A general system of toxicology, or, a treatise on poisons, found in the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, considered in their relations with physiology, pathology, and medical jurisprudence / abridged and partly translated from the French of M.P. Orfila, M.D.P. by Joseph G. Nancrede.

  • Orfila, Matthieu Joseph Bonaventure, 1787-1853.
Date:
Dec. 1, 1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A general system of toxicology, or, a treatise on poisons, found in the mineral, vegetable, and animal kingdoms, considered in their relations with physiology, pathology, and medical jurisprudence / abridged and partly translated from the French of M.P. Orfila, M.D.P. by Joseph G. Nancrede. 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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    stitutions. In this country, where the preference and appro- bation of an enlightened people, ultimately are bestowed on men of solid talents, uninfluenced by the caprice of family, rank, or parentage, I can have no dread that the liberty I use in throwing out these reflections, for public considera- tion, will subject me to the charge of presumption. Were I influenced by such an apprehension, I would plead the interest excited by the work of Dr. Orfila with the pro- fessors of the University of Pennsylvania, and shield my- self under the recommendation of the gentleman, who so ably and so usefully fills the practical chair, at whose in- stance this treatise was prepared. This egis is sufficient to protect me, and his countenance is all that is required, to introduce this volume to the serious perusal of every mem- ber of our profession. Undoubtedly the publication and dissemination of this treatise on poisons may, in a great measure, serve to lessen the evils we have noticed, and obviate the necessity for provision being made in the University for such a course of instruction. Physicians already established will profit by its stock of information; and probably add to it by a prosecution of the experiments it details. But this will be only negative good. Demonstration and experiments being necessary to students in medicine, who, while prosecuting their studies, cannot add information to precept, it is be- lieved they have a deep interest in the establishment of a department, in which they may be taught, by demonstra- tion and experiments, the pathology and treatment of cases proceeding from poison. Have they not a right to expect as great facilities of instruction in these cases, as in any other of equal importance in medical science ? nay more, from the greater difficulty of obtaining it, in the sphere of practice to which they return ? They leave their homes