A third dissertation on fever. : Part II. Containing an inquiry into the effects of the remedies, which have been employed with a view to carry off a regular continued fever, without leaving it to pursue its ordinary course / By George Fordyce, M.D. F.R.S.

  • Fordyce, George, 1736-1802.
Date:
1799
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A third dissertation on fever. : Part II. Containing an inquiry into the effects of the remedies, which have been employed with a view to carry off a regular continued fever, without leaving it to pursue its ordinary course / By George Fordyce, M.D. F.R.S. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    It. comes then to be enquired into, why- taking away blood indiscriminately from any large vein has been fo often pra&ifed in fevers, even by practitioners of the firfl; rank in medicine ? The author can only refer this practice to the impatience with which mankind bear any evil, and that fuperftition which pre- dominates in them. If any violent difeafe takes place, men immediately recur to fome violent remedy. Their recurring through impatience to fome very violent re- medy is no proof, that fuch remedy is ufe- ful to give them relief from the malady. If a man who has gone upon a journey fhould return, and without previous notice find his houfe burnt down, his whole fa- mily and property deftroyed, and all his friends ruined, he would be apt to fiamp upon the ground, beat his breaft and tear his hair; but ftamping upon the ground would not rebuild his houfe, nor would beating his breafc reftore his family and pro- perty, nor tearing his hair retrieve his friends. It is mere impatience that makes B 4 him