Directory of Ben-Rhydding, with a chapter on the water cure and homoeopathy / by William MacLeod.

  • MacLeod, William, 1818 or 1819-1875.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Directory of Ben-Rhydding, with a chapter on the water cure and homoeopathy / by William MacLeod. 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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    with a just application of the Water Cure, that, we feel assured, resides the efficacy of the mode of treatment which we ourselves pursue. Man, as he exists upon this globe, has his organ- ism governed by special laws, and he also exists in certain specific relations to external objects. From his first formation in the womb—in his progressive development—when he is full grown, and even after, when life has begun to decay within him through age—man is governed, has his vital actions controlled, his structures regenerated, and the functions of his parts invigorated, by means of influences acting upon what is denominated the vital force. This force is a principle of matter, which man cannot produce or lessen, but is only to be evolved or made latent by changes in the condition of matter, —just as cohesion, gravity, and the elective force, are affections of matter. If these statements be true, then I would ask the question,—where is the natural philosopher that would physic matter to give vigour to cohesion, and not rather modify its conditions ? Where is the astronomer that would doctor the planets to retain gravity in play ? And in what country resides the chemist who would saturate with medicinal remedies elementary sub- stances, so as to bring out the elective force into healthy action ? For, it is to be remembered, that the term “health” simply means the conditions which allow of the free and natural play of the forces of matter. Now, if these notions appear ridiculous when merely stated, will they not appear