Physical observations, and medical tracts and researches, on the topography and diseases of Louisiana / by Jabez W. Heustis.

  • Heustis, Jabez Wiggins, 1784-1841.
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physical observations, and medical tracts and researches, on the topography and diseases of Louisiana / by Jabez W. Heustis. 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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    The substance of the following observations was drawn up during my residence in Louisiana, amidst the professional avo- cations of a military life. Having a field for research, and medical information, I did not suffer the opportunity to escape/ without improvement. I saw the complicated character of dis- eases, considered their origin, and marked their progress. I committed my observations to paper; and what I saw and observed, I endeavoured to understand. The more I saw, the more was I convinced of the natural affinity and close analogy of the various modifications of those diseases which fell under my observation. From researches into their causes, and attention to their phenomena, I endeavoured to ascertain their nature. Experience, reading, and reflection at length afforded a satis- factory clue to my inquiries, and enabled me to trace the simple operation of nature in bringing about the complicated appear- ances of effects. The pestilential scurvy of Terre-aux-Bceufs, the destructive ravages of which are without a parallel in the military annals of our country, particularly engaged my attention. That I might understand its character, I inquired into the nature of scorbutic diseases, which is the first disorder to which the reader's atten- tion will be directed. I have chosen scurvy as the first object of consideration on the subject of diseases, because, in my opinion, it is of pri- mary importance, on account of the mortality which it fre- quently occasions; and, also, from the relation which it has to other diseases. It has frequently committed the most destruc- tive ravages in the army and navy; and even towns, villages, and countries have witnessed its desolating progress. The other diseases of the climate are considered in their proper places, and with as much detail as the prescribed limits of the present performance will admit. In the prosecution I have endeavoured to arrive at practical conclusions by an inquiry into the nature of those morbid phenomena. By an intimate acquaintance with the immedi- ate causes of diseases, we are furnished with the necessary in- dications for their cure. The illustrious Sydenham has ob- served, that, possessing this knowledge, and a correct history of a disease, he was never at a loss to prescribe a suitable re- medy for it; and that he always proceeded with caution, until these circumstances were ascertained. In forming conclusions reasoning becomes necessary, without which memory is soon fatigued, from its constant uniformity of action. Memory itself is unfaithful, and by trusting to it, we shall frequently render ourselves the subjects of disappointment. Reason forms her system, makes her principles the rule of conduct,