Proposal for the reservation of accidental observations in medicine.

  • Beddoes, Thomas, 1760-1808.
Date:
1800
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Proposal for the reservation of accidental observations in medicine. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.

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    PROPOSAL FOE THE PRESERVATIOM OF ACCIDENTAL OBSERVATIONS IN MEDICINE. IiV tiTnca bcTx-nd fhp. reach of hiftory, the meJieinal application of fubftances could have arifetv from no other fource than accident. Among articles of the ma- terif* medica of known origin, we are indebted to acci- dent for fome of the moft precious. Accident is every day prefenting to different; individuals the fpeftacle of phaenomena, arifing from uncommon quantities of drugs on the one hand, and on the other^ from uncommon conditions of the fyftem, where ordinary powers only have been knowingly or recently applied. What is faid of drugs may be extended ta natural agents and mental affedlious. From converfation with a variety both of medkal prac- titioners and unprofeflional obfervers, the author of this propofal is perfuaded that fuch authentic oecurrencesr only, as have prefented themfelves taperfons now living would, if they couid be brought together, compofe a body of fa6t, fo inftrufitive to the philofopher, and ufeful to the phyfician, that he defpairs of finding a term worthy to charafterize it. In fome cafes, the influence of iirrrufpe6ted powers would be detefted. In others, refources available to the purpofe of reftoring health fn defperate fituations would be diredly prefented, or could be deteftcd by a fhort and eafy procefs of reafoning. Some anomalous obrervations> bjf flawing the abfence or agency of eontefted caufe9> would perform the- office of epsferijnenta crw/j—Haufual a^dftODS