The American Journal of the Medical Sciences (Volume 29) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1855. Excerpt: ... i it, there is--and that only by chance--but one medical man, and he with no concern in its practical prophylactic duties. With this exception, from head to foot, not a member of it probably-would be able to distinguish incipient smallpox from mosquito bites; and, if told it were the former, would most probably give it a wide berth, rather than personally attack so formidable an advereary." "It is not enough that the sexton's weekly returns of the causes of death are summed up and given to us in annual tables by the yard in length, which a little arithmetic wiH accomplish. We need to know the causes of the diseases; where they are, what they spring from, and how to avoid them; information which can only be obtained and properly disseminated by men of good medical education, and possessing the proper taste and energy for such work." There is great truth in the concluding words of the discourse before us. Would that the public could be induced to give ear unto them, and profit by them. The votaries of medical science, whatever impediment may rise up in their path, will, Dr. G. remarks--"Still move forward on the great errand of human health and life, enlarging its borders, and strengthening its stakes; feeling that upon their energy in the prosecution of improvement, and the enlightenment of the public, depend in a great measure the health, the strength, the longevity, the mental, moral, and physical condition of communities, as well as of individuals, and upon them depend the welfare of the State, and even the stability of the government itself. A republic of imbeciles, of dwarfs, either of body or spirit, of a people wasted by disease and deprived of the natural provocatives of health, is as impracticable as a heaven of profligates and demons; and without...