Manual of pathology : containing the symptoms, diagnosis, and morbid characters of diseases: together with an exposition of the different methods of examination applicable to affections of the head, chest, and abdomen / by L. Martinet ; tr. with notes and additions, by Jones Quain.

  • Martinet, L. (Louis), 1795-1875.
Date:
1830
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Manual of pathology : containing the symptoms, diagnosis, and morbid characters of diseases: together with an exposition of the different methods of examination applicable to affections of the head, chest, and abdomen / by L. Martinet ; tr. with notes and additions, by Jones Quain. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    it appear clear and simple, as is too often done, for that can only be effected by misrepresentation. 26. The statement of a case should not be loaded with superfluous detail; it should contain what is necessary, or rather what is indispensible; but when the subject is ob- scure, the details should be extended and minute. In the descriptive part no reflections or opinions should be intro- duced, as that cannot fail to interrupt the narrative. 27. The leading symptoms, particularly those which serve to establish the diagnosis, should first be noted down, rang- ed according to their importance, reference always being made, as far as can be done, to the order of their appearance. These should be expressed clearly, so as to impress them on the mind of the reader. If several organs be affected at the same time, the symptoms referrible to each should be collected into separate groups ; those which are common to all, or are of secondary importance, should follow ; and then if the treatment be given, it will be necessary to mark the state of the patient before and after the exhibition of medicine. Superfluous details should, of course, be omit- ted ; and nothing stated but what is indispensibly necessary. 28. It may, however, be sometimes useful to note the absence of any particular symptoms, which usually exist in similar cases, lest the omission may be attributed to negli- gence or forgetfulness on the part of the observer, and so discredit be cast on the facts he has detailed. 29. When a disease is obscure, attention should then be redoubled, particularly if there be any controversies on the subject, and even the minutest details should be noted. 30. When therapeutics are the objects of research, and when attention therefore is directed to ascertain the action of particular medicines, it is not necessary to report all the de- tails of the cases; it is enough to state their general nature, and the circumstances of the patient both before and after the administration of the medicine. Its form and dose should be stated, as well as the effect produced ; and lastly, some remarks should be made on the state of the patient, when the treatment was discontinued. It is, in general, advisable to say a few words as to the state of the medical constitu- tion, particularly when there exists any endemic or epidemic disease, as it must be evident, that a symptom which under other circumstances would be of no consequence, may then