Transactions of a Society for the Improvement of Medical and Chirurgical Knowledge; Illustrated with Copper-Plates (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. 1793. Excerpt: ... XVf. An Attempt to Improve the Evidence os Medicine. By George Fordyce, 'M.D. F. R. S. PelloTv of the Royal College of Physicians, and Reader on the Practice of Phyfi'c in London. The evidence on which medical knowledge is founded has hitherto' been principally deductions from' the practice of medical practitioners, made by themselves, and communicated to the public. The cases themselves from which these deductions were made Mve seldom been published ; and when they have," they have principally been" pf extraordinary diseases; and these have commonly been stated, with a view to some particular point, in such a manner that they cannot be brought as evidence sufficiently accurate to be depended upon.' The following scheme is intended to make the evidence in'cases'more' cdmpTeat, ' by" dissecting them, placing the progress of each particular symptom' by itself, and shewing its connection" with, and the relation ft bears to, the other symptoms of the disease, . R 2 If If a perfect scheme of this kind was formed, and if a case was taken correctly according to it, it is clear that such a case would bring into view the whole of its evidence; and that a compleat collection of such cases would form a perfect body of medicine as far as it is known. The result would be, that we should get rid of that variety of opinion which pervades the whole of the science; and our opinions would be grounded on the solid foundation of observation, and not float, as driven by the mere caprice of practitioners. A second effect a perfect scheme of this kind would produce, is putting the evidence which is brought in any case in a true point of view; and showing what is still wanting to make it conclusive. In this country it is the usage frequently to employ practitioners who are consider...