The Sun.
London, England, 1850-02-02 00:00:00


FEW WO 'O.PATHY ; er,
Swedish Mee. Application of
Active , and Passive Movements in the Cure of
_Diseases, according to the method of P. N. Ling ;
and the importance of introducing Mechanical
Agency into the Practice of Medicine. By Augustus
George.
The public are indebted to the writer of this valu-
able Paznphlet for bringing them acquainted with
Ling 's system of treatment, a system the discovery
of which forms an era in the history of medical.
science. In applying the word medical to gymnastics
it is not intended to imply athletic exercises, but the
agency of Movements on the part of the medical pro-
f, esor, and their local action 'on the seat of the disease,
The cures effected by apparently the most simple
means, are truly surprising ; but simple as the means
are, they require a most perfect knowledge of the
anatomy of the human frame, a knowledge which lies
at the foundation of all that is successful in medical
science. We live in an era when the' mind opens'
itself eagerly and thankfully to the reception of new
truths, more especially where the health is concerned,
that first of blessings, without which life has no en-
joyment, with whatever attractions it may be sur-'
rounded. Professor Ling was earnestly patronized
and received every aid from the King of Sweden and
the Swedish Government. A royal institution was
established, and a certain numlY-r of pupils publicly
taught, who devoted themselves to the teach-
ing and practice of the science of medical
gymnastics throughout the country. The Pro-
fessor fully tested the therapeutic agency
of muscular and local movements, by repeated obser-
vations and experiments. He observed by long and
attentive application that movements were of different
natures ; that they acted differently, according to the
different organs influenced by them, and that the
phenomena they occasioned were in some measure
comparable to the effects of internal medicines. He
further observed that by the application of general me-
chanical laws.to those of the organization of the human
frame we are able to affect any organ by movements',
and that due regard being had to the relation and
. state of the various organs, it will be easy to regulate
and determine the requisite strength of the influence
-to be applied. Professor Branting, the head of the
Central Institution in Stockholm, and Augustus
George, the author of the present work, were the
only two persons whose thorough anatomical know-
ledge enabled them to. take the lead, and to acquire
the reputation they ,obtained. In the present pam-
phlet Mr. George enters into a minute description of
Professor Ling 's mode of operation, and of the prin-
cipal points of his physiological operations and views.
A tabular view is given of the patients treated at the
Central Institution at Stockhohn, from July, 1848, to
July, 1849; and the list of cures in the most afflictive
cases are so extraordinary, and so well attested, as to
leave no patient without hope, under whatever degree
of nervous relaxtion or bodily debility, 1:1 may suffer.
We recommend the general perusal ( f this pamphlet,
from having witnessed the successful operations of
Mr. George, to the surprising success of which we
can bear testimony.

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