Materials for an alphabet to the science of medicine : embracing an enquiry into the nature of the mind and passions : addressed to the Medical Society of Philadelphia / by James Pendleton Jun.

  • Pendleton, James.
Date:
1804
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Materials for an alphabet to the science of medicine : embracing an enquiry into the nature of the mind and passions : addressed to the Medical Society of Philadelphia / by James Pendleton Jun. 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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    It must be admitted that theories in all ages of the world have been more frequently received from the warp of authority,than from a conviction of their propriety. This truth, so fatal to the pro- gression of science, induced the immortal Cullen to say ; that he wished the doctrines of great men could be delivered by persons low in authority ; by which the free enquiry of others would be exci- ted, and all errors thereby detected. The senti- ments that I shall oppose may be chiefly found in the medical elements of Dr. Brown; whose infor- mation and inventive genius are as highly appre- ciated by me, as by any person ; but doubtless no one ought to surrender his judgment to any mere authority, however respectable; if so, but few pub- lications would appear; and as the accurate St. Pierre observes, a child raised on the shoulders of an adult, may command a more extensive view than the person who supported him. I will now proceed to the points in view, and having no other object than truth, shall avoid the unnecessary and misleading complexity of Darwin, in modifying the erroneous compression of Dr. Brown. I shall first endeavour to prove that excitability is a compound of matter and quality, or of animal and mechanical power : Secondly, that debility is only a predisposing cause to disorder; and shew wherein the indentity of direct and indirect debi- lity consists : then conclude with an inquiry into the materiality of the mind and passions.