Produced by R. L. Garnett
POPULAR LECTURES
ON
ZOONOMIA,
OR
THE LAWS OF ANIMAL LIFE,
IN
HEALTH AND DISEASE.
BY THOMAS GARNETT, M.D.
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, LONDON; OF THE ROYAL
IRISH ACADEMY; OF THE ROYAL MEDICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH; HONORARY
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE; FELLOW OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY;
MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY, LONDON; AND OF THE LITERARY AND
PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF MANCHESTER: &c. &c.
FORMERLY PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY AND CHEMISTRY IN THE
ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN.
LONDON:
FROM THE PRESS OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT BRITAIN:
W. SAVAGE, PRINTER.
PUBLISHED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE AUTHOR'S CHILDREN BY HIS EXECUTORS.
TO BE HAD OF MR. NICHOLSON, SOHO SQUARE, MR. PRICE,
WESTMINSTER LIBRARY, JERMYN STREET,
AND OF ALL THE BOOKSELLERS.
1804.
[FRONTISPIECE PORTRAIT]
THOMAS GARNETT. M.D.
L. R. Smith, del.
Lenney, sculpt.
Published Jan. 1, 1805, by the Executors, for the benefit of his
orphan children.
ENTERED AT STATIONERS HALL.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, AND HONOURABLE,
THE MANAGERS OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GREAT
BRITAIN,
THESE LECTURES,
COMPOSED BY A MAN, WHO, IN HIS LIFE TIME, WAS
HONOURED BY THEIR SELECTION,
AS THEIR FIRST LECTURER;
AND WHOSE INFANT FAMILY HAVE SINCE EXPERIENCED
THEIR BENEVOLENCE AND PROTECTION,
ARE, WITH PERMISSION, DEDICATED,
BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE SUBSCRIPTION,
IN FAVOUR OF THOSE ORPHANS.
CONTENTS.
THE AUTHOR'S LIFE.
His early amusements. His apprenticeship to Mr. Dawson. His studies
at Edinburgh. In London. His establishment at Bradford. At
Knaresborough. At Harrowgate. His marriage. His lectures at
Liverpool. At Manchester. At Warrington. At Lancaster. At Glasgow.
His tour in the Highlands. The death of his wife. His engagement in
the Royal Institution. His resignation. His establishment in
Marlborough Street. His appointment as physician to the Mary-le-bonne
Dispensary. His death.
LECTURE I, INTRODUCTION.
Difficulties and advantages of a popular course of lectures. General
view of the human frame. Bones. Muscles. Joints. Powers of the
muscles. Brain and Nerves. Senses. Hypothesis of sensation.
Galvanism. Distribution of the subjects of the course.
LECTURE II, ON RESPIRATION.
Air. Trachea. Thorax. Animal heat. Its uniformity. Chemical
properties of the air. Combustion. Effects of cold.
LECTURE III, ON THE CIRCULATION OF THE BLOOD.
Respiration partially voluntary. Heart. Circulation. Pulsation.
Hepatic vessels. Action of the arteries. Causes propelling the blood.
Varieties of the pulse. Changes of the blood. Harvey's merits.
LECTURE IV, ON DIGESTION AND NUTRITION.
Necessity of food. Structure of the viscera. Bile. Food of man.
Gastric juice. Absorption. Assimilation. Lymphatics. Diseases
affecting digestion. Advantages of temperance and exercise.
LECTURE V, OF THE SENSES IN GENERAL.
Sensation. Attention. Internal senses. Habit. Touch. Skin. Pain.
LECTURE VI, ON TASTE AND SMELL.
Tongue. Kinds of taste. Diseases of taste. Smell. Mucous membrane.
Odours. Smell in animals. Diseases of smell.
LECTURE VII, ON SOUND AND HEARING.
Production of sound. Medium. Ear. Hearing. Pendulums. Chords. Wind
instruments. Tones. Velocity of sound. Music. Echo. Deafness.
LECTURE VIII, ON VISION.
The eye. Figure. Light. Vision. Accommodation to different distances.
Seat of vision. Erect vision. Single vision. Squinting.
LECTURE IX, ON THE LAWS OF ANIMAL LIFE.
Action of external objects. Excitability. Its laws. Action of light.
Of Heat. Of food. Sound. Odours.
LECTURE X, ON THE LAWS OF ANIMAL LIFE.
General laws. Sleep. Degrees of excitability. Health. Comparison with
a furnace. Oxidation. Electricity. Hydrogen. Theory of muscular
contraction.
LECTURE XI, OF THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF DISEASES.
Brown's theory. Sthenic and asthenic diseases. Debility. Sthenic
depression of spirits. Scale of excitability. Fallacy of symptoms
Effects of cold. Alcohol. Sthenic diseases.
LECTURE XII, ON INFLAMMATION AND ASTHENIC DISEASES.
Nature of inflammation. Distention of the arteries. Cure of
ophthalmias. Asthenic diseases. Cold. Intemperance. Mental exertions.
Classes of diseases. Cure. Oxidation.
LECTURE XIII, ON THE GOUT.
Effects of the gout. Gout not hereditary. Symptoms. Causes.
Affections of the stomach. Cure. Use of electricity. Diet.
LECTURE XIV, ON NERVOUS COMPLAINTS.
Predisposition. Classes. Sthenic kinds. Case of the author. Bad
effects of wine. Asthenic kinds. Passions. Direct debility.
Treatment. Torpor. Remedies. Exercise and temperance. Conclusion.
AN ACCOUNT
OF
THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR.
DR. GARNETT was born at Casterton, near Kirkby Lonsdale,
Westmoreland, on the 21st of April, 1766. During the first fifteen
years of his life, he remained with his parents, and was instructed
by them in the precepts of the established church of England, from
which he drew that scheme of virtue, by which every action of his
future life was to be governed. The only school education he received
during these early years, was at Barbon, a small village near his
native place, to which his father had removed the year after he was
born. The school was of so little consequence, that its master
changed not less than three times during the space of seven or eight
years, and the whole instruction he received, was comprehended in the
rudiments of the English grammar, a small portion of Latin, and a
little French, together with the general principles of arithmetic.
His bodily constitution was from the beginning weak and susceptible;
he was unequal to joining in the boisterous amusements of his
companions, while from the liveliness of his disposition he could not
remain a moment idle. To these circumstances we are, perhaps, to
attribute the uncommon progress he made in every branch of knowledge
to which he afterwards applied himself.
Whilst a schoolboy, the susceptibility of his mind, and a diffidence
of character connected with it, caused him to associate very little
with his schoolfellows: he dreaded the displeasure of his preceptor,
as the greatest misfortune which could befal him The moment he
arrived at home, he set about preparing his lesson for the next day;
and as soon as this was accomplished, he amused himself by contriving
small pieces of mechanism, which he exhibited with conscious
satisfaction to his friends. His temper was warm and enthusiastic;
whatever came within the narrow circle of his early knowledge he
would attempt to imitate. He saw no difficulties before hand, nor was
he discouraged when he met with them. At the early age of eleven
years, he had somewhere seen a dial and a quadrant, and was able to
imitate these instruments, nay, with the assistance of the latter,
and the small knowledge of arithmetic and trigonometry, which he had
then obtained, he formally marched out with his younger brother, and
rudely attempted to measure the height of a mountain behind his
father's house. When he was nearly fifteen years of age, he was, at
his earnest desire, put apprentice to the celebrated mathematician,
Mr. Dawson, of Sedbergh, who was at that time a surgeon and
apothecary. This situation was peculiarly advantageous to him, on
account of the great mathematical knowledge of his master, by whom he
was instructed in the different branches of this science; and,
notwithstanding his constant employment in necessary business, his
ardent pursuit of professional information, and his extreme youth, in
the course of four years, he became well acquainted with mechanics,
hydrostatics, optics, and astronomy. He afterwards applied himself
with energy to the study of chemistry, and other subjects, with which
it was thought expedient that he should be acquainted, previously to
attending the medical lectures in the University of Edinburgh.
Strongly impressed with a sense of the value of time, he was
indefatigable in the pursuit of knowledge: by a concurrence of
fortunate circumstances, his talents had become so flexible, that he
succeeded almost equally well in every subject to which he applied
himself; but of chemistry he was particularly fond, and from this
time it became his favourite study.
During the four years of his apprenticeship, his conduct was in every
respect highly commendable; he was assiduous, he was virtuous. His
pursuit after general knowledge was restrained to one object only at
a time; he had advanced far in the abstruse sciences; his inclination
for study was increased: when in the year 1785, he went to Edinburgh
with a degree of scientific knowledge, seldom attained by young men
beginning the study of medicine. He became a member of the Medical
and Physical Societies, where he soon made himself conspicuous, and
of the latter of which, he was afterwards president.
Well acquainted with the first principles of natural philosophy, he
had considerable advantages over his contemporaries; and his
superiority was soon acknowledged. He was not, however, on this
account inclined to remit his industry; he attended the lectures of
the ablest professors of the day, and more particularly those of Dr.
Black, with the most scrupulous punctuality, and endeavoured to
elucidate his subject by every collateral information he could
obtain. He avoided almost all society; and it is said, he never
allowed himself, at this time, more than four hours sleep out of the
twenty four. The famous Dr. Brown was then delivering lectures on his
new theory of medicine. Dr. Garnett, fired with the enthusiasm of
this noted teacher, and struck with the conformity of his theory to
the general laws of nature, became one of the most zealous advocates
of his doctrine; and from this period, he took, during the remainder
of his life, every opportunity of supporting it.
During two summers he returned to Mr. Dawson at Sedbergh, passing the
intervening winters in Edinburgh: about this time he wrote the essay,
which, in the year 1797, he published under the title of a Lecture on
Health, which very neatly and perspicuously explains the fundamental
parts of the Brunonian theory of medicine: in September 1788, he
published his inaugural dissertation de Visu, and obtained the degree
of M.D. Very soon afterwards he went to London, to pursue his
professional studies, which he continued to do with the greatest
perseverance: he attended with unceasing diligence the lectures of
the most eminent lecturers, and he sought practical knowledge in the
chief hospitals of the metropolis with the most ardent zeal; so that
whilst he gained information to himself, he set an impressive example
to his contemporary medical students, who in the delusive pursuits of
a great city, are too apt to neglect the objects their parents had in
view in sending them to the capital. Having finished his studies in
London, Dr. Garnett, in 1789, returned to his parents. At the time he
left London, he had lost none of his ardour; still he continued
indefatigable and observant. He had been flattered and respected by
his fellow students, and praised by his seniors; and his previous
success animated him with the strongest expectation of future
advancement. At this time, it is supposed, he wrote the justly
admired Treatise on Optics, which is in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Soon after his establishment as a physician, at Bradford, in
Yorkshire, which took place in the year 1790, he began to give
private lectures on philosophy and chemistry. He wrote his treatise
on the Horley Green Spa; and in a short time, gained a deserved
character of ingenuity and skill as a chemist, a physician, and a
benevolent member of society. Bradford did not afford scope for his
practice as a physician, equal to the sanguine expectations he had
formed; and he was induced to change his situation.
In the year 1791, therefore, he removed to Knaresborough, intending
to reside at that place during the winter, and at Harrowgate during
the summer. This plan he put in execution till the year 1794; his
reputation rapidly increased, and his future prospects appeared
cheering and bright. He continued to apply himself very closely to
chemistry, which was now decidedly his most pleasant and interesting
study. He endeavoured to apply his various knowledge to practical
purposes, and in many instances was peculiarly successful. No sooner
had he arrived at Knaresborough, than anxious to investigate every
thing in the neighbourhood, which could at all affect the health of
the inhabitants, he began to analyse the Crescent Water at
Harrowgate; which he did, with all the accuracy a subject so
difficult could admit of; and in 1791, he published his treatise upon
it. The same spirit led him, in 1792, to analyse the other mineral
waters at the same place of fashionable and general resort, the
detail of which he published in the same year. These publications
became generally read, and gained him a very extensive reputation.
The late Dr. Withering, whose knowledge on these subjects could not
be disputed, before he had seen his general analysis of the
Harrowgate Waters, said, that "excepting only the few examples given
us by Bergman, the analysis of the Crescent Waters was one of the
neatest and most satisfactory accounts he had ever read of any
mineral water." But his exertions were not confined to professional
and scientific pursuits; laudably desirous of advancing knowledge
amongst every branch of the community, he formed the plan of a
subscription library, which has, since 1791, been of great
convenience and utility to the inhabitants of Knaresborough. Far from
joining in the opinion which has so much prevailed in modern times,
that it was sufficient to aim at general utility, he lost no
opportunity of doing good to every member of society. He greatly
promoted and encouraged the making of the pleasure grounds and
building on the rock, called Fort Montague; and he instructed and
assisted the poor man, who is called the Governor, to institute a
bank, and to print and issue small bills of the value of a few
halfpence, in imitation of the notes of the country bankers, but
drawn and signed with a reference of humour to the fort, the flag,
the hill, and the cannon. These notes, the nobility and gentry, who
during the Harrowgate season crowd to visit this remarkable place,
take in exchange for their silver, and by these means the governor,
who is a man of gentle and inoffensive manners, has been enabled,
with the assistance of his loom, to support himself and a numerous
family, and to ameliorate their condition, by giving education to his
children.
No station in life escaped his benevolent attentions. In order to
benefit John Metcalf, who is perhaps more generally known by the name
of Blind Jack of Knaresborough, he assisted him to publish an account
of the very singular and remarkable occurrences of his life, during a
long series of years, under the heavy affliction of total blindness;
by the sale of which, this venerable old man derived a considerable
contribution towards his subsistence.
Whilst at Harrowgate, Dr. Garnett obtained the patronage and
protection of the Earl of Rosslyn, then Lord Loughborough, who in the
year 1794 built a house for him, which for the future Dr. Garnett
meant should be his only residence; it was not long however before he
discovered that his situation at Harrowgate was but ill calculated to
forward his liberal and extended views. At this place he had small
opportunities of attaching himself to his favourite sciences; in the
winter months he was without literary society, and it was not for his
ardent spirit to remain inactive. About this time also, he formed the
idea of going to America, where he thought he might live both
honourably and profitably as a teacher of chemistry and natural
philosophy. All these circumstances were floating in his mind, when
in the year 1794, about the end of July, at the instance of a medical
friend, who resided in London, he received as boarders into his
house, which was kept by his sister, Miss Catharine Grace Cleveland,
daughter of the late Mr. Cleveland, of Salisbury Square, Fleet
Street, who was recommended to the use of the Harrowgate waters,
together with her friend Miss Worboys. To all who were acquainted
with the prepossessing exterior of Dr. Garnett, the liveliness of his
conversation, the urbanity of his manners, and his general desire of
communicating knowledge to whomever he saw desirous of gaining
information, it will be no surprise, that a mutual attachment grew up
between him and his inmate, Miss Cleveland, a young lady possessing,
in all respects, a mind similar to his own, and who must have felt a
natural gratification in the zeal with which the company of the
person, on whom she had placed her affections, was sought by all
ranks resorting to this fashionable watering place, where every one
thought himself most fortunate who sat nearest to him at the table,
and where he enlivened the circle around him with his conversation,
which was not only instructive, but playfully gay, and entertaining,
ever striving to amuse, and always successful in his attempts. The
Doctor now began to project plans of happiness, which he had only
before held in idea. Previous to his visitors leaving Harrowgate,
which was towards the latter end of December, he communicated to Miss
Cleveland his intention of going to America. At first she hesitated
about accompanying him; but finding his resolution fixed, she at
length consented. From this time, till the beginning of March 1795,
he continued deliberating upon and maturing his plan. He now departed
from Harrowgate, and followed the object of his affection to her
mother's residence at Hare Hatch, Berks. He was married to her on the
16th of March, and a fortnight afterwards returned to Harrowgate, to
dispose of the lease of his house, and his furniture. Having again
joined his wife, he then went to London, where he purchased apparatus
for his lectures, and after visiting his parents, he proceeded to
Liverpool, in order to obtain a passage to America.
Whilst he was thus waiting for the opportunity of a vessel to
transport him across the Atlantic, he was solicited by the medical
gentlemen at Liverpool, to unpack his apparatus, and give a public
course of lectures on chemistry and experimental philosophy. At all
times desirous of diffusing the knowledge he had acquired, and eager
to fulfil the wishes of his friends, he complied with their request,
and entered upon a plan, which in the end completely overturned the
scheme he had for several months been contemplating with such ardent
hopes of happiness and prosperity. No sooner had he been prevailed
upon, than he set about getting every thing ready for his lectures,
and after a single week's preparation; he commenced his course. The
deep interest he took in his subject, the anxiety he showed to make
himself understood, and the enthusiastic hope he constantly expressed
of the advancement of science, had a remarkable effect upon his
audience; and his lectures were received with the most flattering
marks of attention, and excited the most general applause and
satisfaction. In a short time, he received a pressing invitation from
the most eminent characters at Manchester, to repeat his course in
that town. This invitation he accepted, and, encouraged by the
success he had just experienced, he postponed the idea of leaving his
country. He arrived at Manchester about the middle of January 1796,
and began his lectures on the 22nd of that month. Before his arrival,
not less than sixty subscribers had put down their names, the more
strongly to induce him to comply with their wishes, and many more had
promised to do it, as soon as his proposals were published.
Notwithstanding he was thus led to expect a large audience, and had
procured apartments, which he imagined would be sufficiently spacious
for their reception, he was obliged, for want of room, to change them
not less than three times during one course. With such success did
the career of his philosophical teaching begin, and with such extreme
attention and respect was he every where received, that he used
afterwards to mention this period, as not only the most profitable,
but the most happy of his life. On the 24th of February, his wife was
brought to bed of a daughter, the eldest of the two orphans who have
now to lament the death of so valuable a parent, to deplore the loss
of that independence which his exertions were certain to have raised
them, and to rely on a generous public for protection, in testimony
of the virtues and merit of their father.
After this time Dr. Garnett repeated nearly the same course of
lectures at Warrington and at Lancaster; to both which places he was
followed by the same success.
Whilst he was in this manner exerting himself for the general
diffusion of knowledge, his fame spread with the delight and
instruction he had every where communicated to his audience. The
inhabitants of Birmingham wished to have the advantage of his
lectures; and he also received a most pressing invitation from
Dublin, where a very large subscription had already been formed. It
was his intention to have accepted of the latter invitation, but
previous to his departure for Ireland (from whence he had even yet
some thoughts of emigrating to America) he was informed of the
vacancy of the professorship in Anderson's Institution, at Glasgow,
by his friend the late Dr. Easton of Manchester, who strongly urged
him to become a candidate. As this situation must inevitably destroy
all his future prospects, he for a long time hesitated; but Dr.
Easton having informed the Managers of the Institution, that there
was a possibility of their obtaining a professor, so eminently
qualified as Dr. Garnett, they, after making further inquiry
concerning him, offered it to him in so handsome a manner, that,
although the situation was by no means likely to be productive of so
much emolument as the plan of life he had lately been pursuing, he
yielded to their proposal, strengthened as it was by the earnest
solicitation of Mrs. Garnett, who felt considerable apprehension at
the thoughts of going to America, and consented to accept of the
professorship.
He began his lectures at Glasgow in November 1796, and a short
account of them may be found in his Tour to the Highlands, vol. ii.
p. 196. The peculiar clearness with which he was wont to explain the
most difficult parts of science, together with the simplicity of the
terms he employed, rendered his lectures particularly acceptable to
those who had not been initiated in the technical terms, generally
used on such occasions. Every thing he delivered might easily be
understood by those who had not previously attended to the subject;
and of consequence, all who had been disgusted, or frightened by the
difficulties they had before met with, or imagined, were eager to
receive his instructions; and the audience he obtained, was much more
numerous, than either the trustees, or himself, had deemed probable.
When the session was completed, he repaired to Liverpool for the
purpose of fulfilling a promise he had formerly given to his friends,
to repeat his course of lectures in that town. Mrs. Garnett, in the
mean time, remained at Kirkby Lonsdale, where he joined her as soon
as his lectures were finished. He spent the latter part of the summer
chiefly in botanical pursuits, and returned to Glasgow in the autumn,
when he made known his intention of practising as a physician.
Fortune continued to favour him, his reputation increased, and he
rapidly advanced towards the first professional situation in Glasgow.
In July 1798, he began his Tour to the Highlands, an account of which
he published in 1800, and having returned to his duties in the
Institution, the success of his lectures suffered no interruption,
but whilst he was reaping the benefit due to his industry and his
talents, his happiness received a blow, which was irrecoverable, by
the loss of his wife, who died in child birth, December the 25th
1798: the infant was preserved. The sentiments of Dr. Garnett on this
occasion will be best expressed in his own words, in a letter to Mr.
Ort, of Bury in Lancashire.
"Glasgow, January 1st. 1799.
"Oh my dear cousin, little did I expect that I should begin the new
year with telling you that I am now deprived of all earthly comforts;
yes, the dear companion of my studies, the friend of my heart, the
partner of my bosom, is now a piece of cold clay. The senseless earth
is closed on that form which was so lately animated by every virtue;
and whose only wish was to make me happy.
"Is there any thing, which can now afford me any consolation? Yes,
she is not lost, but gone before: but still it is hard to have all
our schemes of happiness wrecked: when our bark was within sight of
port, when we were promising ourselves more than common felicity, it
struck upon a rock: my only treasure went to the bottom, and I am
cast ashore, friendless, and deprived of every comfort. My poor, dear
love had been as well as usual during the two or three last months,
and even on the dreadful evening (christmas eve) she spoke with
pleasure of the approaching event. My spirits were elevated to so
uncommon a pitch, by the birth of a lovely daughter, that they were
by no means prepared for the succeeding scene; and they have been so
overwhelmed, that I sometimes hope it may be a dream, out of which I
wish to awake. The little infant is well, and I have called it
Catharine, a name which must ever be dear to me, and which I wish to
be able to apply to some object whom I love; for though it caused the
death of my hopes, it is dear to me, as being the last precious relic
of her, whom every body who knew her esteemed, and I loved. I must
now bid adieu to every comfort, and live only for the sweet babes.
Oh! 'tis hard, very hard.
"THOMAS GARNETT."
"To Mr. Ort, Bury,
Lancashire.
The affliction Dr. Garnett experienced on the death of his wife, was
never recovered. On all occasions of anxiety which were multiplied
upon him, by reason of his exquisite sensibility, he longed for the
consolation her society used to afford him; and although his
susceptibility to the action of external causes, would not allow him
to remain in continued and unalterable gloom and melancholy, yet in
solitude, and on the slightest accident, his distress returned, and
he despaired of the possibility of ever retrieving his lost
happiness. Had it not been for his philosophical pursuits, and the
duties of his extensive practice, which kept him almost constantly
engaged, it may be doubted, whether he could at this time have
sustained the load of sorrow with which he was oppressed.
The circumstances which remain to be mentioned are few. From the
death of his wife, Dr. Garnett may be considered as unfortunate; for
although a fair prospect opened before him, a series of occurrences
took place, which neither his state of mind, nor his constitutional
firmness enabled him to support.
At the time of the formation of the Royal Institution of Great
Britain, in London, Count Rumford wrote to Dr. Garnett, to whom he
was then an entire stranger, inquiring into the nature and economy of
Anderson's Institution, Glasgow; the plan of the lectures given, &c.
&c.; and after hinting at the opportunities of acquiring reputation
in London, he finally proposed that Dr. Garnett should become
lecturer of the new Institution. With this proposal, arduous as was
the task, to deliver a course of lectures on almost every branch of
human attainment, Dr. Garnett complied, relying on his acquirements,
and the tried excellence of his nature; and conscious that no
difficulty could resist the indefatigable exertions which on other
occasions he had so successfully applied. Flattered by the honour and
respect he conceived to be paid to his abilities and qualifications;
pleased with the prospect of more rapidly accumulating an
independence for himself and his children; and animated with the hope
of meeting with more frequent opportunities of gratifying his thirst
after knowledge, his spirits were again roused, and he looked forward
to new objects of interest in the advancement of his favourite
pursuits. In the enthusiasm of the moment, he was known to say, that
he considered his connexion with the Royal Institution, from which
the country had a right to expect so much, as one of the most
fortunate occurrences of his life. On the 15th October 1799, he
informed a special meeting of the Managers of Anderson's Institution,
of his appointment to the Professorship of Philosophy, Chemistry, and
Mechanics, in the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and on that
account requested permission to resign his situation. The resignation
of a man, whom all loved and revered, was reluctantly, though, as
tending to his personal advancement, and the promotion of science,
unanimously accepted by the meeting; he was congratulated on his new
appointment, and thanked for the unremitting attention he had paid to
the interests of Anderson's Institution, ever since he had been
connected with it. As an instance of the high esteem in which he was
held by the trustees, it may be observed, that his successor, Dr.
Birkbeck, was elected by a very great majority of votes, principally
on account of his recommendation. In November, he pursued his journey
to London, leaving his children at Kirkby Lonsdale, under the care of
Miss Worboys. This lady, whose friendship for Mrs. Garnett had
induced her to become almost her constant companion, and had even
determined her to go with her friend to America, if the Doctor had
put his intentions in execution; soon after the death of Mrs.
Garnett, had pledged herself, never to desert the children, so long
as she could be of any use to them. How faithfully she observes this
obligation, all who know her must acknowledge; nor can we, without
increased anxiety, reflect upon the situation the poor orphans must
have been in without her protection.
Dr. Garnett was received by the Managers of the Royal Institution
with attention, civility, and respect. During the winter, the lecture
room was crowded with persons of the first distinction and fashion,
as well as by those who had individually contributed much to the
promotion of science; and although the northern accent, which Dr.
Garnett still retained in a slight degree, rendered his voice
somewhat inharmonious to an audience in London, his modest and
unaffected manner of delivering his opinions, his familiar, and at
the same time elegant language, rendered him the object of almost
universal kindness and approbation.
The exertions of the winter had in some measure injured his health,
and a degree of uncertainty that he saw in his prospects, tended
greatly to depress his spirits. He determined, however, to keep his
situation at the Institution, in order that he might at a more
convenient time be justified to himself in resigning it. In the
summer of 1800, he visited his children in Westmoreland; but his
anxiety of mind was not diminished, nor consequently his health
improved, by this relaxation from active employment. He walked over
the same ground, and viewed the same prospects that he had formerly
enjoyed in the company of his wife. He had not resolution to check
the impressions as they arose; and thus, instead of being solaced by
the beauties which surrounded him, he gave the reins to his
melancholy fancy, which, unchecked by any other remembrance, dwelt
only on the affection and the virtues of her, whose loss he had ever
to deplore; the want of whose society he imagined to be the chief
source of his misery. Towards the end of autumn, he returned to the
Institution, and in the winter, recommenced his duties as professor.
The effect produced upon his lecturing by these and other irritating
circumstances was remarkable. Debility of body, as well as uneasiness
of mind, incapacitated him for that ardent and energetic pursuit of
knowledge, by which he had been so eminently distinguished. His
spirited, and at the same time modest method of delivery was changed
into one languid and hesitating, that, during this period, occasioned
an erroneous judgment to be formed of his abilities as a man of
science, and a teacher, by such of his audience as were unacquainted
with the cause, or the intrinsic value and merit of the man. At the
close of the season, his determination of retiring from the
Institution was fixed; and he presented to the Managers his
resignation.
It was well known to Dr. Garnett's particular friends, that during
the early part of this session, he determined to withdraw himself
from the Institution; but the success and advancement of the
establishment, which he sanguinely hoped would stand unrivalled in
the universe, was so intimately connected with the affections of his
mind, that he resolved to forego every personal consideration, rather
than risk an inconvenience to the Institution, by ceasing to deliver
his lectures in the middle of a course; liberally considering, that
the Managers, after the business of the season was over, would have
time and opportunity before the ensuing session, to fill the
professor's chair with talents competent to the arduous undertaking;
a circumstance the Managers afterwards so eminently profited by, with
the highest credit to themselves, and advantage to the public, in the
nomination of the gentlemen who now fill the situation held by Dr.
Garnett, and who discharge its important duties with the most
distinguished abilities.
The transactions of the last winter almost completely served to
undermine the small strength of constitution he had left; he was
constantly harrassed by complaints in the organs of digestion; head
ache deprived him of the power of application; his countenance
assumed a sallow complexion; the eye which had beamed with animation,
retired within its socket, deprived of lustre; melancholy conceptions
filled his imagination more habitually, and were excited by slighter
causes; at times, they altogether deprived him of the power of
exertion; and while he lamented their effect, the contemplation of
themselves rendered him the more their prey. At this time, a gloomy
day, or the smallest disappointment, gave him inconceivable distress;
but he was not altogether incapable of temporary relief, and the few
moments of pleasure he seemed to enjoy, would have given reason to
believe, that he might once more have recovered, and have long
continued to be the delight and instructor of his friends. A more
close observation would at the same time have justified the
supposition, that the strong and painful emotions of mind he had
suffered, had already induced disorders of the bodily system, which
were irrecoverable. Before Doctor Garnett had left his situation at
Glasgow, he had determined to practice as a physician in London; but
from this he was restrained, during the time he was at the Royal
Institution. To his former intention he now determined to apply
himself, and in addition to the attempt, by giving private lectures,
to assure himself of that independency, of which his unfortunate
destiny, though with every reasonable expectation before him, had
hitherto deprived him.
With this intention, he purchased the lease of a house in Great
Marlborough Street; and in the summer of 1801, built a lecture room.
He brought his family to town, and once more looked forward with
hope. The flattering success he soon met with, and a short residence
at Harrowgate in the autumn, contributed to afford a temporary
renovation of health and spirits; it was, however, but a short and
delusive gleam of prosperity which now dawned upon him; for,
confiding too much in his newly increased strength, he exerted
himself to a much greater degree than prudence would have suggested.
In the course of the following winter, he delivered not less than
eight courses of lectures, two on chemistry, two on experimental
philosophy, a private course on the same subject, one on mineralogy,
and the course to which this sketch is prefixed, which he also
delivered in an apartment at Tom's Coffee house, for the convenience
of medical students, and others, in the city. Besides these, he
commenced two courses on botany, one at Brompton, and the other at
his own house; but a return of ill health prevented his concluding
them. It was not to be expected, that a constitution so impaired and
debilitated, could long support this continued labour of composition
and recitation; accordingly he became affected with a consequent
disorder, which rapidly exhausted his strength; and, being unable to
employ the only probable means of recovering it, he became more
incapable of exertion. His spirits however were roused, and he ceased
not to use every means of increasing his practice. In the spring of
1802, the office of physician to the St. Mary le Bonne Dispensary
happened to be vacant, and he became a candidate; he was more than
commonly anxious to obtain this situation. It seemed to him, as if
his future good or ill fortune depended altogether upon the event of
his canvass, he spared no effort to ensure his success; and
accordingly was appointed to the situation in May. His life now drew
near a close. Little was he calculated to bear the accumulated
labours, and extreme fatigue, to which he was daily exposed. Any
benefit which might have resulted from constant and well regulated
occupation was frustrated; for whilst he still suffered from the
vividness of his conception, representing to him in mournful colours
the occurrences of his past life, he became liable to other evils,
not less injurious and destructive. The practice of medicine requires
both vigorous health of body and firmness of mind. Dr. Garnett, now
greatly weakened in body, and not exempt from anxiety of mind, became
more and more susceptible to the action of morbific matter. It was
not long before he received the contagion of typhous fever, whilst
attending a patient, belonging to that very dispensary of which he
had been so anxious to become physician. He laboured under the
disorder for two or three weeks, and died the 28th of June, 1802; and
was buried in the new burial ground of the parish of St. James,
Westminster.
Thus was lost to society a man, the ornament of his country, and the
general friend of humanity. In his personal attachments, he was warm
and zealous. In his religion he was sincere, yet liberal to the
professors of contrary doctrines. In his political principles, he saw
no end, but the general good of mankind; and, conscious of the
infirmity of human judgment, he never failed to make allowances for
error. As a philosopher, and a man of science, he was candid,
ingenuous, and open to conviction; he never dealt in mystery, or
pretended to any secret in art; he was always ready in explanation,
and desirous of assisting every person willing to acquire knowledge.
Virtue was the basis of all his actions; science never possessed a
fairer fabric, nor did society ever sustain a greater loss.
LECTURES ON ZOONOMIA.
LECTURE I.
INTRODUCTION.
I AM well aware of the difficulties attending the proper
composition of a popular course of lectures on the animal economy,
which must be essentially different from those generally delivered
in the schools of medicine; because it professes to explain the
structure and functions of the living body, to those who are
supposed to be unacquainted with the usual preliminary and
collateral branches of knowledge. It must be obvious to every one,
that it can be by no means an easy task to give in a few lectures,
a perspicuous view of so extensive a subject; but I trust that the
consideration of this difficulty will readily extend to me your
indulgence.
That such a course, if properly conducted, must be interesting,
needs scarcely to be observed; for the more we examine the
structure and functions of the human body, the more we admire the
excellence of the workmanship, and beauty of contrivance, which
presents itself in every part, and which continually shows the
hand of omniscience. The most ingenious of human inventions, when
compared with the animal frame, indicate a poverty of contrivance
which cannot fail to humble the pretensions of the sons of men.
Surely then there are few who will not feel a desire to become
acquainted with subjects so interesting.
But there is another point of view which will place the utility of
such inquiries in a still stronger light. We shall afterwards see,
that our life is continually supported by the action of a number
of substances, by which the body is surrounded, and which are
taken into the stomach for its nourishment. On the due action of
these depends the pleasant performance of the different functions,
or the state of health; without which, riches, honours, and every
other gratification, become joyless and insipid.
By understanding the manner in which these powers act, or, in
other words, by becoming acquainted with the principles of
physiology, we shall be enabled to regulate them, so as, in a
great measure, to guard against the numerous ills that flesh is
heir to: for it is universally agreed, that by far the greatest
part of the diseases to which mankind are subject, have been
brought on by intemperance, imprudence, and the neglect of
precautions, which often arises from carelessness, but much
oftener from ignorance of those precautions.
Physiological ignorance is, undoubtedly, the most abundant source
of our sufferings; every person accustomed to the sick must have
heard them deplore their ignorance of the necessary consequences
of those practises, by which their health has been destroyed: and
when men shall be deeply convinced, that the eternal laws of
nature have connected pain and decrepitude with one mode of life,
and health and vigour with another, they will avoid the former and
adhere to the latter.
It is strange, however, to observe that the generality of mankind
do not seem to bestow a single thought on the preservation of
their health, till it is too late to reap any benefit from their
conviction: so that we may say of health, as we do of time, we
take no notice of it but by its loss; and feel the value of it
when we can no longer think of it but with retrospect and regret.
When we take a view of the human frame, and see how admirably each
part is contrived for the performance of its different functions,
and even for repairing its own injuries, we might at first sight
imagine, that such a structure, unless destroyed by external
force, should continue for ever in vigour, and in health: and it
is by mournful experience alone that we are convinced of the
contrary. The strongest constitution, which never experienced the
qualms of sickness, or the torture of disease, and which seems to
bid defiance to the enemies of health that surround it, is not
proof against the attacks of age. Even in the midst of life we are
in death; how many of us have contemplated with admiration the
graceful motion of the female form; the eye sparkling with
intelligence; the countenance enlivened by wit, or animated by
feeling: a single instant is sufficient to dispel the charm: often
without apparent cause, sensation and motion cease at once; the
body loses its warmth, the eyes their lustre, and the lips and
cheeks become livid. These, as Cuvier observes, are but preludes
to changes still more hideous. The colour passes successively to a
blue, a green, and a black; the flesh absorbs moisture, and while
one part of it escapes in pestilential exhalations, the remaining
part falls down into a putrid liquid mass. In a short time no part
of the body remains, but a few earthy and saline principles; its
other elements being dispersed through air, or carried off by
water, to form new combinations, and afford food for other
animals.
The human body has been defined to be a machine composed of bones
and muscles, with their proper appendages, for the purpose of
motion, at the instance of its intelligent principle. From this
principle, nerves, or instruments of sensation, are likewise
detached to the various parts of the body, for such information as
may be necessary to determine it to those motions of the body,
which may conduce to the happiness of the former, and the
preservation of both.
It may perhaps be objected to this definition, that the body
consists of other parts besides bones, muscles, and nerves; this
is undoubtedly true; but, if we examine more minutely, we shall
find that all the other parts, as well as functions of the body,
seem only to be subservient to the purposes I have mentioned. For,
in the first place, the muscles which are necessary to the motions
of the body, are, from the nature of their constitution, subject
to continual waste; to repair which waste, some of the other
functions have been contrived.
Secondly, most of the other parts and functions of the body, are
either necessary to the action of the muscles, or to the operation
of the intelligent principle, or both.
Lastly, from the sensibility, and delicate structure, of the
muscles and nerves, they require to be defended from external
injuries: this is done by membranes, and other contrivances,
fitted for the purpose.
To see this more clearly, we shall examine a little more
particularly how each of the functions is subservient to the
muscular and nervous systems. For this purpose it may be observed,
1st. that the stomach and digestive faculties serve to assimilate
the food, or convert it into matter proper to repair the continual
waste of solids and fluids. The circulation of the blood besides
being absolutely necessary, as we shall afterwards see, to the
action of the muscles, distributes the nourishment, thus
assimilated and prepared by the stomach, to all parts of the body.
The different glands separate liquors from the blood, for useful,
but still for subservient purposes. Thus the salivary glands,
stomach, pancreas, and liver, separate juices necessary to the
proper digestion and assimilation of the food. The kidneys serve
to strain off from the blood the useless and superfluous water,
salts, &c. which if allowed to remain in the body would be very
injurious to it.
We shall afterwards see, that the nerves are not only instruments
of sensation, but the origin of motion; it being immediately by
their means that the muscles are moved. A certain degree of heat
is necessary to keep the blood fluid, and also to the action of
the nerves; without either of which, no motion could be performed.
Respiration or breathing is so necessary to life, that it cannot
exist, even a few minutes, without the exercise of that function;
and yet we shall afterwards see, that the ultimate end of
respiration is to keep the body in a proper state, for the
purposes of muscular motion and sensation.
The skin serves like a sheath to defend the body from injuries;
the skull serves the same purpose to the brain, which is the
origin of the nerves. The different membranes separate the fibres,
muscles, nerves, and various organs of the body, from each other.
Hence we see that there is no impropriety, in calling the human
body a machine composed of bones and muscles, with their proper
appendages, for the purpose of motion, at the instance of its
intelligent principle.
In order to show more clearly how each part is subservient to
these ends, I shall give a short account of the structure of the
human body, but I must premise, that the nature of this course
will prevent my entering minutely into anatomical detail. All that
can be done is, to give such a general outline of anatomy and
physiology, as will furnish individuals with so much knowledge of
themselves, as may enable them to guard against habitual sickness.