The art of medicine was to be properly learned only from its practice and its exercise.
Thomas SydenhamRead
Disease is nothing else but an attempt on the part of the body to rid itself of morbific matter.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Diseases are the body's way of eliminating harmful substances.
Thomas Sydenham's quote suggests that diseases serve a purpose in the human body; they are mechanisms through which the body works to expel harmful or toxic substances. This perspective emphasizes the idea that illness is not just random misfortune, but rather a response from the body to maintain balance and health by getting rid of detrimental elements.
Themes
DiseaseHealthBodyMorbificMatter
In practice
Example use cases
During a public health seminar discussing the importance of understanding illness.
More from Thomas Sydenham
All quotes βI watched what method Nature might take, with intention of subduing the symptom by treading in her footsteps.
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Gout, unlike any other disease, kills more rich men than poor, more wise men than simple. Great kings, emperors, generals, admirals and philosophers have all died of gout.
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Lastly, he must remember that he himself hath no exemption from the common lot, but that he is bound by the same laws of mortality, and liable to the same ailments and afflictions with his fellows.
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The arrival of a good clown exercises a more beneficial influence upon the health of a town than twenty asses laden with drugs.
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