Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1018

JOHN BROWN (1735-1788) The elements of medicine. Printed by W. Spotswood for I. Thomas 1791 xv, 295 pp. 21.3 cm.

Brown's unusual but immensely popular system of medicine (Brunonism) was based on the principle that life is maintained by a state of externally provoked excitability within living tissues. The disease state was seen as one in which this excitability fell above or below normal limits. After determining the degree and localization of the problem, appropriate stimulants or depressants were administered. In spite of its shortcomings, "the Brunonian theory . . . held the attention of Europe for a quarter-century and as late as 1802, a rixa or student's brawl between Brunonians and non-Brunonians at the University of Göttingen lasted two whole days and had finally to be put down by a troop of Hanoverian horse" (Fielding H. Garrison, An introduction to the history of medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, 1929. p. 314). Brown eventually died from his own cure, having administered to himself copious quantities of opium and alcohol to treat his gout. The elements of medicine is Brown's translation of his Elementa medicinae (1780) which expounds the basic Brunonian principles.

Cited references: Austin 282; Cushing B705 (1803 ed.); Osler 2153 (1795 ed.); Wellcome II, p. 249 (1795 ed.)

Gift of John Martin, M.D.