4 METHODS OF ELUCIDATING DISEASE. 



Althongli in the prosecution of the study of special pathologj- 

 in any department, it is quite possible, without much special 

 theoretical knowledge, to attain a creditable amount of infor- 

 mation and manipulatory dexterity, it is yet certain that this 

 theoretical knowledge renders the attainment, when opportu- 

 nity offers, of sound practical information much easier, and 

 clears the way of many difficulties for the student's advance- 

 ment. 



Still it must never be forgotten that the practice of medicine, 

 human or veterinary, can only be leamt by actual contact with, 

 and personal examination of, the diseased, both as this disease 

 is exhibited in the living animal and laid out for our inspection 

 in the organs and tissues in which the unnatural action seems 

 specially located. In every instance our most fertile field for 

 obtaining information is that of practical everyday work, 

 while to assist and utilize the contact every advantage must be 

 taken of all means to obtain and systematize fact, and by the 

 special education of all our senses. 



In whatever character or aspect, whether clinically or accord- 

 ing to any system of medical classification, we, as students or 

 practitioners, make examinations of disease, there is always 

 the certainty that a wonderful similarity of subjects or problems 

 will be placed before us for consideration. 



The greater number of these may be grouped under — 



I. The CAUSATION, or etiology, embracing the origin, or 

 rather the agents through the action of which derangement or 

 disease is produced. 



II. Symptomatology, or semiology, a consideration of the 

 morbid phenomena or S3rmptoms by which we become aware 

 that derangement has occurred in the system. 



III. The nature, locality, forms, and course of develop- 

 ment of disease. 



IV. The textural alterations discoverable in the body 

 before and after death as the results of disease. 



V. Therapeutics, including the entire management, medi- 

 cinally and dietetically, of animals suffering from disease. 



I. — ^Etiology, or Causation of Disease. 



Due attention to this is always of the utmost importance, 

 seeing that in comprehending it we are materially assisted in 



