
 nomena which have been so copiously presented to observa- 
 tion, through dissections of the dead body, respecting the 
 varied organic structures composing the system of man; — 
 and the varied experiments which have been performed by 
 vivisection of animals, respecting the varied operations of 
 such varied organization, m.aking every allowance for the 
 fallaciousness of observations thus elicited, are surely to be 
 considered as effecting such an approach to certainty, as to 
 warrant us in concluding, that there must be an all-pervading 
 unity of nervous power, inherent and operative, in and 
 through the total organization, for the production of all its 
 vital operations, however variously presented for recognition 
 in its salutary or pathologized conditions. Most assuredly, 
 it will not be denied, that all the operations of the perfect 
 organization in its healthy condition, however diversifiedly 
 they may be presented to observation, result in the produc- 
 tion of one beautiful harmonious whole system of vitality; — 
 and can such harmonious system of vitality, be the product 
 of a plurality of radical vital powers, inherent and operative, 
 in the composition of man? Such supposition is totally re- 
 pugnant to all the knowledge which we can receive of 
 Deity, through the operations of such vitalities as he has 
 presented to our observation, in all his vital creations within 
 our cognizance; — and equally repugnant to all the knowledge 
 which he has communicated to us through revelation, re- 
 specting our destiny here and hereafter. 
 
 This reasoning is undeniably legitimate; — and the more it 
 is varied and extended, the more confirmatory will be its ra- 
 tional deductions ; — deductions inevitably compelling us to 
 recognize all the vital phenomena pertaining to the organi- 
 zation, as emanating from one only radical vital power ho- 
 mogeneously operative, when philosophically considered, to 
 the production of our unity of being here, and through its per- 
 fectionating operativeness of our being, forever. By talented 
 medical philosophers, these propositions and the principles 
 
85 
 
 arising from them, will be duly recognized, estimated, and 
 admitted, as conclusively unfolding the philosophy of medi- 
 cine to intuitive demonstration. Sceptics may deny — not 
 disprove them: — may deny our radical proposition, that the 
 nervous system is the whole system of man ; — let them pro- 
 duce all the arguments which may be suggested by their 
 knowledge and ingenuity in support of such denial; — we 
 have our refutation of them at hand. To all such sceptics, 
 we would simply direct attention to the compact condensa- 
 tion of nervous power, inherent and operative, in the cord 
 connecting the Siamese twins — constituting through one me- 
 dium, a duplicate of mortal and immortal life, operating to 
 the production of simultaneous, voluntary, and involuntary 
 motions, of simultaneous affective emotions, and intellectual 
 operations; — and all from such respective simultaneity of 
 sensations, as are required for the production of such dupli- 
 cate unity of vital action : — proving that such simultaneity of 
 sensation, must have been inherent and operative in their 
 reproductive germs; and proving conclusively that such du- 
 plicate unity of vitality, cannot be, in any other manner, 
 originated and perfected, — for reasons which vyill be obvious 
 to the philosophic physician, who recognizes, that the con- 
 necting medium of such duplicate organization, must be,— 
 between the organs of nutrition and assimilation of the two 
 beingSj — to render them operative to such unity of action. 
 These interesting beings have warm and affectionate feelings 
 for each other, to such extent, that they have never been 
 known to utter an angry word towards each other ; — indeed 
 they never have any conversation with each other, beyond 
 a single remark, — and why? They cannot be separately en- 
 gaged in conversations with different individuals, because 
 they are both irresistibly inclined to direct their attention to 
 the same thing, at the same time, — and why? Why are all 
 their employments and amusements always of the same kind? 
 Why are they pleased, or displeased, similarly and simulta- 
 neously? Why have they invariably similar desires and aver- 
 sions, — experience the same sensations of hunger and thirst. 
 
86 
 
 at the same time, and take the same quantities of food and 
 drink for allaying them? and wliy do they desire sleep si- 
 multaneously, and awake at the same moment? Can such ho- 
 mogeneity of feeling, thinking, and acting, thus simulta- 
 neously manifested to philosophic observation, arise through 
 any other source than a community of nervous power, ope- 
 rative in and through the connecting medium of their dupli- 
 cate organization? These questions need no answers, and 
 preclude the necessity of adducing further reasoning to quiet 
 sophistry. We shall therefore proceed to illustrate our pro- 
 positions more fully and satisfactorily, by bestowing some 
 considerations on the causes, symptoms, and principles of 
 treatment, of Epidemic Yellow Fevers, Cholera, Teta- 
 nus, Hydrophobia, and several other diseases of highest 
 grades; because, they are not only singularly rich in the pro- 
 duction of such pathological phenomena as characterize in' 
 many respects, the highest grades of many other fevers, but 
 because, they are also characterized by a very great variety 
 of anomalous and singularly variant pathological phenome- 
 na, attended, or sooner or later succeeded, by an equal va- 
 riety of singularly anomalous recuperative phenomena; and 
 particularly because, in many cases of these diseases, the or- 
 ganization will be found so extensively and concentratedly 
 pathologized, as to totally preclude the institution of any- 
 recuperative excitation at all. 
 
 As the extent of our design, in the present treatise, will 
 be to unfold exclusively the outlines of the philosophy of 
 medicine, in such general manner, that they may be clearly 
 apprehended and appreciated, we shall commence our ana- 
 lysis of yellow fever with observing, that by and through 
 the unerring agency of the inductive method of ratiocination, 
 adopted by a numerous host of distinguished medical practi- 
 tioners during the last forty years, in their investigations of 
 numerous yellow fever epidemics in different regions of the 
 world; results satisfactory to themselves, and to the profes- 
 sion in general, have been reached, respecting the train of 
 causes leading to the production of such noxious stimuli, as 
 
37 
 
 originate yellow fevers wherever occurring. By tracing 
 causes to their effects, and effects to their causes, the only 
 legitimate method of educting conclusions satisfactory to rea- 
 son and common sense, it may now be considered as ascer- 
 tained, that the pathological phenomena characteristic of 
 yellow fevers, with all their varieties and modifications, are 
 occasioned by the noxious gaseous stimuli engendered during 
 the dissolution, or. putrefaction, of both animal and vegeta- 
 ble substances. It may now be considered as conclusively 
 demonstrated, that long-continued heat, varying or not, from 
 eighty to ninety degrees, or upwards, under such appropri- 
 ate modification, as arises from a close, calm, moist, sultry 
 state of weather, acting on large quantities either of vegeta- 
 ble or animal matters, separately or conjunctly, will inevita- 
 bly impregnate the surrounding atmosjjhere with noxious 
 stimulating gaseous miasmata, sufficient for the production 
 of the most concentrated epidemic yellow fevers, in the 
 densely populated parts of intertropical and tropicoid towns 
 and cities; or in similar situations, in the temperate regions, 
 when all these favourable circumstances concur to act in ap- 
 propriate conjunction. It may be considered now also as as- 
 certained beyond all doubt, that it is" impossible to resolve 
 these noxious stimuli into their constituent elements, by any 
 chemical or other philosophical iTiachinery within man's 
 reach : — impossible therefore to identify the homogeneity of 
 the noxious gaseous miasmata productive of yellow fevers in 
 different localities; because arising in such different locali- 
 ties, from the decomposition of different vegetable and ani- 
 mal substances, and in different proportions as to their con- 
 stituent properties in the different localities. Until there- 
 fore we can demonstrate, that water and the immense variety 
 of different animal and vegetable e^jvistences, which in differ- 
 ent situations, during their dissolution or putrefaction, evolve 
 such noxious miasmata as originate yellow fevers, are all re- 
 solvable and convertible into identity of product, by such 
 dissolution; — the doctrine of their gaseous unity must be 
 abandoned. From all the philosophic examination there- 
 6 
 
38 
 
 fore, which this important subject is capable of receiving, 
 we are inevitably led to the conclusion, that such vegeto- 
 animal miasmata as are sufficiently malignant in quality, and 
 concentrated in quantity, to originate yellow fevers, must 
 consist of a highly azotic and deleterious combination of ga- 
 seous products; — because arising from the dissolution of 
 such immense varieties of both animal and vegetable exis- 
 tences, even in similar localities. As these gaseous pro- 
 ducts are not to be recognized by our senses in a manner 
 sufficiently definite for analysis, by any philosophical ma- 
 chinery, we must remain satisfied with positively knowing 
 the source, or sources, whence the deleterious compound ex- 
 clusively originates; and that by the industry of man appro- 
 priately directed, it may be in general mostly avoided; and' 
 that when and where this cannot be so effectively accom- 
 plished, it may be much weakened and ameliorated, by ap- 
 propriate antiseptic applications, within the sphere of its 
 malignant operations. We must content ourselves with 
 knowing that yellow fever occupies the front rank, — the 
 very foreground in the dismal picture of pathological phe- 
 nomena incident to the western world; — and that all the 
 numerous trains of bilious fevers, with all their multiplied 
 diversities and complexities of modification, — from the 
 mildest ephem"eral to the one now under consideration, arise 
 in a general sense considered, from an identical destructive 
 agency, differing exclusively in degree; and that all the gra- 
 duations of all bilious and yellow fevers, are strictly corres- 
 pondent with their causative graduations, and with the sus- 
 ceptibilities of the persons resident within the sphere of 
 their poisonous operations; — consequently, we must rest sa- 
 tisfied with knowing, that all the deleterious operations of 
 these noxious stimuli when applied to, and received by, any 
 part or parts, of the sentient absorbing nervous organization 
 of man, are plainly to be recognized by the common sense 
 observation of all true medical philosophers. We must 
 therefore, remain satisfied with knowing beyond all ques- 
 tion, the series of causes directly and inevitably leading to 
 
39 
 
 the production of the most concentrated, malignant, and de- 
 structive yellow fevers; and with clearly understanding the 
 reasons, why such fevers are not always, even in the same 
 localities, in diCcrent seasons, equally malignant and ravag- 
 ing;, and that this, as well as all other epidemics, are more 
 or less destructive, in a manner perfectly corresponding with 
 the greater or less maturity of their causes; and that such 
 graduated maturity of causation becomes palpably manifest 
 to philosophic observation, during the different seasons in 
 which such epidemic- fevers occur in similar localities. We 
 may well content ourselves then, with knowing fully, the 
 causes wiiich originate these epidemics almost annually in 
 New Orleans, and many other southern and tropical locali- 
 ties; and with understanding the reasons why they are not 
 originated in such localities at all, in particular seasons: — 
 why they so seldom occur in the temperate regions — in New 
 York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, &c, ; — and that 
 when they do occur in such places, they are found to have 
 originated from causes exactly similar to such as originate 
 them in southern and intertropical regions, and equally pal- 
 pable to philosophic observation. We may content ourselves 
 finally, with knowing the reasons which preclude the pro- 
 duction of such epidemics in the high northern and southern 
 latitudes; and that we plainly recognize, and philosophically 
 appreciate the reasons which prevent the origination of such 
 epidemics even in the most favoured localities for their pro- 
 duction, during all the uninterruptedly hot and dry, or hot 
 and rainy seasons, in such localities. 
 
 All diseases arise from material causes, in a solid, liquid, 
 or gaseous state; — and it is the positive duty of medical phi- 
 losophers to investigate and trace these causes to their most 
 satisfactory results, and promulgate them to the world, in 
 such maimer that they may be clearly understood, and duly 
 appreciated : — for all the causes of all such diseases as are 
 originated by the external noxious stimuli, whether existing 
 in. the atmosphere, or on, in, or under the earth, or from 
 every description of noxious vegetable or animal stimuli, 
 
40 
 
 when once reached, become palpably manifest, not only to 
 the philosophic recognition of scientific physicians, but to 
 the ordinary and intelligent portion of every enlightened 
 community. The mysteries which so long overshadowed 
 the causative doctrine pertaining to this epidemic, and en- 
 gendered such acrimonious contentions between medical 
 philosophers, have been forever dispersed by the bright sun- 
 shine of inductive research ; — and we may proudly consider 
 ourselves as enjoying high cause for congratulation in the 
 reflection, that we now have it fully in our power to display 
 the causative doctrine of yellow fever to the intuition of 
 mankind in general. 
 
 We might easily adduce a great number of instances with- 
 in our own immediate observation and experience, conclu- 
 sively demonstrative of the origin of yellow fever, either 
 from animal or vegetable putrefaction, separately. That 
 vegetable putrefaction in sufficient quantity, under the unin- 
 terrupted operation of the necessary series of favourable cir- 
 cumstances, continued a sufficient term of time, to render 
 the morbid miasmata thence ensuing, appropriately concen- 
 trative and virulent, will produce yellow fever, is not de- 
 nied. That this disease may be generated by the reception 
 of morbid miasmata arising from putrefying vegetable masses, 
 either on, in, or under the surface of the earth, when not too 
 deep for the penetration of the solar rays, and appropriate 
 moisture, is not denied: — but it has been fashionable for 
 many years past, to deny, on the authority of Dr. Bancroft, 
 and many other physicians, that it can be produced by the 
 deleterious miasmata arising from animal putrefaction. Pro- 
 fessor Parsons, in his late publication on malaria, in his exa- 
 mination of this subject, has conclusively refuted this opinion, 
 and richly deserves the commendation of our profession for 
 having so satisfactorily dispelled this, the last of all the illu- 
 sions, pertaining to the causative doctrine of this baleful pes- 
 tilence ; — an illusion which, for many years past, has pre- 
 vented it from being philosophically investigated, and satis- 
 factorily settled. And we may now, therefore, congratulate 
 
41 
 
 ourselves with the consolatory reflection, that the hypothe- 
 tical speculations of all those medical philosophers who so 
 acrimoniously and pertinaciously advocated the contagious- 
 ness of yellow fever, may be considered as having been 
 triumphantly and demonstrably refuted, by the inductive 
 researches of numerous British and American physicians of 
 distinguished abilities, who during the last forty years have 
 so nobly immortalized themselves in the cause of humanity, 
 during their meritorious investigations of this epidemic. 
 This important conclusion to mankind was reached, not by 
 closeted speculations upon the ipse dixit of Dr. Chisholm, or 
 any other of the advocates for contagion, but by the exer- 
 cise of plain common sense and observation, directed straight 
 forward to the causes productive of it, in the various regions 
 of the earth where it has occurred. These causes have thus 
 been demonstrably traced to putrefaction, either of animal 
 or vegetable substances, separately, — or as is most generally 
 the case, to a combination of both ; — therefore more philoso- 
 phically entitled to the appellative of vegeto-animal mias- 
 mata, than to the more modern term malaria. 
 
 It appears astonishing to the medical philosophers «of the 
 present day, that such short-sighted and totally unphiloso- 
 phical views respecting the causes of this epidemic, should 
 have been entertained by physicians otherwise eminently 
 distinguished for medical attainments: — astonishing that such 
 physicians with the desperation of fatality, should have pri- 
 marily located the grand laboratory for the manufacture of 
 yellow fever, for exportation to other regions, — in ill-fated 
 Siam or Bulam. But the delusions of fatalism have passed 
 by, to return no more: — true philosophy recognizes no re- 
 lationship with its mysteries, — but is exclusively under the 
 governance of reason and common sense, which constitute 
 the true foundation for all such inductive ratiocination in our 
 science as will lead us to satisfactory demonstration. 
 
 The time has arrived when nothing in our science will be 
 received as truth, except it has attained the recognition of 
 common sense, through the unerring operativeness of this 
 
42 
 
 exclusively legitimate method of reasoning: — and the time 
 is rapidly approaching, when the causes of many diseases 
 now enveloped in mystery, will by this natural and reason- 
 able method of investigation, be fully unfolded, not only to 
 the thorough comprehension of the profession, but to the in- 
 telligent portion of mankind in general, to much extent of 
 utility. To enable physicians to impart with facility and 
 consolatory satisfaction such useful knowledge to the world, 
 is the benevolent object of our present treatise, on the true 
 philosophy of medicine; — a philosophy which, when com- 
 pleted and understood, and recognized by the medical pro- 
 fession, will fully empower them with the ability for satis- 
 factorily fulfilling all the glorious purposes required and de- 
 manded of them, as legitimate guardians of the public health. 
 We proceed therefore to observe, that although we cannot 
 resolve the salutary stimuli, or many of them, into their con- 
 stituent elements, or recognize and appreciate their action, 
 on, in, and throughout the organization, to the positive cer- 
 tainty of mathematical demonstration ; — and although the 
 noxious stimuli originative of yellow fevers, and all other 
 epidemics, are to be positively considered as irresolvable into 
 such certainty of recognition; — yet, under the inductive 
 operativeness resulting from our investigations, while direct- 
 ed by reason and common sense, we are conducted straight 
 forward to the acquisition of all such satisfactory intuitive 
 demonstration, as Deity designed man to reach here in time. 
 With this species of demonstration we must rest satisfied, 
 because it is amply sufficient to enable us to accomplish all 
 the benevolent purposes required of us, in behalf of our fel- 
 low mortals, during their present state of being. To know 
 more than we can attain to through the inductive process of 
 reasoning, would require our initiation into the mysteries of 
 the celestial creations. We are unfolding the true philosophy 
 of medicine, and assigning to medical investigators such 
 limitary boundaries as- cannot be transcended by their intel- 
 lectual exertions. We have therefore intuitive demonstra- 
 tion, that the atmosphere immediately encircling a swampy 
 
43 
 
 region, skirted with rich, rank, luxurious vegetable produc- 
 tions, and teeming with innumerable myriads of animal 
 existences, subject to unceasing decomposition and recom- 
 position, will inevitably, under the appropriate influences of 
 high heat, appropriate moisture, close, sultry, windless state 
 of weather, continued uninterruptedly for several weeks, 
 become impregnated with the deleterious vegeto-animal 
 miasmata under such circumstances arising, to such extent, 
 that when applied to any part or parts of the organization, 
 the said part or parts must positively suffer depression of 
 their vital energies, and consequent debility and derange- 
 ment of action. The healthy physiological actions of the 
 parts receptive of the miasmata are debilitated and pervert- 
 ed, — depression and congestion of their nervous energies 
 are the instantaneous sequents, and the organization becomes 
 forthwith pathologized to a greater or less extent; — corres- 
 ponding in all cases to the quantity and quality of the noxious 
 stimuli which have entered the system, and the ability of its 
 conservative power to resist their deleterious operations. 
 And we have intuitive demonstration likewise, that identical 
 effects, from identical causes, acting on sufficient quantities, 
 either of the same kind, or dissimilar vegetable and animal 
 substances, in the crowded, densely populated, and ill-ven- 
 tilated parts of the towns and cities of the intertropical, 
 tropicoid, or temperate regions, when unde'r the favourable 
 influences necessary to the production of such copious de- 
 composition as above mentioned, will inevitably, when un- 
 interruptedly continued a sufficient length of time, saturate 
 the atmosphere to the productive extent of yellow fever. 
 This is the sum total of such etiological knowledge as we 
 now possess, or can expect ever to attain, respecting this or 
 any otlier epidemic disease; — for all the noxious stimuli ori- 
 ginating them, are as equally intangible and irresolvable as 
 are the stimuli productive of yellow fevers ; — and all equally 
 incapable of analysis, by any investigating processes within 
 the limits of man's philosophy. 
 
 The physiological phenomena sequential to the appropriate 
 
44 
 
 reception and distribution of appropriate salutary stimuli to 
 the organization while in a healthy and sound condition, 
 are not analyzable into positive mathematical demonstra- 
 tion; — and the pathological phenomena induced by the ope- 
 rations of noxious agents much less so, to whatever extent 
 aided by the phenomena revealed to our view in the dis- 
 eased departments of the organization, by dissection, or any 
 other investigating processes. The grades of health are in- 
 definitely diversified and varied, and the grades of disease 
 much more so, — even oF identical diseases arising from iden- 
 tical causative agents ;--invariably, in a manner strictly and 
 philosophically corresponding with the varied conditions of 
 the noxious stimuli, and the conservative powers of the sys- 
 tem, to resist them. 
 
 The noxious stimuli originating the pathological pheno- 
 mena characterizing yellow fevers being therefore subject 
 to such variations, must be productive of equally varied phe- 
 nomena: — hence arises the difficulty of discussing this dis- 
 ease philosophically, within a narrow compass; — for it is a 
 real proteus, and assumptive of such variety of pathological 
 plienomena as would require volumes to illustrate them in 
 an appropriately philosophical manner. But, our object in 
 selecting yellow fever at present, is not to give it such tho- 
 rough philosophic discussion. We have selected it, because 
 the more ordinary routine of its characteristic pathological 
 phenomena are more palpable to observation, than such as 
 characterize febrile diseases as they are erroneously deno- 
 minated, arising from more ordinary causative agents; and 
 tnore particularly for discerning, distinguishing, and separa- 
 ting, the true pathological, from the conservative phenomena, 
 manifested by the organization in a more or less appreciable 
 manner, in all cases, when not paralyzed by the causative 
 agents to the irrecuperative extent. We shall thus be ena- 
 bled, not only to distinguish and separate the pathological, 
 from the recuperative phenomena, pertaining to this, but to 
 all other morbid sensibilities whatever, and from whatsoever 
 causes arising; — for the principles conducting us to the phi- 
 
45 
 
 losophic recognition and appreciation of the pathological and 
 conservative phenomena characterizing this disease, lead us 
 directly to the recognition of all such as characterize all other 
 diseases, however local, or general, mild or severe, they may- 
 be. If we can thus analyze this Herculean malady, occu- 
 pying the very front rank in the train of pathological phe- 
 nomena incident to our western hemisphere; — we can easily 
 analyze all others, however different they may be from such 
 as characterize this; — because they are all analyzable oa 
 identical general principles. We shall therefore, study the 
 pathological phenomena characterizing this disease, as they 
 more ordinarily occur; and during our discussion, bestow 
 sucli observations, as may present themselves to our consi- 
 deration, on the singularly varied and anomalous pathological 
 and recuperative phenomena, by which they are very fre- 
 quently manifested to our philosophic observation. 
 
 The remote and proximate; causes of this and all other dis- 
 eases, are to be philosophically recognized, as operative to 
 the production of a series or sequency of morbid effects, 
 from their commencement, to their termination, in the de- 
 pression and congestion, of the vital powers, of the part or 
 parts affected by them ; and these effects, constituting what 
 are called the premonitory symptoms of fevers, are influenced 
 as to their production, not only by the greater or less viru- 
 lent concentration of these causes; but, likewise by the na- 
 ture and action of what are called, the predisposing and ex- 
 citing causes. When all these causes are applied in high de- 
 gree, and act in appropriate conjunction, and relevancy to 
 each other, the premonitory symptoms, or incipient effects 
 of the noxious stimuli, will be correspondently depres- 
 sive and congestive of the vital energies, not only of the 
 part or parts recipient of them primarily, but of the part or 
 parts secondarily receptive of them, through nervous sym- 
 pathy. Yellow fever therefore, is not a disease sui generis, 
 in the sense, that it has by many been considered to be; — 
 but arises, like all other diseases, when philosophically in- 
 vestigated, from obvious causes ; — and is varied in its symp- 
 7 
 
46 
 
 toms, or external and internal manifestations of its patholo- 
 gical phenomena, in a manner corresponding with its causa- 
 tive variations; — which are conspicuous and appreciable, in 
 the different epidemics of the same localities, in the different 
 seasons. The practice of medicine is, or should be, the prac- 
 tice of its true philosophy. 
 
 All practitioners therefore, of medicine, should scientifi- 
 cally recognize the high importance of philosophically under- 
 standing, and appropriately estimating, the value of the in- 
 dubitable fact, that yellow fevers are invariably gradated, 
 and modified, according to their causative gradations and mo- 
 difications; — because, as the morbid miasmata productive of 
 them, are so variously characterized, even in identical locali- 
 ties, in different seasons; — and as the constitutional suscepti- 
 bilities to their reception, are also, so various, during the 
 different seasons; — it follows, that the different epidemics 
 cannot be similarly characterized, but to limited extent: — 
 in truth therefore, they will be found manifested to philoso- 
 phic observation, but by few general symptoms, in common 
 to them all. For, we readily see, that, between the lowest 
 and highest states of such atmospheric vitiation, as becomes 
 causative of bilious fevers, — there will be numerous varieties, 
 characterized but by few external or internal manifestations, 
 which can be philosophically considered, as common to all 
 of them; — and, between the lowest and highest states of at- 
 mospheric vitiation, productive of yellow fevers, — there will 
 be found many varieties, modifications, and anomalies, that 
 positively preclude us from recognizing many of them, as 
 having any pathological or recuperative phenomena, at all 
 sim characterized; — the few general symptoms which 
 
 may <ionsidered as common, being confined exclusively 
 to the milder and medial grades of the epidemic, occurring 
 in constitutions previously sound, and vigorous. And, it 
 must be very evident to all philosophic practitioners in 
 southern and tropical climates, that these epidemics are al- 
 ways in a greater or less degree, subject to such numerously 
 varied anomalous modifications of the pathological and con- 
 
47 
 
 servative phenomena by which they are characterized, that 
 the philosophy pertaining to them cannot be reached and re- 
 cognized, except by those talented and experienced practi- 
 tioners, who have been long conversant with their almost in- 
 definitely varied characteristic phenomena. 
 
 We readily recognize therefore, the varied multiplicity of 
 such causes as have retarded the appreciation and adoption 
 of the true philosophy pertaining to this pestilence. It be- 
 comes therefore, conspicuously apparent, that epidemic yel- 
 low fevers will, even in the same localities, in different sea- 
 sons, be characterized by pathological phenomena, more or 
 less, depressive and congestive of nervous energy, and by 
 recuperative phenomena, more or less sthenic or asthenic. 
 As are the gradations of depression and congestion of ner- 
 vous energy sequential to the operation of the causative 
 agents, such will be the gradations of the recuperative exci- 
 tations raised by the conservative powers of the organization. 
 The recuperative phenomena will therefore be presented to 
 philosophic observation, by more or less sthenic or asthenic 
 irritations, inflammations, and fevers, in all cases in which 
 the organization has not been pathologized by the noxious 
 agents totally beyond the power of instituting such recupe- 
 rative excitations; and in all cases in which the organization 
 is pathologized beyond the power of instituting these natu- 
 ral and indispensably necessary recuperative excitations for 
 expelling the morbid sensibilities, recuperative exertions 
 are still raised by the conservative powers, and manifested 
 indubitably to philosophic observation and recognition, by 
 nervous agitations, tremors, twitchings, cramps, spasms and 
 convulsions. Recuperative excitation is therefore, evidenced 
 to the observation of true philosophy, in a more or less sa- 
 lutary or insalutary manner, until the organization becomes 
 totally palsied to the irrecuperative extent. We thus unfold 
 in plain and general terms, not to be misunderstood or un- 
 appreciated, the pathological and recuperative philosophy 
 pertaining not only to yellow fevers, but to all other morbid 
 sensibilities, arising from whatsoever causative agents. It is 
 
48 
 
 therefore abundantly evident, that the pathological and re- 
 cuperative phenomena characterizing yellow fevers, will be 
 inevitably subject to much greater multiplicity of modifica- 
 tions and variations, and to a much greater number and di- 
 versity of singularly anomalous characteristics, than those 
 pertaining to diseases arising from more ordinary causes. 
 All the Protean shapes and appearances characterizing both 
 the pathological and conservative phenomena manifested by 
 this pestilence, will be found strictly and philosophically 
 consistent with causative peculiarities pertaining to the cau- 
 sative agents, and to constitutional predispositions and idio- 
 syncrasies. 
 
 All the regular and irregular symptoms therefore, charac- 
 terizing this pestilential epidemic, when examined in con- 
 formity with the principles developed by true philosophy, 
 meet with ready and satisfactory elucidation. They will all 
 be manifested to observation, in a manner strictly and phi- 
 losophically corresponding with the more or less general and 
 regular, or more or less diversified and varying influences, 
 which the general state of the weather may have had on 
 the production of the noxious agents, and on the systems 
 of those recipient of them; for it is obvious, that if the 
 state of the weather for several months previous to the oc- 
 currence of this epidemic, has been such as to brace and 
 strengthen the constitution to the prevention of much debi- 
 litation from the series of causes leading to the formation of 
 the morbific miasmata, the symptoms characterizing it pa- 
 thologically, will not be productive of such deep depressions 
 and congestions of nervous power, as to prevent the conser- 
 vative energies of the organization from instituting such high 
 sthenic recuperative excitations, as by appropriate medica- 
 tion may be rendered most favourably eliminative of the 
 morbid sensibilities. On the contrary, if the general state 
 of the weather for many months prior to the occurrence of 
 the epidemic, has been such as to greatly debilitate the ner- 
 vous power of the organization, and the series of causes lead- 
 ing to the production of the morbid miasmata has been such 
 
49 
 
 .as to mature them to the highest concentration of malisjnan- 
 cy, it is equally evident, that the systems receptive of the 
 pathological conditions thence arising, will suffer such deep 
 depression and congestion of nervous power, as to prohibit 
 them from raising any effective or favourable recuperation 
 at all; — from raising any other, than the feeblest and most 
 inefficient febrile or inflammatory asthenic recuperative ex- 
 citations ; — or from raising any other than spasmodic or con- 
 vulsive recuperation, or none at all. 
 
 We are now prepared for observing, that the most usual 
 pathological phenomena manifested to philosophic observa- 
 tion, from the entrance of the causative agents into the orga- 
 nization, and during the continuance of the premonitory 
 symptoms, as they are called, of this fever, when characterized 
 by the sthenic diathesis of recuperation, consist of sensations 
 of weariness or lassitude, weakness, and inaptitude for mo- 
 tion, faintness, pain or vertigo, or both, in the central radical 
 nervous region of vitality, pain in the spinal region and ex- 
 tremities, and pain or sensations of heaviness and oppression 
 in the thoracic and abdominal regions, and chilliness, and 
 more or less nausea and sickness of stomach : — all of which 
 will be more or less severe and violent, and remain a longer 
 or shorter, time, according to the more or less malignant na- 
 ture and action of the morbific agenjs, and the state of pre- 
 disposition or idiosyncrasy in the constitutions of the sub- 
 jects reciprocally receptive of them. 
 
 The above enumerated symptoms of this epidemic when 
 characterized by the sthenic diathesis of recuperation, are 
 such as most ordinarily occur, and become manifest to phi- 
 losophic recognition during the duration of the premonitory 
 period; — and they prove conclusively the nervous system to 
 be the whole system of man. Whether the noxious mias- 
 mata productive of such pathological phenomena have effect- 
 ed their entrance primarily into, and through the assimilative 
 apparatus, or through some other department of the organi- 
 zation, and through the instantaneous operativeness of sym- 
 pathy, have transmitted their ravaging influences to the ce- 
 
50 
 
 rebral and spinal nervous radicles, or whether all the im-. 
 portant vital organs implicated have received the shock si- 
 multaneously ; — certain it is, that the origins of the whole 
 nervous organization are depressed and congested, very nearly 
 hi^uch an overwhelming manner, as to preclude their insti- 
 tuting any recuperative excitation at all. Certain it is, that 
 all the pathological conditions demonstrate all the nervous 
 centres to be paralyzed during the continuance of the whole 
 premonitory period, which is usually from ten to twelve or 
 fifteen hours, more or less, according to the greater or less 
 fixity of the congestions, and the ability of the system to ex- 
 cite recuperation. The workings and strugglings of the 
 conservative powers during this premonitory period, become 
 exclusively manifest to the observation of the philosophic 
 and experienced practitioner: — to him they become plainly 
 manifest, in exciting such inflammatory and febrific recupe- 
 ration,, as the powers of the system will permit, for elimi- 
 nating the poisonous stimuli from it, and dislodging and ex- 
 pelling the pathological phenomena occasioned by them. 
 These recuperative excitations are seen to take place in a 
 very gradual manner: — the sensorial energies are observed 
 to emerge from their oppression, in a very laborious, strug- 
 gling, and gradual manner; — to institute more -and' more 
 freedom of respiration, and more and more vigorous circula- 
 tion, until they reach an arterial reaction, more or less ar- 
 dent; — in a degree invariably corresponding with the dele- 
 terious effects of the noxious agents, and the ability of the 
 vital powers to institute such reaction. It is therefore pal- 
 pable to philosophic observation, that the vital powers of the 
 nervous organization, not only primarily resist the entrance 
 of the noxious agents more or less successfully, in a manner 
 corresponding with their strength and the state of concen- 
 tration of the noxious stimuli assailing them; but after the 
 noxious agents have effected their location in the system, by 
 overpowering the conservative energies, their operativeness 
 in raising recuperative excitationsfor eliminating the morbid 
 sensibilities, becomes equally palpable to philosophic obser- 
 
51 
 
 vation, and to philosophic ohservation exclusively. In many- 
 cases, the conservative powers resist the entrance of the 
 noxious stimuli with such success, as to prevent the organi- 
 zation from becoming positively pathologized ; in many cases 
 nearly so, when slight disease only will be produced ; — and 
 every grade of pathologic action will be manifested by this 
 epidemic, from the slightest predisposition to the reception 
 of the causative agents, to the most overwhelming and pros- 
 trating conditions of the nervous vital energies: — proving 
 incontestibly, that the nervous system is the whole system 
 of man: — proving incoatestibly, (contrary to the opinion of 
 medical philosophers respecting this important subject for 
 nearly three thousand years past,) that the effects directly 
 and unavoidably resulting from the application of noxious 
 agents to the organization of man, are depressive and con- 
 gestive of the nervous energies of the part or parts receptive 
 of them, both primarily and consecutively, through nervous 
 sympathy : — proving incontestibly, that the inflammatory 
 and febrific actions sooner or later sequential to the depres- 
 sive operations of the causative agents, are raised by the con- 
 servative or sensorial energies of the system, for eliminating 
 the morbid sensibilities occasioned by the noxious agents. 
 The subject of fever has been constantly under the observa- 
 tion and study of physicians for thousands of years, and not 
 a single step rnade in advance to its true philosophy — not- 
 withstanding the whole philosophy pertaining to it is incon- 
 trovertibly based on such self-evidcncy, as arises from view- 
 ing and observing the nature and ravaging progress of the 
 causative agents, from their primary entrance into, and fixity 
 in, the organization ; — until recuperative excitations are in- 
 stituted, and thoroughly established by the conservative 
 powers. We have intuitive, self-evident, undeniable proof, 
 that the morbid miasmata productive of yellow fevers, de- 
 press and congest the nervous energies of the system, to the 
 total preclusion of irritations, inflammations, and fevers, for 
 a longer or shorter period ; — oftentimes to the total preclusion 
 of even spasms and convulsions, by pathologizing the organi- 
 
52 
 
 zation to the paralytic extent of irrecuperation. It is utterly 
 impossible for medical philosophers to witness these ravaging 
 effects of the noxious agents on the organization, without re- 
 cognizing fevers and inflammations as sanatary processes, for 
 eliminating the morbid sensibilities. They must inevitably 
 recognize the self-evidency of this philosophy, when they 
 simply reflect on what they well know, that no pathological 
 phenomena thus arising, were ever, in a single instance, eli- 
 minated from the system, without the occurrence of inflam- 
 mations or fevers, or both. 
 
 Irritations, inflammations, fevers, therefore, are salutary, 
 not diseased actions. They are incontrovertibly, to such 
 extent salutary, — as the depressive effects of the noxious 
 stimuli, and strength of the nervous vital energies, will ena- 
 ble the organization to institute. 
 
 We have now under consideration the most interesting 
 and important truth in the philosophy of medicine ;-7-and to 
 present it if possible more palpably and inevitably still, to 
 the recognition and appreciation of the profession, shall exa- 
 mine it somewhat more in detail. 
 
 Can true philosophy recognize in the malignant nature or 
 deleterious effects of the noxious stimuli productive of yel- 
 low fever, any cause for considering the inflammations or 
 fevers, or both, sooner or later succeeding them, as morbid 
 phenomena, — or a continuation, or extension and exaltation, 
 of the primary, or premonitory pathological phenomena? 
 These stimuli, when applied to any part or parts of the or- 
 ganization, effect their entrance into the said part or parts, 
 through the sentient, absorbent, recipient, nervous power of 
 the said part or parts, — and invariably occasion more or less 
 depression and congestion of the vital energies of the said 
 part or parts. What is there in the nature of the depression 
 of the nervous power of the organization thus arising, to 
 cause fevers and inflammations to be considered as they have 
 been forever, by medical philosophers, diseased processes? 
 Can it be for a moment deemed philosophical, to consider 
 phenomena so totally variant from each other, as are fe?ers 
 
53 
 
 and inflammations, from the depressions and congestions 
 directly sequential to the operation of the noxious agents, 
 as identical morbid phenomena ? There is undeniably no- 
 thing to be discovered in the nature or action of either of 
 these sets of j)henomena, characterizing the disease now un- 
 der consideration, or any other disease, primarily, consecu- 
 tively, and ultimately considered, to warrant such conclu- 
 sion. The watchful guardian and protector of all the vital 
 energies of the nervous organization resident and operative 
 in its cerebral radicle the brain, becomes on the entrance of 
 such noxious stimuli instantaneously perceptive of their in- 
 jurious effects ; — and although at the same time it may be 
 participative of them, to a greater or less depressive extent, 
 yet is in all cases, when not paralyzed positively beyond the 
 power of instituting febrific recuperation, constantly exert- 
 ing its sensorial energies, in exciting such sanatary processes 
 for eliminating the morbid sensibilities; — and succeeds in 
 raising them, sooner or later, according to the states of the 
 depressions and congestions of nervous energy sequent to 
 the application of the noxious agents; — usually in ten, twelve, 
 or fifteen hours, in constitutions previously sound and vigor- 
 ous, to a high standard of arterial reaction : — to a standard, 
 it must be confessed, that will in all cases in which the pa- 
 thological and recuperative phenomena are suffered to pro- 
 gress unchecked by appropriately philosophical medication, 
 run to the production of such disorganizations and destruc- 
 tions, as must inevitably occur from the violent contest be- 
 tween the pathological and recuperative phenomena. The 
 recuperative have yielded the victory to the pathological 
 phenomena; — but, are they on this account, less entitled to 
 be philosophically considered as curative excitations? They 
 are to such extent curative, as the depressions and conges- 
 tions of nervous power arising from the operation of the 
 noxious agents on the organization, will permit it to insti- 
 tute, — and will be characterized accordingly, by a more or 
 less sthenic or asthenic diathesis of recuperation, — by a re- 
 cuperation more or less favourable, according to the effects 
 8 
 
54 
 
 of the noxious agents. We have now more immediately un- 
 der our observation such high grade of epidemic yellow fever 
 as is characterized by ardent inflammatory and febrific recu- 
 peration, which imperiously requires the most appropriately 
 potent and philosophical medication, to prevent the ravaging 
 eflects of the noxious agents, and eliminate them from the 
 system. But it must be particularly noted, that such ener- 
 getic medication does not philosophically pertain to the 
 milder grades of this disease; — the depressions and conges^ 
 tions of nervous power are slight, and much sooner recovered 
 from, than in the higher grades, — by the institution of a 
 correspondently mild recuperative excitation, which in most 
 cases without medication, eliminates the morbid sensibilities 
 from the system, through their legitimate outlets. This is 
 the way in which resolution and elimination of all the milder 
 morbid sensibilities of this, and all the different species of 
 fevers, as they are called, are accomplished; — and generally 
 without any aid from medication. The brain is percipient 
 of the pathological condition in a degree correspondent with 
 the grade of depression, and raises recuperative excitations 
 in a correspondent degree; — and the recuperative excitations 
 for the milder grades, are not raised higher than necessary 
 to effect elimination in a short time through the legitimate 
 outlets, — the secretions and excretions. But, in the severer 
 grades, recuperation is raised unavoidably, in general, to the 
 diminution or suspension of action, of the secreting and ex- 
 creting functions; — which without the aid of appropriate 
 medication, must run rapidly to the production of secondary 
 congestions, and disorganizations, and destructions. These 
 secondary congestions and destructions are consequential to 
 the mastery attained by the pathological, over the recupera- 
 tive phenomena, raised by the conservative powers. The 
 noxious agents in the cases we are considering, paralyze the 
 nervous energies of the organization, beyond the power of 
 recuperation, for twelve or fifteen hours, or a longer time; — 
 these primary congestions or pathological phenomena, called 
 premonitory, are then succeeded by high sthenic recupera- 
 
55 
 
 tion, which, without appropriately philosophical manage- 
 ment, will be .insuflicient to prevent the pathological pheno- 
 mena increasing and extending their ravages to the produc- 
 tion of what we have philosophically denominated secondary 
 congestions, disorganizations, and too frequently total de- 
 structions. But such destructive consequences thus arising, 
 do not indicate the recuperative excitations to be diseased 
 processes; — or, that they can be with any sl.ow of philoso- 
 phy, considered as belonging to the extension, increase, or 
 continuation of the chain of the premonitory pathological 
 phenomena. 
 
 We conclude therefore that there is nothing pertaining to 
 the philosophy of the nature and characteristics of the patho- 
 logical conditions arising from the application of noxious 
 stimuli on, or in, any part or parts of the organization affected 
 by them, to raise (per se) inflammations or fevers, — so dia- 
 metrically opposed in all their characteristics„to the patholo- 
 gical conditions of the organization. Th# pathological con- 
 ditions occasioned by the application of noxious stimuli of 
 every description, and of salutary stimuli in excess or defi- 
 ciency, are invariably characterized by depressions and con- 
 gestions of the vital or nervous energies. These depressions 
 and congestions, when inconsiderable and restrictedly local, 
 are succeeded sooner or later, by irritative or inflammatory 
 action, exclusively in the capillary circulation imm.ediately 
 surrounding the pathologized region ; — and when more con- 
 siderable and general, by increased actions both in the ge- 
 neral and capillary circulations, for effecting elimination of 
 ihe morbid sensibilities. Can actions thus raised, and so 
 radically differing from the pathological conditions, be phi- 
 losophically considered as homogeneous, or as having any 
 natural affinity whatsoever, with or toward each other? 
 That different noxious stimuli originate different depressions 
 and congestions of nervous energy in the part or parts recep- 
 tive of them, and that they are either accompanied or sooner 
 or later succeeded by correspondently different recuperative 
 excitations, raised by the conservative powers of the organi- 
 
56 
 
 zation, — and that such different recuperative excitations, 
 will require correspondently different medications, for the 
 production of elimination of the morbid sensii?ilities directly- 
 sequent to the introduction of the noxious agents into the 
 system, must inevitably be recognized, and philosophically 
 appreciated, by all intelligent practitioners of medicine, in 
 whatever part of the world resident ; — but more particularly 
 by those resident in southern and tropical climates, where 
 the philosophy of medicine, from the more brilliant pictur- 
 ing and prominency both of the pathological and recupera- 
 tive phenomena presented to observation, is most conclu- 
 sively studied, and satisfactorily mastered, to positive intui- 
 tive demonstration. But notwithstanding the true philoso- 
 phy of medicine, as thus portrayed, must inevitably be 
 recognized, and appropriately estimated, by all talented 
 practitioners, — yet as they, and the whole medical profes- 
 sion, have for .thousands of years past, until the present mo- 
 ment, considered "the recuperative phenomena as morbific 
 movements in the circulations, and as extensions, or con- 
 tinuations, or exaltations, of the pathological phenomena, — 
 we shall bestow on this — the most important portion of our 
 philosophy, further elucidation. 
 
 That all causes, productive of all diseases, whether more 
 or less local, or general, primarily operate directly to the 
 formation of depressions and congestions of the nervous 
 energies of the part or parts of the organization recipient of 
 them, will not, cannot be denied, notwithstanding a direct- 
 ly contrary belief has universally prevailed up to the time 
 of this present exposition of true philosophy. These conges- 
 tions, however locally or extensively they may have occur- 
 red, constitute the disease; — the morbid sensibility produced 
 by the causative agent, to be eliminated from the system. 
 And how is such elimination to be accomplished? surely not 
 by the excitation of diseased actions. It will be admitted, 
 that when the organization becomes pathologized from what- 
 ever cause, if not to the irrecuperative extent, — in all cases 
 more or less of salutary power is evidently operative, not 
 
57 
 
 only in resisting the extension of the morbid phenomena, 
 but in expelling them from the system. In what manner 
 does the organization evince such resisting and expulsive 
 operations? Surely not by the excitation of additional dis- 
 eased actions. The inflammatory process instituted for heal- 
 ing wounds, either by the first intention, when the divided 
 surfaces can be placed in appropriate apposition, or by in- 
 flammation and suppuration when they cannot, — are not 
 surely to be philosophically recognized as diseased actions. 
 They are demonstrably, the salutary workings of nature, to 
 effect reunion of the sundered surfaces. Surely such inflam- 
 matory process as nature institutes for uniting fractured 
 bones, either when they are placed in appropriate apposition 
 or not, cannot be considered a morbid process. Nor are the 
 inflammatory and pus-making processes for healing lacerated 
 and gun-shot, or any other wounds, to be considered as 
 morbid sensibilities, or diseased actions. Surely it will not 
 be denied, that such inflammatory processes are necessary to 
 cure or heal such wounds or diseases; — even when they are 
 so severe and extensive as to require the conservative powers 
 to progress to the institution of febrific recuperation in the 
 general circulations, which, for very obvious reasons, is very 
 often the case; — because the capillary circulation in and sur- 
 rounding large wounds of this or any other description, is 
 not sufficiently powerful to raise the inflammatory and pus- 
 creating processes to such extent, as to cause appropriate re- 
 solution and elimination. The general circulations in such 
 cases are excited by the conservative powers, not only to 
 such increased and strengthened exertions as are necessary 
 to communicate such corresponding momentum to the capil- 
 lary circulation surrounding the morbid sensibilities, as may 
 raise the requisite inflammatory and suppurating operations 
 for effecting elimination of the pathological phenomena 
 through the secretory and excretory apparatus, particularly 
 pertaining to the affected region; — but like-' ise for effecting 
 elimination of such morbid sensibilities as may, through 
 sympathy with the affected region, have occurred in one or 
 
58 
 
 more of the important vital departments of the organization/ 
 Surely then, the febrific, inflammatory and suppurative ope- 
 rations, necessary to eliminate the morbid sensibilities con- 
 stituting either restrictedly local, or more or less general 
 diseases, cannot be philosophically considered and recognized 
 as diseased actions. Is the fever raised for the cure of the 
 morbid sensibility, constituting an ephemeral fever, a morbid 
 process? Can such pathological condition be resolved and 
 expelled from the system in any other way, than by and 
 through the salutary operation of the febrific recuperation, 
 instituted by the conservative powers of the organization, 
 radically operative in a primary, consecutive, and ultimate 
 sense, in the cerebro-spinal centres of total innervation? Can 
 the fever raised for the resolution and elimination of the 
 pathological phenomena constituting the radicle of an inter- 
 mittent paroxysm, be considered a diseased process? This 
 disease is, in general, originated by morbid marsh miasmata, — 
 the poisonous effects of which are, by the conservative 
 powers, resolved and expelled from the system generally, 
 through the cutaneous and urinary emunctories; — debility is 
 the consequence; — remove it by appropriate tonics, after due 
 preparation of the assimilative apparatus for their reception 
 and efficient action, and the disease is cured. 
 
 Is there any thing to be observed in all, or any of the 
 febrific processes pertaining to the diseases we have men- 
 tioned, or to any others that might be mentioned, arising 
 from whatsoever causes, or productive of whatsoever varie- 
 ties of pathological and recuperative phenomena, which can 
 be considered and recognized by true philosophy in any 
 other light than curative operations, excited by the conser- 
 vative powers of the organization? The answer is irresistibly 
 obvious. All the eliminative recuperative excitations there- 
 fore, sequent to pathological phenomena from all causes, 
 whether manifested to observation in the capillary circula- 
 tions, by irritations and inflammations, or in the general cir- 
 culations, by feversjor more or less simultaneously or consecu- 
 tively in all the circulations, cannot, and will not, hereafter. 
 
59 
 
 by any medical philosopher, accessible to reason and common 
 sense, be considered as diseased actions. They are palpably 
 and undeniably therefore, such salutary actions as the sen- 
 sorial powers are in each and every case of morbid sensi- 
 bility, from whatsoever cause arising, capable of raising, for 
 effecting eliminations of their respective morbid sensibilities. 
 
 What cures the mikler grades of fevers, arising from any 
 causes whatever, when no medication is used, for the elimi- 
 nation of the morl)id sensibilities constituting them? These 
 milder grades of pathological phenomena are generally ac- 
 companied, but always sooner or later, succeeded, by such 
 irritative inflammatory, or febrific excitation, as eliminates 
 the morbid sensibilities caused by the noxious agents through 
 their legitimate outlets, — the secretions and excretions. 
 Such critical and palpably curative evacuations, cannot surely 
 be considered as the products of diseased actions ; nor can 
 those pertaining to the higher grades, which require appro- 
 priately potent medication for their elimination, be consider- 
 ed with any show of philosojihy, in any other light from 
 whatsoever causes arising. The incalculable importance of 
 the subject now under examination, must be considered as 
 justifying us in all such repetition and variety of exposition, 
 as we may consider it necessary to resort to, for its most 
 conclusive elucidation. We shall unfold the true philosophy 
 of medicine, so long su-ch a desideratum in our world, to the 
 inevitable recognition of all such legitimate inductive re- 
 search, as will be sanctioned by nature, reason, and common 
 sense; — and if, in effecting such a desirable revolution, in 
 what have been heretofore erroneously called the philoso- 
 phies or theories of medicine, we should be guilty of much 
 tautology; — the invaluable blessings which will result to 
 mankind, from presenting this philosophy to the inevitable 
 recognition of the medical profession, must plead for us con- 
 clusively in justification. 
 
 We proceed therefore to observe, that through whatever 
 inlets, noxious stimuli of any kind effect their entrance and 
 gain their location in the system, depression of the vital 
 
60 
 
 powers is the instantaneous irresistible result, — of which the 
 cerebral centre becomes immediately percipient, and raises 
 recuperative excitations, more or less favourable or unfa- 
 vourable, or none at all; — in a longer or shorter time, or 
 never; — according to the nature, degree, and kind of patho- 
 logical conditions, sequential to the application of the noxious 
 agents, and the degree of conservative operativeness remain- 
 ing in the pathologized organization, to institute such recu- 
 perative excitations. These recuperative excitations, whether 
 developed to manifestation exclusively in the capillary de- 
 partment of the system, as in restrictedly local diseases, — or 
 in all the circulating departments of the organization, as in 
 the more general and diffused inflammations or fevers; — or 
 whether they be manifested in all the circulations more or 
 less simultaneously, or consecutively, to the entrance of the 
 noxious agents, — are more or less stimulant or sthenic, ac- 
 cording to the nature and effects of the noxious agents, and 
 the ability of the nervous power remaining in the system, to 
 institute them. 
 
 All the noxious agents, and consequently all the morbid 
 sensibilities originated by them, must unavoidably be recog- 
 nized to philosophic observation, as indefinitely various and 
 dissimilar; so are all the recuperative excitations, in all cases, 
 in which they are raised at all, equally so. The noxious mi- 
 asmata productive of the disease, now more particularly un- 
 der our observation, being specifically different from all 
 others, must unavoidably therefore, be productive of patho- 
 logical phenomena specifically different from those originated 
 by any other malignant agents; and the recuperative phe- 
 nomena will be correspondently and specifically different. 
 As is the specific malignancy of the noxious agent therefore, 
 such will be its specific morbid operation on, or in the orga- 
 nization receptive of it; and the recuperative phenomena 
 will be specifically manifested to philosophic observation, 
 invariably in accordance with the conservative power re- 
 maining in the pathologized organization to institute them. 
 But both the pathological and recuperative characteristics of 
 
61 
 
 yellow fevers, are not only in this general sense considered 
 specific from causative specificity, — they are also more pecu- 
 liarly and singularly specific, and anomalously varied, than 
 thosenrising from any other noxious source. Any portion of 
 the external or internal dermoid structure of the organization, 
 may he invaded and entered by the powerfully malignant 
 agent causative of this disease, when highly epidemic ; — of 
 course,, the phenomena characterizing it, will be specifically 
 varied, and more or less anomalously so, according to the 
 varied structures and functional operations of the part or 
 parts affected, either primarily or consecutively. When we 
 take into appropriately philosophic consideration therefore, 
 tiie variety of exciting causes and constitutional predisposi- 
 tions and idiosyncrasies of such persons as are resident within 
 the baneful sphere of the poisonous agent, we shall have in 
 palpable view, ihe aggregate of causes by which the patholo- 
 gical and recuperative characteristics of this pestilential epi- 
 demic are so frequently manifested to our philosophic obser- 
 vation, in such peculiarly varied and singularly anomalous 
 manner. 
 
 That the morbific miasmata may effect their entrance pri- 
 marily' into the stomach, and according to their gradations 
 of malignancy of composition, and conditions of the consti- 
 tutions receptive of them, become productive of every variety 
 of depression of its nervous energy, and of a correspondent 
 variety of recuperative manifestation, will not be contro- 
 vefted. That this highly sympathetic viscus, may in this 
 way become pathologized to the total prevention of any re- 
 cuperation at all, and therefore to the speedy and total ex- 
 tinction of the organization in time, will not be controverted. 
 That this highly sensitive vital organ, when thus irrecupera- 
 tively pathologized, has through sympathy rendered the 
 nervous centres participative of its pathological condition, to 
 the destruction of the conservative power, is equally palpa- 
 ble to the observation of every philosophic observer. It is 
 equally palpable also, that the grades of depression and con- 
 gestion of the gastric department of the organization next in 
 9 
 
62 
 
 degree to the irrecuperative, will be succeeded by such sthe- 
 nic or asthenic recuperation, — according to the nature of the 
 noxious miasmata and constitutional susceptibilities, as can- 
 not prevent without appropriately powerful medicatioti the 
 pathological phenomena from sphacelating this important or- 
 gan of vitality, and by sympathy the adjacent regions, to 
 the production of black vomit, and the certain destruction of 
 vitality. The gastric region is the exclusive recipient of 
 such pathological phenomena as terminate in mortification 
 and black vomit; and it is of course, also, the recipient of 
 all such pathological gradations as either with, or without' 
 appropriate medication, may terminate in resolution, or sup- 
 puration, or such anomalous varieties of termination, as the 
 structure and functional operations of this viscus may be ren- 
 dered susceptible of, from peculiarities in the noxious agents, 
 or from constitutional susceptibilities favouring such respec- 
 tive terminations. 
 
 That the morbid miasmata, productive of yellow fevers, 
 do also prin#rily effect their entrance into the organization, 
 through any portion of the cuticular department of it, and 
 occasion an immense variety of pathological and recuperative 
 phenomena differing according to the difference of structure, 
 and function of the part primarily invaded, and the part or 
 parts consecutively affected through sympathy, will not be 
 controverted by any medical philosopher who has had ex- 
 tensive experience in yellow fever epidemics. He will re- 
 cognize to all satisfactory demonstration, that a majority" of 
 the anomalous pathological and recuperative phenomena ma- 
 nifested to his observation during the prevalence of such epi- 
 demics, must have been originated by the noxious miasmata 
 having entered externally through the cuticular nervous ab- 
 sorbents, and primarily and consecutively poisoned such va- 
 rieties of nervous structures as are manifested by the patho- 
 logical phenomena. 
 
 The local paralyses of one or more of the extremities, or 
 particular parts of particular extremities, characterizing many 
 cases of yellow fever from their commencement, without 
 
63 
 
 any other than occasional spasmodic and convulsive recupe- 
 ration beint^ raised by the conservative powers, prove that 
 the capillary nervous circulation in the external or internal 
 dermoid structures of the organization, must be the exclusive 
 recipient not only of this but all other noxious agents. The 
 pathological and recuperative phenomena therefore charac- 
 terizing all diseases, however regularly or irregularly pre- 
 sented to observation, receive satisfactory explanation, when 
 the nature and action of the causative agents, and the states 
 of predisposition or idiosyncrasy of the constitutions recep- 
 tive of them, are appropriately understood and appreciated. 
 
 It is equally and demonstrably evident, that the morbid 
 miasmata may gain their entrance through inlets leading di- 
 rect to the centres of innervation, and occasion morbid phe- 
 nomena of every grade from the mildest pain, to the most 
 overwhelming phrenitis, or apoplexy. The study of the re- 
 cuperative phenomena more or less concomitant or consecu- 
 tive to the pathological phenomena thus arising, in and sur- 
 rounding the centres of total vitality, requires the clearest 
 insight into the philosophy of the exclusively nervous or- 
 ganization of man. 
 
 That the morbific miasmata may also effect their en- 
 trance into the organization through its respiratory apparatus, 
 and oftentimes through this avenue accomplish their location 
 in the circulatory department, and manifest most palpably, 
 to philosophic recognition, their destructive ravages in the 
 lining membranes of such department, is rendered conclu- 
 sively demonstrative, from the fact, well known to philoso- 
 phic practitioners conversant with yellow fever, — that in 
 many cases all the circulations are so ardently and convul- 
 sively exerted, that the boldest depletory measures are inca- 
 pable of subduing them;— and the pathological phenomena 
 therefore inevitably and rapidly run the organization to total 
 destruction. The pathological phenomena, and recuperative 
 excitations, in such cases, are engaged in deadly combat: — 
 the enemy has stormed the citadels of vitality — the respira- 
 tory and circulatory departments of the organization ; — and 
 
64 
 
 the recuperative powers are consequently poisoned to such 
 an inoperative and overwhelming extent, as to speedily in- 
 sure the victory to the pathological ravages, thus unimpeded 
 in their progress. But surely true philosophy can recognize 
 no phenomena pertaining to this aggravately diseased condi- 
 tion of the system, that indicate fevers and inflammations to 
 be diseased processes. The recuperative excitations are 
 raised by the innervating centres as favourably as the de- 
 pressed condition of the organization will permit; — the enemy 
 has gained possession of, and weakened the power of, the 
 principal recuperative agents, the circulations ; — which are 
 so much weakened and depressed below their salutary normal 
 action by the noxious stimuli, — that the nervous centres of 
 animal and organic life, expend all their resources convul- 
 sively, for maintaining their conflict with the pathological 
 phenomena. The recuperative po^vers are still exerted to 
 their utmost efficiency, but unavailingly ; — as the very radi- 
 cles of recuperative excitation are in such eases pjoisoned, 
 inevitably, to the extent of rapid dissolution, of all the vital 
 energies of the organization. 
 
 From just considerations therefore of the nature of the 
 causes productive of yellow fevers, and of all other malig- 
 nant epidemics, — and of the operation of all the other causes, 
 of all the other fevers, however mild or severe they may 
 be, — we have every reason to conclude, that all noxious 
 agents productive of such depressions and congestions of the 
 vital powers, as are either accompanied, or sooner or later 
 succeeded, by inflammations or fevers, or both, must be con- 
 sidered and recognized by true philosophy, as succeeded by 
 the salutary excitations of the conservative powers ; — not by 
 diseased actions. Precisely the same reasoning is applica- 
 ble to such pathological phenomena as are originated by the 
 super orsub-excitation of salutary agents, whenever succeed- 
 ed by reaction, or recuperative excitation. And, precisely 
 the same reasoning applies, to the pathological conditions 
 characterizing all diseases wliatever, however local or gene- 
 ral they may be, whenever they are accompanied or succeed- 
 
65 
 
 ed by irritations, or inflanynations, or fevfers; or spasms, and 
 convulsions ; — for they are all, such recuperative excitations 
 of the conservative powers,- as the depressed conditions of 
 the organization are able to institute. 
 
 If it be duly considered that in many cases the causes of 
 yellow fever, and other malignant fevers, have operated in 
 such overwhelming manner, that the vital energies of the 
 system are prostrated to almost instantaneous destruction; — 
 that in many cases, they are applied to the production of 
 dissolution in a few hours; — and that in neither of this de- 
 scription of cases, any thing like reaction occurs; — do they 
 not furnish .proof conclusive, that the depressions and con- 
 gestions thus occasioned by such concentrated noxious sti- 
 muli, constitute the sum total of the diseased actions; — and 
 that all such depressions and congestions of nervous power, 
 or premonitory symptoms as they are called, which are suc- 
 ceeded by inflammations or fevers, must be recognized by 
 all veritable philosophy, as being succeeded by such salutary 
 operations of the conservative powers as nature is capable of 
 effecting? The noxious agents productive of yellow fevers 
 in some peculiar constitutions, operate to the total destruc- 
 tion of vitality in a short time, in such an insidious and in- 
 scrutable manner, as to give to the sufferers no painful sen- 
 sations whatever. In these cases, the noxious stimuli have 
 produced such concentratedly malignant pathological condi- 
 tions, as to utterly preclude the nervous radicles from insti- 
 tuting any perceptfble recuperation. at all. The sensations, 
 or powers to raise them, are destroyed, entirel}'^ beyond re- 
 cuperative excitation, and not a symptom of reaction occurs. 
 These cases surely are not to be recognized by philosophy 
 as fevers or inflammations; — they are incontrovertibly to be 
 considered as consisting of such overwhelming prostrations 
 of the vital powers, as constitutes such paralysis of theor- 
 ganization as rapidly extinguishes total vitality, unless by 
 appropriately potent medications, the pathological conditions 
 can be so far resolved or ameliorated, as to enable the ner- 
 vous centres to institute such recuperative excitations, as by 
 
66 
 
 duly philosophical therapeutical management, may be made 
 to thoroughly eliminate the pathological phenomena. Such 
 paralytic cases in yellow fevers," plagues, or other malignant 
 epidemics, arising from highly concentrated causes, are nu- 
 merous and much diversified, as being more or less singu- 
 larly local or general, and oftentimes peculiarly and singu- 
 larly anomalous : — and it is to be observed, and particularly 
 noted, that they are not to be cured in any other way than 
 by raising fevers and inflammations by appropriately potent 
 medication, and conducting such fevers and inflammations 
 by appropriately powerful medication, to successful elimina- 
 tion of the morbid sensibilities through their legitimate criti- 
 cal outlets, — the secretions and excretions. Are fevers and 
 inflammations thus raised to be considered morbid processes? 
 It cannot be too often repeated, nor too particularly noted 
 and recollected, that such paralytic cases of disease are sel- 
 dom cured without appropriate medication. However singu- 
 larly local, or more or less general and anomalous, the para- 
 lytic congestions in these cases may be manifested to philo- 
 sophic observation, nature seldom raises recuperative excita- 
 tions to the requisite standard of elimination. If any recu- 
 peration can be considered as instituted in these cases by the 
 conservative powers, it will be exclusively manifested to 
 observation in nervous tremors, subsultus tendinum, spasms, 
 or convulsions; — and the circulations, if. raised at all, will 
 manifest it in a tumultuously and convulsively hurried, flur- 
 ried, feeble and ineffectual manner, entirely different from 
 salutary recuperation. The sensorial energies are either so 
 depressed, congested and paralyzed, by the noxious causes, 
 that their operations are unavoidably and exclusively mani- 
 fested to philosophic observation, by transitory but frequently 
 often-repeated spasmodic and convulsive efforts; — or the 
 nervous centres are so overwhelmed and inoperative, that 
 the general circulations are frequently lowered to from thirty 
 to forty pulsations in the minute, and the capillary circula- 
 tions consequently rendered totally torpid and toneless. 
 Will it therefore still be contended, that fevers and in- 
 
67 
 
 flammations are morbid actions, when appropriately philo- 
 sophic consideration is given to the indisputable fact, that 
 no such cases were ever cured in any other way than by 
 medicating the depressed vital powers to the production of 
 these very fevers and inflammations, which have forever been 
 so unphilosophically considered, as constituting essentially 
 the diseased processes? 
 
 The noxious stimuli causative of the highest grades of 
 yellow fevers, as well as other malignant epidemics, inva- 
 riably depress the energies of the organization to more or 
 less dcpravement of the secretions, and in many cases to 
 their total prevention, — whether the deleterious operations 
 of the morbid miasmata be succeeded by sthenic or asthenic, 
 spasmodic or convulsive recuperation, or by none'at all; — 
 as when the organization is paralyzed to the irrecuperative 
 extent. The urinary secretion, among others, may be, and 
 often is, totally suspended, to the inevitable destruction of 
 total vitality, if restoration of this and the other secretions 
 be not effected through the medium of efficiently philosophic 
 medication. We have seen many cases of this description, 
 with total suppression of urine, occurring sooner or later, 
 during the ravaging progress "of the morbid sensibilities: — 
 and we have lately seen two cases of yellow fever commencing 
 suddenly with total suppression of urine, and general torpor 
 of the organization, not only in the animal department of it, 
 but particularly a total paralytic stagnation of all the organic 
 or assimilative functions, — respiration unusually slow, -and 
 laboriously difficult, — the general circulations exceedingly 
 laboured, performing their pulsations not oftener than thirty 
 in the minute, in an intermitting and feebly spasmodic man- 
 ner, and the capillary circulations totally torpid and tone- 
 less; — proving incontestibly,not only, that all the subordinate 
 agents of the nervous organization were rendered powerless 
 and toneless by the morbid miasmata, but also that the pri- 
 mary radicles of total vitality — ^^the nervous centres them- 
 selves—were participative of the morbid sensibility to an 
 extent thoroughly preclusive of recuperation. The two pa- 
 
68 
 
 tients thus saturated with pathological phenomena by the 
 noxious agents, were cured by warm and stimulant bathing, 
 frequently and appropriately repeated, by appropriately co- 
 pious venesection, appropriately repeated, while they were 
 in their baths, — by unceasing frictions, with the most pungent 
 penetrating stimulants to the whole superficies of the organi- 
 zation, — by appropriate diffusible stimuli appropriately admi- 
 nistered intei roily, and the frequent use of appropriately 
 stimulant enemata.- By unremitted perseverance in these 
 remediate measures, the torpid and stagnant conditions of 
 their organizations were resolved, to such extent as enabled 
 their nervous centres to take effective cognizance of the mor- 
 bid sensibilities, and institute appropriate recuperation in all 
 the circulations. This recuperation, by appropriate medica- 
 tion, was rendered conductive to the removal of the torpid 
 state of the alimentary canal, and adjacent secretory organs, 
 by appropriately stimulating purgatives; — to the restoration 
 of the secretions and excretions pertaining to the capillary 
 circulations, by appropriate diaphoretics ; — and to the resto- 
 ration of the urinary secretion and excretion, by appropriate 
 diuretic remedies; — principally in both these cases, by the 
 prompt and persevering exhibition of the muriated tincture 
 of iron. These two cases would have run rapidly to total 
 dissolution, but for unremitted perseverance in appropriately 
 philosophical medication, which unlocked the pathological 
 congestions of the organizations respectively to the institu- 
 tion* of febrific recuperation, and eliminated them through 
 their legitimate emunctories. An untiring and uninterrupted 
 perseverance therefore, in the use of appropriately potent 
 and philosophic medication, is indispensably necessary to 
 resolve and eliminate the pathological phenomena charac- 
 terizing the highest grades of all diseases, arising from what- 
 soever causative agents. This is an important truth, and 
 though well known to medical philqsophers and practitioners, 
 worthy of particular presentment to their consideration; — 
 for thousands of valuable lives are annually sacrificed, by not 
 appropriately persevering in appropriately philosophic me- 
 
69 
 
 dication. It will not be denied, that patients afflicted with 
 
 diseases of highest grades arising from whatsoever causes, 
 are too often abandoned to their fate, when perseverance in 
 scientific treatment would have rescued them from destruc- 
 tion. The practice of medicine is the practice of its philo- 
 soph}', and although the practice of the same philosophy for 
 the treatment of all the grades of morbid sensibilities arising 
 from the same causative agents be indispensably demanded 
 for the resolution and expulsion of the morbid sensibilities 
 through the legitimate outlets, yet the fulfilment of such 
 philosophy in the different grades, is to be accomplished by 
 very different medicating agents, and by such management 
 of them as cannot be comprehended, except by talented, ex- 
 perienced, and philosophic practitioners. The study and 
 practice of the science of medicine is of all the pursuits of 
 man the noblest; — but nothing short of mastering, treating, 
 and practising its positive, undeniable, total philosophy, will 
 ever rescue it from the infamous reproaches of quackery, to • 
 which it has forever been more or less subjected. We pro- 
 ceed in unfolding, at any rate, the outlines of such philoso- 
 phy, as under due recognition and appreciation, will inevita- 
 bly emancipate it from such contumelious ignominy. 
 
 We repeat then, that we have undeniably every reason to 
 conclude, although contrary to the opinion of all medical 
 philosophers, that fevers and inflammatrons cannot be con- 
 sidered morbid, but salutary excitations, raised by the vis 
 medicatrix naturas: — for all the highest grades of morbid 
 sensibilities presented to our observation, during the preva- 
 lence of yellow fevers, plagues, choleras, or any other ma- 
 lignant epidemic, when not sooner or later succeeded by such 
 excitations, cannot be cured in any other possible way, than 
 by and through the mediation of such philosophically potent 
 medication, as will resolve the locked, suffocated, congested 
 Btate of the organization, and conduct the vital energies thus 
 released, to the institution of these very fevers and inflam- 
 mations, that may by appropriate remediate management, be 
 led to the production of the requisite critical eliminating eva- 
 10 
 
70 
 
 cuations, through the several secretory and excretory pro- 
 cesses of the organization. 
 
 We conclude therefore, without any fear of successful 
 contradiction, that all diseases whatever, however locally or 
 generally manifested to observation, — however mildly or 
 severely and concentratedly, any part or parts of the organi- 
 zation may have been primarily pathologized by the causa- 
 tive agents, or been made so consecutively through nervous 
 sympathy, are resolved and eliminated, exclusively by and 
 through the salutary influences of such fevers and inflamma- 
 tions, as are either raised by nature, or appropriately philo- 
 sophic medication, in the capillary or general circulations, or 
 both. A strictly philosophical investigation of all the pa- 
 thological phenomena characterizing all the different and 
 immensely varied morbid sensibilities that flesh and blood 
 are heir to, conclusively proves this sweeping proposition — 
 a proposition, which under appropriately philosophic recog- 
 nition and appreciation, places the science of medicine on 
 the true and legitimate basis for all such improvement, as 
 the laws regulating the vitality of bur exclusively nervous 
 organization, can render it susceptible of, now and forever. 
 
 We are prepared therefore to present to the understanding 
 and acknowledgment of all truly medical philosophers, that 
 the initial or premonitory symptoms as they are called of 
 fevers and InflammE^tions, constitute the essential characteris- 
 tics, not only of all the morbid actions occasioned by the 
 causative agents, from their primary invasion, until they ef- 
 fect their entrance into one or more parts of the organiza- 
 tion, and gain locations for effecting and extending their ra- 
 vages; — but also, until the conservative powers excite the 
 salutary operations of fevers or inflammations, or both; and 
 either with or without appropriate medication, as the nature 
 of the case may be, eliminate the morbid sensibilities through 
 their legitimate outlets. 
 
 Fevers and inflammations have always been considered 
 morbid phenomena, because, in general, they require appro- 
 priate remediate management to produce elimination of the 
 
71 
 
 morbid sensibilities; — but it cannot be too often repeated, 
 and presented to the particular reminiscence of medical phi- 
 losophers, that all the mildest grades of fevers and inflamma- 
 tions sequent to the operation of the causative agents, are 
 operative to the ])roduction of elimination without medica- 
 tion: that many of the milder grades of yellow fevers, or 
 any other malignant epidemics, and indeed all the mildest 
 grades of fevers and inflammations accompanying or soon 
 succeeding mild morbid sensibilities from whatsoever causa- 
 tive agents arising, are thoroughly adequate to effect all the 
 indispensably necessary secretions and excretions for elimi- 
 nation, particularly in constitutions previously sound and 
 vigorous. 
 
 That all noxious agents, from their primary invasion un- 
 til their effective fixity in the organization, be it longer or 
 shorter, operate more or less poisonously on and in the vital 
 parts affected by them, must unavoidably be admitted by all 
 true philosophy; for all agents not salutary in their opera- 
 tion, inevitably weaken, depress, congest, or stagnate and 
 poison, not only the nervous energies of the parts primarily 
 implicated in the morbid sensibilities, arising from their ap- 
 plication, but likewise, in general, many other parts becom- 
 ing receptive of the primary pathological conditions, through 
 the sympathetic influence palpably manifest to philosophic 
 observation, in a greater or less degree, throughout every de- 
 partment of the exclusively nervous organization. And that 
 the conservative powers may easily, and generally, without 
 any aid from medication, eliminate the milder poisons from 
 whatsoever sources, or varieties of sources arising, is easy of 
 apprehension, and correctly philosophic appreciation. But 
 because the higher grades of morbid sensibilities arising from 
 causative agents more malignant in their nature, and depres- 
 sive of nervous power in their application, originate fevers 
 and inflammations, requiring much appropriately philosophic 
 medication, to enable them to eliminate the morbid pheno- 
 mena, — are such fevers and inflammations, with any show 
 of philosophy, to be considered as diseased processes, and to 
 
72 
 
 exhibit such affinity in their nature and characteristics, as to 
 be ranked with the pathological phenomena directly sequent 
 to the operations of the causative agents? It will hardly be 
 deemed consistent with true philosophy, to deny to the 
 nervous energies of the organization, the power to resist, 
 in very many eases successfully, the introduction of the 
 most malignant stimuli into it, however long and constantly 
 exposed to them. Through what other agency but that ex- 
 erted by the conservative powers — the nervous energies — 
 is the organization in such cases, enabled to resist thus sue- 
 fully? And will it be philosophically contended, that when- 
 ever the causative agents have overpowered the resisting 
 powers, and effected their fixity in the system, that all the 
 resisting powers are annihilated? If not annihilated, in what 
 part or parts of the nervous organization are they manifested 
 to observation; and after what mode or manner of action, 
 rendered presentive to appreciation?* The resisting power is 
 the conservative power, — the nervous, vital power, always 
 more or less weakened by the morbid stimuli, according to 
 the nature, quantity, and extent of their location, in a greater 
 or less number of important vital organs. When therefore 
 this power of vital resistance in the organization is totally 
 extinguished, its terrestial. vitality is totally extinguished. 
 Whenever, therefore, the causative agents are excessively 
 poisonous in their composition, and applied in an unusually 
 accumulated and concentrated state, — either slightly glim- 
 mering and flickering, feeble and inefficient recuperative ex- 
 citations, or no febrile or inflammatory, and in many cases, 
 not even spasmodic and convulsive recuperation, will be in- 
 stituted by the nervous centres: — proving incontestibly, that 
 all the pathological conditions which thus rapidly run the 
 organization to the extinction of vitality, are to be exclu- 
 sively found, not in any of the fevers or other recuperative 
 manifestations, but in the irresolvable prostrations and con- 
 gestions, directly sequential to the reception and deleterious 
 operation of the poisonous stimuli, which have paralyzed, 
 either totally beyond efficient recuperation, or beyond any 
 
73 
 
 recuperative manifestation at all, all the nervous vital ener- 
 gies of the system. 
 
 The conservative powers therefore, in these overwhelm- 
 ing congestions of nervous energy, from the baneful ope- 
 ration of the noxious stimuli, though not positively inopera- 
 tive, until the nervous centres of vitality be extinguished, 
 are not manifested in such manner as to meet the observa- 
 tion and appreciation of any other than talented, experienced 
 and philosophic practitioners. They will recognize and ap- 
 preciate the operativeness of the conservative powers, from 
 the primary invasion of the causative agents, until they have 
 completed their malignant work of destruction. As long as 
 life lasts therefore,- we are to philosophically consider the 
 sanatary powers of the organization, however feebly and un- 
 availingly they may be manifested, as more or less operative, 
 although not to the observation and appreciation of the or- 
 dinary run of medical practitioners. 
 
 A constant contention is therefore operative, as long as 
 life lasts, between the conservative powers and deleterious 
 effects of the noxious agents, in which all the diseased ac- 
 tions consist. 
 
 This contention is simultaneously coexistent in all cases 
 of exposure to the causative agents, with their invasion ; — - 
 and continues in a greater or less degree, as long as vitality 
 continues, or till the sanatary powers have effected eliniina- 
 tion. 
 
 We have reason to feel assured, therefore, that all medi- 
 cal philosophers, who will justly consider and estimate the 
 feebleness and frailty of the vital powers, inherent and ope- 
 rative, in the ordinary organization of human beings; — that 
 from the constant variation in the states and conditions even 
 of the salutary stimuli, supportive of vitality, they are sel- 
 dom receptive and operative, to the production and continu- 
 ance, for any considerable period of time, of perfect health; 
 and that, from their being so easily assailed by insalutary 
 agents, they so easily yield to the reception and transmission 
 of their ravaging operations throughout the organization: — 
 
74 
 
 they surely will meet with little difficulty in recognizing, 
 that the depressive and congestive effects of the noxious 
 agents, constitute exclusively the essential characteristics of 
 all diseases whatever; and that in all cases in which the de- 
 leterious operations of such agents are sufficiently recovered 
 from, by the conservative powers, to raise fevers and inflam- 
 mations ; — the conservative powers are to be philosophically 
 considered as having raised such salutary recuperative exci- 
 tations in the respiratory and circulatory departments of the 
 organization, as they have been in the different organiza- 
 tions respectively enabled to raise, for resolving and elimi- 
 nating the morbid sensibilities, constituting the sum total of 
 the diseased actions. 
 
 It must, therefore, we conclude, be plainly and philoso- 
 phically appreciated, beyond all power of successful dispu- 
 tation, that all irritations or inflammations or fevers, how- 
 ever local or general they may be, which are either raised 
 at the time, or after the reception and location of the causa- 
 tive agents, in any part or parts of the organization, either 
 naturally or through the influence of appropriate medication, 
 are such salutary operations as the conservative powers are 
 either capable of instituting themselves, or of having insti- 
 tuted, by philosophic medication ; — and by philosophic me- 
 dication exclusively. It surely will not still be contended, 
 that the conservative powers are dormant, during the ravages 
 of the pathological phenomena occasioned by the noxious 
 agents; — and if they are not thus dormant, in what other 
 manner are they, or can they be operative, than in raising 
 the said fevers and inflammations ? Such sanatary exertions 
 as the conservative powers are capable of exciting, when any 
 part of the system is under the ravaging operations of the 
 causative agents, cannot be made in any other way, than by 
 and through the respiratory and circulatory departments; — 
 the two grand and principal agents of vitality, directly and 
 indispensably, and elaboratingly subservient to the influences 
 of such exertions as are made by the cerebro-spinal radicles 
 of the total vitality of the total organization. If they can, 
 
75 
 
 in what part or parts of the organization are they operative? 
 and in what way can they be made manifest to observation? 
 
 To deny, therefore, that fevers and inflammations are not 
 philosophically to be considered and recognized as recupera- 
 tive processes, is tantamount to denying that tiiere is any 
 resistance at all made by the conservative powers, when the 
 orgiinization, or any part of it, is under the malignant in- 
 fluence of morbid stimuli — tantamount to denying to the or- 
 ganization any conservative power at all. We repeat, that 
 in all our investigations of the vital phenomena, we should 
 never lose sight of the feebleness and frailty of the vital 
 powers, — how diflicultly they are maintained in a perfectly 
 salutary condition, for any considerable period of time; — 
 and how easily, therefore, they are enfeebled and deranged 
 in their actions, when exposed to, and under the influence 
 of noxious agents. JNIedical philosophers would assuredly 
 reason to much more effective purpose, if they would simply 
 recollect what they very well know,^-the textural tender- 
 ness of the composition of man, — that he was purposely 
 created by Deity with powers, but for a short duration here 
 in time, and that these powers are so easily demolished by 
 the noxious agents almost invariably surrounding and assail- 
 ing him, despite of his best exertions to escape their delete- 
 rious influences. This consideration, *'in spite of pride, and 
 in erring reason's spite," must inevitably lead all the logical 
 investigators of medical science to recognize the truth of all 
 our reasonings on this important subject, — a subject of all 
 others the most interesting to man. ' 
 
 It need then, excite no surprise, that the recuperative ex- 
 citations should require appropriately philosophical medica- 
 tions, to enable them to eliminate the morbid sensibilities, 
 whenever the noxious agents have gained their location in 
 the organization, and enfeebled and depressed the nervous 
 vital powers, which, previous to their entrance, were so 
 feeble. Surely then, the causes which render the recupera- 
 tive powers successful in eliminating the milder pathological 
 phenomena, are palpably obvious to all philosophic physio- 
 
76 
 
 legists and pathologists; — and the causes which render them 
 so inoperative in eflfecting elimination of the more concen- 
 trated and virulent pathological conditions, without appro- 
 priate medication, equally obvious. 
 
 True philosophy, therefore, requires us to recognize and 
 appreciate the indisputable fact, that all fevers and inflamma- 
 tions are such salutary operations as the organization is capa- 
 ble of instituting, when under the influence of noxious sti- 
 muli; — which in previously healthy constitutions, slightly 
 affected by morbid causes, are sufficient to effect their expul- 
 sion, often without any medication, — because they are not 
 raised higher than necessary to increase the secreting and 
 excreting apparatus of the organization to the requisite stand- 
 ard of elimination. 
 
 From all the preceding observations, it unanswerably fol- 
 lows, that all pathological conditions whatsoever, arising 
 either directly from noxious stimuli, or from salutary stimuli 
 applied in excess or deficiency, or secondarily and indirectly 
 from noxious stimuli engendered in the interior of the or- 
 ganization, are characterized exclusively by depressions and 
 congestions of the vital nervous phenomena, specifically per- 
 taining to such departments of the organization, as are in- 
 vaded by them. The study of all the pathological conditions 
 arising from all the causative agents, however different they 
 may be from each other as to cause and eflfect, to which the 
 organization is, may, or can be subject, conclusively and un- 
 avoidably warrants this conclusion. Analyze the pathologi- 
 cal phenomena characterizing any disease whatever, the re- 
 sult will be found and acknowledged to be, inevitably con- 
 firmatory of our position, — which places all the science per- 
 taining to the pathological department of medicine, on its 
 true philosophical basis. And it follows, with equal clear- 
 ness and positiveness, that all the irritations, or inflamma- 
 tions, or fevers, whether coexistent with the pathological 
 phenomena from the primary invasion of the causative agents, 
 or sooner or later sequential to them, are, when subjected to 
 the most critical, scrutinizing, philosophical analysis, in 
 
77 
 
 every case of morbid sensibility whatever, nothing more 
 nor less than such salutary operations of the conservative 
 powers of the organization as nature is capableof instituting; — 
 and that all such jiathological phenomena as are not accom- 
 panied or succeeded by any recuperative excitations at all, 
 are destructive either totally or partially to the vitality of 
 the organization; — proving, beyond all possibility of suc- 
 cessful controversy, that fevers and inflammations are indis- 
 pensably necessary to the cure of all diseases, however locally 
 or generally aflecting the organization. 
 
 The remote causes then of all diseases, consist of all the 
 noxious stimuli, which, when applied to, and received into, 
 any part or parts of the system, produce instantaneous de- 
 pressions and congestions of the nervous energies ; — or of sa- 
 lutary stimuli when rendered excessively or diminishedly 
 operative, on and in any part or parts, or the whole organi- 
 zation, to the production of depressions and congestions of 
 nervous energy; or they consist of such congenital morbid 
 stimuli, as sooner or later develope their specific pathological 
 phenomena, in some part or parts, or of the whole organi- 
 zation. These depressions and congestions of nervous en- 
 ergy, thus variously originated, the assemblage or aggregate 
 of which constitutes the premonitory symptoms, as they are 
 called, of fevers, are philosophically entitled to be consider- 
 ed and denominated the proximate causes; as they are either 
 accompanied, or sooner or later succeeded, by irritative, in- 
 flammatory, or febrific recuperation, according to the nature 
 and effects of the specific causes, and the conditions of the 
 constitutions pcceptive of them. They constitute the proxi- 
 mate cause of all fevers and inflammations, because such fe- 
 vers and inflammations are always, in all cases in which the 
 conservative powers are capable of instituting them, accom- 
 panied or succeeded by them, in a shorter or longer time, — 
 in a manner corresponding with the characteristics of the 
 pathological conditions, and the conservative powers of the 
 constitutions receptive of them. 
 
 The causative chain therefore of all diseases, is thus com- 
 11 
 
78 
 
 pletely unfolded to palpable view, and inevitable recogni- 
 tion: — the remote, predisposing, exciting and proximate: — 
 the last consisting of an assemblage or aggregate of all the 
 primary and sympathetic pathologiQal phenomena, arising 
 from the application and operations of the causative agents. 
 The remote and proximate causes are to be philosophically 
 considered as being in the direct line of cause and effect, — 
 and have exclusive relation to the operations of the primary 
 or remote causative agents ; and the predisposing and excit- 
 ing are to be considered with equal reason in the same line, 
 but to have an equally exclusive relation to the states of the 
 constitutions receptive of the causative agents. 
 
 We thus settle, and forever, the long-agitated question of 
 the proximate cause of fevers and inflammations, in such 
 clear, undeniable manner, that we may consider it as posi- 
 tively unfolded to intuitive demonstration. 
 
 We are now prepared for understanding philosophically, 
 the series of causes leading to the reproduction and continu- 
 ation of man : — that all his organization, by and through the 
 operations of which he is rendered a sentient, motive, intel- 
 lectual being, — fitting him for the enjoyment of happiness, 
 not only here, in time, but giving him the consolatory as- 
 surance of everlasting happiness, after he shall have shuffled 
 off his more grossly mortal coil, — are exclusively dependent 
 on the operations inevitably pertaining to the nervous orga- 
 nization of man ; — the whole and only system of man, in 
 which vitality is inherent, and through which it is operative 
 to the production of our existence and continuance in time, 
 and translation to eternity. The philosophy therefore of 
 physiology corporeally and intellectually considered, is thus 
 presented palpably to recognition and satisfactory apprecia- 
 tion : — equally apparent is the philosophical operation of the 
 series of causes leading to the production of pathological 
 phenomena, invading the corporeal or intellectual depart- 
 ments of the organization; and the series of salutary opera- 
 tions instituted by the conservative powers for eliminating 
 such phenomena, equally obvious and open to the unqualified 
 
79 
 
 admission of all philosophic practitioners of medicine, to an 
 incalculable extent of utility, in their successful treatment of 
 diseases, arising from whatsoever causative agents. 
 
 We thus have a system of medicine which philosophically 
 and satisfactorily accounts for the production of all the phy- 
 siological and pathological phenomena, that ever did, do 
 now, or can hereafter appertain to the healthy or diseased 
 organization, in whatever situation, or under whatever cir- 
 cumstantial modifications, man has heretofore been, is now, 
 or hereafter, can or may be placed. It is a system which 
 leads direct to the recognition and appreciation of all the 
 means most philosophically adapted, to insure the preser- 
 vation and continuance of health ; and leads directly to 
 the adoption of the most efficacious medications for eliminat- 
 ing all the morbid sensibilities which can assail and afflict 
 man, under every variety of circumstances in which he may- 
 be placed. 
 
 This truly logical and inductive system of medical philo- 
 sophy, is the universal philosophy of medicine, — and not to 
 be alTected, or in any wise disproved, by any circumstances 
 that do pertain to present, or ever can, to future time: — but 
 is of universal philosophical application, now and forever 
 must be, for satisfactorily explaining and elucidating all our 
 physiological and pathological phenomena, and for conclu- 
 sively explaining and illustrating the modus operandi of re- 
 mediate agents, in eliminating all the morbid sensibilities at 
 present afflicting mankind, or such as may hereafter afflict 
 them, however differently characterized they may be from 
 the present. This irremovably fixes the science of medicine 
 on its true philosophical basis, and leads to all the rational 
 improvement, — to all the certainty which the peculiar orga- 
 nization of man, directly emanating from, and endowed by, 
 Deity, with such portion of his own divine essence, — his 
 own perfect sensibility, as enables man to see his road clear 
 to the fruition of celestial glories, — will now or ever in time 
 render it capable of receiving. We thus approach as near 
 positive demonstration, as the organization of man destined 
 
80 
 
 for existence in time and eternity will permit. All other 
 systems are built on metaphysical entities, — ours on a chain 
 of self-evident propositions; — the acknowledgment of which 
 is irresistibly consequent to the common sense examination 
 and investigation of our organization, in all its varieties of 
 organic structure, and functional operation. An examination 
 therefore of other systems, with a view to their refutation, 
 is unnecessary ; as they are all so evidently based on false 
 philosophy of the organization of man. 
 
 Spurious systems of medical philosophy are infinitely 
 worse than none at all ; — because conclusively preclusive of 
 any advance or improvement in the science. All advances 
 in medical literature have been made by our highly talented 
 and experienced practitioners, without espousing any of the 
 spurious systems. Guided in their investigations by the ob- 
 servations they have made on numerous facts and reasonings 
 from them, they have elicited an approach to the philoso- 
 phical knowledge of many pathological phenomena, and in- 
 stitution of many efficient medications ; and thereby improv- 
 ed the science to much extent of utility, without having any 
 positive knowledge of its true philosophy. All such distin- 
 guished medical philosophers will readily recognize and duly 
 appreciate the true philosophy, which we are now opening 
 to their inspection ; because they will find it lucidly and 
 conclusively explanatory of all the correct improvements 
 they may have drawn from their observations and reasonings, 
 on the many facts which have been submitted to their ex- 
 amination, and lead them forthwith to the satisfactory cor- 
 rection of all such errors as they may have committed during 
 their investigations of such facts. They will see and admit 
 the importance of making the practice of medicine to corres- 
 pond with its philosophy ; and they will see and admit, what 
 has never before been seen and admitted, during the thou- 
 sands of years that the subject of medicine has been under 
 more or less consideration, — that all irritations, inflamma- 
 tions, and fevers, are identical, natural recuperative excita- 
 tions, differing only in degree of action; — in all cases indis- 
 
81 
 
 pensably necessary to resolve and expel all pathological con- 
 ditions from whatsoever causative agents arising; and that 
 all cases of such deep depressions and congestions of ner- 
 vous power, as preclude either nature or art from exciting 
 such salutary recuperative excitations, — extinction of vitali- 
 ty, either totally or partially, as the nature of the case may 
 be, will inevitably ensue. 
 
 As therefore irritations, inflammations, and fevers, are na- 
 tural salutary recuperative phenomena, indispensably neces- 
 sary to be raised by nature or art, for eliminating every de- 
 scription of morbid sensibility, from whatsoever source aris- 
 ingjandhoweverlocallyorgenerallyaffectingthe organization; 
 they cannot receive too plenary illustration, — too detailed 
 and varied investigation and presentment for recognition to 
 every medical practitioner, desiring to exercise the true phi- 
 losophy pertaining now, and forever, to his profession. We 
 shall continue therefore, for the purpose of making such pre- 
 sentment of these indispensably necessary salutary recupera- 
 tive phenomena, as will meet the unqualified recognition and 
 approbation of every philosophic practitioner, to bestow such 
 attentive consideration of them during our progress, as their 
 high importance demands, — and in due time bestow more 
 particularly than we have yet done, such observations re- 
 specting the false and abortive recuperative phenomena, ac- 
 companying, or sooner or later succeeding, a vast variety of 
 pathological phenomena, arising from such causative agents 
 as produce deep depressions and congestions of the nervous 
 energies of the organization, as will equally meet the recog- 
 nition and appreciation of medical philosophers. The dis- 
 cussion of this part of our philosophy will developc the very 
 arcana of the science to the inevitable acknowledgment of 
 every scientific practitioner of medicine ; — and exclusively 
 to such meritorious members of our noble profession, we re- 
 spectfully tender the presentment of our philosophy. 
 
 All pathological phenomena ar6 occasioned by noxious 
 agents, effecting their entrance into the organization, through 
 any part or parts of it, externally or internally considered, 
 
82 
 
 that may happen to be most debilitated, or from some pecu- 
 liar constitutional idiosyncrasy, most predisposed to their 
 reception; — or they are occasioned by salutary stimuli, when 
 applied to excessive or diminished operativeness, on, or in, 
 the organization, whether debilitated and peculiarly predis- 
 posed to become thus pathologized or not; —or they may be 
 occasioned by noxious stimuli, engendered in the interior 
 molecular departments of the organization, by morbid ac- 
 tions of various kinds, from various causes, secondarily or 
 indirectly induced, — though in a direct sense considered, 
 arising originally from obvious causes, far remote. Here- 
 ditary diseases, and diseases from malconformation, arise 
 respectively from their respective and appropriate noxious 
 stimuli. Gout, asthma, phthisis, scrofula, syphilis, and many 
 other diseases, regularly descend from parents to their oflf- 
 spring; and the noxious stimuli eliciting them become phi- 
 losophically appreciable, in the defectibility and depravation 
 respectively, of their original inceptive germs of reproduc- 
 tion, preventing salutary organization, — the germs of vivifi- 
 cation are imperfectly elaborated by the imperfect organiza- 
 tion of one or both parents; — the seminal secretions are de- 
 fective and vitiated, — therefore cannot progress to healthy 
 maturity. The solids and fluids of the reproductive agents 
 are imbued with their respectively appropriate noxious sti- 
 muli, which are thus transmitted to their offspring, and be- 
 come therefore inevitably operative to the production of 
 similar maladies. The noxious stimuli in this manner origi- 
 nating hereditary diseases, and diseases of malconformation, 
 become palpably appreciable to philosophic observation. 
 True philosophy recognizes with equal clearness and posi- 
 tiveness from similar causation, the parental origination and 
 transmission of virtues and vices. We are therefore prepared 
 for thoroughly understanding the nature and characteristics 
 of all diseases, that may, or can, be presented to our observa- 
 tion, from every variety of causation, to which the organiza- 
 tion of man is, or may become liable; — and of the recupera- 
 tive excitations that are raised by nature, or may be, or not, 
 
83 
 
 by art, for their elimination. And we arc prepared for un- 
 derstanding, not only that different causative agents produce 
 different pathological phenomena, and that different patholo- 
 gical phenomena produce correspondently ditroront recupe- 
 rative excitations, but that identical causative agents produce 
 in different constitutions, both different pathological and re- 
 cuperative phenomena ; — and that the noxious agents pro- 
 ductive of epidemic yellow fevers, and all other malignant 
 epidemics, are different in the same localities, in different 
 seasons of theit* prevalence, and originate correspondently 
 different pathological conditions, and recuperative excita- 
 tions, according to the peculiar predispositions and idiosyn- 
 crasies of the organizations receptive of them ; — and that, 
 consequently, the same malignant epidemics in different lo- 
 calities, will be varied in a still more remarkable manner, 
 as to all their causative, pathological, and recuperative ma- 
 nifestations. And it is also equally obvious, that the patho- 
 logical phenomena will be more or less easily resolved, and 
 eliminated from the system, according to the specific nature 
 and malignancy of the causative agents, and according to the 
 specific nature of the organic structures, and functional ope- 
 rations, of the parts of the organization invaded: — for as all 
 noxious stimuli are specifically poisonous in their effects, 
 when they have attained their positive location in the sys- 
 tem, it follows that they will act more or less deleteriously, 
 according to the nature and more or less vitally important 
 relationship which the part or parts, both primarily and con- 
 secutively affected by them, bear to the total vitality of the 
 organization. Thus, if the brain become their primary reci- 
 pient, the very radicle of total vitality is pathologized, and 
 if severely, to speedy destruction, — or, which, is the same 
 thing, to the preclusion of any salutary and effective recu- 
 peration: — if the lungs should be their primary recipient, 
 and become pathologized to the irrecuperative extent, disso- 
 lution of total vitality must speedily ensue, unless their con- 
 gestive condition be removed by appropriate medication, 
 and recuperation be salutarily instituted. If through these 
 
84 
 
 organs, the noxious stimuli should extend into the circula- 
 tions, and the blood, and heart, and membranes lining the 
 heart and arteries, be poisoned by them, inevitable destruc- 
 tion must rapidly ensue, unless their congestions be removed, 
 and salutary recuperation established. When the lungs and 
 heart thus become the recipients of noxious agents in high 
 states of concentration, quick destruction of total vitality en- 
 sues, unless prevented in the manner mentioned ; — because, 
 these organs are the two grand agents, not only for conduct- 
 ing the vital power from the nervous centres to every de- 
 partment of the organization, but they are likewise the ex- 
 clusively recuperating instruments for eliminating morbid 
 sensibilities. The stomach and intestines, liver, and other 
 viscera, having intimate connexion with them, are all so 
 intimately connected with, and subservient to the elabora- 
 tion of the vital energies of the central radicles of innerva- 
 tion, that whenever they or any of them, or the urinary ap- 
 paratus, or other viscera, or membranes, become deeply pa- 
 thologized by highly noxious agents, the radical powers of 
 vitality may be, and often are, paralyzed beyond the power 
 of instituting any recuperative excitations at all, or if any, 
 only such as are feeble and inefficient, and utterly unavail- 
 ing, or spasmodic and convulsive. 
 
 In all such cases, the most important organs for elaborat- 
 ing to perfection the vital energies of the radicles of the 
 nervous organization, are deeply and directly affected by the 
 noxious agents; — and the recuperative excitations, if raised 
 at all, are palpably recognized to be engaged in deadly com- 
 bat with the pathological phenomena, which are frequently, 
 either from their primary or secondary locations through 
 sympathy, or both, so destructive to the vital organs impli- 
 cated in them, that the cerebro-spinal radicles of innervation 
 are rendered incapable of instituting any recuperative opera- 
 tions at all. In many other cases, the vital radicles of the 
 organization are so depressed and congested, that nothing 
 more than the feeblest and most inefficient recuperative ex- 
 citations can be raised by them in the capillary or general 
 
85 
 
 circulations. In otlier cases, they are precluded from insti- 
 tuting any other than spasmodic and convulsive recupera- 
 tions, — and in others the vital radicles are paralyzed to an 
 extent even preclusive of spasmodic and convulsive recupe- 
 ration. 
 
 Wc recognize, therefore, the necessity of estimating phi- 
 losophically, the vital relationship between the pathologized 
 organs and the radical centres of innervation; — and it should 
 be particularly noted, that the sentient extremities of the 
 nerves in the superficies of the organization, both in an ex- 
 ternal and internal sense considered, are invariably the re- 
 cipients of salutary as well as noxious stimuli. The nervous 
 power therefore regulating and governing the capillary cir- 
 culation of the organization, externally and internally con- 
 sidered, must inevitably, in all cases, be primarily receptive 
 of noxious agents. These noxious agents will therefore de- 
 press and congest the energies of the organization, in a more 
 or less deleterious manner, according to their greater or less 
 malignancy of composition, and the nature of the vital affi- 
 nity existing between the organic structures pathologized, 
 and the cerebro-spinal radicles of total vitality. All the de- 
 partments of the organization, in their severally necessary 
 and varied manners, are incessantly operative in elaborating 
 the perfection of the radical centres of vitality. It is obvious 
 therefore, that these radical centres of innervation will in- 
 stitute more or less favourable recuperation, in a manner 
 corresponding with the depressions and congestions of ner- 
 vous power, which one or more of their subordinate elabo- 
 rating agents may have received from the noxious stimuli. 
 The nervous centres govern therefore the total organization, 
 as well as themselves. As long as the organization continues 
 in a healthy condition, they are unceasingly operative in 
 directing the salutary stimuli supportive of vitality, to the 
 severally varied organic structures, in such portions, ways, 
 and manners, as they severally need, for the production of 
 one beautiful, harmonious, whole system of mortal and im- 
 mortal vitality. Whenever, therefore, they or their subor- 
 12 
 
86 
 
 dinate agents, become pathologlzed by morbid agents, either 
 primarily or consecutively, they will institute more or less 
 favourable recuperative excitations, according to the degree 
 of diminution of the radical powers of the organization, oc- 
 casioned by the morbid stimuli. 
 
 Without further observations, therefore, at present, re- 
 specting the modus operandi of noxious stimuli, and their 
 depressive and congestive efiects on the nervous organiza- 
 tion, we may consider it as intuitively demonstrated, that 
 the nervous centres will institute irritative inflammatory or 
 febrific recuperation in a more or less mild or violent man- 
 ner, according as they have been applied to the production 
 of more or less debility of the central powers of the organi- 
 zation. Or, as the venous circulation of nervous power, 
 commencing in every department of the superficies of the 
 organization externally and internally considered, is exclu- 
 sively recipient, transmissive and distributive, through its 
 sentient absorbing nervous power, of all the salutary stimuli 
 from without, as well as of those elaborated within the or- 
 ganization, to enable the nervous centres to institute and con- 
 tinue the vital processes pertaining to respiration, arterial 
 circulation, secretion and excretion, it follows dem.onstrably, 
 that whenever noxious stimuli enter the venous circulation, 
 they will be transmitted to a greater or less extent through 
 the circumference of the organization, into the organic struc- 
 tures of the interior, according to the greater or less strength 
 and vigour of action, exercised by the central radicles of 
 vitality. The venous system of the nervous organization is 
 the exclusive absorbent of all the salutary, and, (whenever 
 they are absorbed,) of all the noxious stimuli in the physical 
 department of creation; — and all the nutrient chylous and 
 lymphatic matters elaborated by the organization, are ab- 
 sorbed through its sentient, venous nervous power, in the 
 capillary circulation, — the chylous fluid through the capillary- 
 department of the digestive apparatus, — and the lymphatic 
 through the capillary circulation of the dermoid and paren- 
 chymatous structures composing most parts of the organiza- 
 tion, — whether they are elaborated for such absorption, in 
 
87 
 
 a salutary or noxious condition. The venous system is 
 therefore constantly operative in the reception and con- 
 veyance of all tlie salutary stimuli from without and with- 
 in the organization, which are required by its central radi- 
 cles, for incessantly instituting the vivific operations of re- 
 spiration, arterial circulation, secretion, &c. The veins are 
 the absorbents of stimuli, and the arteries the elaborators 
 of them, to the production and continuance of action, of all 
 the variedly vivifying apparatus, pertaining to the organiza- 
 tion. The veins are the passive and receptive, the arteries 
 the active and elaborative instruments of the organization. 
 The veins are the recipients and conveyancers of the vital 
 fluids elaborated and perfected throughout every part of the 
 organization, by the arterial agency instituted by its central 
 radicles, and rendered operative throughout the organization, 
 by its principal agents of vivification — the lungs and heart. 
 We thus open in general terms, to palpable recognition and 
 appreciation, such salutary or insalutary physiology as the 
 organization may become receptive of, from salutary or 
 noxious stimuli. This view of the receptivity and elabora- 
 tion of the stimuli supportive of vitality, inevitably arises 
 from the simple consideration, that man must be a whole be- 
 ing, through the vital power inherent and operative in his 
 nervous organization. No view ever before taken of man, 
 has recognized the philosophical necessity of assigning to 
 his organization — a head. Under such recognition of true 
 philosophy, it inevitably follows, that the cerebro-spinal ra- 
 dicles of vitality, when they, or any one or more, of their 
 subordinate or elaborating agents are pathologized, will in- 
 stitute recuperative excitations, in a manner corresponding 
 with the specifically depressive and congestive effects, se- 
 quent to the reception of the specific causative agents. The 
 central powers of the organization, being instantaneously 
 percipient of the morbid sensibilities originated by the causa- 
 tive agents, institute recuperative excitations in a longer or 
 shorter time after their application, either in the capillary 
 circulation exclusively, or in both the general and capillary 
 circulations. Recuperative excitation will, therefore, be 
 
88 
 
 raised in a more or less mild, free, open, ardent, and favour- 
 able sthenic manner; or in a more or less feeble, and ineffi- 
 cient, febrific, spasmodic and convulsive, asthenic manner, — 
 or not at all, — according to the nature and character of the 
 morbid sensibilities to be eliminated. Mild catarrhal, diary, 
 intermittent, and many other fevers, easily, and generally, 
 without medication, eliminate the mild pathological pheno- 
 mena originating them. But when the noxious agents causa- 
 tive of yellow and other malignant fevers, have invaded one 
 or more of the important organic structures, as the stomach, 
 lungs, heart, arterial circulation, or the central radicles them- 
 selves, either primarily or consecutively, the recuperative 
 excitations, in constitutions endowed with vigorous resisting 
 powers, will be exercised in a much more irritable and vio- 
 lent manner, — because, the morbid sensibilities to be expell- 
 ed, are much more destructive to vitality than those origi- 
 nating the more ordinary species of fevers and inflamma- 
 tions, or than those originating the mildest grades of malig- 
 nant fevers. The violent and highly irritable manner in 
 which the recuperative excitations are manifested, for elimi- 
 nating many of the morbid sensibilities, characterizing many 
 of the highest grades of yellow fevers, are palpably exhibited 
 to philosophic observation, when directed to the states of 
 respiration, pulsation, and other external as well as internal 
 manifestations of recuperation. The recuperative excitations 
 are therefore always raised in a more or less irritative and 
 violent manner, according to the nature and effects of the 
 noxious miasmata, and the resisting powers of the constitu- 
 tion. 
 
 But because such highly concentrated and poisonous mor- 
 bid sensibilities originate such highly irritative and ardent 
 recuperative excitations, in strong and vigorous constitu- 
 tions, it does not follow that such powerful recuperative ac- 
 tion is to be considered as a continuation of the series of the 
 primary or sympathetic pathological phenomena. 
 
 All causes being specifically different, produce their pecu- 
 liar specific effects; the salutary stimuli, when appropriately 
 applied and distributed through the varied organic structures 
 
89 
 
 of the organization, produce their respectively varied func- 
 tional operations in a salutary manner in salutary constitu- 
 tions; — noxious agents produce their specifically didcrcnt 
 morbid sensibilities, according to their specifically different 
 malignancy of composition, — the predisposition or idiosyn- 
 crasy of constitution receptive of them, and the difference of 
 organic structures and functional operations of the part or 
 parts invaded and pathologizcd by them. These effects con- 
 sist undeniably, of more or less depression and congestion of 
 the nervous energy of the part or parts primarily or sympa- 
 thetically receptive of them ; — these effects are the patholo- 
 gical phenomena to be eliminated, and cannot be considered 
 in any other light consistent with true philosophy, than 
 proximate causes inductive to the institution of the recupe- 
 rative excitations, by the cerebro-spinal radicles of the total 
 vitality of the organization, — either in the capillary circula- 
 tion exclusively, or in the general and capillary, both. The 
 resisting conservative power of nature will not now be de- 
 nied to be incessantly operative, both in the healthy and dis- 
 eased states of the organization, except it be pathologized 
 thoroughly to the extent of irrecuperation ; and if this re- 
 sisting power be not manifested by irritations, inflamma- 
 tions, and fevers, during the pathologized conditions of the 
 organization, it is incontrovertibly not manifested by any 
 other actions pertaining to any other organs, than those we 
 have assigned to the production of recuperation. It is there- 
 fore totally unphilosophical, to consider fevers and inflamma 
 tions in any other light than as salutary resistances to the mor- 
 bid sensibilities which operate as their proximate causes. 
 
 As therefore all noxious agents, productive of all diseases, 
 as to their essential qualities or properties, are very variously 
 different from, each other, and the depressions and conges- 
 tions of nervous energy sequential to their application, cor- 
 respondently different and various, and the recuperative ex- 
 citations, whenever raised, correspondently different and va- 
 rious, so they are all alike irresolvable into their constituent 
 elements; — consequently, positive demonstration can never 
 be effected in medicine: — for although all recuperative exci- 
 
90 
 
 tations raised by the conservative powers, are identical and 
 homogeneous in the sense, that they are all such salutary ac- 
 tions as nature has been capable of raising ; — yet, as they all 
 arise from different morbid sensibilities, caused by different 
 morbid stimuli, they must consequently be peculiarly and 
 specifically different from each other, in such manner as to 
 preclude forever, analysis to positively mathematical de- 
 monstration. But although the medical aspirants of the 
 present, and all future time, must relinquish their visionary 
 speculations, respecting the attainment of mathematical de- 
 monstration in the science, — yet an appropriate anatomical 
 and physiological study of the vital laws, inherent and ope- 
 rative, in and through the varied organic structures of the 
 exclusively nervous composition of man, will enable them 
 to reach demonstration quite as satisfactory. Through the 
 inductive process of ratiocination arising from the self-evi- 
 dent principles developed by our self-evident propositions, 
 they will reach such self-evident intuitive demonstration, as 
 will infallibly direct them to the attainment of all such cor- 
 rect etiological and therapeutical knowledge, as will enable 
 them most successfully to eliminate all the ills which the 
 nervous flesh and blood of the organization of man are, or 
 can ever be made, heir to. The persevering, unwearied 
 study of the varied functional operations pertaining to the 
 nervous organization, and constituting one beautiful, harmo- 
 nious, whole system of mortal and immortal vitality, opens 
 the only philosophical road to all certainty and demonstra- 
 tion ; and to all the lasting honours and distinctions that 
 
 can be legitimately awarded to the investigators of the medi- 
 cal sciences. 
 
 We are now prepared to understand the philosophy of all 
 the symptoms characterizing all the congestive and recupe- 
 rative conditions of the organization, not only as they are so 
 variously manifested to our observation, in yellow, and all 
 other malignant fevers, but also of all those characterizing 
 the more ordinary fevers, arising from the more ordinary 
 morbific stimuli, and all other morbid sensibilities whatever, 
 from whatsoever causes arising, whatever part or parts of the 
 
91 
 
 organization invading, and however locally or generally ma- 
 nifesting ttiemselves to observation. 
 
 We therefore proceed to a plain and simple enumeration, 
 and philosophic explanation, of the most ordinary series of 
 the pathological and recuperative phenomena characterizing 
 yellow fevers, more particularly as they most ordinarily 
 present themselves to our observation, when assumptive of 
 the sthenic diathesis of recuperation; — by which we shall 
 be enabled to recognize and appreciate the pathological and 
 recuperative phenomena characterizing the more ordinary 
 run of fevers arising from all the more ordinary causes. But 
 we will first observe, that the pathological phenomena cha- 
 racterizing what have been denominated by authors the pre- 
 monitory symptoms of fevers, are the phenomena characteriz- 
 ing the aggregate eflects, arising from the remote causes 
 after they have effected their entrance and location in one or 
 more departments of the organization : — the)' are the real, 
 substantial, and appreciable morbid sensibilities, occasioned 
 by the reception and ravages of the noxious stimuli. 
 
 True philosophy therefore, requires us to restrict the term 
 premonitory symptoms, (if it be considered necessary to retain 
 it at all,) to such symptoms as manifest themselves previous 
 to the noxious agents thus effecting their entrance and fixity 
 in the system : — for such premonitory symptoms are very 
 conspicuously manifested to observation in very many cases, 
 particularly in sound and vigorous constitutions, endowed 
 with strong powers of vital resistance. The premonitory 
 symptoms in this, the only truly philosophical sense, are the 
 symptoms characterizing what should be called, the first 
 struggle between tlie vital powers and noxious agents; — but 
 the depressive and congestive effects of the noxious stimuli, 
 after they have effected their entrance and fixity in the sys- 
 tem, and commenced the commission of their ravages, are 
 the true pathological phenomena, — for the elimination of 
 which, the conservative powers institute inflammatory or 
 febrile recuperation, or both; constituting what should be 
 denominated, the secondary and ultimate conflict between 
 
92 
 
 the vital powers and morbid sensibilities. During the first 
 struggle then between the vital powers and noxious agents, 
 the true premonitoiy symptoms are elicited;— which before 
 they effect their entrance into the system, are manifested by 
 more or less languor, head-ache, weariness, lassitude, — and 
 in yellow fevers, yellowness of the eyes, more or less sallow- 
 ness of complexion, deficiency of urinary and other secre- 
 tions, impaired appetite, costiveness, &c.; — all showing de- 
 pression to considerable extent, of the nervous energies of 
 the system ; but not to such extent, in many cases, as to 
 warrant their actual entrance and fixity in the organiza- 
 tion ; — for the vital powers thus assailed, are frequently ma- 
 nifested to observation, by more or less irritative and some- 
 what increased actions of all the circulations, which when 
 successful, in preventing the noxious stimuli from actually 
 entering and fixing themselves in the system, eliminate the 
 morbid sensibilities, constituting the true premonitory symp- 
 toms, through the cutaneous, intestinal, and urinary emunc- 
 tories. Simple irritation is therefore, in many cases, suc- 
 cessful in preventing the actual fixity of the noxious agents, 
 by thus eliminating the slight depressions and congestions 
 of the vital energies constituting the true premonitory symp- 
 toms in strong, vigorous, and healthy constitutions: — but in 
 constitutions weak by nature, or rendered so by fatigue and 
 exposure to exciting causes, such irritation, as is in such 
 cases raised, is in general easily overcome by the noxious 
 agents, which then actually attain their entrance and fixity 
 in the system, and heighten and aggravate not only all the 
 truly philosophical premonitory symptoms, but sympatheti- 
 cally originate oftentimes many more, amounting in their 
 aggregate to such depressions and congestions of the ner- 
 vous energies of the parts implicated in them, as consti- 
 tute the true pathological phenomena, not premonitory 
 symptoms. 
 
 These pathological phenomena are oftentimes so over- 
 whelmingly prostrative of nervous power, as to totally pre- 
 clude recuperative excitations; — but in the general run of 
 
93 
 
 cases, the vital energies in yellow fever are paralyzed be- 
 yond tlie power of much resistance, perceptible to ordinary 
 observation, for a longer or shorter time, until inflamma- 
 tions or fevers, or both, are raised by them, for eliminat- 
 ing the true pathological phenomena. The depressions and 
 congestions therefore, sequent to the fixity of the morbid 
 agents, constitute the true pathological plienomena, and 
 the inflammations and fevers, sooner or later succeeding 
 them, — the recuperative phenomena instituted by the vis 
 conservatrix naturae, for eliminating the pathological pheno- 
 mena, or the morbid sensibilities, from the organization. 
 This constitutes the second and ultimate struggle between 
 the vital powers and effects of the noxious stimuli. 
 
 The true premonitory symptoms characterizing the first 
 struggle, are generally so slight, as to preclude those af- 
 fected by them from application for medical aid ; — although 
 an appropriate medication in nearly all cases, would result 
 in complete triumph over the noxious stimuli. The whole 
 practice therefore of successful medication, is in almost all 
 cases, made to consist of such appropriate and philosophical 
 remediate means, as may conduct tlie recuperative excita- 
 tions of the second struggle, to successful elimination of the 
 pathological phenomena. 
 
 We have thus in palpable view, the universal philosophy 
 of medicine, sanctioned now and forever, by the inevitable 
 dictates of reason and common sense. We have the unerring 
 certainty arising from intuitive demonstration, to guide us 
 infallibly to the recognition and philosophic appreciation of 
 the total pathological and recuperative philosophy, pertain- 
 ing not only to the disease now under consideration, but to 
 all other morbid sensibilities arising from all other causative 
 agents whatsoever. We have in palpable view, all the causes 
 which vary the pathological and recuperative phenomena 
 arising from the varied specificity of their causative agents, 
 and varied constitutional idiosyncrasies and predispositions- 
 Yellow fevers therefore, are so pathologically and recupera- 
 tively varied, in different situations, and even in the same 
 13 
 
94 
 
 situations, in the different seasons of their prevalence, that 
 their homogeneity cannot be characterized but by few mani- 
 festations in common. 
 
 We have discussed the pathological and recuperative phi- 
 losophy pertaining to yellow fever, as it is most ordinarily 
 characterized, from the invasion of the noxious miasmata, to 
 the institution of inflammations or fevers, or both : — we have 
 discussed the philosophy of the first struggle between the 
 noxious agents and conservative powers of the organization: 
 have unfolded to plenary recognition, the resisting recupera- 
 tive manifestations exhibited by the organization when vic- 
 torious, and the pathologized condition of it from the en- 
 trance of the noxious agents, until the recuperative energies 
 have emerged from their oppression, and instituted such re- 
 action as constitutes the second and ultimate struggle be- 
 tween the causative agents and conservative powers, in all 
 the highest grades of this disease. We are prepared there- 
 fore for discussing the phenomena characterizing this event- 
 ful and ultimate struggle, as they are most ordinarily pre- 
 sented to our observation, in the most ordinarily and regu- 
 larly formed epidemics. According then to the nature of 
 the causes, and the conditions of the constitutions receptive 
 of them, epidemic yellow fevers will be characterized by 
 pathological phenomena, sooner or later succeeded, (if at 
 all,) by recuperative excitations, manifesting a more or less 
 sthenic, or asthenic diathesis. When manifested by a highly 
 stimulant diathesis, in strong and vigorous constitutions, the 
 nervous centres will institute in the complex apparatus of 
 respiration, such energetic action, as the pathologized condi- 
 tion of the organization will enable them to raise; and in 
 the arterial circulations a correspondently full, strong, rapid, 
 energetic action. Whenever these two principal agents of 
 the innervating centres are rendered assumptive of such 
 sthenic recuperation by the pathological phenomena, the 
 cerebral centre of the organization will be affected with ex- 
 cessive pain, — the eyes will be intensely red, painful, and 
 intolerant of light, and the minute vessels of their mem- 
 
95 
 
 branes saturated with blood ; which, together with the mem- 
 branous interstices, will oftentimes exhibit a more or less 
 dirty, dusky, yellowness of complexion, according to the 
 greater or less resistance remaining in the absorbent depart- 
 ment of the organization, to the reception of the bilious se- 
 cretion which had been rendered more or less putrid by the 
 malignant action of the noxious miasmata, previous to the 
 recuperative institution for the ultimate struggle which we 
 are now describing : — for it must be observed and particu- 
 larly noted, that the noxious stimuli in many cases strike the 
 organization at once, to the paralytic extent of irrecupera- 
 tion, and to the consequent prevention of absorption and 
 suspension of secretion; — in which cases the eyes will be 
 characterized by such lack-lustre symptoms, as correspond 
 with the stagnant, powerless condition of the total organiza- 
 tion. But in all cases, not thus absolutely irrecuperative, 
 this putridity of the bile, and its diflTusion throughout the or- 
 ganization, whenever the hepatic region is highly patholo- 
 gized by the noxious miasmata, will be exhibited to observa- 
 tion in degrees corresponding with the malignant nature and 
 action of the noxious miasmata, previous to the institution of 
 recuperative excitations ; and after these recuperative exci- 
 tations arc raised, if they are successful, or rendered so by 
 appropriate medication, in eliminating the morbid sensi- 
 bilities; — resistance to such bilious absorption and diffusion 
 will be effectively established : — but if the pathological phe- 
 nomena should pursue their ravaging course without much 
 impediment from recuperation or medication, the bile will 
 become more and more putrid, and more and more diffused, 
 &c., for reasons obvious to the medical philosopher, — who, 
 from this short explanation of the modus operandi of the 
 miasmata on the liver, will correctly estimate the character 
 of the pathological and recuperative phenomena whenever 
 the miasmata fix themselves in other important organs. 
 There is no end to explanation, to inevitable conviction — but 
 we cannot pursue it further at the present time, than to ob- 
 serve, that noxious stimuli may effect their entrance into 
 
96 
 
 in- 
 
 the organization, through any portion of its external or 
 ternal periphery, most debilitated and predisposed to their 
 reception. The operations of the noxious agents therefore, 
 both primarily and consecutively considered, whether in the 
 nervous centres, or their subordinate agents, will be cor- 
 rectly estimated by the medical philosopher, through the 
 symptomatology pertaining to each specific case of disease 
 presented to him for consideration, and he will readily under- 
 stand the causes of the immense variety of morbid and recu- 
 perative phenomena pertaining to yellow fevers and other 
 pestilences. — The frontal and occipital departments of the 
 cerebral centre will be affected with intense pain, face ar- 
 dently flushed, and the total superficies of the organization 
 externally and internally assumptive of the painful sensations 
 arising from intense, mordicant, parching heat, dryness and 
 ardent insatiable thirst. During the continuance of this ar- 
 dent conflict between the pathological and recuperative phe- 
 nomena, until the latter yield to the former or the former to 
 the latter, the tongue will be either slightly coated with light- 
 coloured mucus, or entirely clean, and inflammatorily red- 
 dened, evincing that the pathological phenomena have not 
 only operated to the depravement and diminution, but in 
 many cases to the total suspension of action, of the secretory 
 apparatus of the organization, and a correspondent diminu- 
 tion or suspension of the excretory departments, as evinced 
 by constipation, paucity of high-coloured urine, or none at 
 all, diminution of perspiration, or none at all, &c. 
 
 The cervical, dorsal, and lumbar regions, and the thoracic, 
 abdom.inal, and extreme departm.ents of the organization 
 principally supplied by them with nervous power, will all 
 be aftected with excruciating pain, and the epigastric region 
 in particular will be afflicted with the most concentratedly 
 oppressive, and ardently painful sensations, evincing unde- 
 niably, that the cerebro-spinal radicles of the total innerva- 
 tion of the organization, are deeply pathologized by the 
 causative agents, and that the whole of the vital or conser- 
 vative powers remaining operative, are so ardently and en- 
 
97 
 
 ergetically exerted, as to cither nearly, and in very many 
 cases, far transcend the powers of secretion and excretion. 
 
 We have thus enumerated the more ordinary symptoms 
 characterizing the more ordinary cases of yellow fever, in 
 constitutions assumptive of the ardent sthenic diathesis of 
 recuperation, for ten, twelve, or fifteen hours, during the 
 incipient period of reaction. And it is therefore now to be 
 observed, that if these symptoms be not promptly subdued, 
 and lowered to the secreting and excreting standard of elimi- 
 nation, by appropriate antiphlogistic medication ; — they will 
 all be rapidly increased and aggravated, to a concentratedly 
 woeful and distressing extent; — and the victory will be in- 
 sured to the pathological phenomena in a very few hours, by 
 their increasing in an aggravated degree, precordial anxiety, 
 and oppression, to such extent, as to occasion frequent and 
 excessively painful vom.iting, of whatever drinks may have 
 been received into the stomach; — and in many cases large 
 quantities of highly vitiated and putrid bile, the product of 
 previous secretion, will be ejected from it, frequently so 
 acrid and acid, as to excoriate the oesophagus, fauces, and 
 lips, during its ejection. The patient is now tortured with 
 ardent burning sensations in the interior of the stomach and 
 adjacent regions; and the surface of the epigastric region is 
 excessively hot, and so exquisitely tender, that the extremes! 
 pain results from the slightest pressure of it. Anxiety and 
 oppression, indeed, increase so rapidly, and to such suffo- 
 cating extent, as to cause frequent and deeply painful labo- 
 rious sighing, and restlessness and jactitation in the ex- 
 treme ; — and the countenance of the sufferer is rendered in- 
 dicative altogether of such concentratedly aggravated dis- 
 tress, tiiat it cannot better be described than to say, that it 
 exhibits a complete picture of despair, accompanied often by 
 such a species of wild, erratic, maniacal delirium, as amounts 
 to utter hopelessness, or rather reckless abandonment in the 
 sufferer, of all desire for the continuance of life. The patho- 
 logical are now rapidly overpowering the recuperative phe- 
 nomena, as evidenced by the powers of deglutition being 
 
98 
 
 impaired, weakened, and exerted spasmodically; and by the 
 vomitings becoming more and more frequent, involuntary, 
 and spasmodic; — by the sufferer in many cases loudly com- 
 plaining of hunger, and calling earnestly for singular articles 
 of food to relieve it ; — and in all cases, for the coldest drinks, 
 to relieve his insatiable, aggravatedly increasing, and tortur- 
 ingly burning thirst; — and by the lower extremities, pre- 
 viously tormented with such excruciating pain, that they 
 were frequently retracted to, and pressed upon, the equally 
 pained umbilical region, for their mutual relief, — now be- 
 coming more or less torpid and paralytic; — all evincing de- 
 monstrably, that the fatal conflict approaches its termination 
 in the dissolution of the total energies of the organization. 
 For it is self-evident that such violent contention between 
 the recuperative and pathological phenomena, without the 
 interposition of appropriately philosophic medication, cannot 
 long be maintained, without producing such disorganizing 
 wreck of the organization as to lay the foundation for its 
 rapid dissolution, and the prevention of any future reaction, 
 that can be philosophically considered in the light of effective 
 recuperation, or that can be considered as affording any pros- 
 pect of success to the most appropriate medication. The 
 sufferer thus afflicted, is therefore to be considered, as having 
 received his death-blow. The recuperative excitations in 
 sucli cases, are expended to all effective extent and purposes 
 whatsoever. In from twenty-four to thirty-six, or a few 
 more hours, the work of destruction is completed, and the 
 paroxysm is over, to return no more — forever. All such 
 aggravatedly violent contentions between the pathological 
 and recuperative phenomena without appropriate medication, 
 have but one paroxysm — but one effective combat — termi- 
 nating in inevitable destruction — if not averted by such phi- 
 losophic medication as will be put in thorough requisition 
 exclusively by the talented and experienced practitioner, 
 conversant with this malignant pestilence. The recuperative 
 powers during this contention, have been exerted to their 
 utmost intensity of operation, and have thus rapidly run 
 
99 
 
 down, and yielded to the ravages of the pathological pheno- 
 mena. The general circulations are weakened and lowered 
 down to, and generally much helow their natural standard, 
 as to frequency and strength of pulsation, and the capillary 
 circulations are weakened and paralyzed to such degree, that 
 a spontaneous exudation of perspirahle matter in many cases 
 occurs, from loss of tone ; — and in all cases, the skin becomes 
 much moister and cooler than natural, and its vascular ner- 
 vous organization enervated, and toneless, beyond reparation 
 by nature or art. After a storm comes a calm. But this is 
 a deceitful calm to the sufferer, and ominous to the philoso- 
 phic physician, of speedy destruction. This state of irreco- 
 verable prostration is very inappropriately and unphiloso- 
 phically denom.inated by authors a remission; — a remission 
 of what ? — not of the ravages of the pathological phenomena, 
 as authors consider it. The recuperative energies of the or- 
 ganization, vve grant, have remitted, — to rise no more; — for 
 the system is in a state of prostration, unequivocally demon- 
 strative of rapid total dissolution of the vital energies of the 
 highly important vital organs, implicated in the pathological 
 phenomena, — and of the consequent irrecoverable torpitude 
 of its radical sensorial energies. For although during this 
 woeful collapse of the vital energies, the intellectual faculties 
 may brighten up a little, for a short time, and sometimes de- 
 lude the sufferer with the prospect of a speedy recovery, — 
 yet he is much oftener entirely tranquil, carelessly indiffer- 
 ent, or stupidly unconcerned, about his present or future 
 situation ; — and though during this calm, or remission, as it 
 is so unphilosophically called, nausea and vomiting, not only 
 continue, but increase rapidly in frequency and severity, — 
 yet the sufferer is perfectly regardless of, and indifferent to 
 it. There is, therefore, no such condition of the vital ener- 
 gies of the organization when thus deeply pathologized, to 
 philosophically justif}' authors in considering it, as evidencing 
 a remission of the ravages of the morbid agents. The enemy 
 has conquered, but is pursuing his ravages more extensively 
 and efficiently than he did before vanquishing the recupera- 
 
100 
 
 tive phenomena ; — for although the sufferer be now either in 
 such a state of indifference and tranquillity as already ob- 
 served, and in some few cases may flatter himself that all 
 danger is past, yet, it must be observed, that the sickness 
 and vomiting during this ominous calm are not only conti- 
 nued, but aggravatedly increased ; — proving to all satisfac- 
 tory intuitive demonstration, that the recuperative powers 
 have more than remitted or intermitted ; — and proving, that 
 the causative agents are rapidly running the organization to 
 its total dissolution; — proving that the recuperative excita- 
 tions have therefore ceased or nearly so ; — proving that, in 
 all the highest grades of this malady, characterized by such 
 ardent recuperative manifestations as above mentioned, they 
 are never afterwards reinstituted, in such recognizable and 
 appreciable operativeness, as to be philosophically entitled, a 
 second recuperative paroxysm. For the pathological pheno- 
 mena are gnawing their way unimpeded by any available 
 recuperative excitations, straight onward to destruction, by 
 increasing the pain and burning sensations in the stomach 
 and adjacent regions to the production of the most distress- 
 ing vomiting, in a few hours, of the putrefied products of 
 their ravages; — and to the diffusion of putrid bile through- 
 out the organization, in consequence of its having lost all, 
 or nearly all, its power of resistance to the reception and 
 transmission of the poisonous stimuli, and to the reception 
 and transmission of the vitiated secretions, particularly since 
 the intermission of recuperative excitation. And here it 
 should be remarked, and appropriately noted, that although 
 the bilious or other secretions which were absorbed into the 
 circulations during the collapsed state of the organization, 
 occasioned by the noxious agents previous to the establish- 
 ment of recuperative excitation or reaction, were vitiated to 
 very considerable extent, — yet we now find them to have be- 
 come so in a much higher and more corrupted degree, since 
 the recuperative powers yielded the victory to the noxious 
 agents, and suffered them to rankle in the organization un- 
 checked ; — as is satisfactorily evidenced by the total superfi- 
 
101 ' 
 
 cies of the organization becoming assumptive of a more and 
 more dark, or livid, or mahogany colour, in all cases in 
 which the hepatic region from the commencement has been 
 radically implicated in the pathological phenomena. Are 
 there any phenomena separate from the pathological, now to 
 be observed in this stage, as it is called by authors, that can 
 be philosophically considered as recuperative excitations 
 amounting to another paroxysm ? The answer is undeniably 
 obvious, when it is considered that the total resistance shown 
 by the conservative powers still remaining in such deplora- 
 ble cases, consists in an increased desire for the coldest 
 drinks to allay the raging burning thirst; — or if any recupe- 
 rative excitation at all be manifested in respiration or arte- 
 rial circulation, it is of the feeblest and most inefficient 
 kind, and philosophically considered, amounting to none at 
 all. The organization is, therefore, now to be considered 
 as pathologized to the point of saturation ; — the noxious mias- 
 mata have undisputed possession of it, and pursue their fes- 
 tering ravages without any available recuperative interrup- 
 tion. The drinks now taken into, are instantly ejected from 
 the stomach, and found to be mixed with minute flakes or 
 flocculi, as authors say, and with truth, resembling the crusts 
 washed from port-wine bottles. All the phenomena effec- 
 tively considered, are now pathological, and rush onward to 
 the extinction of total vitality, by weakening and lowering 
 still more and more, the arterial circulation, and totally ex- 
 tinguishing the capillary; — furring the tongue with dark 
 brown or black sordes; — increasing the vomitings of the 
 sphacelated products of the stomach and adjacent regions, 
 becom.ing more and more dark, and more viscid, resembling 
 coffee grounds suspended in viscid mucus, or albumen, — by 
 weakening and depraving the sensibility of the extremities 
 of the organization, rendering them more and more cold and 
 glutinous, or arid, and totally toneless — by increasing the 
 acrid and burning sensations in the stomach, and rendering 
 the vomitings more and more tormenting and distressing — 
 by weakening the intestinal region of vitality, to the produc- 
 14 
 
102 
 
 lion of a colliquative, corrupted, black and pasty, diarrhoea — 
 evincing that the thorough dissolution of the vital energies 
 is rapidly approaching, by the discharges becoming more 
 and more dark and green, or black and viscid, like tar; — 
 overwhelming the vital powers to such concentrated degree 
 of depression, that the discharges either run through the 
 alimentary canal, as through a tube, involuntarily, or are 
 precluded from being discharged at all, by paralysis of the 
 excretory agents of the organization. The putridity of the 
 whole organization, as well external as internal, is now more 
 and more palpably manifested, by the surface assuming a 
 more and more dirty dark yellowness, or a lutulently livid, 
 or dusky mahogany coloured appearance. The catastrophe 
 now near at hand, Is characterized by frequent hiccoughings, 
 and profuse haemorrhages of dissolved blood from many or all 
 the internal and external em.unctories. 
 
 Notwithstanding the pathological phenomena have thus 
 effected such overwhelming and extensive ravages through- 
 out the total organization, as betokens positive and speedy 
 destruction, yet, as long as any vitality remains, the recu- 
 perative excitations may still be frequently manifested to 
 philosophic observation, in raising a wild maniacal convul- 
 sive species of delirium, succeeded by deep coma and in- 
 sensibility; and total vitality is not surrendered even after 
 this, in many cases, until the recuperative excitations have 
 had time to rally themselves, and raise universal spasms and 
 convulsions, which terminate the combat by yielding the 
 victory to the poisonous operations of the morbific agents. 
 The more grossly corporeal departments of the organization 
 have thus passed to the uncontrolled dominion of physical 
 laws; — but the intellectual, immortal department of the or- 
 ganization of man is not subject to such dominion, but as- 
 cendeth to the ethereal dominions appointed for him by his 
 Creator. 
 
 Can philosophy recognize in this uninterrupted march to 
 destruction of the body here in time, any paroxysmal divisi- 
 bility? There is but one paroxysm in all the highest grades 
 
108 
 
 of yellow fever, and all other malignant fevers, as they are 
 called, characterized by equally malignant and ravaging pa- 
 thological phenomena, and intensity of recuperative mani- 
 festation. We thus understand the modus operandi of the 
 noxious miasmata in originating the pathological phenomena 
 characterizing epidemic yellow fevers as they most ordina- 
 rily manifest themselves to our observation ; and the recu- 
 perative excitations raised by the conservative powers for 
 their expulsion from the organization. The practice of the 
 science of medicine should be the practice of its philosophy; 
 and we have fully developed, to the inevitable recognition 
 and appreciation of every intelligent and judicious practi- 
 tioner, such philosophy, as should be put in thorough requi- 
 sition for the successful treatment, not only of yellow fevers 
 when assumptive of the sthenic diathesis of recuperation, but 
 of all other maladiesfrom whatsoever causes arising, assump- 
 tive of similar recuperative excitations, from the primary in- 
 vasion of the causative agents, to the termination of the ulti- 
 mate conflict, between the recuperative and pathological phe- 
 nomena. The philosophy of successfully medicating every 
 grade of disease assumptive of sthenic recuperation, from the 
 mildest to the highest grades, is now so plainly manifested, 
 that it must inevitably meet the unqualified approbation of 
 every experienced and scientific practitioner. 
 
 But many yellow fever epidemics are not characterized 
 by such intensely ardent recuperative manifestations as above 
 enumerated : — they arise from causes much more highly 
 matured, and more malignant in their composition; — conse- 
 quently are productive of more concentratedly malignant 
 pathological phenomena, which overwhelm the vital ener- 
 gies of the organization, in many cases, to the total preclu- 
 sion of any recuperative excitations at all; and sometimes 
 work their way to the total destruction of vitality almost in- 
 stantaneously ; and oftentimes in a very few hours. In some 
 instances, the pathological phenomena are succeeded imme- 
 diately on the introduction of the noxious agents into the 
 organization, by a wild, furious, maniacal, delirious, recupe- 
 
104 
 
 rative manifestation, yielding the victory to the pathological 
 phenomena, either by terminating rapidly in complete coma, 
 insensibility, and death, or by again rallying all their remain- 
 ing recuperative energies, in the excitation of spasms and 
 convulsions, which end the patient's corporeal sufferings, 
 release him from earth, and pass him to immortality. 
 
 There are many such cases to be seen and witnessed in 
 all epidemic yellow fevers, when thus intensely malignant ; 
 and there are many cases in which the noxious agents are 
 philosophically recognized in gnawing and festering their 
 way to the dissolution of the organization, in such insidious 
 manner, that neither the patient, or his friends, consider him 
 as labouring under any morbid sensibility at all. Are not 
 such cases, and a vast variety of others, characterized by 
 symptoms equally anomalous, which might be recognized 
 and mentioned by philosophic practitioners conversant with 
 yellow fevers, conclusively demonstrative of the salutary 
 operations of fevers and inflammations? When it is recol- 
 lected, that such cases inevitably run rapidly to dissolution, 
 unless they can be medicated to the production of fevers and 
 inflammations, that under appropriate medication, may be 
 conducted to the successful elimination of the morbid sensi- 
 bilities, through their legitimate outlets? And it should be 
 particularly recollected, (as it will be by all talented and ex- 
 perienced practitioners,) that the recuperative excitations — 
 the fevers and inflammations which are sometimes raised by 
 the conservative powers in these intensely malignant epi- 
 demics, are weak, feeble, and totally inefficient to the pro- 
 duction of successful elimination, unless by appropriate me- 
 dication, they should be strengthened and regulated to the 
 excitation of such salutary secretions and critical evacuations 
 from more or less of the excretory departments of the orga- 
 nization, as may prove effectively eliminative of the morbid 
 sensibilities. 
 
 It is also to be particularly noted, that yellow fevers at- 
 tended with ardent recuperative excitations, — with ardent 
 fevers and inflammations, are much more easily conducted 
 
105 
 
 to successful elimination, than such as are characterized by 
 weak and feeble recuperation. 
 
 The noxious miasmata productive of the morbid sensil)ill- 
 ties which are succeeded by the sthenic diathesis of recupe- 
 ration, are not only less malignant in their composition and 
 operations, — but the constitutions receptive of them stronger 
 and more vigorous, — and therefore, capable of raising much 
 more salutary and efficient reaction, than such as are more 
 malignant in their composition, and operating on constitu- 
 tions more debilitated, and consequently incapable of raising 
 such efficient recuperative excitations. 
 
 The history of different epidemic yellow fevers will con- 
 clusively prove this, and all the propositions we have ad- 
 vanced respecting them, beyond contradiction; and the exa- 
 mination of all other fevers from whatsoever causes originat- 
 ing, will inevitably result in the confirmation of the philoso- 
 phy, which we have deduced from the partial analysis, which 
 we have thus far made of yellow fever. We say partial ana- 
 lysis, because, as our object in the present work is exclu- 
 sively to exhibit tlie outlines of the philosophy of medicine 
 arising from our self-evident propositions, to such talented 
 and experienced members of our profession as are alone ca- 
 pable of recognizing and appreciating them; we have consi- 
 dered it unnecessary to present to their consideration in de- 
 tail, all the pathological and recuperative phenomena charac- 
 terizing this malady in all its different grades, from the mild- 
 est to the highest cases, either as they are more or less as- 
 sumptive of the sthenic, or asthenic diathesis, of recupera- 
 tion. For such practitioners from the partial exposition we 
 have made of the more prominent pathological and recupe- 
 rative phenomena characterizing the highest grades of yel- 
 low fever, when assumptive of the sthenic diathesis of recu- 
 peration, and from the philosophical explanation which we 
 have bestowed on them, will readily appreciate all the varia- 
 tions and modifications to which they are, or may be subject, 
 aetiologically, and consequently, recuperatively considered. 
 
 It is not to closeted writers, but to those talented and ex- 
 
106 
 
 perieneed physicans more particularly in southern climates, 
 who have during a succession of many years, witnessed epi- 
 demic yellow fevers, not only in similar, but different loca- 
 lities, that application should be made for such philosophy 
 as not only characterizes them in a general sense considered, 
 during the different seasons of their prevalence, but also for 
 such as characterizes them so variously during the different 
 seasons, in similar and dissimilar localities, aetiologically, 
 pathologically, and recuperatively considered. Such prac- 
 titioners, who have to a greater or less extent witnessed the 
 immense variety of Protean manifestations assumed by the 
 pathological and recuperative phenomena, — will impart to 
 us, not only the general philosophy of all the more ordinary 
 and regular phenomena, but of that pertaining to the anoma- 
 lous and Protean deviations, and thereby enable us to insti- 
 tute such correspondently varied therapeutical indications, as 
 may be required, to direct us to the most appropriate and 
 successful medication. The want of such philosopiiy is most 
 conspicuously apparent in all the treatises heretofore written 
 on yellow fever. They all recognize in this, as in all other 
 fevers, as they call them, a greater or lesser number of what 
 may be appropriately denominated metaphysical entities, 
 directly and exclusively calculated to preclude all philoso- 
 phical investigations and reasonings concerning them, not 
 only in the younger members of the profession, but too often 
 in the elder and more experienced. A thorough philosophic 
 history therefore of epidemic yellow fevers, as they are cha- 
 racterized during a succession of years, in the different re- 
 gions of the earth, where they do usually, or may occasion- 
 ally occur, embracing determinate investigations and satis- 
 factory explanations, not only of their more general, but of 
 the complicatedly varied modifications pertaining to the ma- 
 lignant composition of the noxious miasmata, and the corres- 
 pondently varied pathological phenomena occasioned by 
 them, — together with the correspondently varied recupera- 
 tive phenomena excited by the conservative powers, agree- 
 ably to the equally varied powers of vital resistances, mani- 
 
107 
 
 fested during the ravages of the pathological phenomena 
 originated by the noxious miasmata, from their primary in- 
 vasion of the organization, until they have completed their 
 work of destruction, or been eliminated from it by appro- 
 priate medication; and more particularly, embracing an ap- 
 propriately philosophic explanation of the singularly varied 
 anomalous phenomena, evinced both by the pathological and 
 recuperative manifestations, in a great variety of anomalous 
 cases occurring during the different epidemics, — would be a 
 desideratum in our medical literature — if such history were 
 made in correspondence with true philosophy: — because, it 
 would be plcnarily rich in such philosophic instruction, as 
 would be beneficially operative, not only in enabling the ju- 
 nior members of the profession to institute more scientific 
 therapeutical indications for the treatment of this, but of all 
 other morbid sensibilities, which have been denominated fe- 
 brile by the nosologists. 
 
 As we are not in possession of any such thorough histori- 
 cal analysis of epidemic yellow fevers, we shall make a few 
 more general observations respecting them, for the purpose 
 of presenting more fully to the consideration of the profes- 
 sion, the philosophy of the causes, which so variously cha- 
 racterize them during the different seasons of their preva- 
 lence. We observe then, that this disease, occupying as be- 
 fore said, the very front rank amidst the immensely varied 
 bilious fever phenomena, incidental more particularly to the 
 southern regions of our hemisphere, when epidemic from 
 the highest concentration of causes, usurps complete domi- 
 nion over all other diseases, and rules with despotic sway 
 to their utter exclusion. The atmosphere of the infected 
 region is so supersaturated with the poisonous miasmata 
 that the development of febrifie recuperation from any other 
 than the reigning cause, is totally precluded; and however 
 mildly characterized, or easily cured many of the cases may 
 be, they will be found assumptive of the diagnostic manifes- 
 tations pertaining to the reigning epidemic. 
 
 To this rule of morbid action pertaining to the noxious 
 
108 
 
 miasmata originating epidemic yellow fevers of highest con- 
 centration, there is no exception to be observed, as long as 
 the atmosphere continues to be saturated to such productive 
 extent. No other agent of minor malignancy of composi- 
 tion, can become productive of its specific pathological phe- 
 nomena within such infected region. This pestilence, wher- 
 ever it has occurred in its highest state of malignancy, has 
 sustained the mastery over all other noxious agents what- 
 ever, except during its late prevalence in New Orleans, 
 where, although it was originated by its specific noxious 
 stimuli, in their highest state of concentration, to the pro- 
 duction of such overwhelming pathological phenomena, as 
 totally precluded the conservative powers from instituting 
 any other than the feeblest and most unavailing asthenic re- 
 cuperation, or spasmodic and convulsive, — ^or none at all; — 
 yet the more subtile and penetrating, malignant and delete- 
 rious choleric miasm, suddenly entered the city, and attained 
 its appropriate fixity in the atmosphere, by instantaneously 
 supplanting the epidemic miasmata then prevailing, and by 
 as instantaneously commencing and continuing its own ra- 
 vages fully to the extent of Indian destructiveness, until it 
 was in its turn supplanted by the still more subtle and pene- 
 trating, but salutary and purifying stimulus of electricity. 
 A philosophic history of the heterogeneously pestilential at- 
 mospheric vitiation, which ensued in the city of New Or- 
 leans on the introduction of the choleric miasmata, — com- 
 prising a thorough investigation of the remote and immediate 
 causes of the epidemic yellow fever, which then prevailed, — 
 of the general, specific, and anomalous pathological and recu- 
 perative phenomena, which characterized it, and of the ex- 
 tent to which the cholera reigned and exclusively preserved 
 its specificity of character during the intensity of its delete- 
 rious ravagings, together with the singularly mixed charac- 
 ter which many of the cases exhibited from having received 
 their pathological conditions in a greater or less degree, from 
 both the morbific agents, with the causes of such reception, 
 miasmatically and constitutionally considered, — would make 
 
109 
 
 such an interesting and valuable acquisition to medical 
 science, as we may reasonably hope, and expect in due time 
 to receive, from one or more of the talented practitioners, 
 who witnessed the devastating operations sequential to the 
 coexestency of two of the most malignantly virulent miasms 
 ever engendered and rendered operative to the destruction 
 of human life. The singularly anomalous pathological and 
 recuperative phenomena, arising from the operativeness of 
 such concomitancy of pestilential causation on and in the or- 
 ganization, are easily explained on the unerring principles 
 developed by our philosophy ; — which demonstrably pro- 
 claims, that whenever the organization becomes pathologized 
 by any noxious agent, or agents, nearly to the extent of ir- 
 recuperation; — it will not only become assumptive of the 
 specific pathological and recuperative phenomena elicited by 
 the specific noxious agent or agents, but simulative to greater 
 or less extent, in manner and degree corresponding with 
 constitutional predisposition and idiosyncrasy, both of the 
 singularly anomalous, pathological, — and particularly of the 
 anomalous, abortive, recuperative phenomena, characterizing 
 many other febrile diseases, whether malignant in their na- 
 ture, or rendered so by unphilosophical treatment. 
 
 The pathological and recuperative phenomena characteriz- 
 ing all diseases whatever, however variantly manifested to 
 observation, receive explanation amounting to positive cer- 
 tainty, exclusively from mastering the philosophy which un- 
 folds the component variations of the morbific agents, and 
 the predispositions or idiosyncrasies of the constitutions re- 
 ceptive of them. The whole tribe of bilious fevers, with 
 their immensely varied complexities of modification, are 
 more or less mildly or severely characterized during the dif- 
 ferent seasons, even in the same localities, arising from the 
 same causes, according to the greater or less maturity of the 
 noxious stimuli originating them; — and in difierent locali- 
 ties, as they are to be considered, as having originated from 
 noxious stimuli considerably different in many respects, as 
 to their essential composition, from such as are productive 
 15 
 
110 
 
 of them in other localities, and equally subject, during the 
 different seasons, to similar causative gradation ; so they may 
 respectively become assumptive of different pathological and 
 recuperative phenomena, not only in the same localities, 
 during different seasons, but the different localities, during 
 the same season, will be characterized in a similarly varied 
 and modified manner, from similar causative gradations. 
 Yellow fevers are equally subject to variation, from similar 
 causative variations :— hence the. absurdity of characterizing 
 these diseases exclusively by such a similar train of pheno- 
 mena, as they so uniformly have been by the authors who 
 have described them; — when it is so obviously and incon- 
 trovertibly true, that they are subject to such variations from 
 miasmatic and constitutional causes. 
 
 The pathological are invariably and proximately causative 
 of the recuperative phenomena, whenever the organization 
 is not irrecuperatively pathologized ; — and it is to be consi- 
 dered as indisputably confirmed by repeated observation, 
 that the noxious stimuli causative of the first set of pheno- 
 mena, may often proceed to the yellow fever extent of cau- 
 sation, for reasons before explained, without materially re- 
 laxing and enfeebling the systems of those resident within 
 the sphere of their activity, when receptive of them; — under 
 which circumstances, the recuperative phenomena become 
 assumptive of the sthenic diathesis, and are characterized by 
 free, open, ardent, and energetic action. For obvious rea- 
 sons, epidemics of this description are thus characterized — 
 by a more uniform train of both pathological and recupera- 
 tive phenomena, and much more easily recognized and esti- 
 mated, than such as are originated by a more malignant ma- 
 turity of the noxious miasmata, when operative on, and in, 
 debilitated constitutions. The curative indications are also 
 more easily instituted, and conducted to suscessful results, 
 than in epidemics arising from causes more matured and 
 malignant. 
 
 In such proportion as the conservative powers therefore 
 institute free and open recuperative excitation, in such pro-« 
 
in 
 
 portion will nppropriately philosophic medication eliminate 
 the pathological phenomena, from constitutions equally sound 
 and vigorous, previous to the reception of the morbifxc agents. 
 The practice of medicine should be the practice of its philo- 
 sophy — and except we master the philosophy of pathological 
 gradation arising from the nature and character of the mor- 
 bific agents, and the constitutions of those receptive of them, 
 we have no premises from whence to deduce our therapeu- 
 tical indications. 
 
 During the existence of yellow fever epidemics recupera- 
 tively characterized by free and open sthenic action, a great 
 proportion of those exposed to the morbid agents will be 
 found to possess such powers of vital assistance to their ac- 
 tion, as to remain entirely unaffected by them ; — or they may 
 be affected to the extent only of a predisposition to their re- 
 ception, or if overpowered by them, to the extent of their 
 entrance into any part of the organization, — their ravages 
 will be so slight, as to require from the conservative powers 
 nothing more than such mild recuperative excitations as will 
 expel the morbid conditions, frequently without any medi- 
 cation, through the secretions and excretions; — or, if any 
 should be considered necessary, none, but the mildest and 
 blandest remediate agents need^be put in requisition for the 
 purpose. In all epidemics of this description, in which the 
 resisting powers compared with other epidemics of higher 
 causative concentration, are but little weakened, there will 
 be, with much uniformity found, numerous gradations of 
 morbid sensibilities sooner or later succeeded by salutary 
 sensibilities, or recuperative excitations, in manner and de- 
 gree corresponding with such impairment of nervous energy 
 as the organization has received. Hence, we readily recog- 
 nize, fully and satisfactorily, the causes which more uniformly 
 and to greater extent gradate epidemic yellow fevers assump- 
 tive of the sthenic diathesis of recuperation, than those as- 
 sumptive of the asthenic. All the phenomena characterizing 
 the sthenic are more uniform, and subject to much more 
 gradation and uniformity of it, than those characterizing the 
 
112 
 
 asthenic; — which, arising from more malignant and concen* 
 trated causes, become assumptive of much greater variety of 
 anomalous phenomena, and less variety of gradation; — be- 
 cause, the organization is pathologized nearly, and often 
 quite, to the extent of irrecuperation. But however mildly 
 or severely the morbid and salutary sensibilities may be 
 manifested in the pathologized organization, they will indis- 
 putably require medicating agents more or less mild, or se- 
 vere, in their nature and operation, in a manner philosophi- 
 cally corresponding with the pathological and recuperative 
 gradations and variations ; — and all the anomalous patholo- 
 gical and recuperative phenomena will respectively require 
 their appropriately philosophic medicating agents. To ac- 
 quire all the knowledge necessary to be put in thorough re- 
 quisition for accomplishing the resolution and elimination of 
 the deep depressions and congestions of nervous energy, 
 originating the asthenic species of yellow fever, or any other 
 pestilential malady, is the greatest and noblest of all the 
 achievements which man is capable of performing this side 
 of that eternal blessedness, to the translation of which he is 
 sooner or later destined, through the perfectionating opera- 
 tiveness of his nervous organization. What is the intellectual 
 glory, great as it is justly to Jae estimated, of instituting and 
 defining the rights of persons and things, individually and 
 nationally considered, and of conducting them to the legiti- 
 mate standard of justice through ligitation, when disputes 
 arise between meum et tuuni ? What is the intellectual glory 
 of sacking cities, demolishing empires, and slaughtering 
 millions of immortal beings? Or what is the intellectual 
 glory, pertaining to any of the pursuits of man, — when com- 
 pared with the acquisition of such philosophical knowledge 
 and controul over the deeply distempered organization of 
 man, as will enable the talented practitioner of medicine to 
 rescue his fellow men from such destruction as would be in- 
 evitable,— without the acquisition and exercise of such know- 
 ledge ? 
 
 We have unfolded in general terms, all such setiological 
 
U8 
 
 and recuperative philosopliy pertaining to the organization 
 when pathologizeil by tlie poisonous miasmata causative of 
 epidemic yellow fevers, as will conduct every philosophic 
 practitioner straight forward to such graduated and varied 
 medication, as will be scientifically correspondent with all 
 the pathological and recuperative characteristics of all the 
 cases presented to their observation, either in the sthenic or 
 asthenic species of yellow fever, however gradated or ano- 
 malously varied. 
 
 The examination of all other pestilential epidemics — 
 plagues, typhus fevers, or other malignant maladies, origi- 
 nating in and confined to particular localities, — or influenzas, 
 choleras, &c. that traverse and desolate the earth, will ine- 
 vitably result in all the conclusions we have drawn from the 
 considerations we have bestowed on yellow fevers. 
 
 What medication cures the spasmodic cholera? Any that 
 will resolve the concentrated depressions and congestions of 
 the nervous energies supplying the assimilative apparatus of 
 the organization. The nervous powers supplying what has 
 been called by some physiologists organic life, in this de- 
 plorable malady are congested beyond redemption, except 
 the pathological conditions by appropriate medication be so 
 far weakened and meliorated, as to permit the organization 
 to institute recuperative excitations or salutary reaction as it 
 is called, by which the elimination of the morbid sensibili- 
 ties may be effected through the legitimate outlets, by the 
 continuance of such medication as is appropriate to the recu- 
 perative condition of the organization. The analysis of this, 
 one of the most desolating of all the pestilences which have 
 ever afilicted the human race, will indubitably prove all the 
 positions we have advanced respecting yellow fever, and 
 prove that precisely similar positions must be assumed for 
 reaching the philosophy pertaining to all maladies whatso- 
 ever, from whatsoever causative agents originating. The 
 analysis of any one disease, either of the highest or lowest 
 grade, but particularly of the highest, unfolds the principles 
 for analyzing all the maladies to which mankind have ever 
 
114 
 
 been, or ever can be subject, from all and every possible 
 variety of causation. 
 
 Not one of the systems of medical philosophy, ancient or 
 modern, recognizes a single one of the principles constituting 
 our own, to such extent as required by true philosophy ; — 
 therefore can prefer no claims to our affiliation. 
 
 Our system is irremovably grounded on a series of self- 
 evident propositions, developing all the principles required 
 for thoroughlj' elucidating all the physiological phenomena 
 pertaining to the organization in a salutary condition, from 
 the appropriate reception and distribution of appropriate 
 sensibilities, from appropriate sources, in appropriate quan- 
 tities; — for elucidating as thoroughly all the pathological 
 phenomena arising from the reception and transmission of 
 morbid sensibilities, from whatsoever causative agents; — 
 and for as thoroughly and satisfactorily elucidating all the re- 
 cuperative excitations, instituted by the conservative powers 
 for their elimination, in all cases in which they have not 
 pathologized the organization to the irrecuperative extent of 
 nervous depression and congestion; — and finally, leads us to 
 the recognition and adoption of the most efficacious medica- 
 tion, for eliminating all morbid sensibilities whatsoever, 
 from whatsoever causes arising. We therefore utterly de- 
 molish all such philosophies as have heretofore been pre- 
 sented to the world, and open to palpable observation, ine- 
 vitable recognition, and scientific appreciation, all the true 
 and natural principles which should guide and direct us all, 
 in all our medical- investigations. As therefore the study of 
 medicine, agreeably to the principles unfolded by our self- 
 evident propositions, must lead to all the real, rational, and 
 therefore permanent improvements, of which the science is 
 now, or ever can be rendered susceptible, we shall proceed 
 to some further observations for the purpose of more fully 
 illustrating this truly natural and common sense system of 
 medicine. 
 
 Our philosophy leads to the utter demolition of all pre- 
 vious nosology, as totally unnatural and arbitrary, therefore 
 
115 
 
 totally unphilosophical, and inevitably leading to such biblio- 
 thecal and routine practice, as has heretofore operated more 
 exclusively than any other cause, to. blind, dazzle and be- 
 wilder medical men, and preclude them from instituting any 
 thing like appropriate investigations, for eliciting the truths 
 of medical philosophy. Until, therefore, medical practi- 
 tioners shall extricate themselves from the puzzling and be- 
 witching chaos conjured up by the nosologists, and become 
 fully convinced that their labours have been worse than use- 
 less, that they have dazzled and bewildered their readers to 
 the preclusive extent of making any medical researches, and 
 moreover, -had the effect of confirming themselves, as well 
 as the rest of the medical world, in the besotting darkness 
 of the grossest ignorance, they will never make any progress 
 toward the acquisition of the noblest of all human know- 
 ledge — the true philosophy of medicine. 
 
 Every system of medicine, ancient and modern, has been 
 erected on some one or tnore fancied assumptions of meta- 
 physical entities ; all more or less differing from each other, 
 and consequently, requiring correspondently different noso- 
 logizing ; — which they have respectively received, to such 
 unintelligible extent, that the student soon finds himself be- 
 wildered in an inextricable labyrinth of nomenclatural diffi- 
 culties, totally incomprehensible to him, and existing, in 
 fact, only in the wild fancies of those who projected them. 
 But the true philosophy of medicine is rapidly unveiling it- 
 self to the unhesitating recognition of all legitimately de- 
 rived medical intelligence ; — and many of the most talented 
 practitioners of the science in Europe, and our own country, 
 have, through their inductive researches, elicited so many 
 important facts aetiologically, recuperatively, and therapeu- 
 tically considered ; and deduced from them such approach to 
 legitimate reasoning, — that they are on the point of acknow- 
 ledging all our propositions, and the principles developed 
 by them. All such practitioners are to be considered as 
 having liberated themselves, not only from the ignominious 
 thraldom of nosology, but from most of the mystic influ- 
 
116 
 
 ences, which have for thousands of years been so delete- 
 riously operative on the medical sciences : — they are now 
 standing on the very threshhold of the temple of medical 
 philosophy, into which they will sooner or later effect a le- 
 gitimate entrance, by recognizing the organization of man in 
 a primary, progressive, and ultimate sense considered, as ex- 
 clusively nervous in composition and action, frorn his crea- 
 tion or reproduction, and continuance in time, until his 
 translation to eternity shall be effected, through the ethereal 
 operativeness of the perfectionating radicles of his nervous 
 organization. The entrance by some one or more of those 
 meritorious philosophers now engaged in the study of the 
 nervous system, will soon be effected, not only into the 
 temple of medical, but of moral and religious philosophy, 
 where they will soon have revealed to them the true phi- 
 losophy of the relationship existing between their omnipo- 
 tent Creator and themselves, — and have clearly demonstrated 
 to them, that the philosophical radicles of the sum total of 
 all the varied knowledge which man can aspire to and attain, 
 during his probationary existence in time, are exclusively 
 inherent and operative in his nervous organization. In this 
 temple of universal knowledge, they will recognize beyond 
 the possibility of successful contradiction, the truth of all our 
 propositions, and the principles developed by them. They 
 will learn that the philosophy of nosology should be in strict 
 correspondence with such physiological and. pathological 
 phenomena, as are manifested • by the nervous organization 
 when distempered from whatsoever causative agents. And 
 they will learn, that to nosologize all the ills which flesh and 
 blood are heir to, agreeably to the principles flowing from 
 strict philosophy, it would be indispensably necessary, to 
 wield the power of resolving the varied organization of man, 
 with all its correspondently varied operations, and all the 
 numerous and variedly specific morbific causes, and their 
 correspondently varied specific pathological consequences, 
 and the correspondently varied and specific recuperative ex- 
 citations, ordinarily accompanying, or sooner or later sue- 
 
117 
 
 ceeding them, into their respectively varied and specific com- 
 ponent elements ; and to clearly see and appreciate the infi- 
 nite variations and modifications, to which such ills are sub- 
 ject, from the varying influences of physical, political, moral, 
 and religious causes, as modifying and modelling the immense 
 variety of manners and customs, pertaining to man, in the 
 different climates and regions of the earth. The essential 
 principles compositive of the total philosophy of Deity and 
 all his creations might, therefore, with quite as much reason, 
 be attempted, as to nosologize diseases to such strict extent, 
 as would be required by the total and true philosophy per- 
 taining to them. 
 
 Our philosophy therefore, rejects all the nosological sys- 
 tems now in vogue, because they are all built on unintelligi- 
 ble and metaphysically mystic entities, unavoidably dazzling 
 and bewildering learners, and leading them far astray from 
 such natural, simple, and true philosophy, as can alone guide 
 and direct them in their studies, to the acquisition of suc- 
 cessful and philosophical results. We recognize the nature 
 and force of the causes, which have so uniformly and power- 
 fully operated to retard our advance in the medical sciences; 
 and now, after having mastered the true philosophy pertain- 
 ing to them, must recognize the impossibility of reaching 
 positively mathematical demonstration, respecting the varied 
 knowledge, respectively supportive of them, as philosophical 
 sciences. 
 
 But notwithstanding these recognitions are unavoidably 
 demanded by true philosophy, we unhesitatingly pronounce, 
 that by appropriate prosecution of our medical studies, we 
 shall unavoidably reach such intuitive self-evident demon- 
 stration in all the branches of the science, as will be infinitely 
 more satisfactory than the partial advance to positiveness 
 which has been effected by measuring the distances, and cal- 
 culating the movements, &c. of a few of the physical crea- 
 tions. 
 
 We therefore inculcate the indispensable necessity of tho- 
 roughly mastering the aetiological departments of medicine, 
 16 
 
118 
 
 by thoroughly studying the doctrine of causation respective- 
 ly, and specifically, pertaining to each and every deviation, 
 from the salutary physiological condition of the system. The 
 varied natures of the causative agents, often exterior to the 
 organization, are to be respectively and specifically studied 
 at their sources ; but the pathological conditions of the orga- 
 nizations receptive of them, and of the recuperative excita- 
 tions raised by the conservative powers, or by such physio- 
 logical powers, as remain operative in the pathologized or- 
 ganizations, are to be exclusively studied at the bed-side of 
 the sick. They will there only be found characterized by 
 such numberless varieties of symptoms, or external and in- 
 ternal manifestations, as to positively prohibit such nosolo- 
 gical nomenclature, as would be required by our philosophy, 
 when carried to its legitimate and ultimate results. For the 
 different cases of disease appropriately and philosophically 
 ranking under the same general head of pathological and re- 
 cuperative phenomena, and arising from the same general 
 cause, or causes, even in the same localities, will exhibit 
 such infinite variety of manifestation, that they cannot be 
 philosophically recognized by consentient symptomatology. 
 The morbid sensibilities respectively constituting them will 
 be so variant, and consequently, the recuperative excitations 
 so dissimilar and variant, as to require equally varied insti- 
 tutions of varied medication, for resolving the varied morbid 
 sensibilities, and eliminating them from the organization. 
 
 And if they are subject to all these variations in similar 
 localities, not only during the same, but much more so, the 
 different seasons; they must be considered subject to them 
 equally, in different localities from similar causes, and there- 
 fore productive of pathological and recuperative phenomena 
 frequently much more variant, from variety of causation, 
 than those occurring in the first-mentioned localities. Yel- 
 low fevers are therefore characterized as to their essential 
 phenomena, not only very variantly during the different sea- 
 sons of their prevalence in the same localities, but still more 
 variantly characterized from the same causes, in the differ- 
 
119 
 
 ent localities where tliey prevail. These are not distinctions 
 without differences, — variations without their correspondent 
 causes. These observations are philosophically sustained by 
 an examination of such epidemics, not only in the same lo- 
 calities, during the same and different seasons; l)utby a com- 
 parison of them with similar epidemics indifferent localities. 
 Hence has arisen such discrepancy of opinion respecting 
 these and man}"- other epidemics ; — hence the descriptions of 
 authors recognizing but a few general symptoms in common, 
 and making these to consist of a certain limited number of 
 ontological entities, unaccompanied by any philosophical ex- 
 planation. The truth is, they had no philosophy applicable 
 to them, to impart to us. But we are unfolding to them their 
 true and palpable philosophj- ; a philosophy which they can, 
 if they will appropriately read, study, and reflect upon, 
 readily recognize and appreciate. For they must unavoida- 
 bly in this way arrive at the recognition, that all diseases 
 whatever, arising from all causative agents whatever, consist 
 of greater or less depressions and congestions of the vital 
 energies of such departments of the organization as are im- 
 plicated in them; and that they consist of such depressions 
 of vitality, not only during the predisposition of the system 
 to their reception, when exposed to them, but at the very 
 instant of their entrance into it ; for notwithstanding they 
 thus gain their entrance through their stimulant operation, 
 yet they do so by overpowering the resisting, — the conserv- 
 ative energies of the organization for a longer or shorter 
 time, to a greater or less extent, by their depressive ope- 
 rations; — until, in ordinary cases, recuperative excitations 
 are either favourably, or feebly and inefficiently, or spasmo- 
 dically and convulsively raised ; — or not at all, according to 
 the nature and concentration of the causative agents, and the 
 conservative operativeness of the nervous organization. All 
 causative agents of disease therefore, invariably act to the de- 
 pression of nervous energy, and continue so to act, until ex- 
 pelled the system, or productive of death. The most nu- 
 merous and destructive diseases afflicting mankind, arise 
 
120 
 
 from noxious stimuli, and they are very numerous and va- 
 rious, and contrary to the belief of all medical philosophers, 
 in all ages, they invariably operate to the production of de- 
 pressions and congestions of the vital energies, of such de- 
 partments of the organization, as are either primarily or 
 consecutively invaded by, and receptive of them : — never 
 under any circumstances, to the excitation of increased ac- 
 tions, as manifested in the arterial circulations, or any other 
 departments of the organization. It is self-evidently impos- 
 sible, even to conceive, that noxious stimuli should, under 
 any circumstances of application, act otherwise than to the 
 enfeebling of nervous energy; — therefore all the irritations 
 and inflammations, and fevers, occurring and persisting, dur- 
 ing the continuance of the pathological conditions, are sa- 
 lutary productions of the vis medicatrix naturse. As are 
 the pathological, therefore, such will be the recuperative 
 phenomena. 
 
 The philosophy of the relationship existing between them 
 is therefore established; and it is obvious that they will both 
 be influenced in a manner corresponding with the greater or 
 less maturity of the causative agents, and the state of strength 
 and vigour of the resisting powers of the constitutions re- 
 spectively receptive of them. From the first and lowest, 
 therefore, to the last and highest maturity of causation, mi- 
 asmatically and constitutionally considered, there will be 
 found numerous gradations of this, and all other pestilential 
 epidemics, characterized by pathological and recuperative 
 phenomena, corresponding with such causative variations. 
 The first and lowest are usually productive of pathological 
 phenomena very soon succeeded in general, by free and open 
 recuperative excitation; — therefore of a much more limited 
 number of singularly anomalous recuperative manifestations; 
 and all the highest gradations of this pestilential epidemic, 
 when characterized by the ardent sthenic diathesis of recu- 
 peration will, if unchecked by appropriately philosophic me- 
 dication, not only run to the production of disorganizations, 
 and obstructions, and consecutive congestions of nervous 
 
121 
 
 energy, infinitely more fatal and incurable than the pri- 
 mary; but likewise to the production of a greater number 
 of anomalous, pathological, and recuperative phenomena, as 
 manifested in the organization, from the primary invasion of 
 the noxious agents, till they gnaw their way to the destruc- 
 tion of vitality, or are eliminated from the constitution by 
 the salutary operations of the conservative powers. But it 
 is always particularly to be recollected, that this epidemic, 
 when originated by the very highest concentration of causa- 
 tive maturity, is invariably characterized recuperatively, by 
 feeble and unavailing irritative and inflammatory, or febrile, 
 or both, — or spasmodic and convulsive, or no recuperative 
 manifestation at all. In all these pestilences of very highest 
 gradation, when thus unavailingly characterized by the low 
 typhoid, and ataxic or adynamic diathesis of recuperation, 
 there will be found a more and more numerous variety of 
 anomalous, pathological, and recuperative phenomena, ac- 
 cording to the varying intensity of causation. Such is in 
 general terms, the true philosophy of this and all other pes- 
 tilential epidemics, as to their causative gradations, both pa- 
 thologically and recuperatively considered, — we cannot now 
 descend to particulars, — our object being exclusively to un- 
 fold in general terms thetrucphilosophy which should guide 
 and direct us, not only in studying this, but all other epi- 
 demic pestilences. We shall now, therefore, notice but one 
 proof of the truth of our pestilential causative gradation, 
 which is conclusively demonstrative of it, without adducing 
 any other, viz: — that in the southern and intertropical cli- 
 mates, where these pestilences are of ordinary production, 
 in epidemics of the lowest causative gradation, strangers 
 and such as have been but a short time residents, are al- 
 most exclusively the only persons invaded by them : — 
 whereas, in the epidemics of these regions which are ori- 
 ginated by higher maturity of causation, and more parti- 
 cularly, by the very highest, the natives and those long re- 
 sident in, and seasoned to such regions, are liable to be at- 
 
122 
 
 tacked; — and even the brute creations become more or less 
 poisoned by the concentrated virulence of the noxious mias- 
 mata originating them; — as happened during the Athenian 
 and Egyptian plagues, and a vast variety of others since 
 those times. 
 
 The truth of all the observations we have made respecting 
 this pestilential epidemic, will be readily admitted by all the 
 talented and experienced practitioners in southern and inter- 
 tropical climates particularly ; and a philosophic observation 
 of the operations of the exclusively causative and continua- 
 tive instruments of our vitality, will alone conduct them and 
 us to the comprehension and appreciation of all the patholo- 
 gical conditions, characteristic not only of this, but of all 
 other pestilential epidemics, the cholera included, which 
 have excited for their expulsion from the organization by 
 the conservative energies, irritative, inflammatory, febrile, 
 spasmodic, convulsive, or any other more mixed and anoma- 
 lous recuperative manifestations, or none at all,^ — however 
 singularly irregular they may be presented to philosophic 
 observation, or however singularly dissimilar to the more 
 ordinary recuperative manifestations of the more ordinary 
 diseases, denominated febrile by the nosologists. 
 
 Epidemic yellow fevers are therefore to be philosophically 
 considered as plenarily rich in pathological and recuperative 
 phenomena, varying in correspondence with their causative 
 variations, miasmatically and constitutionally considered ; — 
 so are all other pestilential diseases, as well those restricted 
 to localities, as those traversing and desolating the earth. 
 However different from each other the poisonous materials 
 compositive of them maybe, when received into the organi- 
 zation, they become productive of pathological and recupe- 
 rative manifestations acting on the same general principles, 
 in all cases to the greater or less depression and congestion 
 of the nervous energies; — which are to be philosophically 
 considered, invariably, as proximately operative to the pro- 
 duction of recuperative excitations, sooner or later of the 
 
123 
 
 sthenic or asthenic species, according to the greater or less 
 diminution or prostration of nervous energy, or to no recu- 
 peration at all. 
 
 We may well therefore repeat, that not only the greater 
 or less maturity of causation in the noxious agents originating 
 such pestilential diseases, as are more or less exclusively re- 
 stricted in their ravages to localities, as the plague, bilious 
 and yellow fevers, typhus fevers, &c. — but also the greater 
 or less strength and vigour of vital resistances manifested in 
 the constitutions respectively receptive of them, are to be 
 taken into thoroughly philosophic consideration, in order to 
 appropriately recognize and appreciate their numerously 
 varying pathological and recuperative characteristics, not 
 only in the same, but during the different seasons of their 
 prevalence, in the same, as well as different localities. We 
 repeat this, because we wish that it may be distinctly noted 
 and recollected, that unless we constantly have in view these 
 truly philosophical causes of the variations of the pathological 
 and recuperative phenomena characterizing not only these, 
 but all other pestilential maladies, and all other maladies in 
 a greater or less degree from whatsoever causative agents 
 arising, we shall never reach the philosophy of medicine; — 
 but be forever practising ignominiously in the routine and 
 bibliothecal manner which leads exclusively to the confirma- 
 tion of ignorance and stupidity, and in fact to more or less 
 empiricism in the treatment of all diseases, from all causes; — 
 for, the philosophy of no one disease whatever can be under- 
 stood without recognizing the whole of the philosophy which 
 we have unfolded as pertaining to yellow fevers. 
 
 The whole of our philosophy thus delivered, calls for one 
 only axiom in the therapeutic department of the science, 
 which when appropriately recognized and estimated, will 
 lead the practitioner direct to the adoption of such medica- 
 tion, as will most effectively eliminate the morbid sensibili- 
 ties, constituting any disease whatever, from the organiza- 
 tion. This axiom will be instituted in due time; after we 
 shall have more fully and satisfactorily demonstrated it to 
 
124 
 
 be the only one required by the true philosophy pertaining 
 to every description of morbid sensibility which can now or 
 ever afflict the organization of man, under any circumstances 
 whatever to which he may be subjected in any regions of 
 our creation. In the mean time, as at the present writing, 
 the cholera asphyxia is devastating extensive regions of our 
 own country, and is a disease more admirably calculated, 
 probably, than any other epidemic pestilence, for proving 
 beyond all possible disputation, the truth of our fundamental 
 proposition, that the nervous system is exclusively the whole 
 system of man; — we shall bestow on it a few observations, 
 which will if possible, more fully illustrate our philosophy. 
 
 It may perhaps be deemed presumptive in us to undertake 
 an analysis of spasmodic cholera, — a disease we have never 
 seen raging epidemically; — but it must be recollected, that 
 our philosophy opens directly to palpable view, — to unhesi- 
 tating, unavoidable recognition, all the principles required 
 for analyzing all diseases whatever, to such satisfactory de- 
 monstrative extent, as they can now, or ever, be made sus- 
 ceptible of, this side of eternity. It will not therefore be 
 considered, that we are occupying forbidden ground, if we 
 appropriate to our use such descriptions of it as have been 
 communicated by the most eminent practitioners, who have 
 seen and witnessed and studied it, in the several regions of 
 the earth, particularly where it has from local causes been 
 rendered assumptive of the highest poisonous concentration 
 of malignancy : — for although the various descriptions which 
 have been given of it, in various regions of the earth where 
 it has prevailed, be in many respects very dissimilar, and 
 the philosophical speculations respecting the disease, mate- 
 rially different from each other; yet our philosophy forthwith 
 developes all the principles to be put in requisition for re- 
 conciling and forever settling all the discrepant descriptions 
 and speculations which have been elicited by them, respect- 
 ing this desolating scourge. 
 
 By the inductive process of ratiocination, it has been sa- 
 tisfactorily settled by most of the most distinguished of our 
 
125 
 
 medical philosophers, that the causes of all our epidemic 
 bih'ous and yellow fevers, typhus fevers and plagues, with 
 all their numerous gradations and correspondent complexities 
 of modification, are known to originate from the deleterious 
 miasmata evolved during the dissolution and putrefaction of 
 vegetable and animal substances separately; — or, as is most 
 usually the case, from a combination of both. All these, and 
 several other epidemic pestilences, are restricted to particu- 
 lar regions of the earth, and generally to particular localities 
 in such regions. And, when it is appropriately considered 
 that this is the nearest approach to truth, in the way of their 
 causation, which has or ever can be made, that it is simply 
 thus known that they all arise from noxious stimuli thus en- 
 gendered and denominated vegeto-animal miasmata or ma- 
 laria, totally incapable of analysis, and therefore of positive 
 demonstration, by'any philosophical machinery within the 
 reach of man, because invisible, intangible, &c. — much less 
 can it be expected, that even this approach to truth can be 
 mastered by any philosophical investigations that may be 
 instituted by man, respecting the component elements of the 
 noxious agents originating epidemic influenzas, choleras, &c. 
 that occasionally traverse and desolate much more extensive 
 regions of the earth. We know that all diseases must arise 
 from material causes, in a solid, liquid, or gaseous state, and 
 as the first mentioned class of epidemics are known to arise 
 from malaria, so the philosophy of analogy leads us to re- 
 cognize the latter class also, as arising from malaria, of more 
 extended subtile and penetrating atmospheric or telluric for- 
 mation, or of a combination of both; and all subject as to 
 their causation to some more remote planetary or other in- 
 fluences, operating to the production of the noxious mias- 
 mata originating cholera. There are many reasons which 
 might be adduced, from appropriate considerations, bestow- 
 ed on the atmospheric changes which have for a few years 
 past, been so manifestly subjected to philosophic observation, 
 to fortify this opinion. 
 
 17 
 
126 
 
 But whatever may be the subtile, penetrating, and malig- 
 nant nature of the causes of cholera, it is certain that they . 
 have originated in the different regions of the earth which 
 have been invaded by them, very different pathological and 
 recuperative phenomena ; and therefore, that the noxious 
 stimuli and constitutions receptive of them, must have been 
 matured in malignancy, in a manner appropriately corres- 
 ponding to such varied malignancy of effect. It is particu- 
 larly worthy of philosophic observation, that the causes 
 which originated this disease in many of the Asiatic regions, 
 must have been matured to the very highest point of pesti- 
 lential concentration ; — as thousands on thousands were 
 struck as instantly dead by them, as they could have been 
 by lightning; — and millions on millions of them, in from 
 one to less than twenty-four hours, without any premoni- 
 tion. And it m.ay be also very appropriately observed, that 
 the causes productive of this pestilence throughout Asia, 
 were much more matured than those productive of it in 
 Europe ; — and those in Europe much more so, generally, 
 than those in our own country. From India, or any other 
 parts of Asia, ravaged by this epidemic, we hear little, if 
 any thing, said about premonitory symptoms, by any of the 
 distinguished physicians who witnessed it there. It is in 
 Europe we first learn that this disease is always preceded by 
 premonitory symptoms, easy of removal, and therefore of 
 the prevention of spasmodic cholera ; and in our own coun- 
 try, we have heard still more of these premonitory symp- 
 toms, — the removal of which prevents the dread cholera. 
 The causes of all these different opinions are obviously to 
 be attributed to causative variations : — which settles at once 
 the discrepancies among the medical philosophers in the va- 
 rious parts of the world which have been ravaged by this 
 dread pestilence. It is with this, as with all other pestilen- 
 tial epidemics, travelling so much in darkness, that as is the 
 maturity of its causes, and the state of predisposition to their 
 reception in the organizations when exposed to, and recep- 
 tive of them, such must, and inevitably will be, in a cor- 
 
127 
 
 responding degree, the characteristics of the pathological and 
 recuperative phenomena induced by them. We see that in 
 Asia, where endemic and epidemic choleras have so often 
 occurred of highest maturity of concentration, that the in- 
 stant of invasion is generally, cither death, or irretrievable 
 collapse, of the total vital energies of the organization; and 
 that in none of tliese cases is there any division into stages, 
 that can be recognized by true philosophy. There are no 
 premonitory symptoms, — no recuperative phenomena insti- 
 tuted by the conservative powers of any avail, or that can be 
 discerned or recognized by other than legitimately philoso- 
 phic observation: — all are in fact, or may be so considered, 
 as to their ravaging effects, pathological phenomena, pros- 
 trating the powers of life beyond redemption, either instant- 
 ly, or in a very few hours ; — unless by appropriately potent 
 medication, reaction can be instituted, and rendered conduc- 
 tive to the resolution and expulsion of the pathological phe- 
 nomena. The true Asiatic cholera therefore, cannot be phi- 
 losophically recognized, as divisible into stages. If, there- 
 fore, the very highest grades of cholera, arising from the 
 very highest and most matured malignancy of causation, and 
 therefore productive of the most perfect and matured cases 
 of it, are not divisible into stadia; — with what show of phi- 
 losophical plausibility can the milder grades of it, arising 
 from causes of correspondent mildness of maturity, be con- 
 sidered as scientifically entitled to such divisibility? The 
 truth is, that from the very mildest grade of pathological 
 condition constituting cholera, to the very highest, which 
 extinguishes vitality with the rapidity of lightning, true phi- 
 losophy admits no division, or separation of this malady, 
 into stages; — but recognizes it as being one and the same 
 condition of depressed and congested nervous energy, differ- 
 ing exclusively in degree. The noxious stimuli originating 
 all the milder and medial grades of cholera, very conspicu- 
 ously manifest their ravaging actions, very exclusively in 
 general, on and in the assimilative department of vitality, 
 destroying the tone of the nutrient, absorbing, secreting, and 
 
128 
 
 exhaling vessels, — even in the mildest grades, when charac- 
 terized by simple diarrhoea, and occasional vomiting: — and 
 if these pathological conditions be suffered to progress, un- 
 checked by appropriate medication, the mucous and serous 
 fluids soon commence running out profusely, from the innu- 
 merable toneless and patulous extreme vessels of the alimen- 
 tary region. And not only are these innumerable myriads 
 of extreme vessels rendered torpid and toneless in the com- 
 mencement of this disease, even in the mildest cases, but 
 the total glandular apparatus of this extensive department 
 of the organization, nearly prostrated to the prevention of 
 secretion, — and in all the medial and higher grades to to- 
 tal prevention. Diarrhoea therefore, as maintained by many 
 among the ablest physicians, is not a salutary effort of na- 
 ture, but a pathological condition, inevitably and rapidly 
 running the organization to destruction, — if not forthwith 
 subdued by philosophic medication; — and this with occa- 
 sional nausea and vomiting, are to be considered as among 
 the incipient effects arising from the deleterious operation of 
 the noxious agents, after they have mastered the resisting 
 powers of the constitution, and attained their fixity in the 
 nutrient department of it. It is of the highest importance, 
 therefore, that practitioners should recognize diarrhoea and 
 vomiting as the commencement of one, and one only, train 
 of pathological phenomena, which run to the rapid extinction 
 of total vitality, unless impeded by favourable recuperation, 
 or appropriate medication. The stage of collapse has, in 
 fact, already commenced ; — the stage of invasion is the com- 
 mencement of the stage of collapse ; and there is but one 
 stage philosophically belonging to this, or any other disease. 
 The pathological phenomena constitute but one indivisible 
 stage, or train of morbid actions, leading to the death of the 
 whole, or a part of the organization, as the case may be, un- 
 less prevented by the recuperative excitations of the con- 
 servative powers, or appropriately philosophic medication. 
 The analysis of all the pathological phenomena characteriz- 
 ing all diseases whatsoever, however locally or generally af- 
 
129 
 
 fecting the organization, will conclusively prove this posi- 
 tion. And surely when we appropriately investigate, and 
 render duly philosophic consideration to the indubitable 
 fact, that the pathological phenomena primarily characteriz- 
 ing cholera, when unimpeded by favourable recuperative ex- 
 citation, or appropriate medication, not only so rapidly in- 
 crease in severity, but by the continued and unchecked ra- 
 vagings of the morbific agents, have superinduced upon them 
 numerous other pathological conditions which concomitantly 
 run the organization to such swift destruction ; — surely it 
 must be admitted, that such pathological phenomena are not 
 philosophically divisible into stages. Surely the pathologi- 
 cal phenomena constituting this disease, therefore, should be 
 more philosophically understood and appreciated, than they 
 have been; and their separation from the premonitory symp- 
 toms, (if physicians insist on recognizing such symptoms,) 
 philosophically effected; and not blended and intermixed 
 with each other to the constitution of such farrago of confu- 
 sion, as some authors have made out of them. The premo- 
 nitory symptoms, if retained at all, should be philosophically 
 restricted, exclusively, to such manifestations as are exhibited 
 by the organization during thecontention between the noxious 
 agents and the resisting powers, until either the first or last 
 have gained the victory. These are the only true premoni- 
 tory symptoms of cholera, and these are never manifested at 
 all, when the noxious stimuli are applied to the organization 
 in their highest state of malignant concentration, because 
 they pathologize it from the moment of invasion, beyond the 
 power of contention, or any available recuperation. We 
 thus designate to the public authorities and their physicians, 
 the true premonitory symptoms, if they must be retained at 
 all, and philosophically exhibit to them for recognition, the 
 true time when their sanatory exertions may be crowned 
 with most success; for at this time, which is longer or 
 shorter, according to the power of the noxious agents, or 
 the resisting abilities of the constitution, the noxious agents 
 might, by appropriately philosophic medication, be com- 
 
130 
 
 pletely vanquished in general, and the pathological pheno- 
 mena consequently prevented. 
 
 Neither the symptoms of depression of nervous energy 
 made on the organization during the premonitory period of 
 this disease, nor the resisting or recuperative excitations 
 raised by the conservative powers for removing them, and 
 preventing their entrance into the system, need here be enu- 
 merated ; — because they will be readily recognized by all 
 philosophic observers and practitioners of medicine. Our 
 present object is to show, that authors and practitioners in 
 general, have mistaken the true pathological phenomena su- 
 pervenient to the entrance of the noxious stimuli into the or- 
 ganization for sanatary phenomena; and to show the baneful 
 consequences which have so obviously ensued from such 
 misapprehension. These baneful consequences need no enu- 
 meration here; — our business is exclusively with the philo- 
 sophy of medicine ; — on the true comprehension of which, 
 depends our ability for appropriately designating to the pub- 
 lic authorities, the institution of the most efficient measures, 
 for preventing and removing, or meliorating their causes, 
 both as they are subject to our observation in the noxious 
 agents, or their sources, and in the constitutions of those ex- 
 posed to, or receptive of them. 
 ■ We have thus indicated the true premonitory, symptoms 
 of cholera to the recognition of all intelligent physicians who 
 may have predilection for them, — and shown that the true 
 pathological phenomena constituting it, are philosophically 
 indivisible into stadia. The beneficial consequences which 
 would result to society, from recognizing and appreciating 
 this important portion of the philosophy of medicine are too 
 easy of apprehension to need enumeration. 
 
 We proceed therefore to observe, that with the exception, 
 perhaps, of the sudor anglicus, no other pestilence has ever 
 occurred in our world, which generally from the primary 
 entrance and fixity of the noxious stimuli causative of it, 
 has so overwhelmingly prostrated, even in the general run 
 of the mildest cases of it, such an extensive department of 
 
131 
 
 the organization. The noxious agents, to a greater or less 
 extent, strike at once, even generally, in the mildest cases, 
 with such torpidity, not only the ganglionic department of 
 the nervous organization in the assimilative regions of vitali- 
 ty, but the very cerebro-spinal radicles of total vitality are 
 affected generally with such torpid and paralytic conditions, 
 that they are rendered utterly incapable of instituting any 
 actions, having any similitude to favourable recuperative ex- 
 citations. The extremities of all the vessels, of all the nu- 
 trient organs, arc quickly opened and converted into sluices 
 for draining off the waters of life; and the sensorial energies 
 so paralyzed, that they are completely incapacitated, even 
 generally in the mildest grades of this disease, from raising 
 any effective recuperation ; and in the medial grades gene- 
 rally, nothing more than the feeblest and most inefficient fe- 
 brile or inflammatory recuperation, in concomitancy with 
 occasional tremors, twitchings, and cramps, or spasms and 
 convulsions, which are nothing more nor less than such abor- 
 tive attempts as are made by the torpid, sensorial, and spi- 
 nal radicles, to institute more favourable recuperative exci- 
 tation. And it is to be particularly remarked and noted, 
 that this position is unequivocally demonstrated by an ap- 
 propriate consideration of the fact, that in the highest grades 
 of this malady, the central energies of the organization are 
 totally paralyzed, to the preclusion of exciting even these 
 abortive spasmodic manifestations of recuperation. In these 
 highest grades, paralysis of the total organization has so fix- 
 edly and irremovably occurred, that the central radicles of 
 vitality are so overwhelmed by the noxious stimuli, — that 
 they are deprived of the power of instituting even such fee- 
 ble movements in the nutrient region of vitality, as to ena- 
 ble the extreme vessels to pour out the vital fluids by vomit- 
 ing or purging. In such cases, confirmed paralysis has 
 seized the organization, — a total occlusion, or blocking up 
 of its vital powers has occurred, and total death either takes 
 place instantaneously, or, if it be feebly protracted a few 
 hours, none of the pathological conditions characterizing the 
 
132 
 
 milder and medial grades are to be seen, or in any manner 
 recognized; — and if in any such cases, recuperative move- 
 ments are to be discerned at all, they will be exclusively 
 manifested in the last gaspings for the continuance of life, by 
 convulsions. 
 
 These observations are applicable exclusively to the very 
 highest, among the highest grades of cholera, when termi- 
 nating life instantaneously, or nearly so. In other cases 
 amongst the highest grades, but not quite as high, where 
 life lasts a few hours, both pathological and recuperative phe- 
 nomena will be manifested,— but exclusively to philosophic 
 observation. The intelligent practitioner will readily re- 
 cognize, that during this short train of pathologic ravaging, 
 none but the most ineffective and unfavourable recuperative 
 excitations can be raised by the torpid sensorial radicles of 
 vitality. In fact, all the recuperative movements discernible 
 in the organization when thus saturated by pathological ra- 
 vaging, consist of occasional spasms and convulsions, — till 
 toward the close of life, when they cease altogether, from 
 total torpor of the innervating centres. In these cases, no 
 febrile or inflammatory movements are to be recognized in 
 the circulations, amounting to any thing in the similitude of 
 reaction; — for the pulse is either more or less feeble, quick 
 and contracted, or slow, laboured, and struggling, from the 
 very commencement of the entrance of the noxious agents 
 causing such pathological conditions; and the respiration 
 equally laborious, oppressed, and struggling, evincing the 
 nervous foundations of the organization to be affected by the 
 poisonous stimuli to the preclusive extent of raising any 
 other, than spasmodic or convulsive recuperation, or none 
 at all. 
 
 We have made these few observations on cholera for the 
 purpose of showing how important it is, in estimating the 
 character of any disease, to attend to its remote causative 
 gradations, as well as the causative gradations manifested to 
 philosophic observation, in the susceptibilities of the consti- 
 tutions of those exposed to the noxious agent, or agents ori- 
 
138 
 
 ginating it. We have made them also for the purpose of 
 showing the true premonitory symptoms of this disease, in 
 all such cases as exhibit them at all; — and for showing the 
 true pathological phenomena constituting it, and separating 
 them as they ought to be, from the premonitory phenomena; 
 and finally, for showing the recuperative phenomena of the 
 conservative powers, and separating them philosophically 
 from the two former sets of phenomena. The indispensably 
 philosopliic necessity of all this showing, will not be denied 
 or disputed, when we reflect on the immensely varied gra- 
 dations exhibited by this epidemic pestilence: — that the 
 premonitory symptoms are only conspicuously apparent to 
 observation, in the very mildest grades; — in all the medial 
 grades much less so ; — and in the highest, not at all. That 
 the pathological phenomena are conspicuously apparent in 
 all the milder, medial, and many of the highest grades, — 
 but in the very highest, not at all ; — the organization being 
 so paralyzed and deadened by the noxious stimuli, that it is 
 incapable of action sufficient to developeits pathological con- 
 dition by any signals that can be recognized by any other 
 than the true philosophic practitioner: — and that the recupe- 
 rative phenomena manifested in the mildest grades are the 
 most favourable; — in the medial much less so; — and in the 
 very highest, discernible only by spasms and convulsions, 
 either occasionally or coexistently, with the total extinction 
 of vitality ; — or by none at all, that can be rendered exhibi- 
 tive to ordinary observation. 
 
 From all this showing, we derive proof demonstrative, 
 that the nervous system is the one and only system of man's 
 organization; — for we see that the death of the circulations, 
 respiration, and of all the functional operations, pertaining 
 to all the organic structures, contained in the extensive de- 
 partments of assimilative vitality, may take place prior to 
 the total extinction of animal life, — as is evidenced in many 
 cases of this disease, by spasms being excited by the senso- 
 rial power of the cerebral centre, long after the total cessa- 
 tion of vitality in the nutrient region of the organization ; — 
 18 
 
134 
 
 showing conclusively, to philosophic observation, that the 
 cerebral centre of the organization of man is the grand focus 
 of radiation, for his mortal and immortal existence. 
 
 The baneful consequences which ensue to the public, from 
 being told by their physicians, that diarrhoea and vomiting, 
 in their commencement, are to be considered by them as the 
 phenomena precedent to cholera, Vv^e hope are now made ap- 
 parent to their observation; — and that it is therefore of the 
 very highest importance to the public safety, during the ra- 
 vages of this epidemic, that their physicians should recog- 
 nize, and philosophically appreciate and discriminate between 
 the true pathological and premonitory phenomena. Although 
 these incipient pathological phenomena may in general, in 
 their very commencement, be eliminated from the system 
 by appropriate medication, in constitutions which, previous 
 to the reception of the noxious stimuli, were tolerably sound 
 and vigorous, yet such elimination from unsound constitu- 
 tions must be considered totally impracticable, for obvious 
 reasons, which we have fully presented to philosophic ob- 
 servation and unavoidable recognition. 
 
 The only effective procedure to be forthwith instituted for 
 saving all such from destruction, is simply to apprize them 
 of the indispensable necessity of applying for the best medi- 
 cal aid, from the very instant of the commencement of the 
 true premonitory symptoms. The least weariness or lassi- 
 tude of feeling, during the existence of this pestilence, should 
 not be overlooked or disregarded ; — the physician should be 
 at hand, who may then, nearly, in all cases, and in all con- 
 stitutions, by appropriate treatment, vanquish the noxious 
 agents, and prevent their actual entrance into the organiza- 
 tion assailed, and thereby preclude the occurrence of that 
 pathological phenomenon diarrhoea, which inevitably sends 
 to swift destruction all those affected by it, who were pre- 
 viously debilitated, from whatsoever causes; — and too many 
 of those who were previously sound and vigorous, in de- 
 spite of the most appropriately philosophic medication. When 
 we consider that this incipient pathological phenomenon,— 
 
135 
 
 this simple diarrhoea, as it is called and considered by many 
 of our physicians, when designating to the public authorities 
 the premonitory symptoms, arises from the toneless patulous 
 condition of the innumerable absorbing, secreting, and ex- 
 haling vessels, of the alimentary region of vitality, the im- 
 portance of discerning and distinguishing the true pathologi- 
 cal from the premonitory phenomena, need not be insisted 
 on. Indeed this simple diai-rhoea, which has been consider- 
 ed by a number of our distinguished practitioners as a pre- 
 monitory symptom of cholera, is but the commencement of 
 the toneless condition, frequently in fact, to a greater or less 
 extent, of the total organization, but in all cases of the nu- 
 trient organic department, and if not rapidly arrested, leads 
 forthwith to the destruction of the life of the blood, and to 
 the thorough arrest of all the vivifying operations pertaining 
 to the alimentation of the organization. The vital fluid is 
 soon separated into its constituent elements, and the serous, 
 saline, and albuminous portions of it are profusely poured 
 from the system, through the toneless myriads of the patu- 
 lous extreme vessels of the alimonious region; — consequent- 
 ly, those component parts of the vital fluid, most easily 
 running into the putrefactive fermentation, being drained 
 from the system, the susceptibility of the dead body to cor- 
 ruption is very much retarded. This explains the reason of 
 the slowness of the body in becoming assumptive of the pu- 
 trefactive process after death, in all cases of this disease, 
 when characterized by such profuse drainings of all the com- 
 ponent parts of the vital fluid, except the fibrin, gelatin, co- 
 louring matter, and some portion of the albumen, which be- 
 come stagnant and coagulative in the large and deep-seated 
 vessels near the heart, in the large vessels of the portal re- 
 gion, venous synuses, &c. 
 
 This separation of the blood into its component parts, and 
 running out of the waters of life, explains the reason why 
 cholera in all its grades thus characterized, is precluded from 
 bringing into its list of pathological phenomena the haemor- 
 rhages and black vomitings of yellow fevers, malignant 
 
136 
 
 typhus, &c. — and the reason why they do not occur in the 
 highest grades, is obviously attributable to the short duration 
 of the disease, and the total paralysis of the organization. It 
 should therefore be observed and philosophically considered 
 and appreciated, that in these very highest grades of the dis- 
 ease, where the issue of the waters of life has not occurred 
 at all, or to partial extent, that putrefaction of the body may 
 and does occur, as soon after death as in bodies dead from 
 the most overwhelming grades of yellow fevers; — and in 
 both cases, for reasons which will be fully recognized, by 
 the philosophic practitioner. It should also be observed, 
 that the extinction of vitality in these highest grades of cho- 
 lera, is at once complete, thorough, total ; — and consequent- 
 ly, that the dead body does not longer retain its heat, than 
 it does in bodies dead from yellow fever. The reason of 
 which is, that in the more ordinary run of choleras of the 
 mildest and medial grades, characterized by profuse drain- 
 ings of the vital fluids from the nutrient region of the or- 
 ganization ; — the organic life of that region is totally extinct 
 long before the animal life of the cerebral centre, which for 
 several hours in many cases, continues operative to such ex- 
 tent, as to prevent the body from passing totally under the 
 dominion of physical laws. 
 
 We have made these few observations on cholera for the 
 purposes already mentioned, but more particularly for set- 
 tling its premonitory symptoms on such basis, as is demand- 
 ed by true philosophy. We have assigned to these premoni- 
 tory phenomena, (if they must be retained,) their legitimate- 
 ly philosophic location; and shown, that they are to be con- 
 sidered pathological, and not recuperative phenomena, for 
 which they have been mistaken by many distinguished phy- 
 sicians. 
 
 But we have now further to observe, that no disease has 
 ever elicited so much talk about premonitory symptoms as 
 this has done, amongst the majority of the ablest practitioners 
 both in Europe and our own country, except a very few 
 amongst the very ablest and most experienced of them, who 
 
137 
 
 can see no tenable philosophy for all this talk about such 
 symptoms, when it is considered that the perfection of the 
 disease, as it appears in its highest grades, is never preceded 
 by any recognizable premonition. The truth is, that there 
 are no premonitory symptoms belonging to this, or any other 
 disease whatever. Strict philosophy requires, that all the 
 symptoms should be considered as pathological or recupera- 
 tive, from the very instant of any the least percipiency of 
 deviation from the salutary actions of the organization. For 
 the state or condition of healthy vitality is not a forced state. 
 It is in every healthy system, a calm, equable reception, 
 flow and distribution, of pleasurable and salutary sensibility, 
 from the several salutary stimuli ordained by Deity, for the 
 creation and preservation of man's organization ; — and life 
 can never be, with any show of philosophy, considered as a 
 forced state, except when assailed by the causative agents of 
 disease. From this instant, the true pathological phenomena 
 commence, consisting in general of more or less sense of de- 
 bility, dullness of sensation, lassitude and weariness of feel- 
 ing, inaptitude for motion, &c. — accompanied, or sooner or 
 later succeeded, by recuperative excitations, as manifested 
 in the respiratory and circulatory departments of the organi- 
 zation, in all cases in which the vital energies are not over- 
 whelmed by the causative agents, to the preclusive extent of 
 exciting such recuperative movements. The characteristics 
 of the pathological phenomena will of course exclusively de- 
 pend on the nature and action of the causative agents on the 
 organization, and the abilities of the conservative powers for 
 resisting their deleterious operations; and the recuperative 
 phenomena will be philosophically characterized in corres- 
 pondent manner. However slightly, therefore, the causative 
 agents may affect any department of the organization with 
 debility and depression of its nervous energies, and however 
 easily they may be resolved and eliminated from the system 
 by the vis conservatrix naturae, or appropriate medication, 
 still, all such manifestations of nervous depression must be 
 philosophically recognized as pathological phenomena, as 
 
138 
 
 long as they remain thus deleteriously operative, on or in, 
 the organization. Philosophically speaking, therefore, we 
 cannot recognize premonitory symptoms as scientifically 
 pertaining to any morbid sensibilities whatever, and they 
 should be expunged from the philosophy of medicine. We 
 have restricted them as above, exclusively where they ought 
 to be, if retained at all, on account of the very great predi- 
 lection of the profession for them ; — but we reject them in 
 toto, — because totally unphilosophical, and because their re- 
 jection would aid the cause of philanthropy to much greater 
 extent, than to recognize and found our. humane exertions on 
 the location we have given them, in consequence of the pre- 
 dilection so eagerly manifested for them by the profession. 
 
 Since writing the above, we have seen and attentively stu- 
 died and treated a few cases of cholera, of every grade except 
 the very highest, — from which experience we derive posi- 
 tive confirmation of all the observations we have made re- 
 specting the philosophy pertaining to this epidemic — and 
 derive also proof positive, that from analyzing this, or any 
 other morbid sensibility, arising from any other morbid 
 agents, when concentratingly pathologizing the organization, 
 we unfold forthwith to inevitable recognition the universal 
 philosophy of medicine, as it should be, and is now, and 
 must remain, till man be disenthralled from his terrestrial — 
 and regenerated for his everlasting vitality. 
 
 In closing our observations on cholera, we may remark, 
 that some of our ablest practitioners, have viewed the term 
 cholera for this disease, as a gross misnomer. Nosology is 
 useless to the talented practitioner; — true philosophy, his 
 unerring beacon. Cholera is a misnomer, and philosophically 
 considered, — every disease however originated, has been 
 erroneously nosologized; — but this has received a name quite 
 as appropriate as any of the other morbid sensibilities, from 
 any of the other causes. The ordinary cases of cholera 
 arising sporadically, during the hot summer months, from 
 ordinary causes, are usually, sooner or later, after the de- 
 pressions of nervous energy constituting them have been re- 
 
139 
 
 moved, either by nature, or art, characterized by copious 
 discharges of bilious matter, more or less vitiated. 
 
 In all such slight deviations from the salutary standard of 
 action, thus characterized, this term for the disease, would 
 on superficial examination, appear to be appropriately philo- 
 sophical ; — but, whenever, the noxious stimuli act depres- 
 sively of nervous power, to the extent of diminishing or sus- 
 pending not only the biliary secretion, but in a greater or 
 less degree, all the other secretions, and depraving the ela- 
 borating energies of the organization to the prevention of 
 eliminative recuperation; — the utter worthlessness, of all 
 such nosologizing, as has been heretofore exhibited to the 
 world, is at once recognized by the philosophic practitioner 
 of medicine — and by him exclusively. 
 
 Similar complaints of misnomers have been often made by 
 the highest oracles of the profession, whenever epidemic 
 yellow fevers have been committing their ravages in our 
 cities. Would such complaints have been made by them 
 under the recognition of the true philosophy of disease? 
 
 Through all ages, the same complaints, from the same 
 sources have been made, on the irruption of pestilential epi- 
 demics. The sages of medicine have yielded such philoso- 
 phy, as they had, — luxuriated in hypotheses, and resorted to 
 experimental medication. 
 
 Would such have been the case under the true philosophy 
 of the laws regulating the salutary, as well as insalutary ope- 
 rations of the organization of man, from whatsoever causes 
 arising? 
 
 No — true philosophy is never unsettled — steadfast as crea- 
 tion's basis, it pursues a straight onward course to legitimate 
 results; — to harmony of sentim.ent, concorilancy of action, 
 and to community of philanthropic exertions, in the cause of 
 suffering humanity. 
 
 Spurious philosophy — baseless as the fabric of a vision — 
 restless as the whirlwind, — is unceasingly luxuriating in the 
 wildest hypotheses, and sophistical argumentations for sus- 
 taining them ; — and pursuing an infinity of devious coursing. 
 
140 
 
 all leading to illegitimate conclusions, — to the confirmation 
 of errors and prejudices, and to interminable wranglings, 
 between brethren of the same profession. 
 
 To proceed in the illustration of our philosophy beyond 
 all contradiction, we shall examine a few of the highest 
 grades, of a long catalogue of diseases, which have always 
 been considered and denominated nervous by the nosologists. 
 We have proved that true philosophy utterly rejects the re- 
 cognition of premonitory phenomena, as pertaining to any 
 diseases whatever: — our examination, therefore, must be ex- 
 clusively confined to the causative agents, their pathological 
 consequences, and recuperative excitations characterizing 
 them. And here it is forthwith to be observed and noted, 
 that all the medical philosophers and nosologists, who have 
 written on this extensive class of morbid sensibilities, have 
 uniformly blended and confounded the pathological and re- 
 cuperative phenomena together, in one chaotic jumble, — or 
 rather, particularly, in all their highest grades, have assigned 
 all, or nearly all, their characteristic manifestations to the 
 pathological department. They have invariably considered 
 the irregular and tumultuous agitations of the nervous orga- 
 nization, as exhibited to observation in the highest grades 
 of these diseases, by twitchings, cramps, spasms, and con- 
 vulsions, as exclusively pathological phenomena; — when in 
 truth, philosophy demonstrably proclaims them to be nothing 
 more nor less than recuperative phenomena; — abortive in 
 general, we admit, but such and such only, as the percipient 
 centre of the organization, under the depressive efiects of 
 the true pathologfcal phenomena constituting these diseases, 
 may possess the power of instituting. Let us examine a 
 few of these diseases : — in the first place, tetanus, for in- 
 stance, one of the highest grades of the class idiopathically 
 or traumatically considered ; — our business is to indicate the 
 true pathological and recuperative phenomena ; — to separate 
 them, and assign them their respective provinces in the phi- 
 losophy of medicine. The conservative or resisting power 
 of the organization, will not in this philosophical age of me- 
 
141 
 
 dicinc, be denied by any of our most talented, experienced, 
 and philosophic practitioners. They will readily recognize, 
 and philosophically separate, the true pathological conditions 
 constituting idiopathic tetanus, from the recuperative excita- 
 tions raised by the conservative powers ; — we shall, there- 
 fore, not examine and enumerate them, but bestow a few 
 observations on the traumatic kind, because characterized by 
 manifestations of deeper depressions and congestions of ner- 
 vous energy, and more intensely and uncontrollably ardent 
 recuperative excitations. What then are the pathological 
 phenomena constituting the morbid sensibilities characteriz- 
 ing traumatic tetanus ? We can be at no loss to answer this 
 question, when we consider philosophically the nature of 
 the lesion, operating in its effects, to the production of this 
 species of tetanus. A large nail, for example, penetrates 
 either through, or nearly through the foot, lacerating thou- 
 sands of nerves in the cutaneous, tendinous, and other com- 
 pact nervous structures, — the inevitable consequence of 
 which must, in general, be in susceptible constitutions, par- 
 ticularly in the hottest seasons of the hottest climates, pro- 
 ductive of the deepest depression and congestion of the vital 
 energies, in and surrounding the lacerated region, when not 
 favourably cured, either by nature or appropriate medica- 
 tion. It seems never to have been duly considered, that the 
 ragged and jagged tearing asunder of so many thousands of 
 nerves, and compact structural condensations of nervous 
 power, must of necessity, originate the very highest grade 
 of morbid sensibility, under the circumstances mentioned. 
 But it seems only necessary now to mention this undeniable 
 fact, to instantly insure its admission and philosophic appre- 
 ciation. The morbid sensibility thus induced then, in and 
 around the lacerated region, is of the most concentratedly 
 congestive description. The lacerated structures are all, not 
 only supplied with, but exclusively composed of, myriads of 
 nerves, which have consequently become receptive of mor- 
 bid sensibility, of the most overwhelming description. 
 19 
 
142 
 
 When these overwhelming pathological phenomena have 
 originated abortive spasmodic recuperation, in what manner 
 can they be eliminated from the organization ? The lacerated 
 region has dried up, and apparently healed, without the su- 
 pervention of such inflammatory recuperation, as is in all 
 such cases, indispensably necessary to the production of sup- 
 puration, sufficiently profuse to insure the elimination of the 
 morbid sensibility, and prevent the occurrence of this horri- 
 ble malady. Under such circumstances, in susceptible or- 
 ganizations, exposed to the morbid operation of excessive 
 heat, in favoured localities, traumatic tetanus, in some form 
 or other, will be most certainly manifested to observation. 
 
 In what departments of the organization then, when thus 
 deeply pathologized, are we to look for, or expect such sana- 
 tary exertions of the conservative powers, as may prove ef- 
 fectual to elimination of the morbid sensibilities? 
 
 If the resisting powers in, and surrounding the lacerated 
 region, have proved inadequate to elimination; or, if it has 
 not been effected through appropriate medication, and we 
 have confirmed tetanus arrayed before us in all its horrorsj 
 the resisting powers should be medicated to the production 
 of such inflammatory and febrific recuperation as may, when 
 aided by appropriate regulation of such salutary recupera- 
 tion, resolve and expel the pathological conditions from the 
 organization, through the appropriate secreting and excreting 
 emunctories. The nervous radicles of the cerebro-spinal 
 regions, the grand originators and distributors, through their 
 messengers the nerves, of all the varied powers, required for 
 the institution and continuance of all the varied functional 
 operations, of the varied organic structures, compositive of 
 the total organization, must be medicated in such philoso- 
 phic manner, as to be rendered capacitative to the origina- 
 tion and distribution of such nervous power as may be re- 
 quired, for the production of febrific recuperation in the res- 
 piratory and circulatory departments of the organization, for 
 resolving and eliminating such intensely morbid sensibility 
 as characterizes this and all other diseases of highest grades^ 
 
143 
 
 from whatever causes, when overwhelming the nervous 
 energies of the system, totally to the preclusion of such na- 
 tural and.favourable recuperative excitations, as are indispen- 
 sably necessary to effect the elimination of all morbid sensi- 
 bilities whatever. 
 
 But the origins of vitality in this disease are so intensely 
 percipient of the injury sustained by the nervous structures 
 of the lacerated region, that all the recuperative excitations 
 raised by them are exclusively characterized by spasms or 
 convulsions, or both, so that the pathological and recupera- 
 tive phenomena are equally operative to concomitant con- 
 gestions of nervous power, resembling the congestions both 
 pathological and recuperative, characterizing many of the 
 highest grades of cholera, or other plagues. Tetanus has no 
 fever; and never was, or ever will be cured, in any other 
 way, than by medicating the innervating centres of the pa- 
 thologized organization to the production of more or less 
 inflammatory and febrific recuperation, according to the 
 exigencies required by the philosophy of the morbid sensi- 
 bility constituting it. It is therefore of the highest importance 
 that practitioners of medicine should thoroughly understand 
 the'philosophy, which should be put in thorough requisition, 
 for the successful treatment of tetanus and many other spas- 
 modic diseases, (as they are erroneously nosologized,) arising 
 from causes productive of equal, or more highly intense and 
 aggravated morbid sensibilities. There is therefore no febri- 
 fic recuperation raised by the conservative powers in tetanus, 
 and no inflammatory, except such as arises in the capillary 
 circulation of the morbid lesion, and in the immediate neigh- 
 bourhood of the radicles of innervation, from the ardent ex- 
 ertions made by them, for the production of more favourable 
 recuperation. The sensorial powers, both of the cerebral 
 and, (whatever may be said to the contrary,) spinal radicles 
 of the organization, percipient of the morbid sensibilities, 
 originated in the lacerated region, are so intensely and ai'- 
 dently exerted, that their recuperative efforts are confined 
 exclusively to spasms and convulsions, which, if not con- 
 
144 
 
 trolled and subdued by appropriately philosophic medica- 
 tion, must inevitably terminate vitality. To subdue, there- 
 fore, these spasms and convulsions, and thereby extend the 
 recuperative excitations to the circulations, secretions and 
 excretions, the only legitimate outlets through which all pa- 
 thological phenomena are to be eliminated, we must, after 
 due preparation of the system, by such appropriately debili- 
 tating medications, as are particularly demanded by the spe- 
 cific exigencies of the case, exhibit antispasmodic and nar- 
 cotic remedies in any quantities, no matter how great, which 
 may be found philosophically necessary to subdue the spasms 
 and convulsions, and extend the recuperative excitations to 
 the requisite standard of constitutional operation for effecting 
 elimination; without which, no case of traumatic or idiopa- 
 thic tetanus ever was, or will be cured. This is the amount 
 of such medical philosophy as should be put in full requisi- 
 tion for successfully treating traumatic tetanus, and many 
 other diseases of equal or superior intensity of pathological 
 and recuperative congestions. 
 
 It is not so much therefore, owing to the positively in- 
 curable nature of traumatic tetanus, and many other of the 
 highest grades of diseases, from whatever causes originating, 
 that physicians are in general, so unsuccessful in their treat- 
 ment of them; — as it is to their lack of true philosophy, to 
 direct them to the adoption of the true therapeutical indica- 
 tions. We have indicated in general terms, the nature of 
 such pathological and recuperative philosophy, as charac- 
 terizes tetanus ; — and we may now further add, that nothing 
 more is necessary to the thorough understanding of it, than 
 to simply reflect on the nature of the consequences which 
 may so easily ensue, particularly in hot climates, in suscep- 
 tible constitutions, from a nail run through the foot, and 
 consequently dividing and tearing asunder the many and va- 
 rious structures composing it; — lacerating many thousands 
 of nerves, — the nerves of the true skin, of the muscles 
 and their fasciae, and tendons, which are nothing more 
 nor less, than compact condensations of nervous power, 
 
145 
 
 for strength and motion; — of the nerves of the ligaments, 
 burscc mucosre, cartilages, membranes, — membranes covering 
 the bones, and the bones themselves ; — which are all more 
 or less compact condensations of nervous energy, for purposes 
 too obvious to require enumeration. In the state of health, 
 these variedly nervous structures, for reasons equally obvious, 
 are more or less insensible; — but when wounded, often as- 
 sumptive of the most exquisite sensibility, and of pathologi- 
 cal phenomena, characterized by the utmost intensity of 
 pain and torture; — evincing demonstrably their compact 
 nervous organization. Surely this simple consideration must 
 needs lead every reflecting mind, direct to the recognition of 
 the intensely congestive nature of the pathology of tetanus. 
 If we further reflect, that all the nervous structures thus la- 
 cerated, on account of their excessive sensibility, are adverse 
 to the institution of such favourable inflammatory recupera- 
 tion as is required for eliminating them.orbid sensibilities by 
 suppuration, and thereby preventing the disease; — surely 
 we cannot help understanding with equal plainness, the na- 
 ture of the recuperative phenomena instituted by the radical 
 powers of the organization, when the nervous energies in 
 and surrounding the lacerated region, become incompetent 
 to effect the resolution and elimination of the pathological 
 phenomena. In this and all other local injuries, inflicted on 
 any department of the organization, nature first raises such irri- 
 tative or inflammatory recuperation in the immediate vicinity 
 of the morbid lesion as she is capable of, for expelling the 
 morbid sensibility by suppuration ; — and is frequently suc- 
 cessful, even without medication, when structures favourable 
 to suppuration are wounded, or otherwise pathologized; — 
 but the injured parts now under consideration, being ad- 
 verse to suppuration, are frequently unrelieved by such local 
 recuperation, though struggling to effect it, for several days 
 before the true pathological conditions are formed, which 
 call for the aid of the general or radical powers of the orga- 
 nization. Under such untoward circumstances, all the rea- 
 sons why the innervating centres become so intensely perci- 
 
146 
 
 pient of the unrelieved congestion of the vital energies of the 
 lacerated region, and act so ardently, as to transcend the 
 powers required of them for the production of eliminative 
 recuperation, and therefore expend their energies exclusively 
 in the excitation of spasms and convulsions, are philosophi- 
 cally self-evident. Or if the vital radicles of the organiza- 
 tion, while thus intensely percipient, and spasmodically re- 
 cuperative, extend their powers at all to the true recupera- 
 tive departments of the system, such powers of course will 
 be evidenced in the respiratory and circulatory depart- 
 ments, in such an agitated and tumultuous, hurried and 
 flurried, and spasmodic manner, as is correspondent with 
 their own convulsive operations. Surely the philosophy 
 therefore required for the most eflfective treatment of such 
 fixed, and, by nature, irremovable, pathological, and recupe- 
 rative congestions, is sufficiently apparent, and summarily 
 comprehended in what we have said above. 
 
 This philosophy was put in thorough operation during 
 the treatment of a case of unusually aggravated traumatic te- 
 tanus, in November, 1829, in consultation with our esteem- 
 ed friend. Dr. S. Mordecai. This case occurred and rushed 
 to the development of all its characteristic phenomena with 
 uncommon celerity, — in a strong and previously healthy, 
 vigorous, and athletic, negro-man, about thirty years of age. 
 He had received, ten or twelve days previous to the mani- 
 festations of his disease, a punctured wound in one of his 
 feet, from a nail, which had been neglected, and suffered to 
 heal spontaneously, or rather dry up, without appropriate se- 
 cretion for eliminating the morbid sensibility sequent to the 
 laceration of the nervous structures. 
 
 He was presented for treatment with the following essen- 
 tially characteristic phenomena. His abdominal muscles 
 were tense and rigidly contracted; — organs of deglutition 
 spasmed, nearly to the preclusion of swallowing; — maxil- 
 lary and temporal muscles affected with such spastic rigid- 
 ity as to nearly close his jaws, — and quite so, during the 
 continuance of his spasms; — his head and trunk stiff and 
 
147 
 
 fixed, and all the flexor and extensor muscles of his organi- 
 zation, so equally aflected with permanent spastic rigidity^ 
 that his whole system was perfectly rigid, stiff, and straight, 
 to the thorough constitution of true traumatic tetanus, — at- 
 tended with all its liighest and most alarming symptoms^ 
 great tightness and contraction of the thoracic muscles, vio- 
 lent pain and contraction at the anterior extremity of his 
 sternum, convulsively darting to his spinal region; — abdo- 
 minal muscles violently retracted; — countenance hideously 
 distorted; — eyes immovably fixed in their orbits, &c. 
 
 Here were pathological and recuperative congestions of 
 the very highest concentration, and totally irremovable by 
 any other than the most potent and appropriate medication, 
 most perseveringly and untiringly persisted in. The bite of 
 the most venomous serpent, or rabid animal, succeeded by 
 the most copious absorption of their poisons into the circula- 
 tion, could not have pathologized the organization to more 
 certain destruction, than would have befallen our patient, 
 without appropriately philosophic medication. 
 
 In this case the respiratory and circulatory departments 
 of the organization were affected with such tumultuous ner- 
 vous agitation as characterizes genuine hydrophobia; and 
 which has often been mistaken for fever, — without however 
 manifesting any one of the characteristics of febrific recu- 
 peration. Our patient was excessively anxious and alarmed 
 about his situation, as he had often seen the disease, and 
 never known it to have been cured. He was so certain that 
 death must inevitably be the issue of his case, that he posi- 
 tively refused, and for a long time persisted in refusing, to 
 attempt to take any medicine; alleging that it was impossi- 
 ble for him to swallow any thing; — evincing, in fact, nearly 
 the same repugnance to such attempt, as the hydrophobic 
 patient. 
 
 With much difficulty we surmounted this obstacle in the 
 case, and commenced our treatment with copious bleeding, 
 which was appropriately repeated several times during the 
 first seven days from the commencement of treatment^ — 
 
148 
 
 during which time he was blistered from the nape of the 
 neck to the sacrum, and extensively on the abdomen, and 
 blisters dressed with camph. mercur. ointment: — he was 
 thoroughly rubbed every two or three hours, regularly day 
 and night, with the most pungent and stimulant liniments, 
 and his bowels were kept regularly soluble by castor oil, 
 and injections of oil of turpentine, though given with great- 
 est difficulty. A deep incision was also made in place of the 
 wound in his foot, and dressed with lint steeped in spirit of 
 turpentine, and a cataplasm of mustard saturated with aqua 
 ammon. 
 
 In addition to this medication, we gave him from the 
 commencement of treatment, during the two first days, two 
 grains and a half of opium and five of calomel; — the next 
 two days, four of opium and ten of calomel; and the three 
 next, five of opium and ten of calomel, every three hours re- 
 gularly day and night; which, on the expiration of the se- 
 venth day, resulted in the production of a highly agitated 
 and tumultuous species of salivation, but with little, or no 
 alleviation, of pathological or recuperative congestion. We 
 therefore omitted the calomel, and gave him ten grains of 
 opium every three hours during the next four days; — and 
 between each dose of opium, a table-spoonful of musk mix- 
 ture, from a six ounce phial, containing three drachms of 
 musk, and three of laudanum; — at this time very partial re- 
 laxation of spasm in extremities was discerned; and we gave 
 him fifteen grains of opium every third hour during the two 
 next days and nights, which produced a little more relaxa- 
 tion of the contraction in the extremities; — but his head, 
 trunk, and neck continued affected with unabated spastic ri- 
 gidity. We therefore gave twenty grains every third hour 
 during the next thirty-six hours, which produced further re- 
 laxation of spasm in the extremities, and some relaxation of 
 the spasms of the head, neck, and trunk; — to insure our vic- 
 tory, we now gave thirty grains every fourth hour, increas- 
 ing also the musk and laudanum, which had been regularly 
 continued from the commencement of our opium course, as 
 
149 
 
 well as all the other remediate measures first enumerated; — 
 until, on the evening of the seventeenth day from the com- 
 mencement of the case, the spasms and convulsive agitations 
 of his system wore resolved, with the exception of the spas- 
 modic rigidity of his abdominal muscles, which, by a conti- 
 nuance of the same remediate course for two or three days 
 longer, were also resolved; — the congestive recuperation al- 
 layed, and the pathologized condition of the organization so 
 far meliorated, that the nervous radicles of vitality were re- 
 stored to such salutary condition, as enabled them to trans- 
 mit the requisite vital influence to the circulations, for effect- 
 ing elimination of the morbid sensibility from the organiza- 
 tion, through the appropriate secretory and excretory depart- 
 ments of it. 
 
 It may be remarked in this case, that although the first 
 course of calomel and opium was in nowise operative to the 
 relaxation of spastic recuperation, yet philosophy recognized 
 it as instrumental in the jjroduction of very considerable 
 amelioration in anticipation; — as it elicited a much more 
 hurried and tumultuous condition of the respiratory and cir- 
 culatory departments of the organization, and a state of spu- 
 rious salivation participative of correspondently tumultuous 
 characteristics; — all evincing, that the obstacles to the inci- 
 pient institution of the salutary recuperative excitations of 
 the conservative powers, were in their progress to removal. 
 
 To thoroughly allay, therefore, the inordinate and convul- 
 sive operations of the nervous centres, and enable them to 
 extend their powers to the production of salutary eliminative 
 recuperation, further bleeding, and more diligent frictions 
 were used, and thorough purgation by castor and terebin- 
 thinate oils persisted in, for tranquillizing the organization 
 down to the standard required, to enable it to act effectively 
 curative of the morbid sensibilities, — and our main medicat- 
 ing agent, opium, was therefore given, and gradually in- 
 creased, to an extent which may appear enormous to most 
 practitioners, but not greater than the true medicating philo- 
 sopliy legitimately pertaining to such concentrated patholo- 
 20 
 
150 
 
 glcal and recuperative congestions, rendered positively and 
 indispensably necessary. 
 
 And here it may not be inappropriate to observe, that the 
 successful treatment of the above related unusually severe 
 case of traumatic tetanus — a disease very seldom cured — 
 presents us with a satisfactory and beautiful demonstration 
 of the modus operandi of appropriately powerful and philo- 
 sophic medication, in resolving the pathological and recupe- 
 rative congestions, characterizing many of the highest grades 
 of diseases, to such extent as to enable the conservative 
 powers to institute the requisite febrific and inflammatory 
 excitations, for eliminating the morbid sensibilities through 
 their legitimate emunctories. 
 
 Practitioners of medicine in all ages have been in utter 
 darkness respecting the philosophy pertaining to the nature 
 and characteristics of the highly concentrated pathological 
 and recuperative congestions, constituting not only tetanus, 
 but all other diseases of highest grades, from whatsoever 
 causes arising; and however successful some of our most ta- 
 lented and experienced physicians may have at times been, 
 in the treatment of such diseases, — they have not been so, 
 under the knowledge and guidance of the true philosophy 
 pertaining to them. 
 
 The pathological and recuperative phenomena pertaining 
 to traumatic tetanus, it is to be observed, and particularly 
 noted, are not only originated, but continued, by mechanical 
 causes; — by solid substances dividing, compressing, lacerat- 
 ing and wounding, in some way or other, the nervous struc- 
 ture of some part or parts of the nervous organization; — 
 consequently, there is no absorption of deleterious matter, 
 either in a liquid or gaseous state, to render the innervating 
 centres positively immedicable to the elimination of the 
 morbid sensibilities, through the legitimate emunctories. 
 Philosophy, therefore, does not proclaim the incurability of 
 traumatic tetanus to be by any means so inevitably grounded, 
 as those highest grades of morbid sensibilities arising from 
 copious absorptions of virulent poisons, either of the animal 
 
151 
 
 or vegetable kind; — for these, frequently, pathologize the 
 organization to irrecuperation, — to instant or inevitably ra- 
 pid destruction. 
 
 We thus unfold to practitioners such philosophy as will 
 certainly enable them to institute such treatment as will, if 
 appropriately persisted in, generally eradicate the morbid 
 sensibilities constituting idiopathic tetanus from the organi- 
 zation, when not arising from such overwhelmingly delete- 
 rious remote causes, — from such virulently poisonous mias- 
 mata as are frequently engendered by putrefaction, in the 
 densely populated localities of miasmatic regions, and ren- 
 dered inevitably operative to the pathologization of the or- 
 ganization, totally beyond the power of recuperation, either 
 by the efforts of nature or medication. Traumatic tetanus, 
 therefore, when occurring in constitutions previously sound 
 and vigorous, we see, may be cured by appropriate medica- 
 tion persisted in to the extent required by the true philoso- 
 phy pertaining to the pathologized condition of the organi- 
 zation; — and we recognize with equal facility, the total phi- 
 losophy pertaining to the idiopathic kind, which is indispen- 
 sably necessary to be put in thorough requisition for elimi- 
 nating the morbid sensibHities constituting it, — and that it 
 may with certainty lead us to the institution of successful 
 medication for all such cases occurring in healthy constitu- 
 tions, when not remotely arising from poisonous stimuli 
 pathologically saturating the organization to the total extent 
 of irrecuperation. 
 
 Both kinds of tetanus, therefore, should be erased from 
 the opprobrious list of diseases, because not arising from 
 causes which pathologize the organization beyond redemp- 
 tion, except under the circumstances which have been just 
 mentioned and explained. 
 
 We may consider ourselves as having now in palpable 
 view the philosophy of the causes which render traumatic 
 tetanus by appropriately potent medication so often curable, 
 when occurring in sound constitutions, and so often incura- 
 ble in constitutions previously debilitated from any causes. 
 
152 
 
 And we may consider ourselves as having fully in view the 
 causes which render all diseases arising from all causes that 
 are subject to appreciable examination to much extent, cura- 
 ble or incurable. To this conclusion we are inevitably con- 
 ducted, by considering what should never for a moment be 
 lost sig'^t of by medical investigators, viz. that the central 
 radicles of innervation in the healthy organization are un- 
 ceasingly operative in preventing the intromission of noxious 
 agents, by imparting to respiration and arterial circulation, 
 such nervous powers as are respectively required by them 
 for animalizing, vivifying, and elaborating all the various 
 structures to their various healthy functional operations. 
 These two grand agents of the nervous centres, vs^hile salu- 
 tarily supplied with their appropriate powers, are incessantly 
 engaged in elaborating the energies of the total organization 
 to the reception of appropriate stimuli from without and 
 within its own domain; elaborating them to the selection and 
 reception of salutary stimuli from without, and within the 
 organization, through its absorbent nervous power, exclu- 
 sively inherent and operative in the capillary circulation, 
 throughout all its varied organic structures, in the tegumen- 
 tary envelopes within, and vvithoirt,and in.its various paren- 
 chymatous structures. The Capillary and venous circulations 
 of the healthy organization are therefore constantly elaborated 
 to an elective attraction, for salutary stimuli, by the nervous 
 centres rendering themselves operative to such effect, through 
 their vivifying apparatus of respiration and arterial circula- 
 tion. They are thus rendered elective to appropriate stimuli 
 from the physical creations, and to all the variously appro- 
 priate stimuli elaborated, in consequence of such election, 
 throughout its variously structured vital domain. 
 
 Health, therefore, or an elective' attraction for salutary 
 stimuli, consists of the constant absorption, transmission, and 
 distribution of appropriate salutary stimuli to the radical 
 nervous centres, which distribute them in appropriate quan- 
 tities to their vivifying, respiratory, and circulatory appara- 
 tus, for elaborating all the varied energies required by the 
 
153 
 
 varied organic structures, compositive of the total organiza- 
 tion. It is therefore obvious, that as noxious agents must 
 overpower this elective attraction, to effect their entrance 
 into any department of the organization, they will proceed 
 to greater or less ravaging extent, according to their malig- 
 nancytof composition, and to the strength of the resisting 
 powers of the organization; consequently, that the morbid 
 sensibilities constituting all diseases, will be more or less 
 mild or severe, more or less local or general, in degrees cor- 
 responding in a strictly philosophical manner with the nature 
 of the causative agents, and the- predisposition or idiosyn- 
 crasy of the constitutions receptive of them. As is there- 
 fore, the nature of the causative agent and the condition of 
 the organization receptive of it, such will inevitably be its 
 effects. 
 
 By the inductive process of reasoning, we have intwitive 
 demonstration of the modus operandi of the agents produc- 
 tive of both idiopathic and traumatic tetanus; and are forth- 
 with conducted, by the continuance of such reasoning pro*- 
 cess, to the institution of such methodus medendi, as will 
 eliminate the morbid sensibilities constituting th(?m, through 
 the appropriate emunctories, in all cases in which elimina- 
 tion is rendered possible through appropriate medication. 
 Man must sooner or later yield his terrestrial vitality to the 
 causative agents of disease; yet in any, or every case of dis- 
 tempered organization, arising from causes accessible to ap- 
 prehension and appreciation, by appropriately estimating 
 their effects, and the nervous energies remaining in the con- 
 stitutions receptive of them, agreeably to the principles de- 
 veloped by our philosophy, we may reach such diagnostic 
 certainty, as will enable us to predict unerringly the con- 
 sequences which will ensue from appropriate medication. 
 
 We have made these few observations, for the purpose 
 more particularly at the present time, of unrolling to there- 
 cognition of common sense, the true philosophy pertaining 
 to hydrophobia. This disease, when arising from the recep- 
 tion of a sufficient quantity of the rabid virus in a highly 
 
154 
 
 matured state of malignancy, must in the present state of our 
 knowledge, be considered incurable. In its highest grades 
 it is incurable, — because, the poisonous virus causative of it, 
 is absorbed into the circulations, and through them, the in- 
 nervating centres, and every department of the organization 
 become pathologized, to the total preclusion of resolving the 
 convulsive recuperation characterizing it, by any medica- 
 tion, to the requisite standard for enabling the conservative 
 powers to eliminate the morbid sensibilities through the le- 
 gitimate outlets. The rabid virus originating hydrophobia 
 of highest grade is, therefore, so concentratedly malignant, 
 as to poison the vital fluid, and consequently the total orga- 
 nization, — beyond the power of any effective recuperation, 
 by nature, or art. Until, therefore, (if it be possible,) some 
 therapeutic agent, or agents, can be discovered, which will 
 neutralize and expel the virus and its effects from the circu- 
 lations, so that the morbid sensibilities may be eliminated 
 through their only legitimate outlets, this disease must be 
 considered incurable. The hydrophobic virus, however, 
 like all other agents, acting deleteriously, when absorbed into 
 the circulatibns, has its degrees of malignancy, and is there- 
 fore operative to the production of pathological conditions, 
 in correspondent degrees. The noxious stimuli originating 
 yellow fevers, choleras, plagues, &c., of the very highest 
 grades, are as positively destructive of total vitality, as is 
 the most malignant rabid virus ; and equally require neu- 
 tralizing, or antidotal medication, for their elimination from 
 the organization. 
 
 We plainly see, therefore, through the whole philosophy 
 pertaining to this disease : — plainly see that the cases of it 
 recorded to have been successfully treated, must inevitably 
 have been originated by virus much less matured in malig- 
 nancy, than such as originates the highest and incurable 
 grades; for we may as readily recognize, and philosophically 
 appreciate, the operativeness of appropriate medication in re- 
 solving and eliminating the effects of the noxious virus cau- 
 sative of what may be philosophically denominated, the 
 
155 
 
 milder or medial grades of hydrophobia, as we can appreciate 
 the efficacy of appropriate medication in resolving and elimi- 
 nating the morbid sensibilities constituting the mild and me- 
 dial grades of yellow fever, cholera, &c. — and in a general 
 sense considered, as respects the operation of noxious agents 
 on the organization, on identical principles. 
 
 We can plainly see also, that many of the cases of hydro- 
 phobia recorded to have been cured, must have been of the 
 tetanic kind ; — must have arisen from wounded nerves, ten- 
 dons, &c. without the absorption of the rabid virus into the 
 organization : — for it is plainly to be recognized, that this 
 may often be the case, from the nature of the part bitten 
 being little prone to absorption, as is evidently the case in 
 many of the compact nervous structures most liable to be 
 wounded by the rabid animal. 
 
 We can see therefore through the medium of a light, as 
 dazzlingly palpable to philosophic observation and apprecia- 
 tion, as meridian sunshine, — all the causes which render 
 all the diseases of the very highest grades, arising from the 
 highest noxious stimuli, in their states of highest concentra- 
 tion, so difficultly eliminated, and with equal clearness appre- 
 ciate the reasons, which render appropriate medication so 
 easily conductive to the elimination of all the morbid sensi- 
 bilities constituting the milder grades arising from their cor- 
 respondently mild causes. 
 
 Tetanus and hydrophobia amongst all the diseases arranged 
 by the nosologists under their class of neuroses, are, patho- 
 logically considered, of the very highest grades, — and recu- 
 peratively considered, of the very lowest and most unfavour- 
 able, — for which reason we have selected them, to settle 
 such philosophy as pertains to them etiologically and recu- 
 peratively. This we have indisputably effected. They are 
 both unaccompanied by febrific or inflammatory recupera- 
 tion, that can be rendered available to elimination, and 
 neither of them can be cured, without raising such re- 
 cuperation by appropriate medication. The speculations of 
 authors respecting the inflammatory, or nervous character, 
 
156 
 
 of hydrophobia, are totally unscientific, and at variance with 
 all true philosophy pertaining to it, as we have unanswera- 
 bly demonstrated. The tumultuous agitations manifested in 
 the respiratory and circulatory departments, are spasmodic 
 and convulsive actions; — or such abortive recuperative exci- 
 tations, as the deeply pathologiz^d organization is alone ca- 
 pable of instituting; — and the marks of inflammatory action 
 supposed to be discovered by post mortem examination, — 
 and of sanguineous congestions, serous and sanguineous effu- 
 sions, &c. are nothing more nor less than the marks charac- 
 terizing the sequences, of intensely ardent convulsive recu- 
 peration — both as they are exhibited to view in the neigh- 
 bourhood of the morbid lesions, nervous centres, brain, 
 lungs, &c. 
 
 All such wounds as may become liable to originate either 
 of these terrible maladies, should never be permitted to heal 
 spontaneously. If not excised immediately, when practica- 
 ble or expedient, and the poisonous virus thus prevented 
 from entering' into ttle system, or prevented by appropriate 
 suction, by cupping, &c.; — the wounde should be freely en- 
 larged, and such applications made to them, as will produce 
 such inflammatory recuperation in, and surrounding the la- 
 cerated regions, as may be required for eliminating the mor- 
 bid sensibilities through copious suppuration. Wounds heal- 
 ed in this manner are never productive of either tetanus or 
 hydrophobia. When, however, from the neglect of this sim- 
 ple medication, such diseases are fully formed, any applica- 
 tions to the wounded regions, for the purpose of producing 
 suppuration, are for reasons too obvious now to mention, ut- 
 terly unavailing. The nervous power in and surrounding 
 the lacerated regions, has expended all its eliminative agency 
 without effect; — the morbid sensibility has become conges- 
 tive of nervous energy in the highest degree, and the ner- 
 vous centres have taken exclusively the charge of recupera- 
 tion into their own power; — and these powers are convul- 
 sively and abortively exerted to the rapid expenditure of the 
 vital energies of the system, without the possibility of ef- 
 
157 
 
 fecting eliminative recuperation. In such deplorable patho- 
 loo-ical and recuperative congestions as characterize traumatic 
 tetanus, we have seen, that true philosophy when put in 
 thorough requisition, may often achieve a conquest; — a glo- 
 rious conquest, of which the scientific practitioner may well 
 be proud. 
 
 It follows, therefore, that if it should be considered neces- 
 sary, after traumatic tetanus is fully formed, to make any 
 applications to the morbid lesion, they should be exclusive- 
 ly of the emollient and anodyne kind: — consequently, such 
 applications as were made to the lacerated region in the case of 
 tetanus above related, were evidently useless, probably, posi- 
 tively injurious — but certainly, not philosophically indicated. 
 
 It is impossible to understand the philosophy of diseases, 
 without studying them in their highest grades; — without 
 thoroughly investigating the nature and characteristics both 
 of the pathological and recuperative phenomena manifested 
 by them, and understanding with equal thoroughness the ex- 
 tent of departure of the pathological, from the healthy phy- 
 siological phenomena; — and estimating with appropriately 
 philosophical exactitude, the character of such recuperation 
 as may be raised either by nature or art. Without such 
 knowledge, we must forever grope about in darkness, and 
 our practice be forever tentative and empirical; — but with it 
 philosophical and eflective, in all cases not by their nature 
 positively incurable. True philosophy designa^^es at once the 
 curable from incurable cases; — and with equal facility desig- 
 nates the appropriate remedies, with their requisite degrees 
 of potency, and modes and quantities of exhibition, for effect- 
 ing resolution of the congestions, and elimination of the mor- 
 bid sensibilities. We have selected, therefore, for the illus- 
 tration of our philosophy, some of the very highest grades 
 of diseases, arising from their respectively and specifically 
 varied causes, and found, that however difierent the causes 
 and pathological conditions arising from them may be from 
 each other, they are all either accompanied, or sooner or 
 later succeeded, — or never, — by much homogeneity of re- 
 21 
 
158 
 
 cuperation, viz. homogeneous, in the sense, that they are all, 
 (however differently characterized in general, or modified in 
 particular they may be,) such recuperative excitations, as the 
 conservative powers in each and every case, are capable of 
 raising, for effecting resolution and expulsion of the patholo- 
 gical phenomena; — and are inva||ably manifested to our ob- 
 servation, by irritations, inflammations, fevers, spasms, con- 
 vulsions, or anomalous tumultuous agitations of the nervous 
 vital powers; — or by none at all; — as is undeniably the case 
 whenever the organization is rendered torpid or paralytic by 
 the noxious stimuli, to the preclusive extent of exciting any 
 recuperative action at all. 
 
 Now, in what book or books is such philosophy to be 
 gathered, as will lead the general run of practitioners to the 
 adoption of such medication, as will most effectually resolve 
 such overwhelming pathological and recuperative conges- 
 tions, and effect elimination of the morbid sensibilities con- 
 stituting diseases of highest grades, arising from whatsoever 
 causes? We are unfolding such philosophy as recognizes 
 the causes productive of such overwhelming congestions, and 
 of the remediate measures best adapted to effect their resolu- 
 tion, and to excite the requisite recuperation, for eliminating 
 the effects of the morbific agents from the system. All effec- 
 tive medication in such highly concentrated cases of morbid 
 sensibility, and congestive recuperation, must consist of the 
 most appropriately potent agents, and be exhibited with the 
 most philosophic: and untiring perseverance, to conduct them 
 to successful results. The same therapeutical philosophy 
 should be put in thorough requisition, for resolving the pa- 
 thological and recuperative congestions from whatsoever 
 causative agents arising, and eliminating the ravaging conse- 
 quences of the deleterious stimuli from the organization. All 
 the higher grades of diseases, whether characterized by spas- 
 modic or febrific recuperation, are to be medicated on simi- 
 lar principles, to insure elimination of the morbid sensibili- 
 ties constituting them. Spasmodic recuperation is to be re- 
 solved and converted into the febrific, and the febrific to be 
 
159 
 
 medicated to sucii secreting and excreting standard, as is 
 positively and exclusively necessary, to insure the thorough 
 expulsion of t!ie efiecls of the noxious agents, througli the 
 legitimate outlets of the organization. 
 
 The prominent characteristic of all the colics, mentioned 
 by all the nosologisls, is spasm; — considered by them, and 
 all the rest of the medical world as the characteristic patho- 
 logical phenomenon; — whereas, it is such congestive recupe- 
 ration as pertains to the disease, and until it be resolved 
 by appropriate medication, and febrific recuperation, insti tuted 
 in the respiratory and circulatory departments of the organi- 
 zation, these diseases cannot be conducted to successful issues. 
 There never was a disease of this kind, of highest grade, 
 conducted to successful result in any other way, than by re- 
 solving the spasm, — and then conducting the energies of the 
 system to the excitation of such febrific recuperation as may 
 prove, under appropriate medication, thoroughly eliminative 
 of the morbid sensibilities. For although colic be a restrict- 
 edly local disease, and either primarily accompanied, or 
 sooner or later succeeded, in mild cases, by irritative or 
 slightly inflammatory recuperation, which may prove suc- 
 cessful to elimination, even when, at the same time, accom- 
 panied or intermixed with slightly spasmodic recuperation; — 
 yet, whenever the pathological conditions are highly con- 
 centrative, they are inevitably succeeded by such highly 
 congestive spasmodic recuperation, that the local recuperative 
 energies of the affected region are totally inadequate to the 
 production of the series of curative processes, indispensably 
 necessary to effect elimination. The spasms must therefore 
 be resolved by appropriate medication, and the inflammatory 
 recuperation medicated to the eliminating standard by vene- 
 section, warm bathing, &.c. and appropriate purgation, after 
 spasms are allayed, &c. By such medication repeated and 
 persevered in, according to the exigencies of the case, the 
 pathological conditions will be so far allayed, and the spas- 
 modic recuperation so far subdued, as to enable the conser- 
 vative powers by the continuance of appropriate medication, 
 
160 
 
 to institute the necessary febrific recuperation in the respi- 
 ratory and circulatory departments of the organization; — 
 which alone, by the continuance of such medication as is 
 philosophically appropriate to the recuperative state thus in- 
 duced, will produce thorough resolution of all the conges- 
 tions, and eliminate the morbid sensibilities totally from the 
 organization. It is therefore to be particularly noted, that 
 the higher grades of these diseases cannot be medicated to 
 successful results, except the pathological and recuperative 
 congestions characterizing them, be so far resolved and al- 
 layed, that the conservative powers may institute the neces- 
 sary febrific excitation, for the production of thorough elimi- 
 nation of the morbid sensibilities constituting them. 
 
 Apoplexies, palsies, epilepsies, catalepsies, manias, &c. 
 and all others of the higher grades nosologized as nervous 
 by medical authors, are to be successfully medicated exclu- 
 sively on the same philosophical principles. Such primary 
 local pathological and recuperative congestions as characterize 
 them, are to be so far subdued, as to permit the extension of 
 the recuperative powers to the respiratory and circulatory 
 organs, which alone can thoroughly subdue them, and elimi- 
 nate the distempered sensibilities from the organization. 
 
 All morbid sensibilities whatever of highest grades, oc- 
 curring in any part or parts of the organization, characterized 
 by pathological and recuperative congestions of high concen- 
 tration, are to be medicated to successful results exactly and 
 exclusively in a similar manner, in a general sense consider- 
 ed, viz. — they must, however differently characterized they 
 may be, as arising from different specific causative agents, 
 be medicated to elimination through the secretory and ex- 
 cretory departments of the organization. True philosophy 
 unanswerably proclaims these to be the only outlets through 
 which their elimination can be effected. 
 
 All diseases exclusively local, however they may have 
 been nosologized, are to be medicated to resolution and eli- 
 mination, either by nature or art, through recuperative pro- 
 cesses, in a general sense considered, exactly similar to each 
 
161 
 
 other. These processes in the exclusively local diseases of 
 every description consist of recuperative excitations in the 
 capillary circulations, identical with those raised in the ge- 
 neral circulations for eliminating the morbid sensibi-litics. 
 The recuperative manifestations are the same in the one as 
 the other, in a philosophical sense considered ; — and their 
 regular terminations in resolution, suppuration, and mortifi- 
 cation the same ; — and they are subject to identical anoma- 
 lous terminations, from similar causes, — from the malignant 
 nature of the noxious agents productive of them, or the un- 
 healthy states of the constitutions receptive of them, — whe- 
 ther the recuperative excitations arc restricted exclusively 
 to the capillary circulation, or extended to all the circula- 
 tions. 
 
 A very partial consideration bestowed on any diseas^e lia- 
 ble to remain local in the capillary circulation, or to be trans- 
 mitted to the general circulations for elimination, will con- 
 clusively illustrate this sweeping proposition to intuitive 
 demonstration. We may take for instance a lacerated or 
 gunshot wound. When restrictedly local, the inflammatory 
 recuperation is beautifully manifested to observation during 
 its whole progress, until it has effected the thorough elimi- 
 nation of the morbid sensibility from the affected department 
 of the organization, by appropriate suppuration. When such 
 wounds are extensive, and characterized by deep depressions 
 and congestions of the nervous energies of the parts impli- 
 cated in the morbid sensibilities, the vital energies of the 
 surrounding sound parts are inadequate to the production of 
 their elimination through suppurative resolution, as it should 
 be denominated; — and the innervating centres, therefore, 
 institute recuperative excitations, not only in and through 
 the general arterial circulations, which are propagated to the 
 capillary, with the requisite momentum for raising the ne- 
 cessary elaboration of pus, for effecting elimination locally, — 
 but also for effecting general and thorough elimination of 
 such morbid constitutional sensibilities as may have sympa- 
 
162 
 
 thetically occurred, through one or more of the general se- 
 cretions and excretions. 
 
 Or the noxious agents may have occasioned such concen- 
 trated depressions and congestions of the vital energies in 
 and surrounding the lacerated region, that neither the local, 
 or both sets of recuperative excitations conjunctively, can, 
 even by the aid of the most appropriate medication, be made 
 to terminate in such salutary suppuration as is indispensably 
 necessary to cast off the effete and useless portions of the 
 organization destroyed by the wound: — in consequence of 
 which recuperative inability, in both the capillary and ge- 
 neral circulations, whether acting too excessively or dimi- 
 nishedly, mortification and death will be the inevitable se- 
 quents. Mortification under such circumstances ensues, from 
 the concentratedly malignant pathological phenomena over- 
 powering both the local and general recuperative pheno- 
 mena: — in which case, they gnaw away, and rapidly extend 
 their festering ravages to the total destruction of both local 
 and general recuperations, whether they be raised and exer- 
 cised by the innervating centres too excessively in strong 
 and vigorous constitutions, or in weak and debilitated con- 
 stitutions, too deficiently. 
 
 And here we may very appropriately observe, that medi- 
 cal philosophers have never given due consideration to the 
 causes of the different recuperative manifestations, either ac- 
 companying or succeeding the different pathological pheno- 
 mena, arising either from different noxious agents, or from 
 salutary agents when acting in excess or deficiency, on and 
 in the organization. All noxious agents invariably depress 
 and congest the vital energies of that part, or those parts, of 
 the organization, to which they are applied, or extended, 
 through the operativeness of such mutuality of sensation as 
 is inherent, and in a greater or less degree rendered active by 
 morbid excitation received from noxious stimuli, in greater 
 or less degrees throughout the various structures of the or- 
 ganization. 
 
163 
 
 ll certainly is a perfect absurdity to suppose, that poisons 
 can raise the vital energies of the organization, as long as 
 they remain rankling in any of its departments. The pro- 
 position, that all poisonous agents, when effecting their loca- 
 tion on or in any part of the system, act invariably to the 
 depression, congestion, and destruction, in a greater or less 
 degree, according to the malignant nature of the poisonous 
 agents, and the ability of the constitutions receptive of them, 
 to resist their deleterious influences, needs but to be men- 
 tioned to be unqualifiedly admitted. They never raise the 
 vital energies of the organization: — the resisting, conserva- 
 tive, recuperative powers of the constitution, raise all the 
 excitement, irritative, febrificor inflammatory, or spasmodic 
 and convulsive; — they raise all the reactive movements in 
 each and every case that are raised; — for in many cases, no 
 recuperative excitations are ever raised, either by nature or 
 medication ; — proving incontestibly, that noxious agents, 
 highly malignant in their composition, depress and congest, 
 not raise and excite, the energies of the organization to in- 
 creased actions, in any of its departments, or in a total sense 
 considered. This proposition is self-evident and incontro- 
 vertible; — consequently, the only one which can lead us to 
 the appropriate recognition and appreciation of the patholo- 
 gical phenomena constituting all diseases whatever, and of 
 the recuperative excitations raised by nature for their reso- 
 lution and expulsion from the system. As is therefore the 
 destructive nature of the noxious agents, such are and inevi- 
 tably will be the peculiar and specific pathological conditions 
 sequential to their entrance into any part or parts of the sys- 
 tem. Such pathological conditions will be manifested to ob- 
 servation by such symptomatic phenomena as are, and inevi- 
 tably must be, strictly and philosophically consistent with 
 the specific nature and operation of the noxious stimuli, and 
 the specific functional operations of the specific organic 
 structures invaded by them: — and the recuperative manifes- 
 tations will be equally correspondent with the depressive 
 effects of the noxious agents, and ability of the resisting 
 
164 
 
 powers of the constitution ; — and they will be raised in a 
 more or less favourable manner accordingly, or not at all. 
 
 Through the judicious application of the unerring princi- 
 ples of this philosophy, we can most assuredly recognize and 
 appreciate the reasons, which render the pathological pheno- 
 mena characterizing jail, hospital, and camp fevers, as they 
 are called, and all others, however nosologized, that are cha- 
 racterized by adynamic and ataxic modifications, and ano- 
 malous variations, of recuperative phenomena^ so difficultly 
 eliminated from the organization, either by nature or appro- 
 priate medication. 
 
 Whenever, therefore, the pathological phenomena origi- 
 nate the low typhoid, or asthenic recuperative excitations, 
 of the febrific and inflammatory kind; — or spasmodic and 
 convulsive recuperations; — or recuperative excitations cha- 
 racterized by the feeblest and most inefficient febrific and 
 inflammatory action, intermixed more or less with nervous 
 tremors, and agitations, subsultus tendinum,&c.: — whenever 
 and wherever we find such abortive attempts made by the 
 conservative powers for elimination, we may be assured that 
 the pathological phenomena have arisen from poisonous 
 agents, highly matured in malignancy of composition; — and 
 that whenever no recuperative excitations at all are raised, 
 they must have arisen from poisonous stimuli, still higher 
 matured in malignancy. By duly discovering and estimat- 
 ing therefore the states or degrees of malignant concentra- 
 tion of the noxious stimuli, which are productive of patho- 
 logical phenomena so overwhelming the vital powers of the 
 organization, we readily recognize the causes of all such 
 feeble and unavailing recuperative phenomena, as must in- 
 evitably, sooner or later, if at all, succeed them, whenever 
 the powers of the nervous organization are not depressed and 
 congested to the positive extent of irrecuperation. 
 
 On the other hand we can as readily recognize the reasons 
 why more energetic recuperation is raised by such patholo- 
 gical phenomena as are originated by cold, or other more 
 ordinary causes, operating on healthy and vigorous consti- 
 
165 
 
 tutions; — or why more energetic recuperation is raised 'in 
 vigorous constitutions, when receptive of the most virulent 
 noxious stimuli in small quantities, or of noxious stimuli less 
 matured, in malignancy in large quantities, &c. 
 
 We thus develope the unerring philosophy pertaining to 
 the nature and characteristics of all the inflammations; — that 
 they are recuperative excitations, not diseased actions — that 
 they are invariably, whenever the conservative powers are 
 capable of raising them, sooner or later sequential to the pa- 
 thological phenom.ena which originate them, as proximate 
 causes, and are consequently characterized universally, in a 
 manner corresponding with the depressive efiects of the 
 noxious agents, and the ability of the conservative powers to 
 institute them. 
 
 True philosophy requires us to consider inflammatory re- 
 cuperation as invariably local, whether characterized by- 
 more or less sthenic or asthenic action, and exclusively ope- 
 rative in the capillary circulation, whether adequate to effect 
 elimination of the morbid sensibilities originating it through 
 its own sanative efficiency, or whether the radical powers of 
 the organization are summoned to its aid, in effecting febrific 
 recuperation in the general circulations, for the purpose of 
 producing thorough elimination of the morbid sensibilities 
 from the organization. 
 
 It is equally evident that inflammatory recuperation must 
 in all cases, from whatsoever pathological phenomena originat- 
 ing, remain local. It. is evident also, that inflammatory or ir- 
 ritative recuperation is universally the primary recuperation 
 instituted by the conservative powers in the capillary de- 
 partments of the organization; — because the noxious agents 
 invariably pathologize the organization primarily, in some 
 one or more of its peripheric departments; — therefore, and 
 inevitably, originating primarily, irritative, or inflammatory 
 recuperation, and secondarily, febrific recuperation, in the 
 general circulations, to conduct the primary to the power of 
 eliminating the pathological phenomena when they are not 
 of themselves sufficient for the purpose: — febrific recupera- 
 22 
 
166 
 
 tion must, therefore, be always secondary or sequential to 
 the primary irritative or inflammatory; — consequently as se- 
 condary recuperations are always supervenient to the pri- 
 mary, idiopathic fevers are precluded from the recognition 
 of our philosophy. This explanation of the modus operandi 
 of the pathological phenomena, from whatsoever agents origi- 
 nating, is perfectly consistent with all such recuperative phi- 
 losophy as we have heretofore advanced; and will stand the 
 test of the most scrutinizing analytic investigation; — in what- 
 ever part or parts of the organization the pathological phe- 
 nomena are primarily located, whether in the external or in- 
 ternal dermoid, or parenchymatous structures :^-and will 
 equally stand the test of such analysis, whether our re- 
 searches be confined to the deleterious operations sequential 
 to the application of causative agents exterior to the organi- 
 zation, or to such as arise secondarily in the interior of the 
 organization, however remotely derived, may be the causes 
 of such interior pathologization. 
 
 We proceed therefore to observe, that inflammatory recu- 
 peration must inevitably, in all cases, be locally instituted, 
 by the pathological phenomena; and invariably remain local. 
 Ii is utterly impossible that inflammation can ever be gene- 
 ral, — pervading the total organization; as it is the direct se- 
 quent of the pathological phenomena, — and cannot occur 
 without their supervention. As long therefore, as the excit- 
 ing causes of such inflammatory recuperation remain opera- 
 tive in any part or parts of the organization ; — as long as the 
 morbid sensibilities, or pathological phenomena remain, in 
 any part or parts of the organization, depressing, debilitat- 
 ing, and deranging the physiological conditions of the said 
 part or parts; — it is utterly impossible for the total organiza- 
 tion to become assumptive of inflammatory action : — because 
 inflammation in all its degrees, however sthenically or asthe- 
 nically manifested to observation, — is invariably character- 
 ized by one prominent symptom, — an afflux of fluids to the 
 part or parts pathologized by the causative agents, sooner or 
 later, according to the greater or less prostration of nervous 
 
167 
 
 energy occasioned by them, — but in all cases prior to the in- 
 stitution of febrific recuperation in the general circulations. 
 All noxious stimuli, which on application to the organiza- 
 tion do not instantaneously demolish its radical powers of 
 total innervation^ effect the intromission of their ravaging 
 influences, more or less locally, through one or more of its 
 departments, externally or internally considered, by over- 
 powering their elective attraction for salutary. stimuli; — and 
 these ravaging influences, if not rapidly extended through 
 sympathetie sensibility to all the important organs preserva- 
 tive of vitality, — are sooner or later succeeded by recupera- 
 tive excitations, primarily irritative or inflammatory, which, 
 if not sufficient ta produce elimination of the pathological 
 phenomena, are sooner or later succeeded by febrific recu- 
 peration in the general circulations, or by spasmodic and 
 convulsive recuperation, whenever the nervous centres be- 
 come so intensely percipient of the morbid sensibilities as 
 to preclude the extension of their recuperating powers to the 
 general circulations, which alone, under such circumstances, 
 are capable of effecting elimination. This is the indubitable 
 deduction of veritable philosophy; — the total amount of such 
 pathologic and recuperative philosophy, as becomes lumi- 
 nously^palpable to observation, in the direct line of such 
 cause and effect, as is directly and inevitably sequential to 
 the intromission and deleterious operation of the causative 
 agents of disease, whether arising from noxious stimuli, in 
 the physical department of creation, or from noxious stimuli 
 secondarily elaborated in the interior of the organization, 
 through the deleterious operation of a variety of causes re- 
 motely operative to the production of such nbxious stimuli 
 as constitute the pathological phenomena characteristic of 
 hereditary diseases, &c. 
 
 This philosophy pertaining to the organization of man, 
 when pathologized from whatsoever causes, not operative to 
 the total inhibition of recuperative excitation, precludes the 
 possibility of either idiopathic fevers, or inflammations in 
 the general circulations, ever under any circumstances, be- 
 
168 
 
 coming directly and primarily supervenientj to the operation 
 of the causative agents of diseases. 
 
 The different degrees of receptivity for stimuli of every 
 description, of the different organic structures composing the 
 total organization, conclusively preclude us" from recognizing 
 the possibility of its becoming assumptive simultaneously, 
 throughout all its varied structures, of either universal patho- 
 logization, or recuperation. If the total organization could 
 be simultaneously affected by noxious agents, without extin- 
 guishing its total vitality; — could idiopathic fevers or inflam- 
 mations be instituted by the innervating centres of a system 
 of vitality, thus universally assailed? If every individual 
 tissue of the organization could be simultaneously affected 
 with pathological conditions, would it not be so, to the total 
 preclusion of any recuperation, and to the sudden or rapid 
 extinction of total vitality; — or if any could occur, would it 
 not be totally useless, and unavailing? Lightning in suf- 
 ficient quantity, kills instantaneously, by destroying the ner- 
 vous radicles of the total organization; — not the feeblest 
 spasm occurring, after its reception. Many other noxious 
 stimuli extinguish total vitality with nearly equal rapidity, 
 without any other recuperative manifestation than a convul- 
 sion or two, at the last gasp of expiring nature. The organi- 
 zation in such cases may be considered as having passed from 
 the vital, to the disposal of physical laws. We may there- 
 fore with truth undeniable, conclude, that, if the constitution 
 could throughout all its varied structures become simulta- 
 neously receptive of pathological conditions, from any noxi- 
 ous agents, it would be to such extent, as to positively pre- 
 clude any inflammatory, or even spasmodic recuperation 
 other than the feeblest and most unavailing. Are not fevers 
 and inflammations and all other recuperative excitations there- 
 fore, to be recognized as salutary and not diseased operations 
 of the organization? And are not idiopathic inflammations 
 and fevers in the sense contended for, by many authors to 
 be recognized by veritable philosophy, as impossible crea- 
 tions? 
 
169 
 
 We are not engaged in writing a treatise on inflammation — 
 we are engaged in simply unfolding in the most general 
 terms, the outlines of the philosophy of medicine; — not in 
 giving the subject of inflammation, a thorough philosophic 
 discussion. We shall therefore at present, neither advert to 
 the differing characteristics of the pathological phenomena 
 originating inflammatory recuperation, as arising from its 
 numerous and variant causes; — nor to the differing charac- 
 teristics of which the pathological phenomena become as- 
 sumptive, when occupying the differently varied structures 
 of the organization, and correspondently modifying the in- 
 flammatory recuperations, primarily sequential to them; — 
 nor to the different terminations of the different inflamma- 
 tions, thus differenlly originated and characterized; — be- 
 cause, all such variations will be readily recognized, by all 
 philosophic practitioners, as legitimately and specifically, 
 arising from their respectively varied causative specificities, 
 both as respects the causative agents, and the constitutions 
 receptive of them. It may not be however inappropriate 
 on the present occasion, to observe, that, the conflicting opi- 
 nions of medical philosophers, respecting the actual state, or 
 condition and nature, of the action of the vessels concerned 
 in the production of such afflux of the vital fluids, as promi- 
 nently characterizes inflammatory recuperation, are easily re- 
 conciled. 
 
 The arterial circulations elaborate all the creative, pre- 
 servative, and recuperative energies; — consequently, increas- 
 ed actions in the vessels is primarily and ultimately to be ob- 
 served and recognized in all inflammatory recuperations, 
 terminating in expulsion of the morbid sensibilities origi- 
 nating them through resolution. The action of the vessels 
 concerned in the production of such inflammatory recupera- 
 tion as terminates in suppuration, are both in the incipient 
 and intermediate states of the inflammatory progress, in- 
 creased much beyond their natural actions; — but in the ulti- 
 mate stage of it, their, actions are diminished below their 
 natural standard. They then become slower, in consequence 
 
170 
 
 of such engorgement as occurs from the effusion of such 
 coagulable lymph and serum, as are necessarily supervenient 
 to the formation of the suppurative resolution, required for 
 eliminating the pathological phenomena from the organiza- 
 tion. The actions of the vessels also operative to the pro- 
 duction of such inflammatory recuperations, as are to termi- 
 nate in mortification, are, during the incipient and interme- 
 diate states of the process, very much increased beyond their 
 natural standard of action, both in the sthenic and asthenic 
 species: — they are so violently increased in both species by 
 the pathological phenomena originating them, that they run 
 to the production of such indirect debility in the structures 
 of the part or parts, assumptive both of the pathological phe- 
 nomena and recuperative excitations, as terminates in the 
 death of the entire region thus affected. It is primarily and 
 consecutively considered, a state of inflammatory recupera- 
 tion, attended with much increased arterial action, which is 
 ultimately considered, overpowered by the pathological phe- 
 nomena to the production of such recuperative congestion, 
 as permits them to terminate the combat in disorganization 
 and destruction of the affected region exclusively, or of the 
 total organization, according to the nature of the vitality of 
 such departments of it as are pathologized. 
 
 And here we consider it not inappropriate to observe, be- 
 cause illustrating conclusively the fundamental proposition 
 supportive of our philosophy, — that by a wise provision of 
 nature the tendency of pus, as well as of the products of in- 
 flammation, leadiog to resolution, are to the surface of the 
 organization. This is easily explained by appropriately re- 
 cognizing and appreciating the nervous system to be exclu- 
 sively the creative, continuative, and preservative system of 
 the total organization of man. The innervating centres of 
 the nervous organization are the sources from whence ema- 
 nate, in a more or less direct or indirect manner, all the 
 various kinds of vitality, pertaining to the various structures 
 of the organization, and operative in its healthy condition to 
 the production of one beautiful harmonious whole system of 
 
171 
 
 vitality, philosophically irresolvable into divisibility or insu- 
 lation of parts. Through the mediation of the nerves origi- 
 nating in the central radicles of vitality, in a more or less 
 direct manner, all the vital influences necessary to the pro- 
 duction of such harmonious whole system of vitality, are in 
 requisite degrees dispensed and distributed throughout the 
 external and internal tissues of the organization in such por- 
 tions, ways and manners, as they severally need, from these 
 central radicles of vitality externally and internally conei- 
 dered, to the circumference of the system. Their action is 
 invariably, from the centre to the circumference of the sys- 
 tem, more or less immediately or mediately, according to 
 their more or less direct -origination in the cerebro-spinal 
 centres, or in, or from the nervous plexuses and ganglia. 
 We thus recognize the causes which determine the favourable 
 products of inflammatory recuperation in whatever depart- 
 ments of the organization occurring, from the centre to the 
 periphery of the organic structures. * 
 
 This important consideration, based on recognizing the 
 nervous organization, aS acting to the production of one 
 beautiful and harmonious whole system of vitality, although 
 composed of such varieties of structures, and for correspon- 
 dent varieties of functional operations; — developes forthwith, 
 to common sense and reason, such principles as should be 
 put in requisition for arriving. at the knowledge of such the- 
 rapeutic philosophy, as may guide and direct us to the adop- 
 tion of the most efiicient remediate measures for resolving 
 and eliminating all morbid sensibilities from whatsoever 
 causes arising. It leads us direct to the adoption of the most 
 appropriate and efficient medication, for eliminating all the 
 specifically varied kinds of pathological phenomena, arising 
 from their specifically varied causative agents, and to the most 
 appropriate medication for each and every different grade of 
 pathologic condition thus specifically originating, by appro- 
 priately appreciating the nature and action of the recupera- 
 tive phenomena, sooner or later, sequential to them, in all 
 
172 
 
 cases which are not rendered positively irrecuperable by the 
 overwhelming action of the causative agents. 
 
 The labours of many distinguished anatomists and physi- 
 ologists, and pathologists, are rapidly clearing the way, for 
 proving incontrovertibly, to the whole medical world, that 
 the nervous system is the only and whole system of man; — 
 and that on its varied actions, both in health and disease, 
 should be founded the total philosophy pertaining to the 
 therapeutic department of the science of medicine. This 
 philosophy, when thoroughly understood and appreciated, 
 will, when put in appropriate requisition, result in all the 
 further improvements, of which the science of medicine is 
 ever destined to become receptive. Some of the improve- 
 ments readily suggested by our philosophy, will be briefly 
 mentioned under the head of the few observations we design 
 to make on the treatment of diseases. 
 
 We have made a few observations on what are erroneous- 
 ly denominsfted by the nosologists inflammatory diseases, 
 and demonstrated that they are not diseases, but recupera- 
 tive excitations, never involving the total organization in in- 
 flammatory action. We have demonstrated, that in all the 
 inflammations, the pathological and recuperative phenomena 
 are in close grapple with each other. — and that the organiza- 
 tion from no cause, or combination of causes, can be render- 
 ed totally assumptive of pathological ravaging, and recupera- 
 tive excitation, simultaneously. 
 
 The most partial examination of any one, or of all the in- 
 flammatory diseases, as they are called, will conclusively 
 substantiate these observations, beyond the possibility of de- 
 nial, or successful refutation. Gastritis, for example, is fre- 
 quently restrictedly local in the capillary circulation, and 
 when arising from slight causes, requiring nothing more 
 than mild irritative or inflammatory recuperation in the car 
 pillary circulation, in and immediately surrounding such lo- 
 cation, as the pathological phenomena have assumed, as will 
 result in the production of thorough resolution and elimina- 
 
173 
 
 tion, frequently, willioiit any medication: — or, if nature 
 should need any assistance, nothing more than appropriately 
 mild and soothing remedies can be philosophically indicated 
 for eliminating such mild pathological phenomena. Or the 
 morbid sensibilities constituting this disease, may be of 
 much higher grade, and by sympathetic sensibility, more or 
 less extended to such contiguous parts as are connected with, 
 this viscus — the stomach, — through the influence of such apr 
 propriate vascularly nervous organization, as may become 
 operative to the production of such extension; — in which 
 case, a restrictedly local, and primary recuperation, becomes 
 inadequate to the production of elimination: — therefore, the 
 sensorial powers percipient of such inadequacy, in the capil- 
 lary circulation, raise the general circulations not to inflam- 
 matory, but febrific recuperation, for eliminating the patho- 
 logical phenomena, not only through the legitimate outlets 
 pertaining to the primarily pathologized region; but like- 
 wise through some one or more of the secerning and excern- 
 ing departments of the organization, — for the purpose of 
 eliminating such pathological phenomena as had become su- 
 pervenient to the primary through nervous sympathy. In 
 these cases, both the pathological and recuperative pheno- 
 mena are still restrictedly local, or more or less so: — total 
 pathologization and recuperation separately or conjunctly 
 considered, as long as vitalit}^ remains, are to be philosophi- 
 cally considered as totally incompatible with the varied ope- 
 rations pertaining to the varied nervous structures compos- 
 ing the nervous organization of man. 
 
 But it is to be particularly noted, that gastritis may arise 
 from such highly concentrated malignant agents, as it does, 
 in many cases of yellow fever, and other pestilential epide- 
 mics, as to deaden, not only the vital energies of the highly 
 sympathetic viscus affected, entirely beyond the power of 
 its becoming assumptive of inflammatory recuperation in the 
 capillary circulation; — but through sympathetic sensibility, 
 the central radicles of innervation may become paralyzed 
 23 
 
174 
 
 beyond the power of instituting any recuperative excitation 
 at all. 
 
 In such cases, and thousands of others that might be men- 
 tioned, as arising from the deleterious operations of various 
 noxious agents, when not only some one or more of the im- 
 portant vital organs themselves, are paralyzed beyond con- 
 servative redemption by nature, but the very nervous radi- 
 cles of vitality through sympathetic sensibility rendered 
 nearly powerless; — it is to be particularly remarked, and 
 noted, that the powers of philosophic medication when ap- 
 propriately applied and exhibited, with appropriate perse- 
 verance, m.ay, at least occasionally, prove successful in em- 
 powering the nearly lost energies of the innervating centres 
 of the organization, to institute both the primary and conse- 
 cutive series of recuperative excitations, which are in all 
 cases indispensably necessary for eliminating the pathologi- 
 cal effects of the poisonous agents from the constitution. And 
 how does appropriate medication effect all this indispensably 
 necessary recuperative series, for elimination? It does it by 
 using philosophically such appropriately potent medication, 
 as will unlock the highly concentrated congestions, of the 
 highly important vital organs involved in the pathological 
 phenomena, to such standard, or approach to it, of salutary 
 action, as is required by the cerebro-spinal radicles of the 
 organization for instituting both efficient primary, and se- 
 condary recuperations, for the production of elimination of 
 the morbid sensibilities: — because it must be noted, that if 
 the noxious stimuli had not paralyzed the organization be- 
 yond the power of instituting such recuperative excitations 
 in the capillary and general circulations, they would sponta- 
 neously and unavoidably have taken place, in a manner phi- 
 losophically corresponding with the unerring laws of action 
 pertaining to the organization, in all cases, when not patho- 
 logically affected to the irrecuperative degree. 
 
 It is to the study of these highest grades of diseases that 
 we must resort for effectively reaching the true philosophy 
 
175 
 
 of medicine, — the very arcana of which, both pathologically 
 and recuperatively considered, are concentered in such dis- 
 eases, — which must be unlocked, and unrolled, to the palpa- 
 ble observation of medical investigators, to enable them to 
 recognize and appreciate the total philosophy pertaining to 
 such concentrated morbid sensibilities. An eternity of ob- 
 servation, directed exclusively to the milder and medial 
 grades of diseases, arising from whatsoever causes, would 
 not result in recognizing and appropriately estimating and 
 realizing the beautiful principles composing the true philo- 
 sophy of medicine. 
 
 Irritations, inflammations, and fevers, in a general or re- 
 cuperative sense considered, are identical conservative exci- 
 tations; — the first, characterized by more or less ardent, 
 more or less sthenic, or asthenic actions of the vessels, in 
 the capillary circulations, by a more or less rapid afflux of 
 fluids into the vessels, in and surrounding the pathologized 
 region; — the latter, by increased actions in both the general 
 and capillary circulations, but never arising to such intensity 
 of action as characterizes exclusively inflammatory recupera- 
 tion; — which must therefore be philosophically recognized 
 to be more or less local. 
 
 How is it possible for any practitioner of medicine capa- 
 ble of profiting by observation, and reasoning appropriately 
 respecting all the pathological and recuperative phenomena 
 respectively characterizing the exanthematous diseases, as 
 they are called, without recognizing the truth of all our pro- 
 positions, and the demonstration which inevitably results 
 from an appropriate application of the principles developed 
 by them ? How is it possible for him not to see, and admit, 
 •hat the irritations, inflammations, and fevers, recuperatively 
 ^characterizing these diseases, are not pathological pheno- 
 mena? It is not to be expected that he should be able to see 
 and subject either the contagious effluvia primitively origi- 
 nating the small-pox, or the palpably contagious pustular 
 matter, characteristic of the elimination of the poisonous sti- 
 muli from the organization, into their constituent elements; — 
 
176 
 
 but, it is to be expected, that he should philosophically re- 
 cognize both the primary and consecutive pathological and 
 recuperative phenomena, characterizing this disease. It is 
 to be expected that he should recognize the noxious stimuli 
 to be primarily operative in the capillary circulation of the 
 gastric department of the organization, as the symptomato- 
 logy of the disease inevitably evinces this to be the case, 
 during its incipient period. The pathological phenomena 
 and recuperative excitations raised by them in the capillary 
 circulation, during the incipient period, are rendered palpa- 
 bly presentive to observation, by all the symptoms at this 
 time manifesting themselves; — and it should be particularly 
 noted, and philosophically estimated, that the pathological 
 phenomena constituting the mildest grades of this disease, 
 are frequently eliminated by irritative and inflammatory re- 
 cuperation, without any assistance from recuperative excita- 
 tion in the general circulations. The salutary operations of 
 nature in raising irritative, inflammatory, or febrific recupe- 
 ration, in such manners and degrees as are respectively ne- 
 cessary to eliminate the pathological phenomena respectively 
 constituting the different grades of the distinct species or 
 variety, as it is called, of this disease, are too palpable to be 
 denied, with any show of philosophic plausibility. We ob- 
 serve, therefore, that the mildest grades need little, if any aid 
 from medication; — they are eliminated principally through 
 the resolving efficacy of such mild irritative or inflammatory 
 recuperation, as is invariably, in all such cases, sooner or 
 later sequential to the slight pathological phenomena elicited 
 by the noxious stimuli. And here it may not be inappro- 
 priate to observe, that although the elementary materials of 
 the malignant contagion originating this disease, either in*t# 
 invisible, intangible, miasmatic state, or in its more palpa-* 
 ble, pustulous condition, after having been elaborated for 
 elimination, by the recuperative energies of the organization, 
 are to be considered as irresolvable into their component 
 essences; — yet they are, during their operations on, and in, 
 the organization, productive of a series of more palpably pa- 
 
177 
 
 thological and recuperative phenomena, than those elicited 
 by any other causative agents of disease whatever — produc- 
 tive, indeed, of a series of such phenomena as develope to 
 inevitable recognition, the total philosophy of diseases, which 
 we are now unrolling to such palpable observation. 
 
 What talented practitioner of medicine can note the pri- 
 mary irritative or inflammatory recuperation, which is suc- 
 cessfully operative in eliminating the pathological conditions 
 constituting the mildest grades; — and the consecutive febrific 
 recuperation, which is supervenient to the primary, in the 
 medial and higher grades of the distinct variety, for eliciting 
 the eruption of the morbid effects of the poisonous stimuli, 
 and locating them for elimination, in the dermoid structures 
 of the organization, externally and internally considered 
 also, to much extent of appreciation, — without having a per- 
 spective view at least of the beautiful philosophy of medi- 
 cine; — and when he further considers that in the milder 
 grades, after the eruption is completed, the recuperative ex- 
 citations which elaborated it, entirely cease in the general 
 circulations, and leave the maturation and elimination of the 
 morbific matter to the salutary operation of such primary 
 irritative or inflammatory recuperation as is supervenient to 
 such cessation; — and when he considers, that in many of the 
 medial and higher grades of the distinct variety, after the 
 eruption becomes fully developed, that much remission of 
 feirific recuperation occurs, but not a total cessation ; — and 
 that it is continued operative in such degree as to appro- 
 priately assist the recuperative excitation in the capillary 
 circulation, to maturate and eliminate the morbific matter 
 from the organization: — and when he finally notes that in 
 all cases where febrific recuperation has entirely ceased, and 
 the inflammatory recuperation in the capillary circulation 
 becomes inadequate to produce maturation and elimination, 
 febrific recuperation termed secondary or suppurative fever 
 by authors, is reinstituted by the conservative energies for 
 appropriate maturation and elimination, — will he not inevita- 
 bly recognize in this duplicate series of primary and conse- 
 
178 
 
 cutive pathological and recuperative phenomena, the beauti- 
 ful principles of the philosophy of medicine opening palpa- 
 bly to his view ? Will he not fully comprehend the causes 
 which render the organization spontaneously eliminative of 
 the pathological phenomena constituting the mildest grades, 
 and see that the medial grades will require appropriate me- 
 dication, because arising from causes either of higher matu- 
 rity, or occurring in constitutions more predisposed to the 
 reception of the noxious stimuli? 
 
 But it is from an appropriate analysis of the very highest 
 grades of this disease, — of the confluent variety that we have 
 unfolded to palpable view, the richness and beauty of the 
 true philosophy of medicine. Constitutions of strong and 
 vigorous powers of resistance, when affected by the patholo- 
 gical phenomena characterizing this disease, in a very de- 
 pressive and congestive manner, may, and do, institute cor- 
 respondently ardent inflammatory and febrific recuperation, 
 for elimination; — which, if suffered to progress unchecked 
 by appropriate medication, will run to the production of 
 such secondary congestions of nervous energy, as exhibit to 
 the palpable view of philosophic observation, the conquering 
 march of the pathological phenomena to disorganizations and 
 destructions ;■ — but if appropriately philosophical treatment 
 be adopted, may be rendered conductive to thorough elimi- 
 nation. of the morbid sensibilities through their appropriate 
 outlets. 
 
 On the other hand, when the pathological phenomena have 
 occurred to the production of highly concentrated depres- 
 sions and congestions of nervous energy of the parts recipi- 
 ent of the noxious stimuli, and in constitutions previously 
 weakened and debilitated from any causes, or in aged and 
 debilitated systems ; — the inflammatory and febrific recupera- 
 tion for evolving the poisonous eruption, and fixing it for 
 elimination in the dermoid structures, will be weak, feeble, 
 and unavailing; and the recuperative excitations for conduct- 
 ing the eruption to favourable suppuration, will be manifest- 
 ed in a correspondently feeble, and inefficient manner; — and 
 
179 
 
 spasms and convulsions, subsultus tendinum, comatose, apo- 
 plectic, pulmonary congestions, &c. will be presented to ob- 
 servation, during the progress of such unfavourable recupera- 
 tion, until all the conservative energies of the organization 
 are overpowered by the pathological phenomena. In some 
 cases also, of this disease, as in other highest grades from 
 other noxious agents, there is nothing but morbid sensibility 
 to be recognized ; — no recuperative phenomena ever appear- 
 ing, or if any, manifested exclusively by occasional convul- 
 sions, or some other tumultuous agitations of nervous power, 
 occasionally elicited by the oppressed and enfeebled inner- 
 vating centres of the organization. The cases of this dis- 
 ease characterized by high sthenic recuperation, when not 
 philosophically medicated, terminate in disorganizations, and 
 mortifications, — as well, as those, characterized by asthenic 
 recuperation; — the first, from too excessive, the last from too 
 diminished excitement, raised by the conservative powers; — 
 both, blocking up, and suffocating all the secretory and ex- 
 cretory processes, pertaining to elimination ; — and very often, 
 dissolving the vital fluid, and promoting its copious exuda- 
 tion from various sources, &c. 
 
 Do the causes productive of hemorrhagic diseases, act to 
 the depression and congestion of the vital energies of the or- 
 gans respectively, and specifically, receptive of them? Most 
 undeniably: — excessive high living for example, produces in 
 strong and healthy constitutions excessive nutrition, succeed- 
 ed by such plethoric condition of the system, as depresses 
 and congests, deranges and debilitates, the salutary physi- 
 ological phenomena to such extent, as induces the conserva- 
 tive powers to the institution of primary inflammatory recu- 
 peration in the capillary circulation of the organ, or organs, 
 receptive of the pathological phenomena, and consecutive 
 febrific recuperation, in the general circulations, which are 
 so ardently exerted, as to cause the effusion of the vital fluid, 
 either b.y rupturing one, or more, of the vessels, or occasion- 
 ing the exudation of it through the extreme vessels in the 
 capillary department of the affected region, rendered suf- 
 
180 
 
 ficiently toneless by excessive action, for such effusion ; — 
 unless the recuperative excitations, be prevented from pro- 
 ceeding to such hemorrhagic extent, by appropriate medica- 
 tion. High living then, is, in this case, the remote cause of 
 the disease; and its consequence plethora, the pathological 
 phenomenon, or proximate cause, of such recuperative exci- 
 tations, as terminate in hemorrhagy, if not prevented by ap- 
 propriate medication : — but, when thus prevented, the patho- 
 logical conditions are resolved and eliminated from the con- 
 stitution, through one or more of the legitimate outlets, for 
 the elimination of morbid phenomena,from whatsoever causes 
 arising. Violent exertions of various kinds, produce such 
 pathological conditions in organs predisposed to hemorrhagy, 
 as to cause the innervating centres to institute the necessary 
 primary, and consecutive recuperations, to produce their eli- 
 mination from the organization. Such hemorrhagies may be 
 denominated idiopathic, but such as are sequential to the 
 deleterious operations of ulcers, calculi, &c. are not philoso- 
 phically entitled to such appellation. 
 
 Hemorrhages are characterized, like all other morbid sen- 
 sibilities, arising from all other causes, by recuperative phe- 
 nomena assumptive of more or less sthenic or asthenic action, 
 according to the strength and vigour of the constitutions 
 respectively receptive of the pathological conditions consti- 
 tuting and originating them. 
 
 Malconformation is a pathological state of the constitu- 
 tion ; — the remote causes of it far off; — but to be satisfacto- 
 rily traced to an assimilative defectiveness of the original 
 inceptive germs of reproduction, of one, or of both parents. 
 Hemorrhages from this cause may, therefore, be included 
 among the idiopathic; — but such as arise from lesions origi- 
 nated by the destructive action of rough calculi, erosions of 
 ulcers, &c. and such as arise during the progress, or near the 
 termination of malignant fevers, from the pathological phe- 
 nomena constituting them, gnawing their way to destruction, 
 and rendering the extreme vessels toneless and patulous, are 
 not entitled to such appellation; because sequential to the 
 
181 
 
 deleterious operations of tlie pathological phenomena respec- 
 tively pertaining to the diseases in which such hemorrhages 
 occur; and they should therefore be denominated symptoma- 
 tic. The diseases in which such symptonlatic hemorrhages 
 occur, are eitlier primitively, or consecutively, and ulti- 
 mately considered, characterized by the asthenic diathesis of 
 recuperation in its highest degree. 
 
 We thus see that the most partial analysis of the patholo- 
 gical and recuperative phenomena, characterizing diseases 
 arising from whatsoever causes, results in the complete con- 
 firmation of our philosophy. 
 
 There is not a single pathological or recuperative pheno- 
 menon that can be made presentive to observation, through 
 the depressive operations of any causes acting on the organi- 
 zation, which will oppose any thing like a barrier to our 
 arriving at such philosophical confirmation. If there be any, 
 let it be brought forward for examination and refutation. 
 Although it be irnpossible, through such observations as may 
 be deduced from dissections, vivisections, stethoscopical 
 explorations, or any other investigating processes within the 
 reach of man's ability, to arrive at the knowledge of the 
 ultiniate essences of the causes of diseases; — yet, through the 
 inductive process of ratiocination, we may attain such know- 
 ledge concerning the respective malignancy of composition 
 pertaining to the causative agents, as will enable us to phi- 
 losophically put in requisition appropriate measures for pre- 
 venting in all cases, to much extent, much of such malig- 
 nancy of composition, as they would become assumptive of 
 without recourse to such measures; and to greatly meliorate 
 their operations on the organization of man, when they can- 
 not be, to such favourable extent, prevented, by the appro- 
 priate use of such antiseptic agents within the respective 
 spheres of their respectively deleterious operations, as 
 through experimental elicitation, have been found most phi- 
 losophically appropriate to the production of such meliora- 
 tion. After thus far ascertaining all the knowledge of the 
 respective causative agents of diseases, the respective patho- 
 24 
 
182 
 
 logical phenomena sequent to their operations on the organi- 
 zation in the direct series of causes and effects, become tho- 
 roughly cognizable to intuitive demonstration, through the 
 unerring recognition arising from the application of the self- 
 evident principles developed by our philosophy. 
 
 An examination of any of the diseases nosologized as ca- 
 chectic, by Cullen, will result in similar confirmation. 
 
 The remote causes of these diseases are to be recognized 
 as arising from noxious agents, without the organization in 
 the physical creations, operating to the deterioration of the 
 solids and fluids, and producing debility, emaciation, and 
 cachectic vitiation of the component elements of the organic 
 structures of the constitution; — or they are to be recognized 
 as arising from morbid stimuli secondarily engendered 
 in the interior of the system, and producing similar con- 
 sequences; — although strict philosophy requires that the 
 formation of such stimuli should be considered sequential to 
 the malignant influences of their respectively more or less 
 remote causes, without the organization; — to such causes, for 
 instance, as are productive of hereditary vitiation, malcon- 
 formation, &c. 
 
 However variably characterized by their respectively cau- 
 sative variations these diseases may be, both pathologically 
 and recuperatively considered, they are all to be cured, when 
 curable, through the sanative operations of nature, or through 
 appropriately philosophic medication, conducting the nervous 
 energies of the organization to the institution of the requisite 
 series of salutary recuperations, to produce elimination of 
 the pathological phenomena respectively originating them, 
 through the only legitimate outlets — the secretions and ex- 
 cretions. 
 
 Both the remote and predisposing causes of phthisis, for 
 instance, are generally to be found in constitutional parental 
 vitiation, or malconformation, or both. However numerous 
 under such circumstances may be the exciting causes which 
 develope to observation the deplorable pathological pheno- 
 mena characterizing this disease, we shall now mention but 
 
183 
 
 one the most common, — cold. This agent applied to the 
 mucous membranes of any of the departments of the pulmo- 
 nary region, debilitates, (but not by its sedative operation,) 
 depresses and congests, their nervous energies. This conges- 
 tive condition of the lungs is relieved for the time, by the 
 conservative powers instituting such slight inflammatory re- 
 cuperation, as is necessary to eliminate the pathological phe- 
 nomena by resolution, as evidenced by more or less copious 
 mucous expectoration. The lungs once pathologized in this 
 manner, are liable to become so repeatedly afterwards, from 
 the slightest application of the same cause; and they do 
 therefore, usually become repeatedly in this manner affect- 
 ed, and similar recuperative excitation is as repeatedly insti- 
 tuted, for eliminating the pathological phenomena in the 
 same manner, but each time ivith more and more difficulty, 
 until the pathological conditions become incapable of re- 
 moval by similar means; — when the radical centres of vitaU 
 ity institute febrific recuperation, to aid the local in effecting 
 elimination of the pathological phenomena. This elimination 
 may be, and often is, thus effected by resolution, for several 
 times in succession, on every fresh application of the causa- 
 tive agent; until, at length, the recuperative excitations, un- 
 der the most appropriate medication, become unable to dis- 
 lodge and expel the pathological phenomena by resolution. 
 The pathological phenomena become thus far eliminateifor 
 the time being, by the recuperative excitations, but not tho- 
 roughly, for a reason to be soon mentioned. After this they 
 are expelled still more and more imperfectly, for a few- 
 times, by more or less copious mucous and purulent expec- 
 toration, till the suppurative termination becomes ultimately 
 fixed in one or both lungs. This suppuration is now the re- 
 sult of the best recuperative effort that can be made by the 
 conservative powers; and is available under appropriate me- 
 dication in protracting existence, in many cases, for a great 
 many years: — but the total eradication of the pathological 
 phenomena becomes, from their primary formation, from the 
 nature of the causes remotely productive of them, impossi- 
 
184 
 
 ble; — because the constitution is vitiated and depraved by 
 the hereditary noxious stimuli, to the preclusive extent of 
 exciting such salutary recuperative excitations, as will result 
 in effective elimination, aided ever so much by appropriate 
 medication : — the fluids are deteriorated and poisoned be- 
 yond the power of salutary recuperation; and unless they, 
 and the solids, which are similarly saturated with the noxious 
 stimuli, could by some medication be neutralized, and their 
 baneful consequences expelled from the system; the disease 
 thus arising, must be philosophically considered incurable: — 
 because, all the recuperative agents of the organization are 
 participative of the noxious stimuli, and therefore rendered 
 incapable of effecting thorough elimination; — and for the 
 same reasons, that the poisonous effects ensuing from the 
 operation of many other noxious agents cannot be eradicat- 
 ed: — those, for instance, originating genuine hydrophobia, 
 and those cases of yellow and other malignant and pestilen- 
 tial fevers, when arising from highly concentrated stimuli 
 entering the circulations, and poisoning them to the irrecu- 
 peratiye extent; — besides, malconformation of itself, or in 
 combination with hereditary vitiation, proves in all such 
 cases an effective bar to salutary recuperation. 
 
 The remote and predisposing causes of scrofula of highest 
 grade, are to be philosophically recognized and appreciated, 
 in jjj^arental organic vitiation. Syphilis is in like manner 
 transmissible, by either one or both parents, to their off- 
 spring; — like causes produce like effects; — and there is no 
 difficulty in recognizing the transmissibility of such diseases 
 by parents to their offspring, — when it is considered that 
 the orgasmal products from their venereal congress, must of 
 necessity be deeply saturated with their respectively yitiat- 
 ing causes. It is self-evidently impossible, that the reproduc- 
 tive germs thus vitiated, should progress to the maturity of 
 healthy organization. These diseases, therefore, and many 
 others, when hereditary, and conseqaently of highest grades, 
 are not to be cured, except by and through the agency of 
 such medication, as will neutralize their respective poisons, 
 
185 
 
 and eliminate their morbid effects from the system, by both 
 appropriate local and general recuperation. These diseases 
 must undeniably, therefore, be considered as specific dis- 
 eases. It most assuredly will not by any medical philoso- 
 pher be denied, that liydrophobia is a specific disease, — oc- 
 casioned by the absorption of a specific noxious virus into 
 the circulations, and vitiating the organization to the preven- 
 tion of institulihg any such primary, consecutive and recu- 
 perative excitations, as under appropriate medication might 
 lead to elimination. Nor will it be denied, that the diseases 
 originated by the poisons of venomous serpents entering the 
 circulations, are specific; — or that those arising- from the 
 noxious agents causative of small-pox, measles, scarlet fever, 
 &c. are specific. These will all be admitted to be specific 
 morbid sensibilities, or diseases, because obviously arising 
 from their respectively specific morbid stimuli. 
 
 But true philosophy does not award respective specificity 
 of character to these diseases, with more undeniable cer- 
 tainty than it does to all other morbid sensibilities whatso- 
 ever, and from whatsoever causes arising. 
 
 We have most assuredly, therefore, presented to the in- 
 evitable recognition and appreciation of the talented and ex- 
 perienced members of the medical profession, the universal 
 philosophy of medicine, — have examined a sufficient number 
 of the highest grades of diseases, arising from their respec- 
 tively causative agents, to prove beyond the possibility of 
 refutation, the self-evidency of all our propositions, and 
 the principles deduced from them, — and found them conclu- 
 sively operative in elucidating to the unerring certainty of 
 intuitive demonstration, all the physiological phenomena 
 pertaining to the nervous organization in its salutary condi- 
 tion, and the nature and action of all such physiological or 
 recuperative phenomena as are manifested to observation 
 during the pathologized condition of the organization from 
 whatsoever causative agents arising. 
 
 We shall therefore conclude, that as all the numerous 
 noxious stimuli are specifically different from each other in 
 
186 
 
 malignancy of composition, and that consequently whenever 
 they effect their entrance into the organization by over- 
 powering its elective attraction for salutary stimuli, exclu- 
 sively operative in the capillary department of it, both in- 
 ternally and externally considered, they will consequently 
 originate correspondenlly specific pathological phenomena, 
 which will be proximately operative to the production of 
 correspondently specific recuperative phenomena, — the de- 
 duction is inevitable, that all the noxious stimuli are pro- 
 ductive of diseases, unequivocally entitled to specificity of 
 character, etiologically, pathologically, and recuperatively 
 considered". 
 
 We conclude also from evidence equally subject to obser- 
 vation, and appropriate recognition and appreciation, — that 
 all the diseases occasioned by all the salutary stimuli, from 
 without and within the organization, when acting either ex- 
 cessively, or deficiently, far above, or beneath, the normal 
 standard, are characterized by pathological phenomena spe- 
 cifically different and variant from each other, and therefore 
 to be philosophically considered as specific diseases. 
 
 And lastly, we have equally undeniable evidence to con- 
 duct us to the conclusion, that all the morbid sensibilities 
 primitively originated by causes far remote, — as those pro- 
 ductive of hereditary vitiation, malconformation, &c. — or 
 those engendered by secondary causes acting specifically de- 
 leteriously on the fluids, or the dermoid and parenchymatous 
 structures of the organization, &c. however remote or near 
 their primitive or original causes maybe, — are all specifical- 
 ly different from each other, and indubitably entitled to the 
 appellation of specific diseases:— and so are all the diseases 
 arranged under the heads of surgery, midwifery, &c. equally 
 specific; — and all the peculiar diseases pertaining to women 
 and children, and to men and women, in the different pe- 
 riods of life, from differences of organization, and functional 
 operation, &c. and from an infinite variety of causes specifi- 
 cally different from each other, acting to specific pathologiza- 
 tion of organizations more or less specifically differing from 
 
187 
 
 each other in composition and action, normally and abnormal- 
 Ij', equally entitled to the appellation of specific. 
 
 True philosophy, therefore, considers all diseases whatso- 
 ever that ever did, or ever can occur, from whatsoever va- 
 riety of causation, as specific. As, therefore, all the patho- 
 logical phenomena characterizing all diseases arising from 
 all causes, operate to the derangement, depression, and con- 
 gestion of the salutary physiological conditions of the part or 
 parts of the organization recipient of them, so they are all 
 philosophically entitled to he denominated congestive. All 
 diseases are therefore specific and congestive, or specifically 
 congestive. 
 
 This simple corollary comprises our enunciation of the 
 total philosophy of medicine, and is irresistibly sequential 
 to the inductive ratiocination which we have presented to 
 consideration, from a beautiful series of self-evident propo- 
 sitions, commencing with the will of Deity, for their pri- 
 mary link. 
 
 We are now therefore prepared to unfold such General 
 Therapeutic Philosophy pertaining to the Science of Me- 
 dicine, as should be put under appropriately specific requi- 
 sition, for the appropriately specific medication of all diseases, 
 from whatsoever causative agents arising. 
 
 We have thus approached as near to positively mathema- 
 tical demonstration, as the true philosophy pertaining to the 
 nervous organization of man will nov/ or ever permit. This 
 truth will meet with unavoidable admission, when it is con- 
 sidered that man is self-evidently not a machine to be re- 
 solved into analytic demonstration, but a mortal and immor- 
 tal being; — therefore neither sufficiently terrestrial, for che- 
 mical, or celestial, for psycological analysis; — consequently, 
 that positively mathematical demonstration is unattainable 
 through either or both processes of investigation. But not- 
 withstanding such demonstration from the various functional 
 operations pertaining to the variously structured organs of 
 the nervous organization of man be now and forever impos- 
 sible, yet, through the inductive process of reasoning, we 
 
188 
 
 have reached such intuitive demonstration as the varied exi- 
 gences of the organization when assumptive of pathological 
 conditions, from whatsoever causative agents, can ever re- 
 quire, for directing us to the institution of such medication 
 as win be the most appropriately adapted to effect their reso- 
 lution and expulsion from the system, -and restoring it to its 
 elective attraction for, and elaboration of, such salutary sti- 
 muli as are required both from without and within the orga- 
 nization, for the production of healthy excitations. 
 
 We are therefore prepared to institute for our regulation 
 and ouidance, the one and only therapeutic axiom, that the. 
 exigences of the organization when pathologized from what- 
 soever cause or causes, can now or ever require: — for, that 
 the philosophy of nature is one and the same, both now and 
 forever, in a general sense considered, is a self-evident pro- 
 position. 
 
 And as our philosophy indubitably recognizes and conclu- 
 sively appreciates, that the total science of medication con- 
 sists in appropriately regulating and controlling the recupe- 
 rative excitations raised by the conservative powers for re- 
 solving and eliminating the morbid sensibilities from the 
 organization, from whatsoever causative agents originative, — 
 and in raising and conducting appropriate recuperative exci- 
 tations by appropriate medication, to the elimination of mor- 
 bid sensibilities, whenever the conservative energies of the 
 pathologized organization are inadequate to the production 
 of such eliminative excitations; — and in resolving pathologi- 
 cal and recuperative congestions and disorganizations, when- 
 ever they have been suffered to occur, either through unphi- 
 losophical medication, or the unchecked operations of the 
 conservative powers : — so it follows, that all medicating 
 agents, for the treatment of all diseases, should possess the 
 power of acting on, or in, the organization, in a manner suf- 
 ficiently stimulant, to overpower the morbid stimulant ope- 
 rations of the causative agents, and thereby eliminate them, 
 and the pathological conditions induced by them from the 
 organization. This is the legitimate corollary of legitimate 
 
189 
 
 philosophy, and universally applicable for scientifically effect- 
 ing the elimination of all diseases whatever from the organi- 
 zation. 
 
 Simple as this therapeutical axiom may appear to be, it is 
 the only one required by true philosophy, — the only one 
 which will be recognized as available at the bed-side of the 
 afflicted by every talented and experienced practitioner of 
 medicine, whether he admits the truth of our philosophy to 
 its fullest extent or not. But how is it possible for any such 
 practitioner not to admit the truth of this philosophy ? He 
 certainly must often have arrived at the point of such recog- 
 nition, from the frequent reflections and trains of reasoning, 
 which he must have instituted, while investigating the causes 
 of diseases, — their pathological effects on, and in, the orga- 
 nization, and the salutary excitations elicited by the conser- 
 vative powers for their elimination. And particularly, when- 
 ever such practitioner has succeeded, by appropriately potent 
 medication, exhibited and applied in appropriately philoso- 
 phical manner, and with appropriate perseverance, in un- 
 locking the organization, when irrecuperatively pathologized 
 by noxious agents, — to the production of such inflammatory 
 and febrific recuperations as, through the continuance of ap- 
 propriate medication have been rendered conductive to the 
 elimination of the morbific agents, and their deleterious con- 
 sequences, through the resolving efficacy pertaining to the 
 restoration of appropriate secretion and excretion ; — he must 
 have been on the very point of such recognition, — and from 
 having adopted the same train of reasoning which has enabled 
 us to unfold the true and total philosophy of medicine. 
 
 It is to such talented practitioners, — such practical medi- 
 cal philosophers, that we address our present outlines of the 
 philosophy of medicine for candid perusal and merited ap- 
 preciation. We are not writing for routinists and empirics, 
 and court not their approbation; — to them, all we have writ- 
 ten, or may write, will be but as dead letters. 
 
 We confidently address therefore exclusively the merito- 
 25 
 
190 
 
 rious practical philosophers of our profession,.who arealoney 
 capable of testing the merits of the philosophy which we are 
 unfolding to them. All the intelligent members of our pro- 
 fession who have duly profited by sufficiently ample experi- 
 ence, must admit that we have indicated in general terms 
 the total science of all such varied medication as should be 
 put in appropriately thorough requisition, for the resolution 
 and expulsion of all morbid sensibilities whatever from the 
 organization ; — whether they be more or less rcstrictedly 
 local, or more or less extensively, (though still locally,) im- 
 plicating a greater or lesser number of its departments, how- 
 ever varied they may be, in their organic structures, or func- 
 tional actions. They will also admit, that we have instituted 
 and proclaimed the one, and only therapeutical axiom, ne- 
 cessary to be recognized as philosophically operative and di- 
 rective at the bed-side of the afflicted, to the appropriate se- 
 lection of such remediate agents as are required for fulfilling 
 the specific indications there presenting themselves; — and 
 that such Remediate agents should in all cases be more than 
 fully correspondent in their stimulant operation, with the sti- 
 mulant operation of the causative 'agents, which have patho- 
 logized the organization. It should never for a moment be 
 forgotten, that in all cases, of all diseases, the causative agents 
 are still in action ; — that they have originated the patholo- 
 gical conditions through morbid stimulant action; — and that 
 it is self-evidently impossible, that their elimination from the 
 system can be efiected, in any other way, than through the 
 agency of such superior stimulation, as will overpower the 
 stimulant operation of the causative agents, — and eliminate 
 them, and their effects, from the organization. 
 
 To this rule of medication there can be no exception; — 
 for there is no sedative agent in nature. It is utterly absurd 
 to suppose, that, because lightning, prussic acid, digitalis^ 
 opium, &c. will in sufficient quantities kill, either instantly 
 or nearly so, — that they produce such effects through their 
 sedative operations. 
 
 Is lightning, because it totally destroys all the radical vital 
 
191 
 
 powers of the organization instantaneously, when recipient 
 of it in sufficient quantity, — a sedative agent? 
 
 Like all other physical agents it is a stimulant, — and a sti- 
 mulant of the very highest grade; — but, it is to be noted, 
 that it is at the same time a poisonous stimulant of very 
 highest grade, in its most concentrated state. Let us examine 
 this important portion of the philosophy of medicine a little 
 more in detail. It will not be denied that this agent in very 
 small quantities, particularly when not highly matured in 
 malignancy, acts stimulantly on the system receptive of it, — 
 and to ordinary observation may appear to raise and exalt 
 its vital powers. But this is not the case: — as a noxious sti- 
 mulus, the cerebral radicle of vitality becomes instantaneous- 
 ly percipient of its injurious operation, and raises with nearly 
 equal' celerity increased actions in those departments of the 
 organization that effect elimination of all morbid sensibilities 
 whatsoever; — raises recuperative excitations for eliminating 
 it, and its pernicious effects, from the system : — it is there- 
 fore, an agent in a general sense considered, operating in the 
 same injurious and poisonous manner as alcohol in a slight 
 dose, when taken by a person unaccustomed to it. Both 
 these poisons when thus applied in small quantities, do not 
 affect the organization to much perceptible depression of its 
 nervous energies, not so much so, as to prevent the conser- 
 vative powers from instituting recuperative excitations coex- 
 istently, or nearly so, with the entrance of the noxious 
 agents; — because these noxious stimuli are among the most 
 instantaneously diffusible noxious agents, and consequently 
 incite the nervous organization to operate with correspondent 
 celerity to the production of recuperative excitations, when- 
 ever it becomes thus slightly pathologized by them. As is 
 the celerity of action of noxious diffusible stimuli, such will 
 be the celerity of recuperative excitation succeeding their 
 application to the organization, in such small quantities, as 
 produce very slight depressions of its nervous energies : — 
 hence the utility of such diffusible noxious stimuli as reme- 
 diate agents, when administered in such small quantities, as 
 
192 
 
 may prove so slightly depressive of nervous energy, that 
 the conservative powers may be rendered instantaneously 
 operative to recuperative excitation. 
 
 Either of these noxious agents when applied to the organ- . 
 ization in somewhat larger quantities, produce depressions 
 and congestions of nervous energy, which become more pal- 
 pable to observation; — consequently, not so rapidly succeed- 
 ed by recuperative excitations. 
 
 When they are applied in still larger quantities, they are 
 productive of pathological conditions characterized by still 
 deeper depressions of nervous energy ; — and the resisting 
 powers of the organization thus pathologized, must be strong 
 and vigorous, or they will not recover from it so thoroughly, 
 as to institute free, open and ardent sthenic recuperation : — 
 and if still more deeply pathologized, recuperation will either 
 be not raised at all, or if raised, feebly and ineffectively. But 
 it may be observed, that although the recuperative excita- 
 tions in such aggravated congestions of vital power, be so in- 
 efficiently raised by the conservative powers of nature ; — 
 they may still in many cases, be so favourably raised by ap- 
 propriate medication, as to be rendered conductive to the 
 elimination of the noxious stimuli, and their effects from the 
 organization, through the legitimate outlets. 
 
 Have these noxious stimuli therefore, applied in the seve- 
 ral degrees mentioned, displayed to philosophical recogni- 
 tion, any sedative operation? Have they not effected their 
 entrance into the system by their stimulant operation, — by 
 overpowering its elective attractiveness for salutary stimuli? 
 And are they not poisonous stimuli, — and consequently, in- 
 stantaneously on their entrance depressive of the nervous 
 energy of the nervous organization, according to the quanti- 
 ties or qualities received, and the powers of nature to resist 
 the extension of their deleterious operations? And when 
 they enter the organization in still larger and more malig- 
 nant quantities, and poison its centres of innervation to in- 
 stant destruction, — can philosophy recognize it to have been 
 effected through their sedative influences? 
 
193 
 
 These questions need no answers. The same reasoning 
 applies to the operations of all the noxious agents, however 
 differently and specifically productive they may be of speci- 
 fically different pathological conditions; — they all act sti- 
 mulantly, but poisonously, depressively, and congestivcly, 
 never sedatively, — never to the exaltation of the powers of 
 the organization; — for such exaltations or recuperations 
 whenever they are raised at all, arc always raised by the 
 conservative powers of nature for eliminating the pathologi- 
 cal phenomena through the legitimate emunctories. As long 
 as life lasts, it lasts through the operation of stimuli, — and 
 exclusively through the operation of such salutary stimuli, 
 as the organization is capable of receiving and elaborating, 
 both in its salutary and pathologized conditions. 
 
 We have proved to intuitive demonstration, that no one 
 of the highest poisonous agents ever act sedatively on the 
 organization, — and however ably and meritoriously, in many 
 respects, any of the writers on sedation and debility may 
 have canvassed this important subject, they have not done 
 so under the recognition of true philosophy. 
 
 Antimony, lead, digitalis, &c. — all act stimulantly, but in 
 degrees inferior to many other noxious agents; — therefore 
 in appropriate quantities, in such pathological and recupera- 
 tive conditions of the organization as are appropriate to 
 them, may be used beneficially as remediate agents; — but 
 most assuredly, the depressing passions, as they are errone- 
 ously called, cannot be philosophically considered as seda- 
 tive agents: — they are pathological phenomena, in many 
 cases, occurring so concentratedly as to extinguish total vi- 
 tality almost instantaneously; — but they effect this through 
 their stimulating, and at the same time depressive and con- 
 gestive effects on the organization, — and arise from their re- ' 
 spectively specific causes, like all other pathological condi- 
 tions — and therefore, might philosophically be denominated 
 the depressed, — but not, depressing passions. Are not au- 
 thors therefore very unphiJosophically and unprofitably en- 
 gaged, while enumerating and enrolling the long list of these 
 
194 
 
 depressed passions, — these pathological conditions, amongst 
 the veritable causes of diseases? And are not physicians 
 very unprofitably, as well as unphilosophically engaged, 
 during the prevalence of baleful epidemics, whilst proclaim- 
 ing to the inhabitants the necessity of preserving themselves 
 exempt from the operation of these depressed passions? 
 Should they not rather forbear to mention at all these de- 
 pressed passions on such calamitous occasions, and incite 
 them to the use of all the means most philosophically adapt- 
 ed to keep all their affective emotions in the calm and equa- 
 ble tenor of salutary operation? 
 
 These questions are easily answered: — for it is unques- 
 tionably highly unphilosophical, as well as unphilothropical, 
 to proclaim during the prevalence of plagues, yellow fevers, 
 choleras, or other malignant pestilences, that fear will most 
 certainly invite the entrance of the noxious agents into the 
 organization. 
 
 They have already entered, and produced their most pro- 
 minentpathological phenomenon, — fear, — which imperiously 
 demands such appropriate medication as may eliminate it, 
 and its causative agent, forthwith from the system; — or its 
 resisting powers will be rapidly mastered to the extent of 
 irrecuperation, and consequent destruction. An appropriate 
 joyous excitation of the system is indispensably necessary to 
 the production and continuance of it in a healthy condition; 
 but by many causes it may be so inordinately excited, as to 
 terminate vitality almost instantaneously; — or, according to 
 the varied degrees of super-excitement, correspondently va- 
 ried pathological conditions will become supervenient and 
 excitative to the production of correspondently varied recu- 
 perative excitations, for effecting their elimination from the 
 ■ organization. 
 
 If then, this super-joyous excitation from appropriate 
 causes,— from salutary causes acting in excess, — may end in 
 pathological conditions; — it is equally evident, that a lower- 
 ed condition of the healthy joyous excitation of the organi- 
 zation, may occur from a variety of causes acting stimulant- 
 
195 
 
 ly, but at the same time dcprcssively, on it, to the proiluc- 
 tion of pathological conditions, more or less conccntrative 
 and fixed, according to the nature of the causes thus patho- 
 lo"-ically operative, and the predlsponent condition of the 
 system receptive of them. 
 
 This is the only true philosophy pertaining to these de- 
 pressing passions, as they are so unphilosophically denomi- 
 nated:— they are all pathological conditions, arising respec- 
 tively from their appropriate causes, and to be eliminated 
 from the organization by super-stimulant recuperative excita- 
 tion, or appropriate medication; — for there are no sedative 
 agents to be found in nature, or prepared by art, to medicate 
 to elimination such, or any other, pathological phenomena, 
 from any other causes arising. But there are stimulant me- 
 dicating agents to be found in nature, and prepared by art, 
 to enable the organization when pathologized by causes pro- 
 ductive of ab-excitation, to become operative to the pro- 
 duction of such recuperative excitations, as by the continu- 
 ance of medication appropriate to such recuperative state of 
 the organization, may eliminate them, and their pathological 
 effects; — and there are also such stimulating medicating 
 agents to be found, and prepared, as by appropriately philo- 
 sophical management may be rendered operative in lower- 
 ing the pathological conditions which have arisen from 
 causes productive of super-excitation, to tlie standard points 
 required by the central powers of the nervous organization, 
 to the elicitation of effective recuperative eliminations. All 
 medicating agents therefore, act stimulantly in curing dis- 
 eases from whatsoever causes arising. 
 
 It is owing to ignorance, or want of attention to this phi- 
 losophy, on which our therapeutical axiom is based, that the 
 too prevalent and fashionable Broussaian plan of medication 
 is so unsuccessful, particularly in resolving and eliminating 
 the morbid sensibilities, constituting not only the highest 
 grades of diseases, pertaining to southern and intertropical, 
 but to all other climates. 
 This fashionable medication consists almost exclusively, 
 
196 
 
 in adopting the same train or routine of ineflScient ontological 
 medical entities, as they may be philosophically denominated, 
 for the elimination of all diseases, from all causes arising, 
 however palpably mild or severe, or complicatedly conges- 
 tive, they may be presented to observation by their severally 
 varied pathological and recuperative manifestations. 
 
 Let us examine this ontological system of medication a 
 little more in detail^ontological, because recognizing gas- 
 tritis or gastro-enteritis as a presiding deity, regulating and 
 controlling all the morbid and salutary actions,, sequential to 
 the operation of the causative agents, and moulding them 
 into fac similes, for characterizing nearly all the ills that 
 flesh and blood are, or can be made, heir to; — and inevitably 
 therefore leading all its votaries to the most worshipful 
 adoption of a routine of feeble, frivolous, and utterly ineffi- 
 cient medicating entities for eradicating nearly all the patho- 
 logical phenomena to which the organization may become 
 subject, from whatsoever morbid causes; — whether such 
 phenomena be accompanied or succeeded by the favourable 
 irritative, inflammatory and febrific, or by the unfavourable 
 and abortive spasmodic and convulsive recuperative mani- 
 festations, or by none at all. 
 
 Locating the morbid actions constituting particularly all 
 the diseases considered by them as febrile and inflammatory 
 exclusively in the mucous membranes of the alimentary 
 canal, they prescribe for all the grades of such diseases, a 
 nearly similar routine of frivolous and inefficient medicating, 
 agents, consisting now and then of general bleeding, but al- 
 ways to a similarly sparing extent, without any appropriately 
 philosophical recognition or discrimination, between the 
 difierent grades of the pathological and recuperative pheno- 
 mena constituting the difierent cases subjected to their me- 
 dication; — but in almost all cases, relying exclusively on 
 topical detractions of blood by leeching and cupping, ptisans 
 and emollient enemata, and acidulated solutions of gum and 
 ice waters. In the opinion of Broussais, and certainly his 
 numerous servile train of worshippers, this totally unphilo- 
 
197 
 
 sophical routine of medication is all sedative, and adapted to 
 the cure of all diseases, of all grades, from all causes; — and 
 they believe that the exhibition of any of the ordinarily ac- 
 knowledged stimulant remedial agents to the mucous mem- 
 branes, already stimulated by the causative agents as near 
 the point of vital endurance as the organization can sustain, 
 would be rapidly productive of its total destruction. 
 
 Let us examine the condition or conditions of the gastric 
 department of the organization when under the influence of 
 pathological phenomena from any cayse, and we shall readily 
 discover that this fashionable creed, so ignominiously aped, 
 to greater or less extent throughout the medical world, is 
 naught but vaporous nothingness, totally devoid of any 
 physiological or pathological philosophy for its support. Its 
 superstructure is seen to be perfectly baseless, by the slight- 
 est philosophical examination. 
 
 When the pathological condition constituting gastritis is 
 very slight, as when it has occurred in a very mild form, 
 from slight cause, there will be such a slight deviation from 
 the healthy standard of gastric action, that nothing more 
 than simple irritative recuperation becoYnes raised for its 
 removal from the stomach by resolution. In such slight 
 disease, ptisanning and gum-watering may be practised or 
 not, because the irritative recuperation raised by the vis. 
 conserv. naturse, is all sufficient for eliminating the patholo- 
 gical condition of the affected organ. Let it not be said, be- 
 cause authors do not describe such mild cases of gastritis, 
 that they do not occur. Authors restrict their descriptions 
 almost exclusively to the medial grades, characterized by 
 prominent pathological and recuperative phenomena, and 
 neglect noticing both the mildest and highest grades. This 
 ontological method of describing diseases, running through 
 all the systems of practice yet published to the world, is 
 totally prohibitive of ever arriving at the philosophy of dis- 
 eases, and inevitably precludes all the bibliothecal practi- 
 tioners from recognizing, at any rate, any of the mildest or 
 highest grades of diseases arising from the same causes as 
 26 
 
198 
 
 the medial grades,— -and leads them to an empirical and 
 hacknied practice;— for without true philosophy to guide 
 them to appropriate recognition of all the grades of patholo- 
 gical and recuperative phenomena arising from identical 
 causation, they can never practice in any other manner. 
 
 Light causes therefore invariably produce light effects, in 
 constitutions previously sound, — and mild cases of gastritis 
 are as liable to occur in the mucous membrane of the sto- 
 mach, as any other mild diseases from mild causes, in any 
 other departments of the organization ; — and they do in fact 
 occur, from a variety of light causes almost daily ; — and it is 
 necessary now to notice the fact, to show that the plan of 
 medication practised by Broussais and his worshippers for 
 the treatment of this and all other febrile diseases as they are 
 called, is utterly futile, and in fact absurd, because contrary 
 to the plainest suggestions of the common sense of even the 
 uneducated part of mankind. Their plan of treating diseases 
 by the exhibition and application of a few frivolous ontolo- 
 gical entities, is totally inadequate to produce the elimination 
 of the morbid sensibilities constituting any of them, except 
 the mildest grades. Now although these milder grades 
 would be in all cases eliminated by the recuperative excita- 
 tions of the conservative powers,— yet, as we are willing to 
 admit to the fullest extent the value of their routine prac- 
 tice, — we consider it our bounden duty to proclaim to the 
 m.edical profession, that their value is to be exclusively con- 
 sidered as auxiliary to the recuperative excitations of na- 
 ture, — never positively curative, of the pathological condi- 
 tions constituting even any of the mildest grades of diseases; 
 and they are not even entitled to this extent of auxiliary 
 consideration of utility, through the recognition of any true 
 pathological philosophy. Irritation in the capillary circula- 
 tion surrounding the slight pathological condition in the mu- 
 cous membrane of the stomach, or any other portion of the 
 organization, eliminates it by resolution, without medica- 
 tion ; — but, whea the pathological phenomena have occurred 
 to the production of considerable depression of the vital en- 
 
199 
 
 ergies, irritation is first raised in the capillary circulation for 
 resolving and expelling them, but in general proving inade- 
 quate to effect it, the conservative powers institute febrific 
 recuperation in the general circulations, by which means an 
 additional momentum is given to the capillary circulation in 
 and adjacent to the pathologized condition; — and, if the se- 
 cretions should be not much increased or deranged beyond 
 their normal action, resolution may still be effected through 
 the secretions and excretions pertaining to the affected re- 
 gion, be it where it may, and without medication. In such 
 case we admit, that the recuperative institutions might be 
 benefited by the ptisanning and gum-watering plan of medi- 
 cation ; — but this is no more nor less than what would be 
 prescribed by all experienced practitioners, — not with the 
 view of their acting positively curable, but as auxiliary and 
 soothing applications to the affected region. But, yvhen the 
 causative agents have produced such deep depressions and 
 congestions of the parts recipient of them, as are sooner or 
 later succeeded, in strong and vigorous constitutions, by 
 free, open, and ardent inflammatory recuperation, in the 
 parts thus pathologized, and by a correspondently free, open, 
 and ardent recuperative excitement in the general circula- 
 tions, of what avail other than auxiliary, can be the routine 
 of frivolous medication inculcated by the Broussaian school? 
 When the stomach is the recipient of such deep depression 
 and congestion of its nervous energies, other important vital 
 organs are in general, through sympathetic sensibility, quick- 
 ly recipient of them, and the contest forthwith becomes in- 
 tensely ardent between the pathological and recuperative 
 phenomena. The brain is frequently manifested to be in a 
 phrenzied condition, — the stomach, liver, and other viscera, 
 to be phlogosed entirely beyond the powers of secretion or 
 excretion, — the mucous membranes to be coated with de- 
 praved, viscid, ropy mucus, — the duodenum and stomach 
 loaded with acrid, vitiated bile previously secreted and ex- 
 creted, — the capillary department of the organization raging 
 and burning to the extent of thorough non-secretion, — and 
 
200 
 
 even the urinary secretion nearly suspended, — and in many 
 cases, as in yellow fevers and other pestilences, quite so. 
 Can such ardent contention between the conservative and 
 pathological phenomena be witnessed and philosophically 
 recoo-nized by any experienced practitioner, be his medical 
 creed what it may, without resorting to more effective me- 
 dication than ptisanning, emollient enemata, &c.? Such in- 
 tensely phlogosed excitations of the conservative powers, 
 prove incontestibly, that the pathological phenomena which 
 originated them cannot be resolved and eliminated, except 
 by a medication correspondently potent and appropriate. 
 
 To attempt the elimination of such intensely morbid sen- 
 sibilities from the organization by topical detractions of 
 blood, teas, enemata, &c.— *would be as fruitless as an at- 
 tempt to extinguish the fiery vomiting of a volcano by 
 sprinkling water on it. And yet such medication is daily 
 resorted to by Broussais and his worshippers; — and what 
 are the consequences of such criminal neglect of appropriate 
 medication in such cases? First, additional congestions and 
 obstructions, — and lastly, and that quickly, — disorganiza- 
 tions and total destructions. 
 
 If the Broussaian plan of medication for such grades of dis- 
 eases as we have thus far mentioned be so totally ineffica- 
 cious, how much more unphilosophical and inefficient must 
 
 such medication be considered when used for the treatment 
 of diseases of much higher grades, arising from causes pro- 
 ductive of such overwhelming effects of the radical energies 
 of the organization, as to prevent the innervating centres 
 from instituting any recuperative excitations at all, even in 
 constitutions previously sound and vigorous,— or if any, no- 
 thing more than occasional faintly glimmering irritations or 
 fevers, or tremors and agitations, cramps and twitchings, or 
 spasms and convulsions? 
 
 Gastro-enteritic inflammatory and febrile diseases, as they 
 are erroneously called, when arising from highly malignant 
 miasmata, are either assumptive of such weak and unavail- 
 ing asthenic recuperation, or of none at all, — that they can 
 
201 
 
 never, in any sense whatever considered, be benefited by 
 the Broussaian plan of medication carried to its utmost ex- 
 tent. This pseudo-philosophy therefore cannot be made ope- 
 rative to the elimination of any of the medial or highest 
 grades of diseases, — and cannot be considered as operative 
 to the elimination of the very mildest, through the recogni- 
 tion of any show of the true philosophy pertaining to dis- 
 eases arising from any causes whatsoever. 
 
 We conclude therefore, that this fashionable method of 
 medication must inevitably be considered by all talented 
 practitioners of much experience, as totally unphilosophi- 
 cal, — because recognizing exclusively the doctrine of seda- 
 tive medicaments, — and prescribing very much the same 
 unmodified routine of them, for the treatment of all the va- 
 ried grades of diseases, arising from all their correspondent- 
 ly varied causative agents; — whereas, they are exclusively 
 adapted, if at all, to the treatment of the very mildest grades 
 of diseases, — and not to them, through the recognition of 
 true philosophy. 
 
 If this Broussaian plan of medication can therefore be phi- 
 losophically considered as operative to the elimination of any 
 morbid sensibilities whatever, from any causes, it must be 
 recognized to be thus operative through stimulant operation; 
 and all the bleedings, cuppings, and leechings, resorted to 
 for preparing the conservative powers for eliminating the 
 noxious agents and their effects from the system by acidu- 
 lated gummous solutions, and ice-waterings, and emollient 
 poultices and enemata, are undeniably insufficient to elimi- 
 nate any other than the very mildest grades of diseases, — 
 and they would be eliminated without them, by the recupe- 
 rative powers of the organization. 
 
 A doctrine of medication, which inculcates the carefullest 
 detention and strictest husbandry of the vitiated secretions 
 and feculent matters, so copiously engendered and aggre- 
 gatedly accumulated for rankling operations in the alimen- 
 tary canal, by the organization when concentratedly patholo- 
 gized from any causes, — and totally proscribes appropriate 
 
202 
 
 purgatives, diaphoretics, &c. from the list of medicating 
 agents, which through all time, have been justly considered 
 as indispensably necessary agents, under appropriate manage- 
 ment, for eliminating all morbid sensibilities from whatso- 
 ever causes arising, cannot be long sanctioned by any expe- 
 rienced and philosophic practitioner of medicine, or by any 
 other person of common sense, resident either within the 
 pale of cultivated or barbarous life. 
 
 We are therefore confident, that all our ablest and most 
 experienced practitioners will admit, that no medical philo- 
 sopher of ancient or modern time, has wandered farther 
 astray from just conceptions of the legitimate, physiological, 
 and pathological operations pertaining to the organization of 
 man, than the present medical chieftain of physiological me- 
 dication, who is endeavouring to wield the sceptre of domi- 
 nion over the whole medical world, by denouncing all other 
 systems, except his own, as erroneous, ontological, and 
 fraught with doctrines which lead to incendiary and perni- 
 cious practices. 
 
 But this renowned medical magician, who is essaying to 
 rule with such despotic sway, cannot be considered in any 
 other light, than as being himself the very prince of the 
 most audacious and arrant ontology, and the most devoted 
 worshipper of a more numerous host of metaphysical enti- 
 ties, than any of those whom he has denounced with such 
 acrimonious vituperation, ever conjured up. For his doc- 
 trines are so strongly tinctured and imbued with the deifica- 
 tion of chimerical essences, and delivered in such dogmati- 
 cal, imposing, and captivating manner, as to have apishly 
 enslaved a very considerable proportion of the brightest me- 
 dical luminaries, both in Europe and our own country, and 
 fast chained them down to a philosophy chiefly restricted to 
 the consideration of mucous membranes,— and led them to 
 the adoption of such feeble and inefficient medication, as is 
 not applicable in any other, than an auxiliary sense, to even 
 the mildest grades of diseases, — and utterly nugatory, una- 
 vailing, and in fact worse than useless, — when applied to 
 
203 
 
 the treatment of all the higher grades of diseases, (gastritis, 
 or any other,) and further removed from the true philosophy 
 of thorough medication, than that of any one of his philoso- 
 phical predecessors. 
 
 The truth is, that every experienced and intelligent prac- 
 titioner of medicine in all time,— hefore the time of Brous- 
 sais,— knew quite as much about the necessity of preserving 
 the integrity of the mucous membranes during their treat- 
 ment of diseases, as himself, — and adopted a much more 
 philosophic medication for preserving their integrity than 
 he has taught; — and consequently far less entitled to the ap- 
 pellative reproaches of incendiary and pernicious. 
 
 It is also true, that all the ablest practitioners of medicine 
 during all prior and present time, while treating and curing 
 by appropriate medicating agents, diseases characterized by 
 the deepest depressions and congestions of the nervous ener- 
 gies of the nervous organization, — must have made a near 
 approach to the recognition of such knowledge, as consti- 
 tutes the true philosophy of medicine, both now and forever. 
 We therefore observe, that all the acrimonious denuncia- 
 tions of this arrogant philosopher so profusely lavished 
 against other systems, and other practitioners, will be con- 
 sidered by all our ablest physicians as recoiling upon his own 
 system, and his own practice; — and that there, they will 
 sooner or later, and deservedly, rest in oblivion. 
 
 That this system of medication, certainly the most pertur- 
 bating, incendiary, and pernicious, ever yet conjured up by 
 any medical philosopher, should have been imported as a 
 fashion, and rendered instructingly operative in our own 
 medical institutions, is matter of much astonishment as 
 well as regret, to all the most intelligent and judicious phy- 
 sicians of our country ; — and their exertions should be united- 
 ly subjected to all reasonable requisition, for staying its cor- 
 rupting progress. Thousands of the French nation are an- 
 nually sacrificed by this deluding system of medication, and 
 thousands have been, and will continue to be, sacrificed in 
 our own country, by the junior members of the profession 
 
204 
 
 who have imbibed its delusive and pernicious doctrines in 
 some of our medical seminaries of highest reputation; — for, 
 they will all render them operative in their several practices 
 for some time, — those of them, who are intelligent, discern- 
 ing, and discriminating, not for a long time, — because, they 
 will discover their futility, and recognize the necessity of 
 adopting a practice more conformable to science and common 
 sense: — but those of them who relinquish their studies 
 when they leave their schools, as is unfortunately the case 
 with a great proportion of them, will not even halt in their 
 destructive career, but pursue their slaughtering course, 
 till death releases them from committing further devastation 
 of human life. 
 
 This cannot be deemed by our ablest practitioners an over- 
 wrought representation of the baleful consequences inevita- 
 bly supervenient to the adoption of this false philosophy. 
 
 But we may console ourselves with the certainty, that this 
 philosophy contains within itself the seeds of its own de- 
 struction, — that it cannot be long made to vegetate to per- 
 fection in any richly intellectual soil, — and that it will soon 
 be blasted in its sproutings, and dissolved into its fruitless 
 elements. The doctrine has attained its culminating point, 
 and will be respectfully lowered to its just deserts, by the 
 meritorious practical philosophers pertaining to our profes- 
 sion. 
 
 No philosophy of medicine will be recognized and appre- 
 ciated as true, unless founded on such self-evident proposi- 
 tions as unfold the principles necessary for clearly explain- 
 ing and illustrating all the varied, physiological, pathologi- 
 cal, and conservative phenomena incident to the varied ope- 
 rations, pertaining to the varied organization of man, both 
 in health and disease, wherever he is found in the habitable 
 regions of the earth. 
 
 If man be a being destined for eternal duration, — and that 
 he is, — "all nature cries aloud through all her works,"— he 
 must be made so through the inevitable operations pertaining 
 to such material organization as Deity has given him; — and 
 
205 
 
 he must possess in such organization such operative powers 
 as render him a whole being, destined for time and eter- 
 nity: — therefore, the first link in the chain of all true medi- 
 cal philosophy must inevitably consist of the will of Deity 
 in organizing man for mortal and immortal existence, — and the 
 medium through which such will is exclusively manifested to 
 observation must, and can be no other, than the nervous sys- 
 tem, the whole and only system of man's organization, 
 through the operations of which, under the appropriate ex- 
 citements of natural morality, corrected and perfected by re- 
 velation, — man can be enabled in time, to prepare himself 
 for his destined eternity, — of happiness. 
 
 The recognition of this primal link in the series of propo- 
 sitions composing our philosophy is unavoidable. Man 
 therefore emanates primarily from the will of Deity, and 
 during his probationary detention here in time, is anticipa- 
 tively connected with him, through his exclusively nervous 
 organization ; and through the operations of the same media- 
 torial power, after having shuffled off his mortal coil, re- 
 turns to the same divine source from whence he emanated, — 
 for everlasting blessedness. 
 
 Our medical philosophy therefore, consists of such a series 
 of self-evident propositions, as develope forthwith to reason 
 and common sense, all the principles, which are now, or ever 
 can be, rendered operative to the evolution of all the varied 
 physiological actions of the organization of man in its healthy 
 condition, — to all the varied pathological phenomena charac- 
 terizing all its varied deviations from the healthy standard 
 of action, — and to all the respectively varied recuperative 
 phenomena instituted by the conservative powers for restor- 
 ing the pathologized organization to its salutary physiologi- 
 cal standard of action. 
 
 It is therefore a whole system of medical philosophy, and 
 universally applicable, — now and forever, — and every 
 where, — for unfolding to philosophic comprehension and 
 appreciation, all the physiological, pathological, and conser- 
 vative phenomena pertaining to the organization of man, 
 27 
 
206 
 
 both in its salutary and diseased conditions. It is a system 
 of universal philosophy recognizing the inevitable instru- 
 mentality of all the powers governing and regulating all ani- 
 mal, and to much extent of appreciation, all vegetable exist- 
 ences; — recognizing the appropriately philosophical subjec- 
 tion of the organization of man for support in time, to the 
 various and multiform modifications of physiological and pa- 
 thological phenomena, arising from their correspondently 
 varied and multiform physical causes, as manifested to ob- 
 servation through all the habitable portions of the earth ; — 
 recognizing therefore, not only the general causes which af- 
 fect the organization pathologically in all parts of our crea- 
 tion, but leading us directly to the institution of such inves- 
 tigations and observations, as will unfold to us the causes 
 which vary the pathological phenomena in different coun- 
 tries, and in different districts of different countries, and 
 enable us to adopt the most efficacious means for either pre- 
 venting, or removing tliem, when produced. 
 
 Our philosophy being therefore universally operative in 
 elucidating the varied characteristics of the varied patholo- 
 logical phenomena affecting the organization of man in every 
 department of creation, — recognizes and reprobates the ab- 
 surdity of subjecting the science of medicine, which in its 
 general principles considered, is one and indivisible, — to the 
 capriciousness of fashion, — and of importing and adopting 
 such fashion, and making it operative in our own medical 
 institutions. 
 
 We recognize and deplore therefore, the deleterious con- 
 sequences which have already arisen, and must hereafter 
 arise, from instructing our youth exclusively in the frivo- 
 lous routine of sedative medication, as it is considered by 
 the fashionable, but totally erroneous and unphilosophical 
 Broussaian system now in vogue; — because they will endea- 
 vour to render it operative in their respective practices 
 wherever they may be located, however variously and dis- 
 similarly characterized may be the pathological phenomena 
 which they will be called on for eliminating. 
 
207 
 
 All ihe philosophies of medicine have been founded on 
 fancied recognitions of some one or more fantastic meta- 
 physical entities, — but we may confidently consider ours as 
 founded on a series of self-evident propositions, developing 
 the principles necessary for conclusively unfolding and elu- 
 cidating the causes of all the more general, or particular pa- 
 thological phenomena, with all their multiplicities of varia- 
 tions and modifications, incident to the organization of man 
 wherever he may be found in our world; — and as far as hu- 
 man agency can be of any avail, suggests the most appro- 
 priate means, for either preventing the formations of such 
 pathological phenomena,— or, whenever they are produced, 
 eliminating them by the most appropriate and philosophical 
 medications. 
 
 And as we are confident that many a talented practitioner 
 while treating successfully by appropriate medication, 
 diseases characterized by such highly concentrated depres- 
 sions and congestions as were totally preclusive of the insti- 
 tution of recuperative excitations by the conservative powers, 
 or the more ordinary routine of medication in such cases re- 
 sorted to, — has often been on the point of recognizing our 
 philosophy to its fullest extent;— so we are equally confident 
 that it will be duly recognized and appreciated by all such 
 practitioners, — and that they will render it incalculably ope- 
 rative in relieving and eliminating the sufferings of huma- 
 nity, from whatsoever causative agents arising. 
 
 If after all our copious elucidation of such philosophy of 
 medication as should be put in requisition for the treatment 
 of all the corporeal and mental sufferings to which the orga- 
 nization is now, or under any circumstances, can ever be, 
 rendered subject,— it should still be inquired in what man- 
 ner is such extensive alleviation of human misery to be rea- 
 lized by this philosophy in preference to any other,— we 
 unhesitatingly assert, without any fear of successful contra- 
 diction, that it will irresistibly conduct every talented prac- 
 titioner, under the appropriate appreciation of it, in very 
 many, very material respects, to a radical change of mcdica- 
 
208 
 
 tion, and of medication legitimately scientific, — for nearly 
 all the ills that flesh and blood are heir to. 
 
 Our philosophy recognizes to demonstrative appreciation, 
 that to whatever extent the morbid sensibilities constituting 
 diseases, may have been primarily received, or through sym- 
 pathetic sensibility, consecutively transmitted, — to such ex- 
 tent, the total organization of the part or parts thus involved 
 in the morbid sensibilities, becomes pathologized. The ner- 
 vous system is therefore the only, and w^hole system of 
 man; — and its innervating centre becomes instantaneously 
 percipient of these morbid sensibilities, and raises recupera- 
 tive excitations to eliminate them from the organization, 
 sooner or later, — or never, — in a manner invariably corres- 
 ponding with the greater or lesser depression and congestion 
 of the vital powers of that portion, or those portions, of the 
 vital part or parts of the organization, to which the causative 
 agents have been applied and transmitted. 
 
 All morbid sensibilities, therefore, constituting all dis- 
 eases arising from all causes, are to be considered as positive 
 depressions and congestions of nervous energy, arising from 
 the causative agents overpowering the elective attraction for 
 salutary stimuli, in the part or parts invaded and entered by 
 them. These depressions and congestions, whether originat- 
 ed by causative agents acting from without or within the 
 organization, become more or less transmissible through 
 sympathetic sensibility, according to the ravaging power of 
 the causative agents, and the constitutional powers of the 
 system receptive of such pathologization. For the elimina- 
 tion of morbid sensibilities thus originated and transmitted, 
 recuperative excitations are instituted by the conservative 
 powers, viz. — by the sensorial percipiency of the cerebral 
 centre, (in a strictly philosophical sense considered, in a 
 more or less direct manner, the exclusive innervating radicle 
 of vitality in the mature and healthy organization,) — conse- 
 quently, these sensorial percipiences will institute more or 
 less favourable recuperative excitations, according to the na- 
 ture and effects of the causative agents, and the remaining 
 
209 
 
 powers of vital resistance in the pathologized organization. 
 The morbid sensibilities, therefore, must be specifically and 
 indefinitely varied and modified, and the sensorial perci- 
 piences originating the recuperative excitations will be ma- 
 nifested to philosophic observation, in a correspondently 
 specific and diversified manner. 
 
 The total philosophy of medication consequently recog- 
 nizes the indispensable necessity of adopting, in each and 
 every case of morbid sensibility, such remedial agents as are 
 most appropriately indicated, for resolving and eliminating 
 it from the system, wherever located, and to whatever ex- 
 tent it may have been transmitted, through sympathetic sen- 
 sibility. 
 
 Can the science of medicine as thus portrayed to the un- 
 avoidable recognition of every reasonable and intelligent 
 physician, be any longer considered a conjectural art, or 
 trade of cunning, based on chicanery? The science of medi- 
 cine is based on the immutable laws pertaining to the ner- 
 vous organization now, and through all time, — conducting 
 us by appropriate study, physiologically, pathologically, and 
 recuperatively, or therapeutically considered, to the certainty 
 of intuitive demonstration, — therefore utterly disclaiming all 
 cunning, trick, and sophistry. 
 
 Let it be particularly noted and remembered, therefore, 
 that all our therapeutical indications are to be exclusively 
 formed from due observance and consideration of the specific 
 ravaging effects of the causative agents, and of the corres- 
 pondently specific recuperative excitations raised by the 
 conservative powers in each and every case of morbid sensi- 
 bility. And as the recuperative excitations are manifested 
 in all cases, either by irritations, inflammations, and fevers, 
 or tremors, twitchings, cramps, spasms, or convulsions, or 
 by partial or total paralyses of the organization, amounting 
 to no recuperative excitation at all, — so a particular, and 
 specifically appropriate species of medication will be philo- 
 sophically required for each and every case of morbid sensi- 
 bility, — although arising from the same general cause or 
 
210 
 
 causes, — because different organizations are differently affect- 
 ed by identical causes, in identical quantities; — but it is sel- 
 dom the case, however, that different organizations are re- 
 ceptive of identical quantities, because of the differing powers 
 of resistance, in the different constitutions. Viewed, there- 
 fore, in every sense, and through .every medium of light, 
 true philosophy requires us to consider all diseases, from all 
 causes, and all diseases arising in different organizations, 
 from identical causes, as more or less specifically different. 
 
 As all diseases are therefore specific, because arising from 
 specific causes, producing specific pathological phenomena, 
 in specific departments of the organization, both primarily 
 and consecutively through sympathetic sensibility consider- 
 ed; — it follows, that the recuperative phenomena, (whenever 
 they are raised,) whether coexistently or sequentially to the 
 pathological, are exclusively, and correspondently specific, 
 and require therefore, correspondently specific medications. 
 
 Can such philosophy based on such luminous self-evidency, 
 as arises from scientifically recognizing the operations of the 
 nervous organization of man, offer any inducements to the 
 skeptic or sophist, for stigmatizing the science of medicine as 
 a conjectural art, or ignominious species of handicraft? 
 
 The science of medicine based on such self-evident foun- 
 dations as we have assigned to it, or as it has been, and is 
 still, practised by our ablest physicians, is the noblest, as 
 well as most useful, of all the avocations of man. The 
 practice of medicine therefore, is or should be, exclusively 
 the practice of its philosophy;— which is comprehensively 
 comprised in a thorough knowledge of the causes of dis- 
 eases, — the pathological phenomena manifested in the orga- 
 nization by the operation of these causes, and the recupera- 
 tive excitations raised by the conservative powers for their 
 expulsion. The causes in many cases, may be investigated 
 from, — but the pathological and recuperative phenomena ex- 
 clusively, at the bed-side of the afflicted,— where their sepa- 
 ration from each other, should be thoroughly understood; — 
 because, without recognizing such separation we shall be 
 
211 
 
 irroping about in darkness, and practising in a routine, em- 
 pirical, tentative manner. As our remedies are to be ex- 
 clusively exhibited, and applied, for the purpose of control- 
 ling and regulating the efforts of nature to resolve and elimi- 
 nate the pathological phenomena, or to raise such efforts 
 when nature is too much depressed to raise them, the neces- 
 sity of making such separation, is obvious. As all medica- 
 tion which cures diseases of all kinds, from all causes, how- 
 ever m.ore or less locally, affecting the organization, operates 
 in assisting the recuperative excitations to resolve and expel 
 the pathological phenomena from the system through one, or 
 more, or all, of the secretions and excretions ; — so, all me- 
 dication whatever, consistingof whatsoever variety of agents, 
 that may be found appropriately philosophical for the pro- 
 duction of such expulsion, or elimination, is entitled exclu- 
 sively, to the appellation of expulsive or eliminative medica- 
 tion : — for most assuredly, every species of medication which 
 enables the conservative powers of the organization, to insti- 
 tute the necessary processes for producing such critical eva- 
 cuations, as are required for expelling the morbid sensibili- 
 ties constituting diseases through their legitimate outlets — 
 the secretions and excretions, are philosophically entitled, 
 to such appellation, — and to such only. All the bleedings, 
 general and local, or other remediate measures that may be 
 required for thus rendering the recuperative powers effectual 
 to the production of these necessary secretions and excre- 
 tions, — are most assuredly, entitled to the appellation of ex- 
 pulsive medications; — because, in a great variety of diseases, 
 they are indispensably necessary, to conduct the operations 
 of the organization to such approach to salutary action, as 
 will enable the secretory and excretory organs to act elimi- 
 natively of the morbid sensibilities. And all other medicat- 
 ing agents, whether acting specifically stimulantly as eme- 
 tics, cathartics, diaphoretics, expectorants, emollients, ano- 
 dynes, diuretics, &c. and all the varied external revulsive 
 medicating agents, however specifically operative they may- 
 be, ail tend, when appropriately used, in each and every 
 
212 
 
 case of morbid sensibility requiring them, to its expulsion 
 and elimination from the system ; — consequently, all appro- 
 priately philosophical medicating agents whatever, that have 
 already, or may hereafter be discovered, are expulsive me- 
 dicaments, operating specifically stimulantly. 
 
 We thus open to palpable observation, and unavoidable 
 acknowledgment, the principles to be put in requisition, for 
 composing the one, and one only therapeutical book, that is 
 now, or ever can be required by true philosophy, for direct- 
 ing the practitioner to the institution of his remedial indica- 
 tions, and the agents for appropriately fulfilling them, from 
 the commencement to the termination of all diseases from 
 all causes: — and it is evident, that such book may be richly 
 stored with true philosophy, unchangeably operative through 
 all time, to the exclusion of much useless nonemclatural ver- 
 bosity. 
 
 The true philosophical practice of medicine, therefore, 
 consists in the use of all the remediate means, best adapted 
 in each and every case of morbid sensibility to conduct the 
 recuperative excitations to the production of appropriately 
 critical evacuations, through the secretory and excretory ap- 
 paratus of the organization. In no other way, than through 
 these natural and legitimate outlets, can the morbid sensibi- 
 lities constituting any disease, (be the recuperative manifes- 
 tations what they may, or none at all,) become eliminated 
 from the system. Slight pathological conditions of any part 
 of the organization, will be generally either accompanied, or 
 soon succeeded by such mild recuperative excitation, as to 
 require little or no medication, — the secretions being so little 
 deranged by the causative agents, that the recuperative exci- 
 tations are not raised higher than necessary to render them 
 effectively operative to the expulsion of the pathological 
 phenomena. The pathological conditions from whatsoever 
 causes arising, are the proximate causes of the recuperative 
 phenomena, whatever they may be ; — therefore, whenever 
 the recuperative phenomena are raised in a high and ardent 
 manner, the proximate causes will be found to consist of de- 
 
213 
 
 pressions and congestions of the nervous energies of the part 
 or parts of the organization implicated in them, which have 
 arisen from causative agents acting in a correspondently ar- 
 dent degree, in constitutions previously sound. Such high 
 and ardent recuperative excitations deranging and vitiating 
 the secretions, or rather proving, that the causative agents 
 have acted to such vitiation, will require such stimulant me- 
 dication as will lower, regulate, and preserve the operations 
 of the organization to the salutary standard of action neces- 
 sary for effecting elimination of the morbid sensibilities 
 through their legitimate outlets; and whenever the patholo- 
 gical phenomena have occurred from causative agents acting 
 to the production of highly concentrated depressions of 
 nervous energy, the recuperative manifestations will be cha- 
 racterized by such feeble and inefficient asthenic or typhoid, 
 or ataxic or adynamic action, as to require such appropriately 
 stimulant medication, as will strengthen and regulate, raise 
 and preserve the powers of the organization to the necessary 
 secretory standard of elimination. 
 
 As are the causative agents, such will be the patholo- 
 gical phenomena; and as are the pathological, such will be 
 the recuperative phenomena; — and they will both be speci- 
 fically and variantly characterized, in a manner specifically 
 correspondent with the nature and action of the causative 
 agents, and the nature and action of such predisposition or 
 idiosyncrasy, as may be existent in the constitutions recep- 
 tive of them. 
 
 Irritative and inflammatory recuperation in the capillary 
 circulation, exclusively eliminates the mildest diseases; — and 
 all diseases of higher grades are eliminated by inflammatory 
 and febrific recuperation; — and it should be kept in perpe- 
 tual remembrance, that all the recuperative excitations, 
 which, by appropriate medication, may be rendered elimina- 
 tive of pathological phenomena, are characterized by a more 
 or less sthenic or asthenic diathesis, according to the nature 
 of the causative agents, and the ability of the conservative 
 powers for raising and sustaining them, — until all the resisting 
 28 
 
214 
 
 energies are overwhelmed by the causative agents, beyond 
 the power of instituting any otlier than spasmodic and con- 
 vulsive, or no recuperation at all. 
 
 From the primary invasion, till the entrance of the causa- 
 tive agents from without, into any department of the orga- 
 nization, or from the incipient formation of causative agents 
 within the organization, there is a constant contention, more 
 or less palpably manifest to philosophic observation, between 
 the pathological and recuperative phenomena; — and the 
 whole philosophy of medicine, under appropriate recognition;^ 
 results in the necessity of appropriately estimating this con- 
 test, and of discerning and distinguishing the pathological 
 from the recuperative phenomena, and separating them from 
 each other, in order to arrive at appropriate remedial indica- 
 tions. Until this be done, the practice of medicine is em- 
 pirical and tentative; and when it is done, it affords the most 
 noble, delightful, soul-satisfying reflections, that man is ca- 
 pable of receiving this side of that eternal duration to which 
 he is destined by the beneficence of his Creator, through the 
 instrumental operativeness of that noble nervous organiza- 
 tion, which he has given him for mortal and immortal 
 existence. 
 
 It is to the remaining powers of salutary operativeness in 
 this noble organization, when assailed and pathologized by 
 causative agents, tliat all our remedies should be directed; — 
 consequently, when its nervous centres in strong and vigor- 
 ous constitutions, are impelled to the institution of such 
 ardent sthenic recuperation as far transcends the powers of 
 normal secretion, they are to be medicated, or lowered down 
 to the secreting and excreting standard, necessary for effect- 
 ing elimination of the morbid sensibilities, — and kept so, 
 until the various vitiated secretions, and feculent materials 
 in the alimentary canal, already engendered by the causa- 
 tive agents, can be expelled by appropriately stimulant me- 
 dication, and kept so until the conservative powers, through 
 the continued aid of appropriate medication, can be ren- 
 dered operative to the expulsion of the pathological pheno- 
 mena through the legitimate outlets of the organization. 
 
215 
 
 But on the contrary, when the causative agents, either in 
 weak and feeble, or strong and vigorous organizations, have 
 been applied in such concentrated degrees, that the conser- 
 vative powers are precluded from instituting any other than 
 asthenic recuperation, — medication must consist of such re- 
 mediate agents, as will appropriately evacuate the vitiated 
 secretions, and feculent materials, under such circumstances 
 copiously engendered, and aggregatedly retained in the ali- 
 monious department of the organization, — that its powers of 
 action may be released, relieved, and rendered operative to 
 the institution of such efficient recuperative excitations, as- 
 hy the continuance of appropriate medication, will eliminate 
 the morbid sensibilities, through their natural outlets. 
 
 All diseases, whether more or less restrictedly local, or 
 more or less general, (though still more or less local,) whe- 
 ther the recuperative excitations be confined to the extremi- 
 ties of nervous power in the capillary department of the or- 
 ganization, internally or externally considered, — or whether 
 they be extended to the nervous centres, and through them 
 to the general and capillary circulations, are to be medicated 
 on similar principles, in appropriate correspondence with 
 their respective recuperative diatheses. As long as life lasts, 
 it lasts by stimulus; — and whenever the organization be- 
 comes so deeply pathologized, that it cannot receive and dis- 
 tribute the necessary stimuli, to produce recuperative exci- 
 tations in the respiratory and circulatory departments of it, 
 and is thereby rendered preclusive of the power of institut- 
 ing any other, than occasional spasmodic and convulsive 
 recuperation, or none at all, the principles of treatment are 
 not altered ; — the powers of the constitution are to be ren- 
 dered operative, by appropriately potent medication, to eli- 
 mination of the morbid phenomena through a greater or 
 lesser number of similarly legitimate outlets, as the nature 
 of the specific case may require, — by subduing the spasmodic 
 and convulsive recuperation, and thereby enabling the cen- 
 tres of vitality to extend their recuperative exertions to the 
 general circulations, and to be then medicated to appropri- 
 ately critical evacuations through the legitimate emunctories. 
 
216 
 
 As long as life lasts, it lasts through the reception and sa- 
 lutary elaboration of salutary stimuli, — and even when the 
 organization is pathologized far beyond the power of recupe- 
 ration, — when it is almost totally torpid and paralytic, and 
 its innervating centres so overwhelmed by the causative 
 agents as to be nearly inoperative, the principles of treat- 
 ment are not altered: — by appropriate medication philosophi- 
 cally instituted and perseveringly persisted in, — the organi- 
 zation may still, in very many cases, utterly hopeless under 
 all ordinary medication, be unlocked to the production of 
 such recuperative excitations, as are in all cases of morbid sen- 
 sibilities from whatsoever causes arising, required by na- 
 ture for eliminating the pathological phenomena through the 
 appropriate secretory and excretory emunctories. 
 
 Is it possible to witness the series of curative phenomena 
 arising from appropriately potent medication in such hope- 
 less cases, leading to elimination of the causative agents and 
 morbid sensibilities occasioned by them, without acknow- 
 ledging the truth of our philosophy to its fullest extent? 
 Does not evidence thus elicited, inevitably compel us to ac- 
 knowledge the nervous system to be the sole system of 
 man? And does it not forthwith lead us to the rejection of 
 all empirical and routine medication, and to the selection and 
 adoption of all such legitimately philosophical medication as 
 has been found, (no matter when, or where,) most effectively 
 eliminative of morbid sensibilities ? It leads, therefore, nearly 
 to a total revolution in the practice of medicine, by enabling 
 us forthwith to select the good and reject the bad reme- 
 dial agents required for the treatment of all diseases what- 
 soever. It teaches us the indispensable necessity in all cases, 
 of all diseases, however local or general they may be, — of 
 selecting in each and every case, such appropriate remediate 
 agents, as will keep the alimonious department of the orga- 
 nization free from all acrid, corroding, and poisonously sti- 
 mulant materials, whether consisting of depraved chymous 
 and chylous matters, or the various vitiated and corroding 
 secretions and excretions, or other feculent substances, — 
 which if retained and husbanded with Broussaian care, must 
 
217 
 
 unavoidably increase the rankling operations of the causative 
 agents, and compel the conservative powers to a correspon- 
 dent increase of the identical inflammatory and febrific recu- 
 peration, so much dreaded, not only by the fashionable phi- 
 losophy, — but by all the philosophies which have been fabri- 
 cated during the thousands of years that the subject of medi- 
 cine has been under investigation. Under the recognition 
 of the nervous power being the whole power of the organi- 
 zation, we are instructed in all cases of super-ardent recupe- 
 ration, to medicate it down to the secretory standard of ac- 
 tion, and keep it so by appropriately philosophical agents ; 
 and in all cases of deficient recuperation, to raise and 
 strengthen it to the same standard by appropriate agents. 
 These constitute all the therapeutical indications required 
 by true philosophy for medicating to most effective elimina- 
 tion, all the ills that flesh and blood are heir to ; — and all 
 philosophic practitioners under the recognition of our funda- 
 mental proposition so often mentioned, will need no instruc- 
 tion, as to the selection of such appropriately specific medi- 
 cating agents as will be required for fulfilling them, to the 
 fullest extent demanded by our philosophy, which leads every 
 intelligent practitioner with the certainty of intuitive de- 
 monstration to the selection of such medication, as will cure 
 thousands of diseases, of which, before such recognition, he 
 had no conception. 
 
 The time is certainly rapidly approaching, when all talent- 
 ed practitioners will find themselves unable to resist acknow- 
 ledging the self-evidency of our fundamental proposition, — 
 the labours of many distinguished investigators of the medi- 
 cal sciences are rapidly analyzing the organization of man to 
 the production of such results as will inevitably lead to such 
 recognition. They will then, if not before, recognize the 
 self-evidency of all our propositions, and the principles de- 
 veloped by them ; — and when they apply this philosophy to 
 the consideration that like causes in like quantities produce 
 like eficcts, only in like organizations, — and that different 
 causative agents are productive of specifically different mor- 
 bid effects, they will acknowledge the specificity of diseases, 
 
218 
 
 and the necessity of adopting a correspondent specificity of 
 medication, for each specific morbid sensibility, whether it 
 originate irritative, inflammatory and febrific, or spasmodic 
 and convulsive, or paralytic, or no recuperation at all. They 
 will, under the unerring guidance of this true philosophy, 
 see that diseases in every sense considered are specific, and 
 that they are general, exclusively in the sense, that they all 
 consist of morbid sensibilities or depressions and congestions 
 of the nervous or vital energies of the organic structures im- 
 plicated in them. The practice of medicine is or should be 
 therefore, the practice of its philosophy. This philosophy 
 we have so clearly unrolled to the observation of common 
 sense, that its applicability to the most successful manage- 
 ment of all morbid sensibilities from whatsoever causes 
 arising, and whatever departments of the organization in- 
 vading, externally or internally, becomes forthwith and irre- 
 sistibly obvious. And we cannot too often repeat, that the 
 appropriate appreciation of this philosophy directs the expe- 
 rienced practitioner with the unerring certainty and celerity 
 pertaining to intuitive demonstration, to the institution of 
 his remediate indications, — directs him in all cases to clear, 
 and keep clear, in appropriate degree, the assimilative de- 
 partment of the organization, and to strengthen and regulate, 
 or lower and regulate, the recuperative excitations to the 
 eliminating standard, and keep them so; — that, by the con- 
 tinuance of appropriate medication, they may be rendered 
 conductive to the thorough elimination of the causative 
 agents, and their morbid consequences; — and when no recu- 
 perative excitations are raised, directs the practitioner with 
 equal promptitude to the exhibition of such internal, and 
 application of such external medications, as the specificity of 
 the morbid sensibilities may require, for resolving, and so 
 far meliorating and relieving, the depressed energies of the 
 organization, as will enable its innervating centres to insti- 
 tute such appropriate recuperation, as under appropriate me- 
 dication, may eliminate the specific morbid sensibilities. 
 
 By subjecting this philosophy to judicious requisition, 
 thousands of diseases may be rapidly eliminated from the 
 
219 
 
 system, whicli under such ontologlcal treatment as has been 
 prescribed for tlicm b}'^ all previous philosophies of medi- 
 cine, were so unavailing? 
 
 Why has rheumatism in particular, and a long list of ana- 
 logous diseases, arising from similar causes, never been so 
 thoroughly cured by any remediate measures which have 
 been indicated by any of the philosophies which have been 
 promulgated to the world, as it should have been, and may 
 be? Obviously, because the authors of such philosophies 
 knew nothing at all about the pathologized condition of the 
 organization constituting the disease. Why have some few 
 intelligent practitioners lately succeeded in rapidly and 
 effectively curing this disease by the appropriate exhibition 
 of internal and application of external medicating agents ? 
 Because, some slight approach to the philosophy of the pa- 
 thological condition constituting it, has been reached by a 
 few distinguished physicians, who have directed their inves- 
 tigations with more than ordinary attention to the operations 
 of the nervous system, although exclusively in such an in- 
 sulated, divisible, and circumrotatory manner, as will for- 
 ever preclude them from realizing the total philosophy of 
 the total nervous organization of m.an. They have therefore 
 cured the disease by appropriate medication, without reach- 
 ing the beautiful total philosophy pertaining to it; — but we 
 have cured numerous cases of all grades, both of the acute 
 and chronic kind, as they are unphilosophically denominated, 
 under the recognition of the true philosophy of the nervous- 
 organization, by means nearly similar, producing resolution 
 and expulsion of the pathological phenomena, and their 
 effects, in a few hours after appropriately preparing ihe assi- 
 milative department for their appropriate curative operations. 
 The paralyzed and toneless condition supervenient to the 
 torpescent operation of cold, on the sentient extremities of 
 the nerves supplying the various compact structures of the 
 articulations, are sooner or later succeeded in acute rheuma- 
 tism occurring in vigorous constitutions, by such super-ar- 
 dent recuperation as far transcends the secreting standard 
 necessary to effect elimination of the morbid sensibilities by 
 
220 
 
 resolution. To aid the recuperative excitations to effect 
 elimination, the nutrient region must be appropriately clear- 
 ed, by appropriately specific medication, and the circulations 
 appropriately lowered and regulated by appropriate vene- 
 section, to such secretory standard as is indispensably re- 
 quired for eliminative operations ; — then the nervous centres 
 supplying the parts implicated in th-e morbid sensibilities 
 with their appropriately vivificating influences, — in some 
 cases by leeching, in more by cupping, and in all sooner or 
 later, by blistering, may be rendered operative to the pro- 
 duction of thorough resolution and elimination in a few 
 hours. 
 
 In all cases of chronic rheumatism, the indications of 
 treatment are the same; and if appropriately executed, will 
 in general speedily succeed, — and in all cases soon, if much 
 disorganization should not have occurred from previous at- 
 tacks, by ineffective natural recuperation, or by inappropri- 
 ate medication ; — and even when such disorganization has 
 occurred, the general indications of treatment are not altered; 
 and by due perseverance in appropriate medication, the 
 impaired articular energies may be restored to considerable 
 sanatary action, in all cases in which the constitution is not 
 destroyed to the irrecuperative extent. 
 
 The same therapeutic philosophy, and no other, is scien- 
 tifically operative to the formation of such curative indica- 
 tions, as are required to be fully executed by appropriate 
 medication, for the most successful treatment of the long list 
 of neuralgic diseases. The general indication for their treat- 
 ment is the same ;— but all their pathological and recupera- 
 tive variations, from their correspondent causative varia- 
 tions, must be met by medications, appropriately and speci- 
 fically correspondent, for resolving and eliminating their re- 
 spectively differing morbid sensibilities. The general indi- 
 cations for treating all diseases whatever, however mildly, 
 or concentratedly congestive of nervous energy they may 
 be, are the same;— subject to such variations, as the exigen- 
 ces of each specific case may require :— the recuperative ex- 
 citations, when they are raised at all by the conservative 
 
221 
 
 powers, are to be raised or lowered to the secreting stand- 
 ard; and if not raised at all by the natural powers of the 
 
 organization, they arc to be excited by appropriately potent 
 medication, and conducted to the one and only standard of 
 salutary action, necessary for eliminating all morbid sensibi- 
 lities, from all causes. 
 
 In all cases, the nervous radicles of the organization must 
 be medicated, and kept so, to the appropriate cognizance of 
 the pathological conditions ; — that they may institute such 
 irritative, or inflammatory, or febrific recuperations, as may 
 be required for their elimination: — for such recuperative ex- 
 citations, either of the primary or consecutive kind, must be 
 excited by nature or art, for the cure of all diseases : — there- 
 fore all the spasmodic and convulsive, and all the anomalous 
 abortive recuperations are to be allayed by appropriately 
 potent medications, to render the cerebro-spinal radicles 
 originative of total innervation, operative to the production 
 of the requisite recuperative excitations in the circulations, 
 for the production of elimination through the legitimate out- 
 lets of the organization : — and when the causative agents 
 have paralyzed the organization completely to irrecupera- 
 tion, such medication must be resorted to, as will resolve 
 such paralysis, and stimulate and strengthen the nervous 
 centres to the production and maintenance of such febrifie 
 recuperation, as by appropriate remediate management, may 
 be rendered conductive to the expulsion of the pathological 
 phenomena. 
 
 We thus present to the medical profession a philosophic 
 system of medication, applicable to all the pathological and 
 recuperative phenomena that the organization of man can be 
 rendered receptive of, from every possible variety of cause, 
 that can under any circumstances assail him in every depart- 
 ment of our creation, now and till time shall be no more. The 
 practice of medicine is the practice of its philosophy,— and 
 we have exhibited to palpable observation and appreciation, 
 such universal philosophy, as will enable all intelligent and 
 judicious practitioners to cure thousands of diseases, in a 
 29 
 
222 
 
 rapid and thorough manner, because they can, under its 
 appropriate recognition, understand and appreciate the pa- 
 thological phenomena constituting all diseases, and the recu- 
 perative phenomena raised for their resolution and expulsion. 
 Through the inductive process of ratiocination, he will reach 
 such knowledge of the series of most of the causes, leading 
 to the production of pathological phenomena, as amounts to 
 intuitive demonstration ; — and will therefore see that the 
 philosophy of practice consists in medicating the recupera- 
 tive phenomena, (whenever they are raised,) to the neces- 
 sary standard of secreting action, for eliminating the patho- 
 logical phenomena; — and when such recuperative pheno- 
 mena are not raised by the conservative powers, to raise 
 them by appropriately potent medication, and conduct them 
 by the continuance of medication appropriate to the recupe- 
 rative excitations thus raised, to the secreting and excreting 
 standard of action indispensably necessary for eliminating 
 all morbid sensibilities whatsoever. And the intelligent 
 practitioner, while practising such philosophy, should never 
 lose sight of the undeniable fact, — that as all medicating 
 agents act stimulantly, such appropriate agents must be se- 
 lected in all cases, as will more than fully correspond in ef- 
 ficacy, with the depressively stimulating operations of the 
 causative agents. Our system is the philosophy of common 
 sense, recognizing the nervous system to be the true and 
 only system of man, and leading the practitioner direct to 
 the exhibition and application of his remedies to such sys- 
 tem, in a philosophical manner, with appropriate reference 
 in all cases to the structural varieties of the organization and 
 correspondent varieties of actions pertaining to them nor- 
 mally and abnormally. 
 
 The nervous system therefore, — the beautiful, harmonious, 
 total system of man, — the exclusively reproductive and con- 
 tinuative cause of all his corporeal and intellectual organiza- 
 tion, is in its healthy physiological condition of action won- 
 derfully adapted to the reception and transmission of all the 
 different and varied degrees of appropriate stimuli furnished 
 by the physical department of creation, for the performance 
 
223 
 
 of all the different and varied functional operations, of all the 
 different and varied organs constituting him this beautiful 
 harmonious whole being. Hence the differently varied de- 
 grees, of the differently varied sensibilities, of the differently 
 varied departments of the system, — though all v^rorking in 
 unison to the production and continuation of one beautiful 
 harmonious whole, in the healthy physiological condition of 
 the system, are to be scientifically noted and recognized, 
 whenever the organization becomes pathologized from what- 
 soever causes. And these causes are to be philosophically 
 investigated, and appropriately estimated, because specifi- 
 cally different in composition from each other, — therefore 
 originating specifically different pathological phenomena; — 
 and these pathological phenomena are not only different from 
 each other as thus arising from causative differences, but dif- 
 ferent according to the different functional operations of the 
 different structures of the different departments of the orga- 
 nization invaded by the causative agents, and the different 
 powers of resistance manifested by such organization ; — and 
 of course, the recuperative phenomena arising from such va- 
 rieties of proximate causes, are to be considered as corres- 
 pondently various, and requiring correspondently varied 
 therapeutical indications, for eliminating the pathological 
 phenomena. 
 
 This view of the structural variety of man's organization 
 in its salutary physiological state, acting to the completion 
 of one beautiful harmonious whole, leads us inevitably to re- 
 cognize both the specificity, and locality of diseases; and 
 consequently in a greater or less degree, to the philosophical 
 necessity of specifically appropriate medication, for their eli- 
 mination. 
 
 Therefore, in all cases, of all diseases, arising from all 
 causes, — we are to have constantly in view, the rationale of 
 the salutary operations of all the different structures of the 
 organization, that we may appropriately estimate the patho- 
 logized conditions of such structures of it, as have been in- 
 vaded by the causative agents; — so that we may not only be 
 conducted to the exhibition and application of such specific 
 
224 
 
 remediate means as may be most philosophically indicated, 
 by such knowledge of the salutary physiological actions of 
 the parts implicated in the morbid sensibilities for eifecting 
 their elimination ; — but at the same time, if the case should 
 require it, to the use of such appropriate remedies, as may 
 act appropriately for thorough elimination, on the organiza- 
 tion generally, — as a whole system, a nervous system, with 
 cerebro-spinal radicles, originating and conveying through 
 their messengers the nerves, all the respective vital powers, 
 to all the respective departments of the organization — to the 
 production of harmonious unity of action. 
 
 In such recognition consists the exclusive philosophy of 
 all medication, for all diseases whatever, to which the orga- 
 nization can be made subject, from every possible variety of 
 cause, now, and forever. Under the recognition of this in- 
 dubitable philosophy, thousands of diseases heretofore con- 
 sidered, as belonging to the long roll of the opprobria me- 
 dicorum, may be medicated to successful elimination in a 
 rapid and thorough manner, perfectly astonishing to bibli- 
 othecal practitioners, — by appropriately aiding the recupera- 
 tive excitations, in restrictedly local diseases, manifested by 
 the surrounding sentient nervous power in the capillary cir- 
 culation of the distempered region, — and in more general 
 diseases, by appropriately aiding the recuperative excitations 
 manifested in all the circulations, by either raising or de- 
 pressing the actions of the nervous centres; — or, when these 
 nervous centres are, by the causative agents, rendered in- 
 operative to the institution of any other, than spasmodic and 
 convulsive recuperation, or none at all, — by resolving such 
 abortive recuperation, by appropriate medication, and stimu- 
 lating and strengthening the nervous radicles, to the produc- 
 tion of the necessary recuperative excitations in all the cir- 
 culations, — that by the continuance of appropriate medica- 
 tion, the morbid sensibilities may be evacuated through 
 their legitimate outlets. 
 
 All talented and experienced practitioners of the science 
 of medicine, will, under the appropriate recognition and es- 
 timation, of the principles developed by this philosophy, be 
 
225 
 
 conducted straight forward to such effective and appropriate 
 scientific medication, as will soon shorten the long roll of 
 diseases, for the unsuccessful management of which, physi- 
 cians have been so tauntingly stigmatized, by the reproachful 
 appellative above mentioned : — for, there are but few diseases, 
 that from their very nature, can be philosophically admitted, 
 to be positively incurable: — some of these we have mention- 
 ed, and assigned appropriate reasons, for their incurability, — 
 and the scientific appreciation of this philosophy, will readily 
 indicate the reasons, of incurability, for all such as we have 
 not mentioned. 
 
 Therefore, intelligent, experienced, and judicious medical 
 philosophers, through appropriate estimation of the self- 
 evident principles developed by our philosophy, will, forth- 
 with, institute with scientific precision, all the remediate 
 measures most effectively adapted to eliminate all patholo- 
 gical phenomena from the organization, which have not po- 
 sitively depressed and congested its nervous energies to the 
 extent of irrecuperation, both by the conservative powers 
 and appropriate medication. 
 
 We have thus presented to the consideration of medical 
 philosophers, the outlines of such philosophy of medicine, 
 as are irresistibly demanded for recognition by nature,reason, 
 religion, and common sense; — all demonstrably proclaiming 
 man to be the connecting link between the celestial and ter- 
 restrial creations, and that he is so made, exclusively through 
 the instrumentality of his nervous organization, which con- 
 nects him with his Creator — and time with eternity. 
 
 We have reached this philosophy, through such inductive 
 process of reasoning, as can neither be rejected nor derided. 
 
 The primal and ultimate links composing the reasoning 
 chain, which leads to the acquisition of the true philosophies, 
 not only of medicine and religion, but of all other sciences, 
 within the realizing reach of man, commence with, and ter- 
 minate in, the will of Deity. Man, therefore, the direct 
 product of the will of Deity, and organized for existence in 
 time and eternity, is made so, exclusively through the in- 
 evitable operations of his nervous organization, — endowed 
 
226 
 
 with powers irresistibly compelling him to the reproduction 
 of similar organizations, with similar powers for perpetuity 
 in time and eternity. 
 
 The philosophy, therefore, pertaining to the sublime beau- 
 ties, both of natural and revealed religion, is exclusively re- 
 cognizable, through the intellectual operations elicited by 
 the nervous organization of man; — and the philosophy of 
 medicine, with all its beauties, is exclusively discernible, 
 through the operativeness of the same nervous power, — the 
 direct product of Deity, as manifested in his original, present, 
 and future creation of man. Both philosophies, therefore, 
 and all other philosophies of all other sciences, within the 
 reach of man, are founded exclusively on such operations, as 
 are inevitably consequent to such organization as Deity has 
 given man, for the governance and regulation of his conduct 
 here in time, — to prepare for that eternity of duration of 
 blessedness, which, through the operations of the very 
 ground-work of his being, — he sees so clearly destined for 
 him. 
 
 We thus open for perusal, the basis of all the books which 
 are necessary to be made and studied, for understanding the 
 philosophies of all the sciences, which can be realized through 
 the best directed and most perfected operations of the nervous 
 organization of man in time. 
 
 We may well, therefore, inculcate the indispensable neces- 
 sity of studying the nervous organization of man, through 
 the operations of which, he is made by Deity a sentient, 
 motive, and intellectual being, for eternal duration. 
 
 We settle then, not only the philosophy of medicine, but 
 the philosophies of all the sciences, on the operations, in- 
 evitably sequential to such organization, as Deity has given 
 to man. This is self-evidently the constitutional foundation, 
 on which they must all rest, — till time be merged in 
 eternity. 
 
 We utterly disclaim, therefore, all the visionary specula- 
 tions of all the enigmatical and mystical metaphysicians and 
 theologians, that have ever been subjected to the considera- 
 tion of man, — because radically erroneous, unintelligibly 
 
227 
 
 complicate, and utterly subversive of the exercise of all such 
 powers, as arc inherent in the nervous organization of man, 
 and under appropriate direction, rendered inevitably opera- 
 tive to the development of all the philosophy of all the know- 
 led"-e within the compass of man's attainment in his present 
 state of existence. 
 
 We set man straight onward in the path which conducts 
 him to the acquisition of the true philosophy of all true mo- 
 rality and religion; — and inculcate the indispensable neces- 
 sity of his rationally and devoutly practising all the virtues 
 pertaining to them, — to insure happiness in time and eternity. 
 
 We are aware that this system of philosophy, although so 
 simple and plain that common sense unhesitatingly recog- 
 nizes it to be conclusively applicable to the thorough expla- 
 nation and satisfactory elucidation of all the physiological 
 and pathological phenomena incident to the organization of 
 man, — here and every where, through all time, — may be 
 assailed, denied and controverted, but not disproved. 
 
 We are fully aware of all the objections that may be raised 
 for preventing its recognition and adoption, and respectfully 
 solicit their presentment for refutation. 
 
 We know that all our propositions — the principles deve- 
 loped by them — and all the illustrations we have deduced 
 from them, may be denied and controverted. We respect- 
 fully solicit such denial and controversy — and the most rigid, 
 scrutinizing analysis of our philosophy— from the beginning 
 to the end of it. All the philosophy, of all the knowledge, 
 within the power of man's attainment in time, must be 
 brought for recognition and adoption to the unerring standard 
 of common sense: — and to this, the only legitimate test, 
 we have brought all our reasonings, all our explanations and 
 conclusions; — and here they will remain unanswerably true 
 through all time, — for what is true now will remain so for- 
 ever. We are prepared for all objections from all sources, 
 and have their refutation at hand. 
 
 That God primarily created man for mortal and immortal 
 existence, by endowing his organization with powers inevi- 
 tably operative to the production of such eflfects, and with 
 
228 
 
 powers for creating organized beings similar to his own, for 
 similar existence and enjoyment in time and eternity, will 
 not be denied; — and that this influence or power of the or- 
 ganization of man for the production of his own kind, — for 
 the production of mortal and immortal existences similar to 
 himself, — can be nothing more nor less than the exertion of 
 power equal in effect to such as was used by Deity in his 
 primary formation of man, is self-evident. Deity therefore 
 endowed the organization of man with this creative power, 
 and it should be the first and last duty of philosophical man 
 to recognize and appreciate it. This creative power of man, 
 instrumentally operative in his organization through the will 
 of Deity, — connecting him with heaven and earth, — with 
 eternity and time, — must constitute him a whole being, — 
 endowed with powers for existing in time and eternity. 
 
 Can an organization thus endowed, be philosophically con- 
 sidered other than a whole being, deriving its powers for 
 existence here and hereafter, from one general vivificating 
 principle inherent and exclusively operative in it, for exist- 
 ence in both worlds ? Can such a noble being, therefore, as 
 man, be considered with any plausible show of philosophy, 
 as deriving his powers of mortal and immortal existence 
 from a plurality of radical powers inherent and operative in 
 his organization, — because nerves are not through dissections, 
 or other investigating processes, to be sensibly traced in the 
 compact structures of the organization, cellular membrane, 
 &c. ? Do medical philosophers wait for a view of the compo- 
 nent essences of the vitality of man, before they can recog- 
 nize its unity of formation and action ? They may as well 
 wait for the component essences of their Creator. Is not the 
 philosophy of analogy to be consulted in forming our con- 
 clusions respecting the structure and action of the organiza- 
 tion of man, — and does not such analogy lead us self-evi- 
 dently to all our conclusions ? Does not such knowledge as 
 we already possess, respecting the structure and action of 
 the system of man, lead us to an inevitable recognition of 
 all our propositions and inferences from them, — to the irre- 
 sistible light of intuitive demonstration ? 
 
229 
 
 Can the divisible and circumrotatory method of anatomiz- 
 ing and physiolo^iTiing man, so self-evidently destined for 
 eternal existence, through the powers inherent and inevita- 
 bly thus operative in his nervous organization, be much 
 longer sanctioned? Do not natural and revealed religion, and 
 common sense, proclaim the unphilosophicalness of such a 
 method of studying an immortal being? 
 
 Is it not strange, — passing strange, that such a noble be- 
 ing as man should never have been recognized by any phi- 
 losopher, in a philosophical sense considered, as having a 
 head? 
 
 Wc are told by eminent anatomists and physiologists, that 
 it is matter of very little consequence where we begin to in- 
 vestigate the organization of man; because, if we continue 
 our researches long enough, we shall come round to the 
 very same point whence we started. This is certainly a very 
 deceptive, illusory, and unphilosophical method of proceed- 
 ing, and utterly preclusive of our ever arriving at a know- 
 ledge of the organization of man, as a whole, endowed with 
 powers for everlasting existence. 
 
 If medical philosophers will simply consider, and proper- 
 ly appreciate, the nature of the energies exerted by the 
 sexes for the reproduction of immortal existences similar to 
 their own; — if they will simply reflect, that the total powers 
 of their organizations are concentrated, for eliciting their ap- 
 propriate germs of reproduction, and effecting their appro- 
 priate conjunction in the vivificating apparatus of the fe- 
 male; — and that from the instant of conception, or junction 
 of these vital germs, in the matrical nidus of the female, 
 there is a constant afflux to it, of all the appropriate sensi- 
 bilities elaborated by her organization, for the inceptive and 
 progressive fecundation, development and formation of the 
 foetal vitality, till it attain a head, sufficiently matured for 
 soliciting its expulsion — surely they will admit that a philo- 
 sophical necessity exists for giving to man a head, and as- 
 signing it for a startingpoint in all their medical investigations. 
 
 And if they will further consider the progress of the foetal 
 30 
 
230 
 
 vitality to its gradual maturity, — that the nutrient depart- 
 ment of the new being, (without which it cannot be made,) 
 is first formed, — the spinal column next, — and the cranium 
 last, — to complete its ability for stimulating the uterus to the 
 necessary contractions, or vital operations, for effecting its 
 egress into time, — and probation for eternity; — surely they 
 must admit, that man's organization is exclusively nervous, 
 from his inceptive germ of vivification, until he is transmit- 
 ted, through the extinction of his corporeal nature, to the 
 ethereal creations of everlasting duration. 
 
 Man, therefore, through the will of Deity, is a creative 
 and reproductive being, exclusively through the instrumen- 
 tality of his exclusively nervous organization. 
 
 All creation implies the previous operation of sensation, 
 or sensibility; — and all the necessary sensations, for all the 
 necessary secretions, and absorptions, and all other vital 
 elaborations, and therefore creations, of the nutrient, or or- 
 ganic region of vitality, (as it is fashionably called,) are pri- 
 marily furnished by the plastic and animalizing maternal 
 sensibilities determined to the uterus and its appendages; — 
 and by the continued operation of the maternal powers thus 
 determined, and creatively operative, the spinal and cerebral 
 centres for the total organization of the new being are form- 
 ed in utero, and gradually increased in growth and strength, 
 till it attains such maturity of animal life as to solicit its ex- 
 pulsion. 
 
 The foetal vitality has now terminated, and one of the 
 most beautiful illustrations pertaining to the existence of 
 man in time instantaneously opens to our view of the free, 
 open, and palpably appreciative operations of the several ap- 
 propriate physical stimuli for originating and continuing 
 through the receptive, transmissive, and distributive opera- 
 tions of the nervous organization of man, all the necessary 
 sensibilities, for the continued formation, growth, and deve- 
 lopment of the child, to its mature state of manhood. 
 
 The foetal vitality therefore is originated and perfected by 
 the organic and animal sensibilities of the reproductive 
 agents; — but is afterwards dependent for its growth, and 
 
231 
 
 perfection to manhood, and continuance in time, on such 
 sensibilities as it receives by and through the operations of 
 its nervous organization, from the stimuli furnished for iis 
 use by the physical creations. 
 
 We thus have incontrovertible evidence to prove that sen- 
 sibility is the radical, creative, and continuative property of 
 vitalit)^ As are therefore the sensibilities of the reproductive 
 agents during their venereal congress, — and as are the ma- 
 ternal sensibilities during the formation and growth to foital 
 maturity, such will be the characteristics of their offspring, — 
 more or less virtuous, therefore more or less perfect, — more 
 or less vicious, therefore more or less imperfect ;— virtues 
 and vices are consequently hereditary, as well as diseases. 
 The sensibility pertaining to the organization of man, is 
 more or less perfect,— exclusively in a comparative sense. 
 The utmost extent to which the sensibility of the organiza- 
 tion of man can exalt him, is to an expectant anticipative 
 view, of the glories awaiting his translation to the eternal 
 world, through the death of his corporeal nature in the pre- 
 sent.' The sensibilities pertaining to all existences between 
 man and Deity, are more or less perfect, according to their 
 gradation in the scale which reaches to absolute perfection 
 in Deity. 
 
 Perfect sensibility is the essence of Deity, from whence 
 emanates all the God-like attributes of perfectibility, dis- 
 played to man, and all other existences, destined for eternal 
 duration in all his creations. 
 
 We have thus finished a philosophy of medicine, irresisti- 
 bly called for by nature, reason, common sense, and reli- 
 gion:— such a philosophy, therefore, as cannot be stigma- 
 tized with ontological reprobation, because exclusively found- 
 ed on a beautiful series of self-evident propositions, develop- 
 ing equally self-evident principles, conclusively applicable 
 to the thorough solution of all the physiological, pathologi- 
 cal, and recuperative phenomena, pertaining to the organi- 
 zation of man, both in his healthy and diseased conditions, 
 in whatever regions of our creation he may be found, under 
 every possible variety of circumstances. We worship no 
 
232 
 
 other Deity than the omnipotent architect of universal crea- 
 tion, — who has made the nervous organization of man, to be 
 by its inevitable operations, the generator and continuator of 
 our being here in time, and by its wonderful intellectual 
 operations, the glorious causative anticipator of immortal fe- 
 licities in the ethereal creations. 
 
 Our philosophy clearly opens to scientific apprehension all 
 the principles necessary for attaining all the certainty that 
 the science of medicine, by the labours of man, can ever be 
 made to reach in all its branches. 
 
 The visionary notions of many riledical philosophers about 
 resolving the physiological or pathological operations per- 
 taining to man, into positive mathematical demonstration, 
 may be abandoned; — for man is not a machine to be analyzed 
 into such demonstration, — but an immor-tal being emanating 
 from Deity, and destined by the laws of vitality given to his 
 nervous organization, (which both in health and disease, are 
 rendered by true philosophy presentive to intuitive demon- 
 stration,) to run a certain course to such dissolution here in 
 time — as may permit his unincumbered translation to the 
 ethereal regions of endless blessedness. 
 
 This philosophy illustrating to intuitive demonstration all 
 the salutary and insalutary phenomena pertaining to man, — 
 will be exhibited more particularly to the medical profession 
 in a future work on the practice of medicine. 
 
 We shall conclude therefore this present work, with ob-^ 
 serving, that our philosophy leads us direct to the adoration 
 of the magnificent author of all the creations, — and to that 
 of his creation of man in particular, — whom he has made but 
 little lower than his angels, — to be a connecting link between 
 his celestial and terrestrial creations,~the anticipative par- 
 ticipator of the endless felicities of the first, — and positive 
 participator of all the happiness of the second; — consequent- 
 ly recognizes the whole philosophy of religion, — and incul- 
 cates the exercise of all its virtues, — to insure to man his 
 translation to the ethereal creations of endless blessedness. 
 
 THE END. 
 
AN APPENDIX: 
 
 CONTAINING AN ENUMERATION OF SOME OF THE GENERAL COROLLA- 
 RIES RESULTING FROM THE PREMISES COMPOSING THE PRECEDING 
 WORK AND ITS INTRODUCTION. 
 
 SECTION I 
 
 PHYSIOLOGICAL COROLLARIES. 
 
 I. The Universe is physical in its nature— in its structure and operation 
 — ^throughout all the variations of the materials composing it, from its 
 elementary molecules — its monadic existences, to its Baconian and New- 
 tonian — and through analogy we legitimately conclude, to its Cherubic 
 and Seraphic. 
 
 IL Life as manifested in healthy organization, throughout the whole 
 range of animated nature, cannot be philosophically considered a forced 
 state— a warfare with the physical creations— but the result of their vivi- 
 fying influences, operative in and through a direct series of cause and 
 effect, to the appropriate formation and preservation of the earth, and all 
 the other habitable worlds of the Universe, to the creation and preserva- 
 tion of man, and all other beings generically similar to him, existent in 
 all the other creations, consequently 
 
 in. Sensibility is the radical property inherent and inevitably operative 
 throughout all the organic creations of the Universe, and throughout the 
 ethereal ocean in which they respectively perform their revolutions ; and 
 all the geological, vegetable, and animal creations pertaining to them, 
 throughout all their organic combinations and variations, are respectively 
 created and sustained by their respective sensibilities, viz : their inherent 
 and inc\itably operative powers of absorbing and elaborating the appropri- 
 ate stimuli of vitality. 
 
 31 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 IV. These respective sensibilities, or radical properties of the respective 
 organic creations, constituting the Universe, are the direct effects result- 
 ing from the operation of the stimuli emanating from their respective cen- 
 tral luminaries, throughout a direct series of causation, inceptive in Deity, 
 and operative through a sublime and beautiful series of causation, to the 
 production of immortal existences. 
 
 V. Man therefore, of all the creations, is endowed with the highest 
 species of sensibility — a sensibility approaching in purity and perfection 
 — and through the grand power of innervation, governing and regulating 
 it, to the elaboration of the moral and intellectual faculties ; empowered 
 to become so in efficacy, to the perfect sensibility characterizing the essen- 
 tial nature of Deity. 
 
 VI. Human life, therefore, is the ultimity and perfection of the creating 
 influence of Deity, as far as he has displayed it to observation, through a 
 chain of causation, leading direct to the production of man, viz : to the 
 grand formative and preservative powers of Neurosity, which govern and 
 ri;gulate his existence in time, to prepare him for eternity : — through such 
 chain of causation, we consequentially recognise, that all the creations 
 were made and subjected to such radical powers of action, through the 
 laws of motion and gravity, as inevitably resulted in preparing them for 
 the creation and residence of immortal existences, through the operations 
 of the grand law of innervation hence arising. 
 
 VII. This law of innervation in the soundest constitutions, independent 
 of its liabihty to be deleteriously affected by the causative agents of dis- 
 ease, is liable sooner or later to decay, and become extinct in time ; and 
 60 are all the creations which are operative to its production. 
 
 VIII. Human nature, although created after the image of Deity, was 
 created imperfect, and destined to extinction in time, that it might be 
 prepared to exist for ever ; — so all the creations which were made for 
 man, or immortal existences generically similar to him, were made imper- 
 fect, and destined unavoidably sooner or later, to rush to destruction, that 
 they might be replaced by perfect creations, endowed with powers for 
 everlasting revolution. 
 
 IX. Hence tiie scriptural history of the creation and destination of man, 
 through the effects inevitably resulting from a beautiful series of natural 
 causes, is rendered palpable to the ordinary observation of mankind, — 
 through which they cannot fail to legitimately recognise, the felicitating 
 commandments enjoined on their observance by Deity, both through the 
 religion of their nature, and its confirmation by revelation. 
 
 The road to happiness here and for ever, may thus be presented to their 
 inevitable recognition and enjoyment, through the exercise of all the de- 
 lightful virtues inculcated by natural, and confirmed by Revealed Reli- 
 gion. Through such recognition alone, can mankind become disenthralled 
 
ArrE>Dix. ui 
 
 from the coiTupting influbnces of the metapliysics of spiritualism, which 
 have been dominant tlirougliout tlic world, since the fall of man from his 
 native nobility of constitution. 
 
 X. It is thus, and thus only, through reasoning arising from the most 
 palpable observation and experiment on the constitution of man, that \vc 
 can philosophically recognise his origination from, and return to Deity, 
 for everlasting happiness, or misery, according to the manner in which he 
 has performed his probationary duties in time. It is thus, and thus only, 
 through such reasoning, that we can philosophically comprehend the wis- 
 dom of Deity in making man, and all the creations supporting him, im- 
 perfect, and in endowing man, the highest of his creations, with the powers 
 of becoming prepared in time, — for eternity. 
 
 XI. Physiology, therefore, has its foundation and termination in Deity, 
 and is thus recognisable to all satisfactory demonstration, through a beau- 
 tiful series of causes and effects, all leading directly to the production of 
 immortal existences, endowed with such inherent and inevitably operative 
 powers, as effect their return to the same Almighty source from whence 
 they thus originated. 
 
 XII. It is, therefore, exclusively through the legitimacy of physiological 
 recognition, that mankind can ever universally reach the legitimate phi- 
 losophy of natural and revealed Religion, and fully recognise and appre- 
 ciate the indispensable necessity, of practising all the delectable virtues 
 inculcated by them, for the great purposes of securing their temporal and 
 eternal welfare. 
 
 XIII. We may well then conclude, that no knowledge is of any utility 
 to an immortal being, except that which can be recognised to be immedi- 
 ately derivative from Deity, through a direct series of natural causes, 
 leading to the development of the total nature and powers of the constitu- 
 tion of man. It is through such recognition alone, that we can reach the 
 true ground for philosophising to legitimacy, all the knowledge which our 
 faculties are empowered to reach, in our present state of being. 
 
 XIV. It is exclusively through such recognition, that all the legitimate 
 physiological phenomena, characterizing the vitality of human nature, 
 throuofh all its variety of organization and harmoniousness of operation 
 in health, will admit of easy explication, through legitimate observation, 
 bestowed on the various structures and correspondently various actions 
 pertaining to it. They arc all rendered exclusively explicable, through 
 legitimate observation, directed to the powers of innervation, inevitably 
 operating creatingly and preservingly, to the production and preservation 
 of all the various organs compositive of the total constitution; and gov- 
 erning and regulating all the variety of action constituting it a beautiful 
 and harmonious whole system, of immortal vitality, through the sympa- 
 thetic associations arising from the beautiful connexions established be- 
 
IV APPENDIX. 
 
 tween the centres of innervation and all their subordinate agents of vitality. 
 They are all exclusively recognizable, and susceptible of illustration, to 
 satisfactory demonstration, through observations and experiments made 
 on the modus operandi of nervous power, in eliciting the vadicles of re- 
 production, and germinating them to fetal maturity, in conducting the new- 
 being from fetal to adult maturity, and in continuing it in time, till its ex- 
 tinction, in old age. 
 
 XV. Nervous power, therefore, is the whole power inherent and ine- 
 vitably operative in the constitution, to the reception and elaboration, not 
 only of all the stimuli which are excitative to its creation, but to its growth 
 to maturity and continuance in time. 
 
 XVI. The capillary circulation of the constitution, both externally and 
 internally considered, is exclusively receptive of all the necessarily varied 
 stimuli of creation and preservation ; and through the venous lacteal and 
 lymphatic circulations thence arising, are conveyed to all the organs re- 
 spectively, to be elaborated by the arterial circulations, to the production 
 of all the varied nervous energies characterizing the total vitality of man ; 
 from his reception of food and all other appropriate stimuli, to his power 
 for eliciting all the sentiments and emotions that prepare him for everlast- 
 ing existence. All the physiological phenomena, therefore, thus elaborated 
 to observation, throughout all their variations, are attributable to variety 
 of structure, effected through correspondent variety of action, of the ner- 
 vous power composing them. 
 
 XVII. Physiology, therefore, legitimately unfolds the total philosophy 
 of soul, and shows it to be exclusively elaborated to greater or less per- 
 fection in the physical organization of man, according to the greater or 
 less perfection of the nervous power exclusively composing it. We thus 
 reach the total science of human nature, and through such knowledge 
 alone, can we legitimately and affectionately recognise our intimate rele^-i 
 tipnship with the Almighty Sovereign of universal nature. 
 
SECTION II. 
 
 PATHOLOGICAL COROLLARIES. 
 
 I. It is exclusively through the philosophy of physiology as we have 
 unfolded it, that all the pathological phenomena can be legitimately re- 
 cognised as arising from all the causes which interrupt the constitution in 
 its reception and elaboration of salutary stimuli, by deranging its elective 
 attraction for them ; and that, however variously they may be character- 
 ized, from variety of causation, they are invariably manifested to observa- 
 tion, by depressions and congestions of the nervous energies of the part, 
 or parts affected by them. 
 
 II. These depressions and congestions of the vital powers of the part 
 or parts recipient of tbe causative agents of disease, however differently 
 characterized from difference of causation, — and whether affecting the 
 organization to greater or less extent, either primarily or derivatively from 
 sympathetic association, are to be considered exclusively the pathological 
 phenomena, consequently 
 
 III. All irritations, inflammations, fevers, spasms, convulsions, and all 
 other tumultuous agitations of the vital powers, manifested by the consti- 
 tution when diseased, from, or by, whatever causative agents, are to be 
 excluded from the pathological department of medicine, where they have 
 been placed with the utmost exactitude, and made to conform to such 
 knowledge, as has been erroneously considered scientific for thousands 
 of years. 
 
 IV. That all diseases arising from all causes, are characterized exclu- 
 sively by depressions and congestions of the nervous energies of the part 
 or parts implicated in them both, primarily and derivatively, through ner- 
 vous association, is rendered indisputable, through legitimate observation 
 of their phenomena. 
 
 These phenomena are in all cases invariably manifested by debility, 
 prostration of vital energy, and loss of tone of the parts, both primarily 
 and associately affected ; and are rendered presentive to observation, 
 through symptoms which manifest themselves to philosophic appreciation, 
 in whatever department of the organization occurring. Both the elaborat- 
 ing and absorbing powers of the part, or parts affected, are impeded to 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 greater or less extent, according to the nature of the case. Blood is 
 prevented from circulating through the affected region to usual assimila- 
 tion ; it enters the vessels, if they are not totally destroyed, in a greater 
 or less degree ; but not circulating to usual salutary effect, becomes aggre- 
 gated, both in, and around, the diseased region ; and congestion is the 
 inevitable result, viz.: an accumulation and stagnation of the fluids, both 
 of assimilation and absorption. 
 
 This in a greater or less degree, is the true state of the diseased region» 
 while it maintains its nervous energy, however feebly ; and should be de- 
 nominated pathological congestion, viz.: such congestion as characterizes 
 both the incipient and progressive condition of all morbid phenomena, 
 arising from all causes, not operative to the total destruction of the ner- 
 vous energies of the parts affected. 
 
 If the region implicated in the disease be deprived of its total vitality, 
 without totally destroying the organization, an accumulation and stagna- 
 tion of the fluids occur, circumjacent to the diseased region, for the pur- 
 pose of eliminating the parts destroyed by the disease, which should be 
 denominated recuperative congestion ; so that congestion of both kinds 
 must unavoidably take place, to greater or less extent, as long as the con- 
 stitution continues diseased, short of its total destruction. 
 
 V. All the causative agents of disease which are poisonous in their 
 composition, act directly to the depression and congestion of nervous 
 energy, in a greater or less degree, or totally, according to their nature, 
 and the state of the constitution affected by them. 
 
 VI. All the salutary stimuli when deteriorated in quality, or deficient 
 in quantity, act directly to the depression and congestion of nervous 
 power, either more or less, — partially, or totally, according to their na- 
 ture, and the condition of the constitution affected by them. 
 
 VII. All the salutary stimuli when applied to the constitution, in excess, 
 operate indirectly to the depression and congestion of nervous energy, 
 either more or less partially or totally, by debilitating or destroying the 
 central radicles of innervation, and all the apparatus of assimilation de- 
 pendent on them. 
 
 VIII. As all diseases from all causes, are thus characterized by depres- 
 sions and congestions of nervous energy, so they are all in such general 
 sense considered, generically similar ; but, as they arise from different 
 causative agents, and in different constitutions, so they are specifically 
 different, and in a manner philosophically correspondent with such differ- 
 ences of causation. And the diseases consequent to identical causative 
 agents, are manifested to be specifically different, in different constitutions, 
 from their reception of different qualities and quantities of them, and 
 according to the different structures of the organization, invaded by them, 
 &c. The gradations, and shades of gradation, pertaining to diseases 
 
APPENDIX. '" 
 
 arising from the same causative agents, should claim the paramount atten- 
 tion of the scientific practitioner ; because it is exclusively through the 
 recognition and appreciation of such knowledge, that he can philosophic- 
 ally medicate the therapeutical operations of nature to eliminate the mor- 
 bid sensibilities, constituting the diseases, arising not only from identical, 
 but dissimilar causative agents. 
 
 IX. The remote causes of all diseases whatever, whether arising from 
 agents without the constitution, or from such as are generated within, 
 through hereditary vitiation, or depraved elaborations of vitality, from 
 any other sources, (however remotely arising in fact,) arc operative through 
 a direct series of morbid action, to the production of the proximate causes 
 of diseases, erroneously denominated by authors, the premonitory symp- 
 toms of diseases, because they constitute the diseases themselves. The re- 
 mote, predisposing and exciting causes, therefore, lead to the production of 
 the proximate causes, the premonitory symptoms, the diseases themselves. 
 The remote causes and diseases themselves, possess the most exclusive 
 pertinency to the causative agents, and the predisposing and exciting to 
 the constitutions affected by them. ' 
 
 X. All the pathological phenomena, therefore, arising from all causes 
 whatever, are rendered presentive to observation, through depressions and 
 congestions of the nervous energies of the part or parts recipient of the 
 causative agents of disease, from the most simple abrasion oftheskin,tothe 
 most extensive wounds, and from the simplest of the diseases erroneously 
 denominated febrile, to the most overwhelming pestilences, that present 
 to observation pathological phenomena, affecting the constitution beyond 
 the power of recuperation. 
 
SECTION III. 
 
 RECUPERATIVE COROLLARIES. 
 
 I. As long as the powers of Innervation in sound constitutions are 
 receptive and elaborative of their appropriately salutary stimuli, so long 
 they are manifested to be operative to the production of all the healthful 
 phenomena of vitality, through the calm, equable and harmonious actions 
 pertaining to the total organization, from the due reception and assimila- 
 tion of such stimuli, consequently 
 
 II. It must be through such recognition exclusively, that we can, not 
 only scientifically investigate all the deviations from the salutary con- 
 dition of the constitution, but likewise aU the recuperative operations of 
 nature to rectify such deviations. 
 
 III. These recuperative operations of nature, for relieving the consti- 
 tution of the diseased conditions consequent to the operation of all the 
 causative agents of disease, are manifested by irritations, inflammations, 
 fevers, spasms, convulsions, or other tumultuous agitations of the vital 
 powers, either accompanying, or sooner or later succeeding the morbid 
 sensibilities occasioned by the causative agents ; consequently, the nature 
 of the morbid phenomena hence originating, are philosophically indicated, 
 by the nature of the recuperative excitations consequentially arising, 
 therefore, 
 
 IV. Whenever diseases from whatsoever causes arising, are not accom- 
 panied, or sooner or later succeeded, by recuperative excitation, they are 
 universally, whether more or less locally, or generally, affecting the sys- 
 tem, operative to the extinction of total vitality. 
 
 IRRITATIVE RECUPERATION. 
 
 V. Irritative Recuperation is the lowest degree of recuperative excita- 
 tion, instituted by the conservative powers, in and surrounding the region 
 implicated in the diseased sensibilities, for the purpose of eliminating 
 them from the constitution, through some one or more, of the secreting 
 and excreting organs. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Irritation can in no case be philosophically considered a characteristic 
 of healthy vitality ; but is universally a recuperative excitation, raised by 
 the conservative powers of nature, either for preventing the entrance of 
 the causative agents of diseases, or after they have effected their entrance, 
 and commenced their ravaging operations, for eliminating them from the 
 constitution, through some one or more of the organs of depuration. 
 
 The lowest grades and shades of morbid action, are eliminated exclu- 
 sively through irritative recuperation, as may be well exemplified through 
 philosophic observation bestowed on many of the cutaneous and eruptive 
 diseases, and on many of the diseases affecting the same structure inter- 
 nally, diarrhoeas, ordinary choleras, &c. Such irritative recuperation is 
 manifested both in strong and weak constitutions, when slightly diseased, 
 from whatever causes. 
 
 It is also often manifested in such constitutions, when affected witii the 
 highest grades and shades of diseases, because the conservative povvers 
 are prostrated beyond the capacity of instituting such salutary irritation, 
 or inflaramition, or fever, as characterize the lower and medical grades of 
 diseases ; — the recuperative excitations consequently raised in constitu- 
 tions thus prostrated, are of the irritative species, but feeb'e and ineffect- 
 ual, and frequently characterized by the supervention of subsultus, spasm, 
 &c., and with difficulty rendered operative to elimination, through the 
 most scientific medication. 
 
 If irritative recuperation, when instituted for eliminating the lower 
 grades of morbid sensibilities, be, even when aided by scientific medica- 
 tion, unable to effect it; then the irritative passes into the inflammatory, 
 and under appropriate medication, may effect elimination through resolu- 
 tion, or suppuration, or gangrene, or some of the anomalous terminations : 
 and if the inflammatory recuperation be insufiicient, febrific recuperation 
 is instituted for aiding the local in their efforts to effect elimination, through 
 the usual emunctories. The recuperative excitations consequential to the 
 lower and medial grades and shades of diseases, are active in their nature 
 and operation, and generally need nothing more than scientific direction, 
 to enable them to progress to elimination ; but the recuperative energies 
 consequential to the highest grades and shades of diseases arising from 
 pestilential causation, &c. — are passive and inactive in their nature, and 
 operation, and need such medication as will convert them into active re- 
 cuperation, by relieving the constitution sufficiently from prostration, to 
 permit its recuperating energies to be unfolded and conducted by the con- 
 tinuance of scientific medication, to effective elimination. 
 
 As all diseases, from all causes, are more or less local, so is recupera- 
 tion primarily considered, more or less so : irritation and inflammation 
 are the primary recuperations consequential to all morbid conditions, from 
 whatsoever sources arising; and they pass into the febrific through ner- 
 .32 
 
X APPENDIX. 
 
 vous association, with the central radicles of vitality, which institute either 
 directly or indirectly all the general and local recuperations. 
 
 INFLAMMATORY RECUPERATION, 
 
 Is characterized by a more intense degree of recuperative action, 
 than the irritative, more localized, fixed and concentrated, and is produc- 
 tive of legitimate elimination, through resolution, or suppuration ; and of 
 illegitimate, througli some of the anomalous terminations, or gangrene, 
 or total destruction of the vitality of some part, or the whole of the dis- 
 eased region. 
 
 Diseases arising from the more ordinary causes in constitutions previ- 
 ously sound, are in general legitimately eliminated through resolution or 
 suppuration, by inflammatory recuperation exclusively, or by the inflam- 
 matory and febrific ; but those arising from malignant causes and affect- 
 ing debilitated and vitiated constitutions, are in general primarily elimin- 
 ated imperfectly, through gangrene, or some of the anomalous terminations ; 
 for the removal of which, if practicable, nature or medication, or both, 
 must institute a secondary series of appropriate recuperation. 
 
 This inflammatory recuperation may be restrictedly local, and operative 
 to legitimate or illegitimate elimination ; or the morbid condition of the 
 part or pnrts affected, may be too concentrated and potent, to be subdued 
 by local recuperation ; in which case, the radicals of innervation institute 
 general or febrific recuperation, to aid the local recuperation to progress 
 to elimination. 
 
 Both the local and general recuperations are different, as arising from 
 different morbid conditions, and they are different, as arising from morbid 
 conditions, aflTecting the different structures of the organization; idiosy- 
 crasy of organization, and vitiation of it from any sources arising, modify 
 both the morbid conditions, and recuperative excitations accordingly. 
 
 FEBRIFIC RECUPERATION, 
 
 Is always consequential to the irritative and inffammatory, never ante- 
 cedent to it, — because, however extensively diseases may be inflicted on, 
 or in, the constitution by causative agents, they are in no cases inflicted 
 on the total constitution, both internally and externally considered ; for 
 in the most extensive wounds and bruises, fractures, dislocations, aneu- 
 risms, &LC., — and under the most concentrated effects of the most virulent 
 poisons, and such as originate Yellow Fevers, Plagues, Choleras, &c., — 
 there is a higher or lower, or more or less efficient local recuperation, es- 
 tablished by the conservative powers, and more or less febrific recupera- 
 
APPENDIX. XI 
 
 tion, sooner or later succeeding it ; according to the greater or less 
 power of the central radicles of nervous power, to institute them. As 
 long as life lasts, however feebly it may be manifested in its diseased 
 condition, recuperation in some form or other, is recognised to be opera- 
 tive through its usual symptoms. Recuperation cannot cease entirely, till 
 life be extinct ; for however feebly life may be manifested, it is so mani- 
 fested through the reception and elaboration of vital stimuli, — therefore, 
 as long as elaboration continues, however feebly, recuperation is raised 
 for eliminating the morbid sensibilities. Hence the scientific practitioner 
 of medicine, will never relinquish his efforts to lessen and subdue morbid 
 sensibilities, that he may raise and strengthen the recuperative efforts of 
 nature, to eliminate them. 
 
 SPASMODIC AND CONVULSIVE RECUPERATION. 
 
 All the morbid phenomena consequent to all the causative agents of 
 disease, are eliminated from the constitution exclusively, through the re- 
 cuperative agencies of irritation, inflammation, and fever. 
 
 Either irritations or inflammations, are the primary forms of recupera- 
 tion, raised by the conservative powers in diseases, arising from all 
 sources whatsoever, and when these are insufficient to eliminate the mor- 
 bid conditions, febrific recuperation is instituted for the purpose, by the 
 central powers of innervation. These three modes of recuperation, con- 
 stitute the only legitimate agents for eliminating all diseases. 
 
 Consequently, spasms and convulsions, throughout all their combinations 
 and variations, are consequential to such intense injuries inflicted on the 
 constitution, as preclude it from instituting any of these legitimate modes 
 of recuperation, to any salutary effect. They are in all cases, exertions 
 of such conservative power as remains operative in the constitution ; but 
 they are in all cases, abortive exertions, — illegitimate recuperative excita- 
 tions, — incapable in all cases, of effecting elimination of the morbid sensi- 
 bilities antecedent to, and originating them. The diseased conditions 
 from whatsoever sources originating, that are succeeded by these spasms 
 and convulsions, are so depressive of the nervous energies of assimila- 
 tions, that the central radicles of vitality are incapable of exerting them- 
 selves regularly, and in an equable and continued manner, to the produc- 
 tion of any of the modes of salutary recuperation ; their powers are, 
 therefore, exerted occasionally, and in a spasmodic and convulsive manner, 
 and during the intermissions from such exertions, the principal agents of 
 assimilation, viz : respiration, sanguification, &.c. — arc performed in a 
 tumultuous and irregular and spasmodic manner, essentially differing from 
 legitimate recuperation. 
 
Xll APPENDIX. 
 
 These spasmodic and convulsive operations for relieving the constitu- 
 tion of morbid sensibility, are differently characterized, as arising from 
 different causes, in different constitutions, and in the different structures 
 of the constitution, &c. — and the different morbid states of the system 
 from whence they originate, must be so far lessened and subdued by ap- 
 propriate medication, tliat the centres of innervation may unfold their 
 powers to the production of the legitimate agencies of elimination. 
 
SECTION IV, 
 
 MEDICATION. 
 
 I. It is the exclusive office of all medication, cither to prevent the 
 entrance and fixity of the morbid sensibilities consequential to the inva- 
 sion of the causative agents of diseases, or after they have entered, to 
 impede their ravaging progress, by assisting and directing the recupera- 
 tive excitations of nature, to subdue and eliminate them from the consti- 
 tution, through its secretory and excretory apparatus. 
 
 II. All the slightest grades and shades of diseases, arising from all 
 causes, are eliminated from the constitution by the recuperative excitations 
 of nature ; or if any medication be resorted to, for directing their efforts, 
 it should invariably consist of the mildest species of stimulants. Hence 
 the Broussaian plan of medication may be considered as applicable and 
 available in eliminating all the mildest grades of diseases, and no other, 
 because such plan is erected on erroneous views of the constitution of 
 human nature, either in its healthy or diseased state, and because it is 
 totally useless in the treatment of all the higher grades of diseases, for 
 reasons too obvious to mention. 
 
 III. All the medial grades and shades of diseases whether occurring in 
 strong or weak constitutions, are characterized by an ardent contention 
 for mastery, between the morbid sensibilities, and recuperative excitations ; 
 and it is the exclusive office of medication to lessen, subdue, and elimin- 
 ate the morbid sensibilities, by scientifically controlling and directing the 
 recuperative excitations. Both the primary and associate depressions and 
 congestions of nervous energy, are to be impeded in their progress, and 
 lessened by appropriate medication, and the primary and secondary re- 
 cuperative excitations, are to be so appropriately controlled and directed 
 that they may eliminate the morbid sensibilities through tlieir respectively 
 legitimate emunctories. As the pathological and recuperative congestions, 
 are primarily more or less local ; and as they are characterized by conten- 
 tion for mastery over each other, from the primary invasion of the causa- 
 tive agents ; so it is the office of medication, to prevent the extension of 
 the pathological phenomena, by scientifically controlling and directing 
 the recuperative powers, to attain the mastery, and eliminate the morbid 
 
XIV APPENDIX. 
 
 phenomena through the legitimate depuratory apparatus of the organiza- 
 tion. Therefore, such elaborating energies as are in the power of the 
 organiziation to institute, must be medicated in such scientific manner, as 
 will strengthen the absorbent apparatus of tlie organization generally and 
 specially, to tlie production of such healthful powers of elective attraction, 
 for salutary stimuli, as. may serve not only to prevent the further exten- 
 sion of the morbid sensibilities, but to lessen and eliminate them through 
 the appropriate depuratory apparatus. 
 
 IV. The highest grades and shades of diseases are characterized by 
 deep, concentrated, extensive morbid sensibilities ; consequently, the 
 conservative powers existent in constitutions thus affected, are incapable 
 of raising any of the salutary recuperations to any available extent ; they 
 are consequently characterized by such feeble and inefficient irritations, 
 inflammations, and fevers, or spasms, convulsions, subsultues, tendinum, 
 &c., as require all the legitimate resources of philosophy, to render them 
 eliminative of such morbid sensibilities as originate them. 
 
 This general view of the morbid and recuperative phenomena, will 
 clearly furnish to every scientific practitioner of medicine, the indications 
 to be fulfilled in the treatment of all diseases, arising from all causes, 
 however differently they may be exhibited to observation, from causative 
 differences in the morbid agents, and the constitutions affected by them. 
 
 V. These indications are all to be fulfilled by stinmlant medicinal agents, 
 because there are no sedative agents made by nature, or art, consequently, 
 the Materia Medica admits of no classification of the substances used 
 for medicating diseases, to elimination, either by raising or depressing, or 
 controlling and regulating, such recuperative excitations as are raised by 
 the vis med. nat. 
 
 VI. If any classification be admissible, it must consist of as many 
 classes, as there are, or may be, of generic substances, as are, or may be, 
 used as medicines. 
 
 VII. However generically and specifically different, medicines may be 
 made by nature or art, they all act stimulantly, in a manner corresponding 
 with such differences, whether applied externally or internally, — to organi- 
 zations similar in construction by nature, and similar in deviations from 
 health, by disease. 
 
 VIII. All the stimuli which are made by nature, or prepared by art, 
 that are harmoniously received into the constitution, through its absorbent 
 apparatus, and elaborated to healthy vitality ; are to be considered nutrient 
 substances, and therefore, many of them may be usefully appropriated as 
 auxiliaries to medication. And all substances not thus received harmo- 
 niously, must therefore be considered, as acting deleteriously and causa- 
 tive of disease. 
 
 IX. All medicating agents act stimulantly, whether they master the 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 elective attraction for salutary stimuli, and thereby enter the capillary, or 
 general circulations, or not ; and in either case, recuperative excitations 
 are raised for expelling- them from the constitution. 
 
 X. Medicines, therefore, produce counter recuperation, increase and 
 extend the recuperative efforts of the organization, to the production of 
 requisite secretion and excretion ; and consequently assist the recupera- 
 tive exertions made by nature to eliminate diseases. 
 
 XI. All the effective agents of medication are consequently more or 
 less poisonous, in their composition and action, on, or in the organization, 
 according to their nature and application ; and consequently in larger or 
 smaller quantities, according to their respectively poisonous natures, may 
 be destructive of either partial or total vitality. 
 
 XII. Consequently, all effective medication may be legitimately denom- 
 inated antidotal medication. 
 
 XIII. And consequently, all natural or artificial substances used in 
 medication, that do not act poisonously, on, or in the organization, but 
 are harmoniously received and elaborated to healthy assimilation, may be 
 legitimately considered, as constituting dietetic medication, because they 
 strengthen, increase, and extend, both the recuperative excitations of 
 nature, and such as arc raised by antidotal medication. 
 
 XIV. Therefore, the nature of the pathological phenomena, and recu- 
 perative excitations, being subjected to legitimately philosophical observa- 
 tion, through due appreciation of the symptoms respectively characteriz- 
 ing them, — such medicating agents, both of the antidotal, and dietetic 
 kind, are to be selected and applied, or exhibited, in such quantities, and 
 at such times, as may in appropriate degree, most effectively assist, the 
 recuperative powers of nature, to eliminate the morbid sensibilities through 
 the legitimate secretory and excretory apparatus of the organization. 
 
 We have thus enumerated some of the principal propositions conse- 
 quential to the premises supporting the preceding Work, and its Intro- 
 duction, — sufficient to demonstrate to the philosophic mind, that our 
 fundamental and derivative propositions legitimately develop, neither 
 more nor less, but completely, all the principles that are necessary to be 
 studied and scientifically applied, for subjecting all the branches of medical 
 science to intuitive demonstration. 
 
 And we have thus subjected all the medical sciences to intuitive demon- 
 stration, by proving to all satisfactory demonstration, that the history of 
 human nature, is the history of the creation and preservation of the ner- 
 vous power, exclusively supporting it in time, — that it may be legitimately 
 prepared for eternity. 
 
14 DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 Biology Lalbirairy 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, or 
 
 on the date to which renewed. 
 
 Renewed books are subjea to immediate recall. 
 
 Ar::ri.v.7 
 
 
 DEC 1 4 1970 i. 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 General Library 
 LD 21-50wi-8,'57 University of California 
 (.C8481sl0)476 Berkeley