Theory of medical science. The doctrine of an inherent power in medicine a fallacy

Front matter

I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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Introduction

In the preparation of this volume, I have omitted many of the theoretical details belonging to the science, with the view only of pointing out our more important fallacies, and the recovery of the fundamental principles involved in a correct theory of medical science.

It is very important that the profession should have a reliable theory by which the problems of the science can be more satisfactorily explained, affording a better guide in the details of practice ; also that the non-professional should be sufficiently acquainted with the general principles of our profession to enable them to distinguish between quackery and rational practice.

I have endeavored to illustrate the principles in the most simple, brief, and effectual manner, and where it was possible, to avoid the use of technical terms above the comprehension of the average mind, and give a vividness to the idea without pretensions to elegance or literary merit.

Part First

CHAP. PAGE

I. Science 7

II. Force and its Application 15

III. Theory op Vital Force, or Vitality ... 23

IV. The Application of the Theory of Vitality. — Dis-

ease 49

V. Materia Medica 80

Part Second

The Present State of Medical Philosophy . . . 117 The Drift of Medical Research and its Influence on

the People 126

Conclusion. — The Plan of Life 135

SYNOPSIS.

The present basis of the theory of medical science is indoctrinated from two sources or powers, which are made responsible for the activities manifested by the human organisms in health and disease, namely, the presumed latent and inherent power in materia medica and poisons, and the inherent power of the organism or vital power.

The supposed power in materia medica and poisons is an error of gigantic magnitude, which has no place in nature, and is the greatest delusion of thought ever adopted by civilized humanity.

The science of medicine is based on only one source of power, namely, the vital power ; and a correct theory of vitality demonstrates the ideal delusion which has invested materia medica and poisons with active principles or inherent powers.

The relation of materia medica and poisons to the human organism not one of power, but one of cause.

Causes may be derived from various sources, but organic activities in health and disease receive their momentum from vital power.

A REVOLUTION IN MEDICAL PHILOSOPHY IS INEVITABLE.

No change suggested in the practice of our science, but a different explanation demanded.

The incorporated errors in the presumed first principles have proved very disastrous to the non-professional as well as the profession, and given improper direction to thought, thus abridging the utility to be derived from a correct knowledge of the science.

PART FIEST.

CHAPTER L

SCIENCE.

A science is not alone the assemblage of facts in nature : but includes a knowledge of the laws, which explain those facts in a rational manner. Facts are merely the elements of a science ; but until those facts have been sifted and compared, and general principles or laws deduced therefrom, which correctly account for the successive order of incidents, we have no science.

The theory of a science consists in the explanation of those laws, on which facts are dependent ; thus a science embraces not only facts, but the philosophy of how, and why they occur.

The three great natural sciences, namely, Astronomy, Chemistry, and Medicine, constitute the more primary and important branches which have engaged the attention of philosophers ; to elucidate for practical purposes the laws which .govern each department. Astronomy and chemistry, after struggling through a long period of discordant philosophies, finally triumphed by the recovery of those principles or laws which afford a correct explanation of the facts in their respective departments ; and are consequently called the positive sciences.

To enumerate the various theories which have been put forward, to explain the phenomena of astronomical facts, and their strong hold on the belief of the people, which have now passed into oblivion — or the various doctrines of Alchemy, out of which chemistry became developed to a science — would avail nothing except to illustrate how ardently the people have grasped those errors, and sought their perpetuation ; also their great reluctance to yield them up and give place to principles which now guide all students of those departments, through similar channels of thought.

The doctrines to-day of the sciences of astronomy and chemistry are based on a correct recognition of the law ; consequently there is but one school of philosophy which indoctrinates theories, in explanation of the general facts involved in those sciences, and we are thus persuaded to admit, that a science whose primary principles are correctly interpreted, furnishes but one system or school of philosophy.

So long as the facts of a science are not explainable on recognized primary principles, which are both probable and incontrovertible, there will be a variety of schools each laboring to gain numerous converts to their particular belief. We may thus with propriety, in view of our present condition, ask if the medical doctrines of the various schools are entitled to be classified as correct principles of a science ? It is generally conceded that the science of medicine is already established. We certainly have a large assemblage of positive facts, but not,

SCIENCE. 9

however, until those facts can be explained on one set of principles, can we claim to be indoctrinating the principles or correct theory of science.

A careful survey of the various theories and systems of medical practice which contribute to make up the professions of the age, each earnestly advocated with a zeal untiring and worthy of all praise, contrasts most strangely with the idea that our Creator provided but one code of laws, which govern health and account for the phenomena of disease. Also, that He provided but one code which is involved in a correct explanation of vital force, and the re]ation of materia medica to the human system.

Some of the errors of our theories to-day may be difficult and slow to reason into oblivion, notwithstanding they have no true ideal in nature ; but are entailed upon our belief, with such an honesty of purpose, that to oppose, seems like offending proprieties. Thus for a long time, generations have come into the world philosophically weighted with a destiny against which they have had no power to contend.

With this realizing sense of our situation it is not difficult, however, to reason up to a point of agreement with those of our school, that the others are very much in the wrong ; but each school of theory is inclined to refuse to be reasoned against ; and the different schools of medicine have each settled down into a state of self- consciousness that they are the wise ones, the true disciples of nature.

" It is not difficult to satisfy intelligent men that there is a design in nature ; but the problem consists in becoming able to recognize what that design is."

With the numerous dissimilar theories and systems on

10 THEORY OF MEDldAL SCIENCE.

one side, and the belief that there was a design on the other, the inference certainly follows that there is an error in some school of philosophy ; that there must be incorporated into the doctrines of science principles which are erroneous ; yet to multitudes of earnest and intelligent people, each school has much the appearance of truth. Each school denies harboring the monster Error, but they can see the form, wandering through the halls of rival institutions.

If there is any science in our profession, the legitimate duty of inquiry and research consists in recovering the original ideas, and pursuing them correctly through their various intricate windings, enabling us to recognize the primary principles with a correctness so self-evident, that all who study the science unavoidably arrive at the same conclusion. The present idea on the part of the different schools is, in substance, that they are in possession of nearly all the great fundamental principles of the science ; out of which they have constructed numerous theories for the elucidation of the facts, and that the admitted problems, yet unsolved, are not enigmas through any mistake which has been already made, but are such in consequence of some unrecognized principle, which is desirable to discover and add to our present basis for theoretical use. I shall, however, claim the reverse, that those enigmas have an existence in consequence of an error, which we have already perpetrated, in the recognition of principles.

The classification of the principles of a science are not of human contrivance, but are the recovery of those ideas that were in the Creative mind. And to better

SCIENCE. 11

illustrate our situation by analogy, I will refer to the science of astronomy. During the early study of this science mankind reasoned from appearances, and the sun was supposed to revolve around our earth ; theories were constructed to account for the position of planets by cycles and epicycles, until it required five circular motions to explain the irregularities of a single planet. Theorizing from this basis, complexities multiplied until the celebrated King Alphonso remarked that "if he had been consulted at the creation he could have done the thing better."

It is generally admitted that the following rule holds good under all circumstances : That when pursuing the study of a science and a principle is recognized, out of which there is to be developed the details of a science, should that principle be erroneous, the further it is pursued the greater the complexities, which require multiplied inventions to overcome; and thus discordant and contradictory theories will sooner or later make philosophers exclaim like Alphonso. Reversely, if a true principle is recognized, the further the subject is pursued, the more we admire the harmony and see the wisdom of the Creative mind. We readily understand that the scienco of astronomy, studied from its early recognized basis, was no science ; the facts were established, but the principle or theory was erroneous. Therefore, the phenomena remained a mystery, because the people were in possession of no law by which to explain them.

Eventually the mind became more comprehensive, and it was necessary to surrender those early views or interpretations ; but it was very humiliating to philosophic pride to thus yield that position, even untenable as it now appears ; and history informs us that attempts to make this change were received with much reluctance ; which illustrates not only the tenacity, but the almost utter impossibility for mankind to comprehend principles in opposition to long continued customs.

When they changed their base and pursued the investigation with the idea that the sun was the central body, and recognizing the law or force of gravitation as the immediate controlling force, mankind recovered those primitive ideas of the design, and thus developed correctly the details of a science out of which is now a harmonious whole, embodying principles which are unfolded alike to all intelligent humanity.

How is it with medical science ? Are we entangled, like ancient astronomers, with erroneous first principles? Have we interpreted a principle out of which we are endeavoring to develop the details of a science, and have yet to learn that it is false ? Must we surrender some of those principles which have ever been the base of our medical philosophy ? These are questions for our consideration.

Are we, in this age of wisdom, — an age endowed with more intelligence than we have reason to believe ever existed in the human family previous to our time, — the victims of antiquated errors, errors which have been transmitted by those who have ever been the shining lights, to guide us from time immemorial to the present era ? Such are the thoughts to be presented in the following pages.

Are you ready to consider it ? Are you a devout and

SCIENCE. 13

sincere disciple of Science, willing to surrender those conventional principles which contribute to the present pomp and pride of medical lore, and accept a new basis for Science' sake ? Remember that mankind, the most exalted production of God's creative power, must necessarily be enveloped with the surrounding of laws more intricate and difficult to interpret, than relate to those inanimate orbs of the solar system ; yet contemporaneous with that period when man contemplated the wonders of the universe and sought to recover the primitive idea, out of which to develop the sciences — at the very period when his imagination interpreted the earth as the centre of the solar system, his imagination also established a principle to explain the facts of medical science.

At this time, reasoning from appearances only, man established primary principles for both sciences. The one relating to astronomy was very insignificant compared with the other, yet it deluded the mind of man for centuries ; but was finally proved to be false. The other, relating to medical science, has continued to be transmitted to our generation, and it is my purpose to convince the reader that that principle is also false. Reasoning by analogy : if at that time the brain power was not sufficient to cope with the lesser problem, an opinion from the same source relating to a more profound one should be received under protest.

The imaginative principle to which I refer, anciently established, which is indoctrinated by our schools to-day, is that which endows materia medica and poisons with inherent potvers that can act on the human organism.

I now assert that this accepted principle is a fallacy ;

and I shall establish incontrovertible premises in support of this assertion in the following pages. The immutability of God's plan when revealed to us, constitutes the principle of a science ; and is not in harmony with that fixedness of purpose when it interprets the activity manifested in living tissue, as being dependent on powers, endowed both to organic and inorganic matter ; such interpretation would not be in harmony with the doctrine of Special Laws, and would invalidate the claim which provides for the existence of a science ; which implies that each department in nature is fulfilled by an activity ordained in a special law of force.

Chapter II. Fokce And Its Application

The term force is employed to designate a power which moves matter and produces change. Matter and force are inseparable ; thus we know nothing of force, except through matter. Our solar system has, inherent to its various orbs, a force or power which keeps them in constant motion ; we know nothing of the power isolated from the material ; yet through the material, we become aware not only of its existence, but acquire a knowledge of its laws ; and can predict the time at which certain astronomical events will take place. We call this force the power of gravitation — this force keeps in motion our planetary system, with an unerring certainty, acting on all bodies, at all distances ; and a knowledge of this law enables this department to become one of the positive sciences. All matter is susceptible to the force of gravitation ; and various divisions and subdivisions of matter are susceptible to other superadded special forces. Chemical force is like the force of gravitation in one respect ; that is, it acts on all matter, but unlike it in another respect, it acts only at insensible distances, while gravitation acts at all distances. Chemical force acts to produce those changes of matter, which enter into combinations, thus producing a substance unlike either of the separate elements which form the compound.

Water is a compound body composed of oxygen and hydrogen, whose separate elements in their ultimate state are gases ; chemical force is expressed oftentimes as the law of affinity ; that is, certain elements are said to have an affinity for each other, when they enter into combination. Among the sub-forces involved in chemical operations, may be mentioned cohesive force, which holds particles of the same kind together, as lead, silver, and gold. Heat force separates these particles ; thus antagonizing the force of cohesion. The whole material universe, mineral, vegetable, and animal, when reduced to an ultimate analysis, consists of only about sixty-five elements, or different kinds of matter. And the different ways which this matter is combined by the various forces, gives variety to the mineral, vegetable, and animal world.

These sixty-five elements which comprise all this material world, are divided into two grand divisions, for purposes of study ; the line of separation is made by a limited ability of certain forces. Thus chemical force acts on all these elements to form chemical compounds ; while organic forces act on only about sixteen of the elements to form organic compounds or bodies. Thus, all those elements which are used by the organic forces, vegetable and animal, are called organic elements ; and those which the organic forces will not use, are called inorganic elements. Thus we study the material as related to the organic and inorganic forces. Chemical force is an inorganic force ; the products not being possessed of life. Organic forces are again sub-divided into two grand di-

FORCE AND ITS APPLICATION. 17

visions, namely, vegetable forces, and animal forces, each of which has a great variety of special sub-divisions manifested in the different species of vegetable and animal life.

Vegetable forces organize material, and form certain bodies ; and chemical force disorganizes that material, and takes the body to pieces. Thus, chemical force antagonizes vegetable force ; one builds organisms, and the other destroys them. Also animal forces build organisms, and chemical force tears them asunder; thus chemical force takes both vegetable and animal organisms back to their elementary condition. Another distinction in regard to the organic forces, consists in the different abilities of the vegetable force and animal force, in the obtaining of material for their separate organizations.

Vegetable force has the ability to take the elements, and chemical compounds, to form organisms, and draw its support from this source only.

Animal force cannot take the elements, or chemical compounds, and appropriate and assimilate them as constituents of an animal organism, but all animal bodies have to obtain their support from the vegetable organisms.

All animal life, from the lowest to the highest, draws its nourishment, directly or indirectly, from vegetable products ; thus the vegetable is a development between the mineral and animal.

No animal organism can assimilate any material as nutriment, except it has been previously subjected to the changes wrought by vegetable force ; one animal, like the carnivorous or the fishes of the sea, may eat and assimilate the material of another animal ; but this same material has at some previous period been subjected to the forces of vegetation, and been thus previously organized. This law holds good in every instance ; consequently chemical compounds prepared by nature or by art are never within the reach of vital powers, and cannot be digested or assimilated by animal forces.

It is well to remember this distinction, for there are certain medical theories in regard to iron and other elements which, chemically prepared, are urged upon the belief of the public as chemical food ; the error of these theories is apparent, when we consider that the foregoing laws are never suspended.

Water, a chemical compound, forms a constituent part of the animal organism; but it is not digested or assimilated, as we understand the term. It remains water, and is unchanged, becoming the vehicle by which nutrient material is conveyed to the blood, and through the blood to all parts of the system ; also the only vehicle through which waste or effete matter is conveyed from all parts of the system to the excretory organs for removal.

Atmospheric air, containing oxygen in its elementary state, fulfills an important duty in the animal organism ; but it is not assimilated like the constituent oxygen of a vegetable product, but fulfills a chemical relation, favoring elimination and regulating temperature ; thus respiration employs physical principles for physiological purposes.

The relation of chemical force to the formation of animal organisms, consists in inducing changes in matter, within the organism, which more readily renders the waste material susceptible of elimination. When vitalized matter has fulfilled its usefulness to the organism, and

FORCE AND ITS APPLICATION. 19

vital force has ceased to use it, chemical force may induce changes which favor its escape. Also, chemical force may induce changes within the body, forming products which are the cause of disease ; and again the causes of disease may be rendered less obnoxious by chemical change and more easily eliminated.

Chemical force will develop heat, also animal force will develop heat, and just what proportion of animal heat is due to chemical force, may be difficult to determine.

All vegetative products are not food for the human species, but it is very probable that each individual vegetation may produce a product, susceptible of becoming assimilated by the organism of some animal species.

Those vegetable products we recognize as food when deprived of their own vital functions may become constituents of a higher organization, that is, constituents of animal organisms ; but cannot become food for other plants without being subjected to the retrogade changes induced by chemical force.

The animal organism, after being deprived of life, can be transformed into other animal organisms, but cannot be transformed into a vegetable organism, without first being returned by chemical agency to the elementary state.

When thus returned, vegetable force reconstructs the same materials ; but its own protoplasm cannot be transformed from vegetable to vegetable. Vegetable protoplasm can be transformed to animal protoplasm, and when thus organized, animal protoplasm can be transformed to other animal protoplasm, indefinitely.

The inference might be that the further we continued the transfer of animal protoplasm, the less enduring would be animal life thus nourished.

Protoplasm signifies matter endowed with life so organized that it performs organic function ; the same matter deprived of life but not disorganized is also a protoplasm until it has undergone decomposition. Animal organisms cannot make protoplasm from ultimate elements, but must take them from plants or some other animal. Therefore, for the origin of protoplasm, we must depend on the vegetable world: plants are the accumulators and animals the distributors.

These conditions of transfers, seem to be one way designed for the preservation of human life ; even if it is not the best way, it would be preferable under certain circumstances, and illustrates the admirable wisdom of our Creator, by affording means for preserving and prolonging our existence. The idea is a grand one. The vegetable is not functionally self supporting, but self producing; while animal organisms are both self supporting and self producing. Man may transfer the vegetable protoplasm into his own organization, or certain herbivorous animals may transfer a vegetable protoplasm from those kinds of vegetation which man cannot transfer, and this protoplasm can be transferred for our use ; also the herbivorous animal may be eaten by another animal, and this one by another, and so continue ; and man at any period of these transfers can appropriate the protoplasm for his own support, thus affording testimony that even our worldly life is cared for in a manner unlike any other species.

FORCE AND ITS APPLICATION. 21

There is something beautiful in the association of thought, that the force of gravitation prepares the way for chemical force, chemical force prepares the way for vegetable force, and vegetable force prepares the way for animal force, and animal force prepares the way for a higher order of force called human or brain force, possessed of mental faculties which enable us to look back upon the succession of changes upon which humanity is dependent, and take into comprehension a similitude of thought, and recover the original idea of design.

It is maintained by some scientists that force is a unit variously manifested. Now, even admitting that to be so, it is not within our limits to recognize it as such ; we can only become familiar with its expression and laws as manifested in the several departments of science- There is a law and order to each special department, and when we understand what that law and order is, we have fulfilled the very extent of our research in that particular direction.

During the early study of science, more importance was attached to the peculiarities of physical phenomena, than the inquiry into the basis or law of force on which the phenomena was dependent. The theory of an unseen force has been considered as tending more to make a visionary student than a practical man, consequently the theory of the law of force has always advanced in the background. It is only after a long period of philosophical grievance that theory becomes capable of maintaining a dignity which courts respect and which establishes permanent modes of thinking.

The rational explanation of all phenomena implies the necessity of a theory of force. A theory may have a superstructure built on imagination alone, or it may have material facts for an attainable opinion, surrounded by firm frontiers of reason and cooperative judgment ; and such a one affords a mighty instrument for defining ideas into practical shape.

All science is based on some power or force which is responsible by its laws for the course events take ; and it becomes important to inquire where that power or force resides which is involved in the science of medicine, and what are its laws and in what it is inherent.

Chapter III. Theory Of Vital Force Or Vitality

Organic forces, both vegetable and animal, are called vital forces ; and the vital force or vitality is the sum of the energies of a living body. It is that principle or power which establishes our individuality, and is a distinct force -that converts certain material into vitalized or living tissues executing those duties called physiological functions, and is also endowed with a linx ability of self-preservation.

We are not to consider this power as an entiti^6r such is beyond the limit of mental research ; butWcertairi how this power expresses itself in our organism or individuality ; that is, learn whether it manifests itself merely by one peculiar property, or several distinct properties.

The force of gravitation has but one property or way of manifesting itself, which is the tendency to draw all bodies to one common centre. Each planetary body having this power, enables the different orbs to overcome opposing attractions, and maintain their relative position and path through the immensity of space.

The human organism is a more complex body, and is endowed not only with the distinct force, vitality ; but this force has distinct properties, or ways of manifesting itself, and what each of those ultimate properties fulfill, as an expression of vital power, becomes the extreme limit of our research. We cannot go behind that law of manifestation and comprehend anything more remote. In order to take our position in the scale of development it becomes important to notice that stones grow ; plants grow and live ; animals grow, live, and have motion, sensation, and sensibility.

The peculiar, distinct, ultimate vital properties, which in the aggregate include all there is of vital force, are made apparent to our senses through the three properties

of CONTRACTILITY, SENSATION, and SENSIBILITY.

Those three vital properties, or distinct ways of manifesting life force, are all there is involved in our individ-

alization, and relate us to ourselves and the external

TLrld.

iLvery motion, function, or action manifested in the human system which is an evidence of life, is dependent on one or more of these three vital properties. We cannot go behind them more remotely, but can advance from this basis and recognize complexities of organic function and action. Therefore, in order to acquire a correct theory of vitality or knowledge of the laws through which this force is manifested, it is important to recognize all that each one of these vital properties can do, as an expression of that principle we call vitality.

Contractility is that vital property which executes motion or movement ; it alone executes every action we call a motion, through a certain class of nerves, and this class of nerves never do anything but this one function, and are called the nerves of motion.

yyia mi

The elevation of the papillae of the skin, which are called " goose pimples," and the contraction of muscular fibres in all parts of the body, the executing of the heart's movements, the motions in respiration, are each a manifestation of this principle.

Contractility is manifested only by muscular fibre ; and two unlike and distinct sources generate a power which gives momentum or activity to this property, and occasions it to execute motion ; namely, instinct, and intellect or will.

The motions of organic life, such as the heart's action and respiration, and all those functions pertaining to organic development, are presided over by an instinct which is generated in the ganglionic centres. Voluntary motions are presided over by the will which is generated by the brain.

The instinct may generate a power, and give momentum to convulsive actions in those muscles usually under the control of the will. And again, certain muscles which are not under the control of the will, like the muscles of the heart, may have their rhythmical action suspended by a spasmodic action, and death ensue ; thus illustrating that action, authorized by the instinct, is not always rhythmical and innocent.

How instinct or will is generated, is beyond our limit of research ; the fact alone that it is generated and the laws by which it is manifested, includes all that is possible for us to know.

Instinct and will, both authorize activities through that vital property, contractility ; thus the ganglionic centres and the brain, have the ability to give direction to motion,