An address to the graduates of the Medical Department of the St. Louis University : delivered March 1, 1853 / by M.M. Pallen.

  • Pallen, M. M. (Moses Montrose), 1810-1876.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address to the graduates of the Medical Department of the St. Louis University : delivered March 1, 1853 / by M.M. Pallen. 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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    In no branch of medicino is our power over disease more strikingly exemplified than in therapeutics, op the application of remedies to the euro of disease. Now the proof of certain rood accomplished, in the examples to which I shall refer, is not founded on mere assertion, but is of daily observation, even to the unprofessional, and rests on general observation and experience. The facl i eptible of absolute de- monstration, ami they occur so regularly and unerringly, that the most wilfully blind arc forced to admit their truth and validity. We are not the advocate of specifics in medicine, as we consider that doctrine already too rife, and likely to retard the progress of medical science. The fact that disease lias Its Datura] history, which must be studied in order that it may be successfully treated, is not sufficiently recognized and acted on. We are. however, far from denying that cer- tain remedies are especially applicable in certain diseased conditions of the economy; but that they are also beneficial under many other cir- cumstances, and in other diseases, is also true : and if, in this sense, they be called specifics, no harm or contradiction can result. Quinine, in intermittent fever, is of magical efficacy in arresting the periodicity of its paroxysms, and of cutting short the disease. Think, for a moment, of tho long train of direful and often fatal disorders, of which an uninterrupted continuance of this affection may be the foun- dation, and let any one say there is no certainty in medicine. In this malarious region, where intermittents are endemic, both the profession and the public arc aware of the fact. That now and then a particular case may resist its effects, and seem proof against its virtues, is true, but, even admitting the fact, the exception would but prove the rule. Besides if, as rarely happens, failure should occur by quinine in one form of administration, iu another it will often i , i,hPr alone or in combination with other agents, as an-enic and the like, which will effectually control the complaint. Behold the pallid, bloodless features of beautv. The , w::.,uine frame drooping under debility, becomes li,,|^ and ina< • art can mcreaae the red globules of the purple tide, imj h to the body, and comet the lily of disease int.. the ro.es of health-Mars bringing a blush to the cheek of Venus. The tact of iron being bene- ficial in amemia and chloroais, is as old as antiquity, and as certain as Im*t- ' >' there is blood letting in pneumonia, that type of a frank and genuine inflammation. Who, competent to judge, doubt, its ben- '■'i'1 *•<* The statwtic. of Louis and others, coinciding with the tZT P*^ of aU ages, have conclusively proved ,ho U,,yo1 vene?ectM*' •«>< Ml3 utigate, but in many instance, to °«rePneumoma, fed if this be true in inflammation of the lunge, wh, 1! 'assert^ oflammation in general. NowTJne ^*8 are also applicable to mercury and antimony. These metals aopos.es. an unquestmnable power in controlling inflammation where- •»*■** ''-hen wielded with prudence and skill, are capable of