Abernethy next adduces various illustrations from cases of other diseases; as indurations, tumours, carbuncles, scrofulous affections, and others; in proof of the dependence of a "numerous and dissimilar progeny" of so-called local diseases, on that "fruitful parent," disorder of the digestive organs. Of one of the most interesting and remarkable cases of tumour, Mr. Abernethy did not live to see the termination. It was of a lady who consulted him previous to the proposed infliction of an operation. She had been recommended by my father, in the country, to consult Abernethy before submitting to it; because he disapproved of it, as did Abernethy—not because they doubted of the nature of the disease, but because it was not confined to the part on which it was proposed to operate.
The lady used to call on Abernethy when she came to town; and after his death she came to me—as she said, just to report her condition. She had at times various disturbances of her digestive organs; but always from some imprudence; for, although habitually very simple in her habits, she would be sometimes careless or forgetful.
She died at a very advanced age—between seventy and eighty—but there had been no return of the disease for which she had originally consulted Abernethy, nor had she undergone any operation. It is a significant circumstance, too, that she had a sister who died of cancer.
The whole of the cases are, however, scarcely less valuable. In the fifth section, he treats of disorders of parts having continuity of surface with the alimentary canal, certain affections of the nose, of the eye, and of the gullet or œsophagus. His observations on the latter are especially valuable. They strike at that meddling practice which is too common in the treatment of diseases of these parts. Many of us have recommended a practice which, without neglecting either, relies less on manipulatory proceedings, and more on measures directed to the general health, in such cases; as producing effects which are not to be obtained by other means; but, if we are to judge from the medical periodicals, without much success; so inveterate is the habit of imagining that, whatever the causes of disease may be, if the results be but mechanical, mechanical means can alone be applicable. Public attention, and the perusal of such cases as those of Abernethy, can alone correct these errors.
Lastly, he describes the results of his dissections as bearing on the whole subject. Here he shows, that whilst disordered function may take place coincidentally with, or as a consequence of, change of structure, yet that such change, so as to afford visible or detectable departures from natural appearances, is by no means necessary, in organs which, during life, had afforded the most incontrovertible evidence of impaired function. He also shows that disease has terminated in disorder which had its original seat in the digestive organs. And again—that, in cases where the cause of death had been in the abrogated function of the brain, he found no actual disease in that organ, but in the abdominal viscera. He very justly observes that the conclusions he has drawn can be neither ascertained nor disproved by anatomical evidence alone. He mentions especially, and illustrates by a remarkably successful case, how diseases of the lungs may be engendered by disorders of the digestive organs, and entirely subdued by correction of that disorder.
He speaks also suggestively of the possibility of that which is certainly now an established fact. He says: "In cases of diseased lungs, where no disease of the digestive organs is discovered, yet considerable disorder does exist, and may continue for many years without any organic disease being apparent; it is possible that such disorder may excite disease of the lungs, and thus produce a severer disease of the latter organs than what existed in the former. Accurate attention to the digestive organs may determine this important subject, and lead to the prevention and cure of the sympathetic diseases which I have mentioned." "This attention must not be merely of that general kind which adverts only to the quality of the ingesta, &c., but one which more strictly observes whether the viscera" (that is, reader, not merely the stomach, not merely the digestive organs, but the whole viscera of the body) "and whether these secretions are healthy or otherwise." After speaking of the heart also, as affected by the digestive organs; and of the infinity of diseases which arise from the reciprocal disturbance excited between them and the brain;—he says: "But even these are not the worst consequences. The disorder of the sensorium, excited and aggravated (by the means which he has described), affects the mind. The operations of the intellect become enfeebled, perplexed, and perverted; the temper and disposition, irritable, unbenevolent, and desponding. The moral character and conduct appears even to be liable to be affected by these circumstances. The individual in this case is not the only sufferer, but the evil extends to his connections and to society. The subject, therefore, appears to me to be of such importance, that no apology need be offered for this imperfect attempt to place it under general contemplation." Here is that suggestion which, when carried out, leads to the detection of cases of insanity which depend on disturbances of the digestive organs.
Lastly, as if, notwithstanding his own previous attention to the important question of the influence of the digestive organs in disease, he felt that the inquiry had grown upon him in consequence of Mr. Boodle's endeavour to concentrate his attention to the subject, he concludes by expressing his past obligations to Mr. Boodle; for he says, with admirable modesty and candour, "for Mr. Boodle first instructed me how to detect disorders of the digestive organs, when their local symptoms were so trivial as to be unnoticed by the patient." He urges Mr. Boodle to publish also his own observations on the subject, because any remarks from one who observes the progress of disease "with such sagacity and accuracy, cannot but be interesting." We are quite aware how feeble our attempt has been to do justice to this admirable book. But nothing can do that but a careful study of the various principles which it either suggests, dimly shadows forth, or deeply and beautifully unfolds.
Through not a very short life, we have had ample opportunity of testing these principles by the bedside, and of endeavouring to connect some of them with the laws in obedience to which they occur; and we are free to declare our impression that when the book is studied with the requisite previous knowledge, and freedom from preconceived opinion; and when tested and carried out in principle, as distinguished from any adhesion to mere matters of detail; we think it infinitely more valuable than all other professional works whatever. In examining the truths it unfolds, or in our humble endeavours elsewhere at a more analytical or extended application of them, like Abernethy, we have rested our reasoning wholly on facts and observations which are acknowledged and indisputable.
Whilst other views have only led to a practice in the highest degree empirical, or, what is worse, conjectural, those of Abernethy's lead often directly, but always when duly studied, to a practice at once clear, definite, and in the sense in which we shall qualify the word "positive,"—that is, one which gives us the power (when we really have the management of the case) of predicting the success or failure; which is at least a ripple indicative of a coming science.
In order, however, to carry out this clearly, we shall at once add what we think necessary to the profession and the public on the subject. The general relation of Abernethy's labours to a real and definite science will be better developed in our concluding Summary; when we may have an opportunity of stating what further appears to have been done, and what is yet required. It will have been perhaps already observed that Abernethy's views involve a few very simple propositions: first, that disturbance of a part is competent to disturb the whole system; and conversely, that disturbance of the whole system is competent to disturb any part. That the disturbance may commence in the brain or nervous system, may then disturb the various organs, and that these may again by reflected action disturb the brain, and so reciprocally; and that in all these cases tranquillity of the digestive organs is of the very first consequence; not merely from its abstract importance, but from the influence it exerts on the state of the nervous system.