XXVi INTRODUCTION. 



teaches us, that the effects of remedies are 

 manifold ; that the same medicine operates very 

 differently, according to the quantity of the dose, 

 or the intervals at which it is administered. Thus, 

 minute doses of certain medicines remove nausea 

 and arrest vomiting ; whilst the same medicines 

 given in larger doses, produce a contrary effect ; 

 others, when taken in large quantities, act as pur- 

 .gatives ; but, when administered in minute portions, 

 check diarrhoea. Therefore^ since we are aware 

 ihat medicines in minute doses possess peculiar quali- 

 ties and powers^ it is our bounden duty to make our- 

 selves acquainted with this mode of using them^ and 

 it is imperative on us to forego such 7iotions and 

 Principles (hereditary or acquired) as are founded 

 ■on prejudice. Minute doses alone can produce real 

 medicinal action. Properly employed, they operate 

 beneficially ; because, their action is confined to 

 that part of the body which is the seat of disease, 

 while the remainder of the system is not attacked 

 or weakened ; if improperly employed, they cannot, 

 from their minuteness, be very injurious. Large 

 quantities of any materials, whether from the kitchen 

 or the apothecary's shop, whether prepared by cooks [ 

 Or prescribed by Greek, Arab, Indian, or Europeanj 

 physicians, are not entitled to the name of medicines 'Ai 

 they are to be considered nutriments^ when properlyjs 

 used — when abused, they are poisons. [ti 



Instances frequently occur, wherein large doseJn 

 of so-called medicine, appear to produce curativJe; 

 effects upon the patients ; but, it is probable, thafi c! 

 in some cases, the recovery is attributable to th re 

 healing power of nature alone, which often repaii ed 

 what bunglers have injured. [sff 



