Researches on the chemical and medical properties of the root of kahinca / by Messrs. Francois, Caventou & Pelletier ; a memoir read at the Royal Academy of Sciences (Institute,) the 27th December, 1820 ; (extracted from the Journal general of medicine, May 1830) ; translated by John Baxter, M. D.

  • François, André, 1775-1840.
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Researches on the chemical and medical properties of the root of kahinca / by Messrs. Francois, Caventou & Pelletier ; a memoir read at the Royal Academy of Sciences (Institute,) the 27th December, 1820 ; (extracted from the Journal general of medicine, May 1830) ; translated by John Baxter, M. D. 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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    ON THE CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES OF THE ROOT OF KAHINCA. Since the spirit of analysis, applied to the sciences, has served as a guide to observation, Medicine, enlight- ened by pathological anatomy and chemistry, has been better able to appreciate facts, and the value of therapeu- tical means. Empiricism, fruit of experience, has become rational ; we no longer swear on the -word of the mas- ter ; we have doubted, examined ; we have chosen, we have created a method : eclectism has replaced sys- . terns, and conjectural theories have disappeared : with the habit of observing, the spirit of investigation must awake. In seeking truth, we have perceived the ne- cessity of science : and each has directed his labours ' towards the means which he had thought the most pro- per to satisfy them. Medical matter, submitted to a rigorous examination, has appeared very trifling to all good spirits, notwith- standing the immense number of substances furnished b}' the three kingdoms of nature, recognised in books, and exposed in abundance in the shops. How few me- dicines enjoy really the properties according to which they have been classed, or deserve yet to be proclaim- ed efficacious against such or such disease! Diuretics, so useful in the treatment of many heavy diseascs, are very numerous. If we consult our phar- 'w macopeias, we are embarrassed in our choice ; but in practice we soon perceive that some have no other ac- tion than that of the abundant vehicle in which it is adr ministered, nnd that others, by their action, more or less 1*