THE HISTORY OF INTERNAL MEDICINE 235 



of the mind to speculative thought; and the proper remedy is not 

 vituperation, but education. With the diffusion of medical knowledge 

 among the people — not by hysterical propaganda but by gradual and 

 substantial enlightenment — which seems inevitable now that the profes- 

 sion can exert its influence from an unimpeachable basis, greater mutual 

 sympathy and understanding are bound to come between the public and 

 the profession. 



In its rational development internal medicine is the laggard among 

 the medical sciences, having always been centuries behind such branches 

 as surgery and anatomy. This is natural, since the data of the latter 

 are superficial and obvious, while those of internal medicine are deep- 

 seated, obscure and inaccessible, and allow much play for theory or 

 imagination. Moreover, internal medicine lacks the spectacular appeal 

 which is exerted, for example, by surgery. Yet though its data are 

 inaccessible, its problems difficult, its therapeutic possibilities limited, 

 the greater the difficulties the greater is the glory of surmounting them, 

 and it is evident that internal medicine has at last entered upon a career 

 in honor and efficiency second to none. 



