been shown to be fallacious; and which
method of arrangement brings together diseases the most opposite in
their nature, and separates those most nearly allied. This is evident
in every part of the nosology of Sauvages and Cullen. In the genus
cynanche of the latter, are placed the common sthenic or inflammatory
sore throat, or cynanche tonsillaris, and the putrid or gangrenous
sore throat, the cynanche maligna: the former is a sthenic disease;
the latter one of the greatest debility; yet they have the same
generic name.

The mode of classing diseases which I have adopted, after the example
of Dr. Brown, is the consequence of first taking a view of the nature
of life, and the manner in which it is supported; and from thence
observing how those variations from the healthy state, called
diseases, are produced; and this is certainly the proper plan; for,
as every effect will be produced with more accuracy, whilst its cause
is acting in a proper degree, it is certainly right to begin by
drawing our general propositions from the healthy state; by which
means we avoid being misled by those false appearances which the
living system puts on, during a morbid state; and though the contrary
has been the general practice of nosologists and pathologists, I must
confess it appears to me like beginning where the end should be; for
to lay down rules for restoring health, and begin by observing the
phenomena of disease, is like building a house, and beginning with
the roof.

In the last lecture I pointed out the general method of curing
sthenic diseases; I shall now proceed to the cure of asthenic, and
shall begin with those depending on direct debility, as in these
diseases the excitability is morbidly accumulated, and consequently
more liable to be overpowered by the action of a stimulus, we must,
therefore, at first, apply very gentle stimulants, increasing them by
degrees, till the excitement be arrived at the healthy state.

In cases of indirect debility, the excitability is so far exhausted
as not to be sufficiently acted on by the ordinary powers which
support life; we must therefore employ, at first, pretty strong
stimulants, to keep up such a degree of action as is necessary to
preserve life; we should, however, be careful not to overdo it; for
our intention here, in giving these stimuli, is only to keep up life,
while the cure must depend upon the accumulation of the excitability.
That this may take place, therefore, we mu