Macpherson, Walter E

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Loma Linda University

Medical Arts and Sciences: A Scientific Journal of the College ofMedical EvangelistsVolume 2 | Number 4 Article 210-1948Pathological Physiology as a Basis for MedicalPracticeWalter E. MacphersonCollege of Medical EvangelistsFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/medartssciencesPart of the Biochemistry Commons, Medical Biochemistry Commons, Medical PathologyCommons, Medical Physiology Commons, and the Physiology CommonsThis Editorial is brought to you for free and open access by the Loma Linda University Publications at TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archiveof Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. It has been accepted for inclusion in Medical Arts and Sciences: A Scientific Journal of the College ofMedical Evangelists by an authorized administrator of TheScholarsRepository@LLU: Digital Archive of Research, Scholarship & Creative Works. Formore information, please contact scholarsrepository@llu.edu.Recommended CitationMacpherson, Walter E. (1948) "Pathological Physiology as a Basis for Medical Practice," Medical Arts and Sciences: A Scientific Journalof the College of Medical Evangelists: Vol. 2: No. 4, Article 2.Available at: http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/medartssciences/vol2/iss4/2EDITORIAL PATHOLOGICAL PHYSIOLOGY AS A BASIS FOR MEDICAL PRACTICE The primary interests of the clinician re-volve around the three general topics of diag-nosis, therapy, and prevention of disease. Re-gardless of the extent of his factual knowledge, his ability to accurately diagnose disease and to instruct and treat patients satisfactorily bears a direct relationship to his working knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and · pathology. Whatever symptom a given patient may have is due to his ci>nscious recognition of a physiological action. Such recognition may be brought to his consciousness over the common somatic afferent pathways or through the spe-cial senses. For example, he is conscious of the existence and location of pain associated with angina pectoris; or the numbness of the fingers and the contractures of certain muscles caused by the acapnia of hyperventilation. In recog-nition of the presence of.inadequate and dif-ficult breathing, he is informed that he has dyspnea. He becomes conscious of the depend-ent edema or cyanosis of myocardial failure by what he sees more than by what he feels or of the bruit of Leudet associated with mid-dle ear pathology, by what he hears. Sometimes certain symptoms must be recog-nized by the physician as resulting from nor-mal physiology. When present they indicate response of a healthy subject. Unfortunately such normal responses are not always so inter-preted by patients, and more unfortunately th.ey are not uncommonly misinterpreted by the physician. On the other hand, most symptoms result from physiological reactions which can be classified as abnormal. As a rule, the majority of symptoms which are brought to the at-tention of the physician by his patient are included in the classification of being abnor-mal, or at least unusual. The proposition that there is a legitimate cause for all such physio-logical disturbances must be accepted and agreed to. In other words, there is a definite, if not a specific, pathological state which forms the primary background for the existing ab-normal physiology and the associated trouble-some symptoms. Even though organic lesions are frequently the basic causes of the physio-logic state which exists in given subjects, for one to promote the idea that the pathological state is always a well-defined or demonstrable anatomical lesion would be a gross misstate-ment of facts. Even to project the thesis that existing organic lesions always give rise to easily recognized physiological disturbances and thereby to well-defined sympto1ns or syn-dromes, would be an equally serious error. The situation is seldom that simple. In defining a given pathological state one must keep clearly in mind that it may or may not be associated with demonstrable anatom-ical abnormalities; that the apparent physio-logical explanation of existing symptoms may be of minor consequence as compared to other physiological disturbances which remain hid-den to a superficial analysis and which require rather deep and organized probing to find, 115 118 Macpherson-:-Pathological Physiology Basis for Medical Practice in mind what happens to food after it is eaten. the most good, and altogether too often has Therefore, he should have an understanding actually contributed to harm. This does not of the processes of digestion, absorption, and mean that all such individuals are insincere metabolism. He should have in mind the re- or malicious, but it does emphasize the neces-lationships between food and other body func- sity of one's having a sound working knowl-tions. Otherwise, how could he be in a posi- edge of the physiology of the human organism tion to prescribe what, how, when, and where before he is in a position to prescribe. to eat? In conclusion, emphasis is placed upon the The same principles apply to rest, exercise, , fundamental propositions that the conditions recreation, mental attitudes, environments, of life which affect the average human being and other factors which may have an in- are complicated; that all factors which touch fluence on the life and the well-being of any him and his living conditions have an influ-person. ence upon his inherent complicated physi-As previously intimated; the unphysiologi- ology; and that the doctor of medicine must cal approach to the solution of the problem have a practical knowledge of the factors which of preventive medicine, such as has been may be involved in promoting normal physio-promoted by certain enthusiasts both within logical actions before he is in a position to and without the profession, has frequently diagnose disease, prescribe treatment, or direct been detrimental to the accomplishment of in the prevention of human ailments. w. E. MACPHERSON, M.D • . G Y N E IR G 1E N . • . ergotamine tartrate For flt• Eflocflvo Treofme.t of A.t:t:efJled by A.trUric- Medit:lll A.ssot:iMiO# Co11ft&il on Ph-y tmd Chm1islry DOSAGE: 0.5 cc. intramuscularly as early as possible. In resistant cases the dosage may be increased to 1 cc. In mild attacks 2 to 6 tablets, preferably sublingually, often prove effective. • SANDOZ 450 Sutter Street LITER ATURE ON REQUEST PHARMACEUTICALS West Coast Office San Francisco 8, Calif. 

Pathological Physiology as a Basis for Medical Practice

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Pathological Physiology as a Basis for Medical Practice

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