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[The importance of feeling the pulse]
1Department of History, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Summary
Physician Bordeu advanced pulse-taking methods, believing the pulse revealed bodily activities and disease progression. His work synthesized ancient and modern medicine, emphasizing tactile examination for diagnostic insights.
Area of Science:
- History of Medicine
- 18th-Century Medical Practices
Background:
- The study examines physician Bordeu's (1722-1776) medical writings, particularly his 1756 work "Recherches sur le pouls par rapport aux crises."
- Bordeu is recognized for his character in Diderot's "Reve de d'Alembert," but his medical contributions offer a unique synthesis of ancient and modern medical theories.
Discussion:
- Bordeu advocated for interpreting the pulse beyond patient temperament, viewing it as an indicator of bodily activities, disease localization, and crisis prediction.
- His approach aligned with sensationist philosophies, promoting the use of touch in medical diagnosis.
- The study contrasts Bordeu's vitalist approach using pulse feeling with Auenbrugger's mechanistic use of percussion.
Key Insights:
- Bordeu's "Recherches sur le pouls" provides valuable insights into evolving pulse-taking methods and rationale in the 18th century.
- He proposed the pulse could reveal internal bodily functions and predict critical events (crises) that relieve illness.
- Both Bordeu and Auenbrugger sought to visualize internal patient conditions, though through different sensory modalities and theoretical frameworks.
Outlook:
- Bordeu's emphasis on pulse feeling highlights a historical diagnostic technique that, while influential, is now often overshadowed by other methods.
- The study underscores the importance of understanding historical diagnostic tools and their theoretical underpinnings.
- Comparing Bordeu's tactile approach with Auenbrugger's percussion reveals diverse 18th-century strategies for internal diagnosis.