The Influence of Brunonianism essays

The Influence of Brunonianism essays In Europe at the end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth a significant change was taking place in the perception, description, definition, and ordering of medical knowledge. It is during this time that John Brown (1735-1788) founded the Brunonian system or theory of medicine. According to which, physical life consists in a peculiar excitability, the normal excitement produced by all the agents which affect the body constituting the healthy condition, while all diseases arise either from deficiency or from excess of excitement, and must be treated with stimulants or sedatives. Basically, John Brown developed a new school of therapy, which, simplified matters for the modern physicians, and allowed medicine to be practiced on a whole new level. Two of the most important sources for the life of John Brown are the accounts by Thomas Beddoes (a Bristol physician), and that by Browns son, William Cullen Brown. John Brown was born in 1735 (or 36) in the town of Buncle in the county of Berwick in Scotland (note: Browns early biographers give conflicting accounts of the date and village of his birth.) Born to poor parents, Brown did not have too many options, and was apprenticed to a weaver. He soon left his employment, however, and went to a nearby grammar school because, as his son put it, to one so highly cultivated; it may be readily conceived how truly disgusting the sordid life of one of the lowest mechanical businesses must have proved. Brown is credited with a reputation for great physical and mental strength. Soon after, he went to Edinburgh and entered the divinity classes at the university, supporting himself by private tuition. In 1759 he seems to have discontinued his theological studies, and to have begun t he study of medicine. He soon attracted the notice of William Cullen, who engaged him as private tutor to his fami...