36 JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 



atoms, between the pores of which moved a multitude of the finest 

 particles J giving rise to sensation. If these particles moved quietly 

 and regularly thej^ produced health. If the movements were 

 irregular, feeble or boisterous, then sickness existed. 



Galen (A. D. 131-210), like Hippocrates, attributed disease 

 to an improper mixture or an unnatural condition of the four car- 

 dinal humors — blood, mucus, yellow bile, black bile. 



Mediaeval medicine varies little in theory of causation of dis- 

 ease from ancient medicine. I^eaders of medical thought taught 

 the Humoral theory with but slight modifications. During this 

 period, Christianit}^ began to exercise her influence, and hence dis- 

 ease was an evidence of God's displeasure or the work of the devil. 

 Priests and monks formed a large proportion of the practitioners. 



Modern medicine dates from the discovery of America. Para- 

 celcus (1493-1541), of German-Swiss birth, attributed health to a 

 due proportion of sulphur, salt and mercury in the body, together 

 with the correct action of the vital spirits. 



Sylvius (1614-1672), of the Netherlands, accepted three car- 

 dinal humors only — saliva, pancreatic juice and bile. These pre- 

 sided over by the vital spirits produced a condition of fermentation. 

 If fermentation occurred without the presence of acid or alkali, 

 health resulted ; otherwise, disease. 



Sydenham (1624-1689), of England, regarded disease as a 

 natural effort of the body to remove morbid material from the 

 blood. 



During the eighteenth century, Hoffman (1660- 1742) claimed 

 " that certain forces are inherent in the body and express them- 

 selves by movement. The regular occurrence of these movements 

 produced health. Too strong or too weak action leads to disease." 



Bordeau (i 722-1 776) regarded the stomach, heart and brain 

 as the tripod of life and as the three great centres of the body. 

 Health was the undisturbed circulation of motion and sensation 

 from and to the vital centres. Disturbance of this circulation pro' 

 duced disease. 



