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.

    6/28 (page 4)
    frequently guided me in deciding upon the treatment to be adopted in particular cases. As they differ from any I have hitherto seen, I offer them in the hope that they may throw some hght upon this obscure and interesting subject. In this paper I shall confine myself as much as possible to the general treatment of the subject, and to the influence of climate in the production of diathesis, as the principal, although by no means the only, modifying agent. The consideration of the bearing of these views upon the par- ticular diathesis I reserve for a futm-e communication. The subjects which I propose to discuss at present fall under the following heads :— 1. The functional powers of all animal organs are de- veloped by exercise, being perfected in proportion to the amount thereof. 2. The means by which organs are thus educated are those conditions which call forth their activity; hence in the same body some organs may be highly developed, while others are comparatively little so. 3. The constitution thus tending to become adapted to those external influences to which it is constantly exposed, modification of structure and function is, after a time, rendered so far permanent as to be more or less hereditary. 4. Relative health, under any given set of circumstances, depends upon the perfect adaptation of the physiological habits to those circumstances. Absolute health is to be met with only where the balance of development of the whole body is maintained. 5. The wider the range of the education, the more vigorous will be the health, and the greater the range of circumstances under which it may be preserved. 6. While this habitual condition of the constitution is the only one compatible with health in the circumstances under the operation of which it has l:>een developed, under