THE STUDY OF MEDICINE. BY JOHN MASON GOOD, M.D. F. R. S. F.R. S. L. MEM. AM. PHIL. SOC. AND F.L. S. OF PHILADELPHIA. CONTAINING ALL THE AUTHOR'S FINAL CORRECTIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS. Third Edition, WITH MUCH ADDITIONAL MODERN INFORMATION ON PHYSIOLOGY, PRACTICE, PATHOLOGY, AND THE NATURE OF DISEASES IN GENERAL. BY SAMUEL COOPER, SURGEON TO THE KING'S BENCH AND FLEET PRISONS; SURGEON TO THE FORCES; AUTHOR OF THE DICTIONARY OF PRACTICAL SURGERY; HONORARY FELLOW OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES AT CATANIA; &c. &c. IN FIVE VOLUMES. VOL. IV. LONDON: THOMAS AND GEORGE UNDERWOOD, FLEET-STREET. 1829 CLASS IV. PHYSIOLOGICAL PROEM. nervous visible THE numerous and complicated train of diseases, we are CLass IV. now entering upon, appertains to the highest function of visible beings; the possession of which emphatically di- function the stinguishes animals from plants, and the perfection of which highest of as emphatically distinguishes man from all other animals: beings: these are the diseases of the NERVOUS FUNCTION;which, in the sphere of its activity, embraces the powers embracing of intellect, sensation, and muscular motion. Each of of intellect, the powers these powers evinces diseases of its own, and will con- sensation, sequently lay a foundation for a distinct order, under the lar motion. class before us. While, as there are also other diseases that affect several of them simultaneously, we become furnished with a fourth order, which will complete the series. and muscu All these diversities of vital energy are now well known All dependto be dependent on the organ of the brain*, as the instru • Perhaps, instead of the expression "organ of the brain," it would be more.. correct to say "nervous system;" for it is not every animal that has a brain, and certain functions of the nerves, even in the human subject, seem to be independent of this organ. "A nervous system appears essentially composed of two parts; of a central organ, consisting of two chords; one corresponding with either half of the body, upon which nodular masses are generally placed; and secondly, of other chords called nerves, derived from the central organ-to the VOL. IV. B ent on the the brain: |