Excerpt from Forchheimer's Therapeusis of Internal Diseases, Vol. 1

This work was undertaken because it seemed that a presentation in extenso of the therapeusis of internal diseases might be valuable to all those engaged in the practice of medicine.

I venture to say that the subject of the treatment of internal diseases is fast becoming, if it has not already become, one of the most impor tant subjects we have to deal with, either as practitioners or teachers. The reason for this is obvious. Not very long ago the basis of all therapy was empiricism, and empiricism only. Then followed a period in which metaphysical reasoning replaced empiricism, giving rise to the develop ment of schools, and not infrequently of medical sects, some of which still survive even in this period of scientific enlightenment. It may be added that even now new sects are arising, and possibly will continue to arise as long as human credulity survives.

Following this metaphysical period we meet with a most interesting therapeutical manifestation, that of medical nihilism. That great clini cian, Skoda, for instance, believed so little in drugs that he treated all his typhoid fever patients by giving them small doses of a weak solution of alum. But, on the other hand, he was the first to place auscultation and percussion upon a physical basis. For him, then, there was no science of therapeusis, although there was science in percussion and auscultation. The nihilistic tendency still has adherents, although their number is small and constantly growing smaller.

Comparatively recently laboratories began to play a very important role. Physiology, pathology, chemistry, microscopy, and physics as ap plied to medicine were being developed, and theoretical therapeutic prob lems were being solved by laboratory methods, which, in turn, of them selves have become a fetish.

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