“General Therapeutics, or Principles of Medical Practice” by Robley Dunglison, first published in 1836, is a foundational text that outlines the principles of medical treatment and the use of therapeutic agents. Dunglison, a prominent 19th-century physician and educator, aimed to provide a comprehensive guide for medical practitioners, integrating contemporary medical knowledge with practical applications. The book is structured to offer both theoretical insights and practical information, including tables of chief remedial agents, their preparations, and a detailed account of various poisons and their antidotes.

The initial sections of the book delve into the general principles of therapeutics, discussing the rationale behind various treatment modalities. Dunglison emphasizes the importance of understanding the physiological and pathological basis of diseases to apply appropriate therapeutic interventions. He advocates for a methodical approach to treatment, considering factors such as dosage, timing, and the individual patient’s condition. This systematic methodology reflects the medical philosophy of the time, which sought to combine empirical observations with emerging scientific knowledge.

A significant portion of the text is dedicated to detailed tables that list various remedial agents, their preparations, and dosages. These tables serve as a practical reference for physicians, facilitating the selection of appropriate treatments based on specific clinical scenarios. Additionally, Dunglison includes an extensive section on poisons, categorizing them and providing corresponding antidotes. This inclusion underscores the book’s utility as a comprehensive medical manual, addressing both therapeutic and emergency situations.

Dunglison’s work reflects the medical understanding of the 19th century, a period characterized by rapid advancements in medical science and a growing emphasis on systematic medical education. By compiling and organizing medical knowledge into a coherent framework, “General Therapeutics” contributed to the standardization of medical practice. The book’s enduring relevance is evidenced by its continued reference in medical literature and its availability in collections such as the Wellcome Collection.

Robley Dunglison’s “General Therapeutics, or Principles of Medical Practice” serves as a seminal work in the field of medical therapeutics. Its comprehensive approach to treatment principles, combined with practical reference materials, made it an invaluable resource for 19th-century physicians and continues to be of historical significance in understanding the evolution of medical practice.