3i24 Medicine. [Chap. IV. 



Such is tlie theory of health and disease which 

 Stahl dehvered to his pupils and readers, and which 

 he endeavoured to recommend and support by all 

 his great powers of learning and ingenuity. But, in 

 his ponderous volume on this subject, entitled The- 

 oria Medic a Vera, we look in vain for the logical 

 arrangement, the elegance and perspicuity, which 

 are constantly displayed in the writings of Boer- 

 haave. There were not wanting, however, in various 

 parts of Europe, especially in Germany, many fol- 

 lowers of Stahl, who thoroughly imbibed his princi- 

 ples, and pursued his practice in the treatment of 

 diseases. Among these, Juncker and Carl, particu- 

 larly the fonner, in his work entitled Conspectus 

 TlierapeicC Specialise have given a much better ac- 

 count of the doctrines and opinions of their pre- 

 ceptor than himself. 



To many the Stahlian theory appears so fanci- 

 ful and absurd, that they can scarcely think it de- 

 serving of a serious refutation. But still, it has 

 been often thought there are such appearances of 

 intelligence and design in the operations of the 

 animal economy, that many eminent physicians 

 have been induced to countenance similar opinions. 

 Among these may be mentioned Nichols and 

 Mead, in England; Porterfield and Simson, in 

 Scotland; Gaubius *, in Holland; and perhaps 

 Wliytt, of the university of Edinburgh f . 



■'^ Doiibts ha\ e bi'cn suggested whether Gaubius was really a 

 follower of Stahl. Dr. Haller represents hinj as cautus vir, et in 

 rtclpicndis opinionihus dijficills. He is said, at any rate, never to 

 Iiavc openly avowed his adhercnee to the Stahlian system. 



I Among those wlio embraced either the whole or a part of the 

 l^tahlijn doct/inc, Pual Joseph Barthex is entitled to respectful no- 



