This first part of the work of M. Broussais abounds in elevated and new views. I shall only blame him for a certain obscurity of language, and, especially, an almost complete absence of method in the arrangement of his ideas. The too frequent intermixture of physiological with pathological conceptions, introduces a sort of confusion which renders it difficult, even for an attentive and well informed reader to grasp the general spirit of this remarkable work. The imperfection may be remedied in a new edition, if M. Broussais, as I doubt not, feels the necessity for more fully maturing his chief conceptions, determining their character more precisely, and estimating the scope of each more exactly. We ought not to lose sight of the serious general motive which led to the publication of this work,-the necessity for combating ontology, which, once again, endeavours to lay hold of the mind of the existing generation. On this ground we may excuse a vice of method which the author would assuredly have avoided, if he could have devoted the necessary time to meditating his work. Nevertheless, M. Broussais should not forget that this work contains the leading ideas for a general treatise on life, considered either in its normal or its abnormal state. His celebrity will be advanced if he himself raises a monument, so necessary for the future progress of science.

M. Broussais, when revising his work, will, doubtless, feel that his treatment of the Nervous System does not adequately recognise the importance of the fundamental distinction between the two nervous systems, cerebral and ganglionic. He has not paid sufficient attention to the latter, considered physiologically or pathologically. It would also have been better had M. Broussais taken more largely into consideration Comparative Anatomy, and avowedly sought to bring his views on human organisation into harmony with the entirety of the animal series, a condition now indispensable to every great physiological conception and which he has no doubt implicitly fulfilled.

The

Application

of Positive Pathology

to the theory

and treatment of

I have little to say upon the second part of this work which treats of Madness. It is a natural application of the principles established in the first part to the special case of irritation in the brain. This well executed application throws a strong light on the principles themselves. execution of this is much more satisfactory than that of the preceding part. Madness. It adds nothing of great importance to the existing state of that important branch of pathology. But the knowledge already gained on this subject is resumed with a clearness and a perfection of method very superior to what existing treatises offer; thus rendering an essential service to science. Its perusal is admirably fitted to avert or cure the contagion of pyschology. As regards the personal contributions of the author to ideas, I observe that, while placing the seat of madness in the brain, in common with all living physiologists, M. Broussais characterises much more precisely than they do, the state of cerebral irritation which produces madness. He also offers some new and very judicious views as to the indications derivable from dissections. He shows that, since the state of inflammation which disorganises the tissues, and, in consequence, leaves, after death, the only visible traces commonly considered, is simply the highest degree of the state of irritation that deranges the normal functions, it is quite possible that this derangement may arise from an excessive stimulation, without leaving any inflammatory changes discoverable after death. M. Broussais thus indirectly destroys the only reasonable objection made to positive pathology by the metaphysical pathologists of the school of Montpellier, who, from the

absence, in certain cases, of lesions in the dead body, infer the reality of diseases termed essential.

Persons who, on the faith of vulgar prejudices to which men of science should be inaccessible, imagine that M. Broussais subordinates everything in the animal economy to the stomach, must derive from the perusal of this work a juster idea of the range and elevation of his intellect. He exhibits in all its intensity the vast sympathetic influence exerted by the digestive viscera on all the organs, and especially on the brain; an influence which has not been always properly appreciated by physiologists specially devoted to the study of the nervous system. But in his work no exaggerated idea on this head is perceptible, he states nothing but what is well attested by observation.

When treating of Monomanias M. Broussais profits by the opportunity to render a deserved tribute to the important works of MM. Gall and Spurzheim and of the phrenological school on the brain. I must congratulate him on this act of justice which is, at the same time, an act of courage, for it still requires courage in savants to declare publicly in favour of doctrines so contrary to official opinions. In this doctrine, imperfect as it still is, M. Broussais recognises the great light which it throws on the study of human nature. He seems to have felt how much this important reformation aids the general tendency of the human mind towards a completely positive philosophy.

M. Broussais, however, offers some objections to the doctrine of M. Gall. Of these the greater part appear to me to be without any solid foundation. One only is really well founded, that is the reproach of not taking sufficiently into account the great influence exerted on the brain by the digestive and generative viscera. It is certain that this influence, though a good deal exaggerated by physiologists before MM. Gall and Spurzheim, has been far too much neglected by the phrenological school, and that, in this respect, the fundamental ideas of the new doctrine of the brain require to be submitted to a more complete investigation.

As regards the practical treatment of madness the considerations submitted by M. Broussais add little to the mass of acquired knowledge; but the therapeutics of this affection are conceived and expounded in a much more rational spirit than in any other treatise. The author considers the ordinary treatment too passive. He thinks, with reason, that, severe bleeding, judiciously applied at the outset of the disease, is calculated to cut short incipient madness, as in the cases of peripneumonia and acute gastritis. M. Broussais justly insists, as all writers since Pinel have done, on the importance of moral treatment. But it is surprising that, while recommending Asylums as an indispensable condition for that purpose, he omits to point out the extreme negligence with which this essential element of treatment is generally conducted in these institutions. No doubt M. Broussais was not able to observe with sufficient care the mode in which the majority of these establishments are kept: he believed them to be constituted and administered as they might, and should be. Had he studied them himself he would have been convinced, that, despite of the promises of their directors, the entire intellectual and moral portion of the treatment is, in fact, abandoned to the arbitrary action of subordinates and rough agents, whose conduct almost always aggravates the malady which they should assist to cure.

Such are the main considerations which I have to offer on M. Broussais new work. My aim has not been to make it known, but only to charac

terise its spirit, and to show, to all who interest themselves in the progress of physiology, the necessity for studying it. I have endeavoured to draw public attention to this work, as calculated to aid the general development of human reason, and to oppose successfully the mystical direction which some writers, themselves strangers to the true spirit of their age, endeavour to impress on the study of man. The publication of this important work ought to confirm the fame of M. Broussais, and to make known the wide range of his conceptions. Hitherto he was only known as a reformer in pathology and therapeutics. Now he shows himself to be a physiologist and a philosopher. He proves his mental unity, inasmuch as his applications connect themselves with homogeneous theoretical conceptions. In a word, his works as a whole justify his title to appear before posterity as one of the men who, directly or indirectly, have most efficaciously contributed to the formation and triumph of Positive Philosophy as the general and definitive termination of the great revolution of the human intellect.

INDEX

ΤΟ

THE FOUR VOLUMES.

NOTE. The numerals in black type (iv. 151) refer to passages which contain a general estimate
of the subject, or in which it is considered at length. When a topic is continued over many
pages, these are indicated thus (li. 73-79).