vi INTRODUCTION. 
knowledge alone cannot do this. Theory, or study merely, 2 
never formed a physician ready for the work. With equal 
propriety, a man might learn any mechanical business by theo- 
ry: he would find, in either case, on attempting the practi- — 
cal part, that he has his profession yet to learn.—lIt is obser- — 
vation only, under the guidance of some experienced practi- — 
tioner, that can perfect the physician, and render him prec : 
cally competent. | 
Neither would I have the qualifications of the student regu- — 
lated bythe time hewhasspent in study : for some from in- — 
stinct, or a natural inclination for it, will t ufi@erstand.the sub- — 
ject better in one year than others will in their whole Jife- . 
time. Therefore, whenever a student can pass the exami-— 
nation of a competent tribunal, satisfactorily, let him be ad- 
mitted, whether he has studied two or ten years—acquired 
his knowledge ‘in the chimney corner, or in the college; 
thereby affording encouragement to industry and enterprise. 
It has been a common custom among one class of physi- 
sicians to denounce all others as “ cupokee 4] | &e. Indeed, I 
‘have frequently been cursed for a quack merely for curing 
when my accuser has failed. Such eecusations, under such 
ceepransei, are = harmless and ridiculous. Walker’ Ss 
: J of 01 our ee is oS natiat feat ehh a a and | 
check her when her efforts are too violent; and to accom- — 
p | both these ends by the steps whereby she endeavors _ 
expel the disorder ; for nature alone terminates distempers, 4 
nd works a cure, with the assistance of a few simple medi- | 
eines, | and sometimes even without tes medici at all. 3 
hore all, ne j — 
