An elementary system of physiology / [John Bostock].

  • Bostock, John, 1773-1846
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An elementary system of physiology / [John Bostock]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ble the Stahlian doctrine, of an intelligent principle, connected with the body, directing its motions, and preserving it from in- jury or destruction. In his explanation of the functions and operations of the living animal, he not unfrequently confounds physical with final causes, and attributes to the specific effects of life, actions that ought to be referred to the powers belong- ing to inanimate matter. Among the modern physiologists there is no one who has more just claim to our attention that Bichat, whether we regard him as an observer of facts, or an improver of theory. In the course of a short life he acquired an accurate and extensive knowledge of anatomy, and made many discoveries in this de- partment of science, which seemed to have been so entirely pre-occupied by his predecessors. In his views of the animal oeconomy, he proceeded upon the principles of correct philo- sophy ; he regarded the vital functions as of a description es- sentially different from any other natural phenomena, and dili- gently applied himself to obtain an accurate knowledge of them, to observe their relation to each other, and to arrange them ac- cordingly. His classification will, indeed, in many of its parts, appear too refined, and his speculations to savour too much of metaphysical subtilty; but we must regard him as having pos- sessed an unusual share of genius and acuteness, and as having made very considerable additions to the stock of physiological knowledge. I shall close mv account of the individuals, who have been eminently successful in the cultivation of physiology, by the ho- nouredand lamented name of Cuvier. Thereare few persons, either in ancient or modern times, whose minds were better adapted by nature for the improvement of this science, or whose pur- suits were more calculated to promote it in its various branches. He was as much distinguished for his industry and correctness, as for his genius and originality. His information, in every department of natural history, was so extensive, that it is diffi- cult to decide with which he was the most intimately ac- quainted. In addition to these qualifications, he was perfectly candid and ingenuous, without prejudice or bigotry, ready to do justice to all his contemporaries, to whatever nation they belonged, or to whatever system they were attached. With respect to his physiology, he may be considered as an eclectic rather than as a professed systematic. Having before his eyes the whole range of nature, he watched all her operations with singular sagacity, and with the hand of a master, traced their connexion with each other, and the relation which they bore to the living animal body. The services which he rendered to physiology were rather derived from his profound knowledge of natural history, and from the correctness of his observations, than from any new theory which he broached, or from any experimental researches which he performed. His reputation rested not upon any single position which he established, or