Medicina Gymnastica: or, A treatise concerning the power of exercise, with respect to the animal oeconomy; and the great necessity of it in the cure of several distempers

"Medicina Gymnastica" by Francis Fuller is a scientific treatise written in the early 18th century. The book focuses on the importance of exercise in maintaining health and treating various ailments, emphasizing the interconnection between physical activity and the body's overall functioning. Fuller challenges the prevailing belief that medicine revolves primarily around internal remedies, advocating for a more holistic approach that includes physical exercise. At the start of the treatise, Fuller provides an insightful preface discussing the misconceptions surrounding physical health and medicine. He argues against the limited view of pharmacy as solely reliant on internal medications, instead highlighting the body's need for diverse methods to achieve wellness. He introduces the concept of exercise as an essential aspect of health, able to stimulate healing processes and enhance the efficacy of medicines. Fuller's observations draw on historical practices and personal experiences, setting the stage for a more comprehensive exploration of how exercise can play a pivotal role in treating specific diseases, particularly those affecting the lungs, and encouraging a shift in medical philosophy toward a balance between internal and external methods of healing.