550 THE MOUNTAIN. 



the lessons of wisdom from a Hufeland, Comb, Johnston, 

 Smith, Dunglison, Tilt, Beale, or a Mayo, and the whole 

 school of human physiologists. 



The extent of the literature or bibliography of the medi- 

 cal profession in this department is surprising. Some of 

 the works are of a popular character, addressing the com- 

 prehension of all ; others are of a more technical and scien- 

 tific structure, belonging to the order of strictly professional 

 books. However popularized or familiarized, the knowledge 

 belongs to the department of medical science which takes 

 cognizance of the instrumentality of prevention (prophy- 

 lactics) as well as implements of cure (therapeutics) of 

 disease. The strictly professional books are significant 

 and wise, but are not accessible to all, and it has now be- 

 come the imperative duty of every physician to be a preacher 

 (he is a high-priest in the temple of Apollo) of the gospel 

 of life and the laws of health, if he has any exalted appre- 

 hension of the aims and ends of his calling, or realizes the 

 high and noble functions of his sphere as the destroyer of 

 pain and suffering, and the creator of health and happi- 

 ness.* Sacred is his calling, sublime are the duties of his 

 mission, but vast is the extent of his field of labor, and 

 fearful are the responsibilities of his vocation. 



"Man is in little all the sphere." The wonderful extent 

 and variety of his relations come from the universality of his 

 connection with the world, and his total circularity, rather 

 sphericity, of organization. Having "more points of contact 

 with the whole of nature by which he is surrounded," than any 

 other creature in existence, it has been arranged that the mi- 

 crocosm (little world) has all the macrocosm (great world) 

 to consult for his health, as nothing exists that is not in 

 connection with him, physiologically, pathologically. This 

 embraces his highest bonds of affiliation, as well as the 



* "A Greek philosopher and physician had so just an apprecia- 

 tion of the nobility of his mission, that he called the physician 'the 

 hand of God.' Are we Christians to have a less exalted notion of 

 our duties than the pagan Hierophilus ?" EDWARD JOHN TILT. 



