“Nothing is known in our profession by guess; and I do not believe, that from the first dawn of medical science to the present moment, a single correct idea has ever emanated from conjecture: it is right therefore, that those who are studying their profession should be aware that there is no short road to knowledge; and that observation on the diseased living, examination of the dead, and experiments upon living animals, are the only sources of true knowledge; and that inductions from these are the sole bases of legitimate theory.” KnowsShouldFirstsBelieveIdeasMomentsScienceAnimalKnownKnowledgeStudyTheorySourceBasesMedicineProfessionMedicalExperimentsObservationDawnPresent MomentSoleExaminationDiseasedConjectureTrue KnowledgeMedical Science Author:Astley Cooper
“In collecting evidence upon any medical subject, there are but three sources from which we can hope to obtain it; viz. from observation on medical the living subject; from examination of the dead; and from experiments upon living animals.” ScienceThreeAnimalSubjectsSourceEvidenceMedicalExperimentsObservationExaminationCollecting Author:Astley Cooper
“I have made many mistakes myself; in learning the anatomy of the eye I dare say, I have spoiled a hatfull; the best surgeon, like the best general, is he who makes the fewest mistakes.” MadeEyeScienceMistakeDareSurgeonsSpoiledAnatomy Author:Astley Cooper
“The means by which I preserve my own health are, temperance, early rising, and spunging the body every morning with cold water, a practice I have pursued for thirty years ; and though I go from this heated theatre into the squares of the Hospital, in the severest winter nights, with merely silk stockings on my legs, yet I scarcely ever have a cold.” YearsMeanBodyScienceNightWaterMy OwnPracticeMorningHealthColdWinterLegsTheatrePreservesThirtyRisingHospitalsSquaresEvery MorningPhysiciansBiographiesPursuedThirty YearsSilkTemperanceStockingsCold WaterWinter Night Book:The Lectures of Sir Astley Cooper: On the Principles and Practice of Surgery Source: The Lectures of Sir Astley Cooper: On the Principles and Practice of Surgery
“My lectures were highly esteemed, but my operations less thought of, so that I am of opinion that my operations rather kept down my practice, than increased it.” ScienceOpinionPracticeOperationsBiographiesLectures Author:Astley Cooper
“If you are too fond of new remedies, first you will not cure your patients; secondly, you will have no patients to cure.” IfsFirstsSciencePatientCuresRemedy Author:Astley Cooper
