THE PRINCIPLES OF MEDICINE.
The Principles of Medicine, as taught in this school, comprise
General Pathology, and a brief view of General Therapeutics;
also Etiology, Nosology, Semeiology, Diagnosis, and Prognosis.
The nature and division of causes are first considered, which introduces
the student to their effects—disease. Pathology proper
is next considered under the two forms, Functional and Structural
diseases. Functional diseases, being composed of elements, ultimate
and proximate, are analyzed into their constituent parts, and
the elements considered separately before they are contemplated
in combination. Structural diseases, being rarely confined to one
anatomical element, cannot be strictly distinguished into ultimate
and proximate elements, and are therefore arranged under the
three heads: increased, diminished, and perverted nutrition. After
the student thoroughly understands the nature of the causes of
diseases, their divisions, modes of operation; and the resulting
effects upon function and structure in the ultimate and proximate
elements of disease, a general view is given of the influences that
can be brought to remove or counteract their elements. And the
course on the Principles is then concluded by the consideration of
nosology, semeiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and the different modes
of death. Text-Books—Wood's General Pathology, and General
Therapeutics.
