8 METHODOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION. 



phrases and modes of representation, without seizing the spirit of 

 these sciences, or even comprehending their methods of operation. 

 Hence there has emanated from this school, notwithstanding the 

 positive observations on which it is based, a multitude of the most 

 unsubstantial medical fictions which, for shallowness, yield to none 

 of the earlier schools. Pathological views in reference to the 

 nervous system (Nervenpathologie) have been elevated to the 

 prejudice of physical views (Nervenphysik) ; for here, in conse- 

 quence of ordinary anatomy being inadequate to explain patholo- 

 gical changes, ideas, or rather mere words, have been unscrupulously 

 borrowed from organic chemistry (by those who were perfectly 

 ignorant of this science) to explain the most complicated processes, 

 of which scarcely anything was known but the final results. 

 Some adherents of the pathologico-anatomical school have pre- 

 sented us with a theory of the erases of the blood in different dis- 

 eases, although this is a view in which no chemist could at present 

 seriously concur. This theory of erases has been so thoroughly 

 investigated by physiologists in recent times, and its want of 

 foundation made so evident, that we need advert no further to it 

 than to observe that where admixtures and separations are con- 

 cerned, the chemist is the only competent guide. 



A third circumstance which has led to misconceptions in 

 physiological chemistry depends upon an over-estimate of the value 

 of chemical auxiliaries, and a complete ignorance of the present 

 condition of organic chemistry. Have the numerous analyses of 

 morbid blood instituted during the last few years fulfilled the expec- 

 tations of physicians ? With all due gratitude to the indefatigable 

 investigators who, with no other aid than that which zoo-chemistry 

 could offer, boldly attempted to throw light on those obscure enqui- 

 ries, it must be admitted that, when we seriously enquire into the 

 recompense of all their labours and sacrifices, we find that the result, 

 although too dearly bought, was altogether inadequate to satisfy 

 the requirements of pathology. Have the numerous analyses of 

 the urine led to much more than the assumption of several new 

 species of disease, or so-called diatheses ? Although we might 

 have anticipated greater results, we can hardly wonder that the 

 efforts hitherto made should either wholly or partially have 

 deceived our expectations ; for although these investigations may 

 have rendered chemistry no unworthy auxiliary to a physical 

 diagnosis, analyses of morbid products could hardly afford an 

 insight into the chemical laboratory of the organism, while the 

 means were wanting to prosecute them with the scientific accuracy 



