IX 



errors and absurdities of Homeeopathy, whilst bringing into promi- 

 nence the "vis medicatrix naturae' 1 as the real agent in its reputed 

 cures, next to point out that the ordinary routine of medical prac- 

 tice, as carried on by a large proportion of the profession, is scarcely 

 less erroneous in principle and even more mischievous in result, 

 and thirdly, to assert the doctrine that Rational Medicine should be 

 based on the recognition of the curative powers of Nature as the 

 foundation of treatment, and that it should place its chief reliance 

 on those methods which carry out the indications afforded by the 

 "natural history" of each form of disease, that is, the course it 

 would run if uninterfered with by Art. These views, which he 

 subsequently expanded in a small treatise entitled " Nature and 

 Art in the Cure of Disease," were put forth in the first instance 

 with an incautious brusquerie which raised a storm of indignation 

 against their author, and damaged the reputation of the 'Review.' But 

 although what was injudicious in form and manner for a time pre- 

 vented what was really just and true from obtaining a fair hearing, 

 yet much of the effect which the author strove to produce has gra- 

 dually developed itself; for there can be no doubt that the practice 

 of the better-educated portion of the profession is now essentially 

 based on the principles which he enunciated ; and although various 

 influences have cooperated to bring about this reform, yet no small 

 share of its merit must be assigned to the honesty and vigour with 

 which truths were spoken out in ' Young Physic/ which conserva- 

 tive timidity would have continued to keep in reserve. 



The advance of years and other circumstances determined Dr. 

 Forbes in 1847 to relinquish the editorship of the 'British and 

 Foreign Medical Review,' and to transfer his property in it to its 

 publisher, who has made it his constant aim to keep up the high 

 tone impressed on it by its originator, and to maintain the position 

 he acquired for it as the " leading medical journal," not only of this 

 country, but of the world. 



With the exception of the small treatise just referred to, Dr. 

 Forbes did not make any further additions to professional or scien- 

 tific literature ; but he published, under the name of 'A Physician's 

 Holiday,' ,an account of a summer excursion in Switzerland, which 

 acquired a popularity that led him to two further ventures in the 

 same line, respectively entitled * Memorandums made in Ireland/ 



