ON COUNTER-IRRITATION 115 



use on empirical lines, a la "similia similibus curantur" of 

 counter-irritation has brought into the medical armamen- 

 tarium a series of agencies differing very much in character 

 and manner of use, but possessing a common curative 

 effect and quality ; thus the emplastrum, the liniment, the 

 unguent, the seton, and the cautery, el hoc genus omne, 

 have been at one time or another in use by the older 

 practitioners of medicine and surgery, and still have to be 

 resorted to by the most modern generalists and specialists 

 in their everyday practice ; hence, we may conclude, 

 that these facts warrant us in claiming the principle of 

 counter-irritation as a " survival of the fittest" in the 

 progress of empirical experience and research a survival 

 to which we hope present day scientific research, with its 

 modes of mechanical and electrical percussion, its sham- 

 pooing and massage, may be able to do full justice by 

 placing it on a reasoned basis, and utilising, when indicated, 

 its beneficial influences in the relief and cure of disease 

 and suffering. 



