On human longevity and the amount of life upon the globe / by P. Flourens ; translated from the French second edition, by Charles Martel.

  • Flourens, P. (Pierre), 1794-1867.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On human longevity and the amount of life upon the globe / by P. Flourens ; translated from the French second edition, by Charles Martel. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    to the old men at the Salpetriere, when he made a general rule not to bleed; and Broussais, the daring innovator of our age, was physician to young and vigorous soldiers, at the Val-de- Grace, when he made a general rule always to bleed. “ We must never forget to insist,” says M. Reveille-Parise, “upon this fundamental prin- ciple, that the unknown force of life, vis abdita qutsdam, diminishes more and more with the progress of age.” “ One physician loses fewer patients than another, because he profoundly understands the senile constitution as a whole, and in its indi- vidual modifications. “ Some physicians,” he very sensibly adds, “ occupy themselves exclusively with the diseases of children; why should not others also devote themselves to those of old age ? Have not the latter a peculiar character, which also requires special modification of treatment, and a particular kind of experience ?” “ We live on our forces,” said Galen.* “ As long as our forces are sound, we can resist * Ex viribus vivimus. “Method. medend.,” lib. xi. p. 59. (Yenetiis, apud Juntas, 1597.)