An address on the present condition, prospects, and duties of the medical profession : delivered before the members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, at the annual meeting, May 26, 1841 / by Edward Reynolds.

  • Reynolds, Edward, 1793-1881.
Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address on the present condition, prospects, and duties of the medical profession : delivered before the members of the Massachusetts Medical Society, at the annual meeting, May 26, 1841 / by Edward Reynolds. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    constitute, at the same time, a splendid evidence of the value of anatomy in its application to medical study, and one of the most satisfactory improvements of surgery. The investigation of the diseases of the rectum, which rank among the most annoying affections of the body, has been followed by the most satisfactory results. The nature of hemorrhoidal tumors, pro- lapsus, fissure, stricture, blind sinus, polypi, and some others, is now well understood; their symptoms so clearly defined, that the diagnosis is easy, and the principle of cure manifest. Their treatment is dis- tinguished by improvements, as simple in the applica- tion, as they are successful in the relief of disease. The pathology of the glandular system is greatly improved. The great confusion formerly resting upon the diseases of the breast and testicles, has passed away. The well-educated pupil is now able to discriminate them, under the various modifications presented by the action of inflammation, in its several varieties; to treat them with skill, and decide when they are the subject of medical, and when of surgical aid. The progress of pathology is marked by corre- sponding evidences of improvement in the diseases of the osseous system, the urinary organs, the specific inflammations, and, indeed, in every department of surgery. It would exhaust your patience, to speak of the improvements in the treatment of wounds and fractures, the cold water dressings, and the immove- able bandage, and the many changes in the treatment of disease, which result from the observation and