[27] Professor Carsewell of the London University has rendered an essential service to practical medicine, as well as morbid anatomy, by demonstrating, in an excellent paper published in the 34th volume of the Edin. Med. and Surg. Journal, that softening and erosion of the stomach, considered by Broussais and others as always results of inflammatory irritation during life, are generally caused by the digestive action of the gastric juice after death. The essay is well worthy of an attentive perusal; but it would carry me too far to notice it here at greater length.
[28] Macgillivray’s Description of the Rapacious Birds of Great Britain, p. 24.
[29] Blaine’s Veterinary Art, 3d edit. p. 247.
[30] Art of Invigorating and Prolonging Life, 3d edition, p. 160.
[31] Art of Prolonging Human Life, English edition. London, 1829. P. 282.
[32] Paris on Diet, p. 93.
[33] The inferences are given in Dr Beaumont’s own words, and the italics also are his. It is needless to say that Dr Beaumont does not present these inferences as discoveries. Most of them were known before; but he has the merit of adding greatly to the strength of the evidence on which they rest, and of substituting certainty for doubt in many instances. The very title of “Inferences” which he modestly gives them, implies that he does not even consider them as proved, and still less as discoveries; although a learned reviewer of the first edition charges him with this presumption.
[34] Principles of Physiology, &c. chap. ii
[35] Londe, Elemens d’Hygiène, tome ii. p. 16.
[36] Bubbles from the Brunnens of Nassau.