XVI INTRODUCTION. 



of my NEW SYSTEM of PHYSIOWDGY,* which 



was published in the year 1798. 







* This work was first written with a view of exposing the folly 

 and errors of the Brunonian doctrine, which was, at that time, 

 in this country, as it still continues to be over different parts of 

 the continent, in general estimation. It is not likely that 

 any system of physiology, which took for its principle the 

 power of life, and the aptitude of matter which traced the 

 phenomena of vitality from organisation to action, and in- 

 vestigated the particular organs, as the instruments by which 

 ends were obtained, would be very well received by those who 

 begin with death, and who end with life. Notwithstanding the 

 new opinions which it proclaimed, it was generally well spoken 

 of; and by the Medical and Chirurgical Review in particular, 

 it was observed, " that in the execution of the extensive work 

 before us, Mr. SAUMAREZ is, in many parts, original ; it is, 

 however, but justice to add, that a passion for novelty does 

 not appear to have led him to a hasty adoption of opinions on 

 slight or trivial grounds. His arguments are, in general, 

 well supported, arid his conclusions cautiously deduced. As 

 a whole, it certainly bespeaks the industry and genius of a 

 writer who dares to think for himself, unfettered by prejudice 

 and authority, &c." Again, " we are not sorry to see the 

 errors of the Brunonian system thus combated by an able 

 champion ; it happens with this theory, more than with any 

 former one, that its errors are not merely speculative, but 

 lead to the greatest possible mistakes. Indeed it would be 

 no easy matter to calculate the mischief which it has occa- 

 sioned in the hands of young and inexperienced practitioners ; 

 but when we find, from Dr. BEDDOES himself, the trans- 

 lator, its ascendency over men's minds, in different parts of 

 Europe ; and that in the celebrated University of Pavia, there 

 is hardly a student endowed with talents, who is not a Bruno- 

 nian, it is surely high time to examine its principles and refute 

 its errors, &c. &c. 



