Se'ct. III.] Theory and Practice of Phi/ sic. SHX 



His doctrines of acid and allialinc acrimofii/, of 

 ftnnentation, and of morbific matter in the blood, 

 were evidently derived from the chemical theories 

 ^vhich then prevailed. And from the mechanical 

 philosophy he borrowed his opinions concerning the 

 diseases of the sunple solid; concerning deficient 

 or excessive circulatory motion; concerning ob- 

 struction and error loci*; and concerning the laitor 

 and morbid tenuity of the fluids. 



The objections which have been made to this 

 system are numerous and important. Though it 

 was exhibited by the illustrious author in a very 

 attractive and elegant form, and long possessed aa 

 unrivalled degree of reputation, yet it appears 

 that time and the great mass of improvements since 

 made in every department of medical knowledge 

 have effected its entire overthrow. 



The leading defects in the Boerhaavian system 

 are too close an adherence to the humoral patholo- 

 gy, and a constant neglect of the moving powers of 

 the animal body. In his notions of various acrimo- 

 nies, and of Icntor, he yielded almost entirely to a 

 hypothetical mode of reasoning. In his considera- 

 tion of the diseases of the solids, he dwelt too much 

 on the changes of the simple inanimate solid, and too 

 little on those of the living or vital solid. Most of 

 the faults, however, of his theory are chargeable 

 rather on the time in which he lived, and on the 

 general imperfection of knowledge at that period, 

 compared with the present, than on any defects in 

 himself It is surprising that he considered his sy- 

 stem as having advanced so near to perfection ; for, 



* Ey this phrase is meant the entrance of particles of the blood 

 into vessels the capacity of wiiich i, too small to transmit them. 

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