Arnold's medical companion for young men

Front matter

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ARNOLD'S

Preface

A word to the reader, before the perusal of this book. In order to have a practical knowledge of this subject, it is necessary that you study thoroughly the following pages, from the first to the last, and that you have studied already my Lectures on Anatomy, Physiology, and Hygiene. In this way, you can acquirfe a thorough knowledge of the human system in a healthy and in a diseased condition ; and how to preserve it in the former, or bring it safely out of the latter. It is not sufficient that you turn to some particular disease and read of it, in order to understand the disease in all its relations with the body ; you should study thoroughly the whole book, and then you will learn the general principles that govern the entire system, and be much better prepared to understand any particular disease. This book does not pretend to take the place of the intelligent physician in every case. The intelligent physician is necessary, in every community, to advise with in complicated cases ; cases that cannot be understood by limited experience. To an intelligent physician, the circulation of this book will be an advantage, enabling the community in which he practices, to appreciate his acquirements. To the ignorant pretender — the charlatan alone — will a dissemination of this kind of knowledge be a disadvantage. There are many simple diseases and simple diseased conditions of the body that can be understood and treated by those who are not physicians, as well as hf~ physicians themselves. In fact, these simple diseased conditions arc the commencement of a

great majority of more serious diseases, and if attended to on 15 («*)

IV PEEFACE.

the start, would generally ward them off entirely. To enable the reader to prevent disease ; when it is approaching to check it at the commencement — and to treat more serious diseases where medical aid cannot be obtained, is the object of this book.

Among the remedial means recommended, are some whose great power render it necessary that they be used with caution. Among these, are Blood-letting and the Mercurial preparations. Although invaluable in many diseased conditions of the body, if pushed too far they are capable of doing harm. It is thus with almost every valuable agent ; its power of doing good, when properly used, is in proportion to its power of doing harm, when improperly used. Where powerfully depleting remedies are recommended, particularly blood-letting, a strong plethoric habit and a violence of diseased action is presupposed. "When this is not the case; milder means should be used. General blood-letting will seldom be found absolutely necessary, if simpler means for reducing the system be properly used. As a general rule, use the mildest means possible, to correct diseased action. Never reduce the system more than is absolutely necessary, so that the period of convalescence may be as short as possible. This subject also recommends itself to the general student, as a study of Science and Art, without reference to its practical utility. No other branch of human knowledge affords so vast a field for investigation as this ; and, although much is known of it already, sufficient remains unknown to stimulate the ardent searcher after discovery.

J. L. A.

Januaby, 1856.

Contents

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SYNOPSIS OF ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, AND HYGIENE,

AND TO