An introductory lecture, intended as a recommendation to a more careful investigation of the constitutional origin of local diseases, on principles deduced from the opinions of Hunter and Abernethy / delivered at the Finsbury Dispensary, by George Macilwain.

  • Macilwain, George, 1797-1882.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory lecture, intended as a recommendation to a more careful investigation of the constitutional origin of local diseases, on principles deduced from the opinions of Hunter and Abernethy / delivered at the Finsbury Dispensary, by George Macilwain. 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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    I 31 large field for observation : here you may judge for yourselves whether those views promulgated by Mr. Abernethy were merely ingenious theories, or whe- ther they were faithful transcripts from the book of nature. If they stand not the test of practical appli- cation, you will do right to reject them. If, on the contrary, this test should demonstrate their truth and value, I trust that you will spare no pains in render- ing yourselves thoroughly acquainted with their ap- plication, not only in those diseases which may be comprised in an imperfect course of clinical instruc- tion, but in the general practice of surgery as taught in systematic lectures. In systematic Lectures, the student is taught what he is to look for—how he should endeavour to elicit the information which he seeks. The usual history, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disease, are methodically described, with such an arrangement of rule and exception, as the infinite varieties of morbid action render practicable, con- sistently with clearness : and most useful, certainly, such lectures are. The student is, however, here dependant on the teacher; the correctness of whose views, he is, in some measure, compelled to admit, until he has opportunities of forming his own. In clinical instruction, the book of nature is alike un- folded to the student and his preceptor. No in- genuity or preconceived opinion, can materially colour or distort the facts, alike accessible to both. The reasoning of the teacher, as well as the practice