Physiological classification of the materia medica / [Andrew Duncan].

  • Duncan, Andrew, Jun., 1773-1832
Date:
[after 1829]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physiological classification of the materia medica / [Andrew Duncan]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PHYSIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION * OF THE MATERIA MEDICA, BY Dr DUNCAN junior. External Agents act, I. By nourishing the Body, . ALIMENT A. a. Drink.Potus. When they act medicinally, . . • Diluentia. b. Food.Cibi. When they act medicinally, . • . Demulcentia. * By the expression Physiological Classification is here meant an arrange¬ ment of substances according to the effects which they produce upon the body in a state of health, in contradistinction to their therapeutical effects, which depend on the presence of certain diseases. The physiological effect is constant both in health and disease; but the therapeutical effects are various according to the nature of the disease present. Thus, Cinchona is febrifuge if it stop an ague— antiseptic if it check gangrene—antispasmodic if it cure hysteria—anthelmintic if it expel worms. To a physiological classification of the Materia Medica au¬ thors have been gradually approaching ; but a few therapeutical orders are still retained, as antispasmodics, lithontriptics, anthelmintics, antiseptics, &c.; while others have 'admitted too much of hypothesis into their principle of classifica¬ tion. I have attempted to avoid therapeutical distinctions entirely, and to derive the characters of the orders from the obvious and recognized elfects of medicinal agents. A