Eutherapeia; Or, an Examination of the Principles of Medical Science with Researches in the Nervous System. Or, an Examination of the Principles of Me (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: ... Examination of the principles of Phrenology, Mesmerism, and Hydropathy, &c.--The " Organon" of Hahnemann, and Homoeopathy--True animal electricity. It has been observed that " no medical testimony is sufficient to establish a fact, which is itself incredible, and this previous incredulity can only be ascertained by an extensive and accurate knowledge of the functions and properties of the living body." A sentiment which may be applied to the subjects of this concluding chapter. Having taken what we hope is a candid view of the principles of medicine, and admitted all its deficiencies, we may be allowed, as a necessary and natural sequel, to examine the principles of some other allied sciences, or rather, in most instances, pseudo-sciences, which have become prevalent, and, with some persons, paramount, at the present day. Phrenology is one of these, requiring from the character of its founders more deference than several of the others. In some respects, indeed, it has done service to medicine and to mankind--it has, or rather its founders have, shown the influence which physical conformation has upon the mind, moral feelings, instincts, and actions of men, and brought forward much that was new or overlooked respecting these. They have, too, added their quota to our knowledge of the nervous system. Notwithstanding this we see in phrenology, as has been before observed, what Bacon calls "an over easy and peremptory reduction into acts and methods." Its advocates should have hailed the birth of the new science, rather than have offered it to our admiration at once, a creation of perfection and maturity. Indeed we believe that certain of its main foundations are faulty, as well as the superstructure raised upon them. We see on examining the brain numerous cur...