Discoveries in science by the medical philosopher : An oration delivered on the ninety-sixth anniversary of the Medical society of London, Monday, March 8th, 1869 / by Sir G. Duncan Gibb, bart.

  • Gibb, G. Duncan (George Duncan), Sir, 1821-1876.
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Discoveries in science by the medical philosopher : An oration delivered on the ninety-sixth anniversary of the Medical society of London, Monday, March 8th, 1869 / by Sir G. Duncan Gibb, bart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    years, happily acquainted us with what was immediately recognised by the practical physi¬ ognomist when his views were propounded. That a fatty arc or complete ring of adipose degene¬ ration around the margin of the cornea, should indicate the existence of certain changes going on within of a vital character, was a discovery of the highest interest as concerning the generality of mankind. To say that here was an old man, close upon 80 years, with a distinct “ arcus senilis” in the upper part of the cornea of both eyes, originating from changes in the organism necessarily occuring as the result, or concomitant of old age; and that there was a stout, fat, ruddy faced, healthy looking man, aged 45, with a similar and very fatty looking “ arcus adiposus and that the constitution of the younger man was relatively as old in years as the more aged individual, was an announcement of the highest interest. Whether I am quite correct in giving Mr. Canton credit for this last opinion, or whether I enunciated it myself in 1860, 1 shall not stay to enquire. The appearance of his wqrk and my paper set men thinking on the subject, and as J had gone so far in my own yiews as to