(seq. 23)

14

Introduction

Arangements

dilating the pupil, on the pulse and it is diuretic, sudorific and
syalogogue. I do not however deny there are many medicines
which operate more particularly on one part of the body than
another. Thus mercury both when used internally and
externally seem almost uniformly to affect the salivary
glands, but is certainly a universal stimulant. There is some
power in elective attraction which determines their operation
more to one part than another, the animal body is a
unit composed of many links, no medicine can affect
one link without affecting the whole chain. Dr Lewis's
arangements was alphabetical, the following is Dr Darwins
1st Neutrentia, 2d Incitantia, 3d Cocernentia, 4th Invertentia,
5th Sorbentia, 6th Revertentia, 7th Torpentia. To this arangement
I have several objections, his Riverentia is certainly hypothetical.
In some respects the system of Dr Cullen is a good one, I shall
sometimes follow and sometimes dissent from him. Materia
Medica may be divided into Materia Alimentaria and
Materia Medica properly so called. I shall adopt this
division and proceed to speak of the first it may be divided
into such as offer much and such as offer little nourishment