[43] Ratio Medendi Nosocomio Practico Vindobonensi, vol. iv. p. 56 and 99.
[44] The remark upon this fact by sir George, is worthy of notice, and implies much more than was probably intended by it. “When common means have failed, success has sometimes followed a method directly contrary to the established practice.” Medical Transactions, vol. II.
[45] Historia Anatomica Medica, vol. II.
AN INQUIRY
INTO THE
CAUSES AND CURE
OF THE
INTERNAL DROPSY OF THE BRAIN.
Having, for many years, been unsuccessful in all the cases, except two, of internal dropsy of the brain, which came under my care, I began to entertain doubts of the common theory of this disease, and to suspect that the effusion of water should be considered only as the effect of a primary disease in the brain.
I mentioned this opinion to my colleague, Dr. Wistar, in the month of June, 1788, and delivered it the winter following in my lectures. The year afterwards I was confirmed in it, by hearing that the same idea had occurred to Dr. Quin. I have since read Dr. Quin's treatise on the dropsy of the brain with great pleasure, and consider it as the first dawn of light which has been shed upon it. In pursuing this subject, therefore, I shall avail myself of Dr. Quin's discoveries, and endeavour to arrange the facts and observations I have collected in such a manner, as to form a connected theory from them, which I hope will lead to a new and more successful mode of treating this disease.
I shall begin this inquiry by delivering a few general propositions.