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Pathology treats of the vital, animal, and natural functions in a morbid state, as Physiology does in a found healthful condition. It traces out the seat of diseases, examines their causes and effects, shews their differences, explains their symptoms, and all the different phœnomena, which result from various affections of the system, it prognosticates the event, and indicates the general method of treatment. In short, it forms a system of precepts in the art of healing. It is the immediate guide to practice, and a very capital part of medical knowledge.
The smallest reflection is sufficient to discover the intimate connection of Physiology and Pathology, and the subserviency of the former to the latter.
Let no man lay claim to the dignified title of Physician, who is not thoroughly conversant in the medical institutions. Without this knowledge, we have no better right to take upon us the cure of diseases, than a blind man to judge of colours, or a deaf man of sounds.
The Praxis, or Practice of Medicine, is immediately conversant about diseases themselves, and treats in the most particular manner of their nature, specific difference, their causes and symptoms, and especially the method of curing them, or alleviating the severity of them when incurable.
