A contribution to the theory of diathesis / by David J. Brakenridge.

  • Brakenridge, David J. (David James), 1839-1895.
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A contribution to the theory of diathesis / by David J. Brakenridge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    A CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEORY OF DIATHESIS, In ancient as well as modern times various temperaments or diatheses have been recognised as exercising a most im- portant influence on the origin and type of disease. Each of these exhibits a special proneness to certain forms of morbid action, and an equally remarkable immunity from others, while such maladies as are common to more than one are modified accordingly. An intimate knowledge of these constitutional predis- positions is of great importance to all accurate treatment and prognosis. It is, however, probable that until we have some clear ideas regarding the origin and nature of these diatheses themselves, their recognition will fail to have much influ- ence on the advancement of our knowledge of disease and its treatment. The very possession of so many familiar pictures, each bearing a well-known name and character, is apt to blind us to the fact that underlying them is a mine of most valuable truth. The following views have for some years afforded to my own mind a satisfactory explanation of the probable nature of diathesis, and have