ON THERAPEUTICS. 
653 
Further, if it can be shown that both the food and 
water were deficient in this important constituent—lime— 
which may have been the ease, yet not noticed ; although 
there may have been no disease resulting from such a 
circumstance before, I nevertheless think that such facts 
ought to be taken into consideration in looking for the cause 
of this singular malady. 
ON THERAPEUTICS. 
By Professor Brown, M.R.C.V.S., 
Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. 
(Continued from page 588.) 
MEDICINAL AGENTS. , 
All substances which are capable of producing effects on 
the animal system, differing from those occasioned by the 
ordinary food, may be considered as medicinal agents. Un-? 
doubtedly, every kind of material introduced into the animal 
economy, produces some effect. Every article of diet influ¬ 
ences secretion, but only in the course of the digestive process 
by which the body is sustained, while medicines produce actions 
differing from the ordinary actions under healthy conditions, 
these amounting either to excitement,^ to “ decrease/’ or to 
change of structure or function. Articles of ordinary diet, 
under some circumstances, are found to affect the animal 
functions to a considerable extent, and, under such circum¬ 
stances, they may be said to possess medicinal properties, 
This action is, however, irregular, and often depends upon a 
diseased condition of the organism, or some change in the 
constitution of the agent. . 
The dietary of man contains many substances which are 
known to possess decided medicinal properties ; as compounds 
containing alcohol, spices, and various condiments ; and these 
differ from medicines only in not being given with the intent 
to cure disease, and in the fact of their constant employment 
rendering the body comparatively indifferent to their effects. 
Medicines, we have seen produce certain decided actions 
which amount to disease. The essence of the allopathic 
system is in apportioning this artificial disease to the amount 
of the natural one to which it may be opposed ; just so much 
of the new disease being required as may counteract the 
effects of the old one. 
