8 



ments in its theories and modes of practice, raising it from a low 

 and conjectural art, to a place among the legitimate sciences, by 

 which great goo:l is already attained, and farther benefit of inesti- 

 mable value promised to suffering humanit}'. Nor have its disciples 

 among us lingered behind in the career of reform and general ad- 

 vancement. Yet the preceding averment of the deterioration of the 

 profession in some of its features, cannot be denied. The truth of 

 it, indeed, is everywhere recognized and proclaimed. Complaints, 

 at first heard only in the murmurs of discontent, are now so loud, 

 distinct, and potential, as not to be disregarded or admit of further 

 postponement. The commission which accredits you to this Asso- 

 ciation sufficiently attests the tone of professional sentiment on the 

 subject. Does it not declare the fact, that the profession is environed 

 by difficulties and dangers, arising mainly from the too ready ad- 

 mixture into it of individuals unworthy of the association, either by 

 intellectual culture, or moral discipline, by whom it is abased ? and 

 are you not imperatively instructed to purify its taints and abuses, 

 and restore it to its former elevation and dignity? 



The pilgrimage you have performed in coming hither, at so many 

 sacrifices of comfort and convenience, evinces the ardour of your 

 zeal, and the loyalty of your devotion to this noble cause. Encour- 

 agement is also afforded to the hopes entertained of the success of 

 our enterprise, by the firm, though moderate and dispassionate 

 temper characteristic of the whole of our proceedings. We have 

 been maddened by no extravagances of enthusiasm; — no delirious 

 hallucinations of imaginary perfectibility do we pursue. We are 

 betrayed by no false lights, — and seek only as an attainable good, 

 in soberness of thought, a reform in medicine enacted by a proper 

 regard to its future glory and usefulness. From slumbers too long 

 indulged, the profession has at length awoke, and shaking the pop- 

 pies from its brows, is recalled to a sense of what is due to itself, 

 and the obligations it owes to preserve its fair heritage, to be trans- 

 mitted to posterity unsullied, and without detriment or loss. Excited 

 by this generous impulse, it comes forward in the majesty of its might 

 to vindicate its rights, and redress its wrongs. To no other tribunals 

 does it deign to appeal for these purposes. No mean petition of 

 grievances, or supplicatory memorials for relief, or more immediate 

 addresses to popular feeling to engage its favour, shall sully our 

 proceedings. We have in a spirit becoming ^our just pride trusted, 

 and will, I hope, continue to trust, our cause exclusively to the clear 

 heads, the warm hearts, and strong arms of the host enlisted in its 



