IV INTRODUCTION. 



^1- J I _ 



1 



acquired knowledge, aided by freedom of en- 

 qniry, liberal vievvsj and rauttial forbearance, 



50. The practice of medicine is now exer- 

 cised in the United States by three sets of men 

 or Classes of Practitioners, 1. The IIationals, 

 S. Ihe Theorists, anil 3. the Empirics. 



51. The Rational medical men are liberal 

 and modest, learned or well informed, neither 

 intolerant nor deceitful, and ready to learn or 

 impart information.. They -comprise the Zm- 

 provers^ K^clectias, and Experimeiitalists. 



2S. The Improvers study nature and the hu- 

 man franie, write their observations, and im- 

 prove medical knowledge. 



23. The Eclectics are tliose who select and 

 adopt in practice, whatever is found most bene- 

 ficial, and who change their prescriptions ac- 

 cording to emergencies, circumstances and ac- 

 quired knowledge. 



24. While the Experimentalists are those 

 who arc directed by experience and experi- 

 ments, observations, dissections and facts. 



S5. But the Theorists are often illiberal, 

 intolerant, proud and conceited ; they follow a 

 peculiar theory and mode of practice, with little 

 deviation, employing but few vegetable reme- 

 dies, and enlisting under the banner of a teacher 

 or sect. 



^6. They are divided into many Sects, al- 

 ways at war among themselves and their rivals : 

 such are the JBroumists, Gahnists, Mesme- 



rians, Skepticks, Chemicalists, Calomelists, 

 Entomists, &c. 



^ S7. The Empirics are commonly illiterate. 

 Ignorant, deceitful and reserved ; they follow a 



