Stray reminiscences of a long life / by Medicus Senex, 1896.

  • Lawrence, Samuel, 1815-1903.
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Stray reminiscences of a long life / by Medicus Senex, 1896. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    long period vvliicli lias now been under review can fail to have a profound impression of the vast progress which has been made in every department of the healing art. The discovery of Anaesthesia, and the development of liacteriology and Asepsis, might alone signalise an entire century. These discoveries have quite revolutionised both surgery and medi- cine. Operations are now performed, and lives saved, in numberless cases which in former times—say, forty or fifty years ago—would have been deemed utterly hopeless. A flood of light has been shed on the etiology and progress of many diseases which were aforetime imperfectly understood. The polypharmacy which formerly prevailed has been largely superseded by an enlightened confidence in the powers of Nature, when these are untramnieled and unopposed by hostile influences from without. The rampant abuse of blood-letting has ceased; but at the same time it is worthy of consideration whether there does not still exist a legitimate sphere for its employment, which is, for the most part, over- looked and neglected. Secondly: During the last half-centuiy there has taken place a great awakening of the mind and conscience of all classes on the important question of public health, or hygiene. The subject has been deemed worthy of the notice and con- trol of the Legislature of our countiy; and so, from time to time, wise and beneficent enactments regarding it have found their way into the Statute Book. The result has been a general improvement of sanitaiy arrangements, and a lower- ing of the death-rate in all the cities and towns of the Kingdom. Rural districts everywhere, under the active supervision of our County Councils, are falling into line with this movement; and we may confidently expect that what- ever insanitary conditions still continue will, with due speed, be removed. Third; A very painful impression has been produced throughout these many years in the mind of the writer as to the lamentable loss of life caused b}'^ the abuse of alcoholic- drinks. This is only partially disclosed by our public regis- ters of death. Oi’ganic diseases of liver, kidney's, or brain are frequently credited as the causes of death, while the real