Observations, &c. on the epidemic disease, which lately prevailed at Gibraltar : intended to illustrate the nature of contagious fevers in general. [Pt. I] / by Seguin Henry Jackson.

  • Jackson, Seguin Henry, 1752-1816.
Date:
1806
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations, &c. on the epidemic disease, which lately prevailed at Gibraltar : intended to illustrate the nature of contagious fevers in general. [Pt. I] / by Seguin Henry Jackson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    nervous system have a communication with each other in their common origin, the brain, so he supposed, that we might discover the variable changes of excitement in the brain, and the reason for its affecting the other component parts of the nervous system.” 24. He further observed, that as the principal parts of / the animal functions were dependent upon the excitement of this system, so the preservation of life consisted in that ex- citement j and that a total collapse of the nervous power, after it has been once fully excited, was the cause of death.” Thus, a due and proper excitement constitues life and health; a morbid increase or diminution of it occasions disease; and the total collapse or extinction of it is the state of death. He conceived it out of his power to say what at first begun the excitement,”’ but he thought it evident “ that, v;hatever the power it possesses in cofasequence of an original impression, life cannot be long supported without it.” Thus we see, that although the soul and body be distinct, yet their motions are intimately connected during life. 25. Again, “ It is well known,” said the professor, that there are various external powers, which increase and diminish the above excitement; and that many of the functions of the corporeal organs are requisite to keep it in proper condition.” I therefore think the causes of death may be referred to one or other of the two following heads : viz. 1st. Either to such as act immediately upon the nervous system, or the brain, so as to disturb, or entirely destroy, the excitement. Or 2dly, to sucB as interrupt or destroy the circulation of the blood, or the