Hints respecting the improvement of the literary & scientific education of candidates for the degree of doctor of medicine in the University of Edinburgh : humbly submitted to the consideration of the patrons and professors of that institution / by a graduate of King's College, Aberdeen [i.e. John Thomson].

  • Thomson, John, 1765-1846.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints respecting the improvement of the literary & scientific education of candidates for the degree of doctor of medicine in the University of Edinburgh : humbly submitted to the consideration of the patrons and professors of that institution / by a graduate of King's College, Aberdeen [i.e. John Thomson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    without a previous knowledge of the principles o£ Hyd¬ raulics. In the same way, the eye appears to be a most ad¬ mirable optic machine; and the phenomena of vision are found to be inexplicable, without a knowledgeof the prin¬ ciples of Optics. As the human body is surrounded with a heavy, elastic fluid, the Atmosphere, subject to various changes in respect of gravity, heat, moisture and other qualities, which greatly influence the human constitution, it is proper to be acquainted with the nature and properties of this Fluid, which requires a knowledge of the sciences of Pneumatics and Meteorology. It were easy to adduce,” adds this elegant writer, “ were it required, many more examples to show how absolutely necessary a knowledge of the various branches of Natural Philosophy is to the right understanding of the animal economy, both in its sound and morbid states.”* If these opinions of Dr Gregory are admitted to be just, it seems difficult to conceive why the study of Natural Philosophy should not be considered as equally indispensable to a Medical Education 'with that of Chemistry. But besides the possession of a certain degree of knowledge of the Anatomical structure and Chemical composition of the human body,—of the uses of its dif¬ ferent parts, and of the various organic functions which these parts perform—there is required also, on the part of the student and practitioner of medicine, an acquain¬ tance with the Sensorial, Intellectual and Moral faculties with which man is endowed,—with the reciprocal influ¬ ences of his corporeal and mental faculties upon one * On the Duties and Qualifications of a Physician, p. 84. Edinb. 1738.