22 INTRODUCTION. 



administer. But who would choose to trust such men ; or those, 

 who, equally uninformed, as to the nature of things, mix, compound 

 and vend, by precept and example alone ? Both may indeed do it, 

 to a certain extent, successfully, but it is travelling blindfold, and, at 

 the same time, leading others. Medicine and pharmacy both need 

 the aid of scientific chemistry ; then they can proceed with intelli- 

 gence and confidence they can shun and rectify errors, discard 

 abuses, and add new resources to the healing art. They will avoid 

 mixing inconsistent and mutually subversive ingredients ; they will 

 reject the spurious and inert scrutinize, w^ith skill and knowledge, 

 the genuineness of medicines, and avoid painful sometimes fatal 

 mistakes. 



The principles of natural and experimental philosophy as well 

 as of chemistry, should enter into the education of a medical man ; 

 and if he has not been already initiated into these elements, he 

 should neglect no favorable opportunity of acquiring them. They 

 are constantly brought into view, along with the principle of life, in 

 reasoning upon the phenomena of the human frame ; and in surgery, 

 a correct knowledge of mechanical principles is of the utmost import- 

 ance. A knowledge of natural philosophy should every where be 

 and in some seminaries it is an indispensable qualification for medi- 

 cal privileges and honors. 



The enlightened medical man will regard his profession in a high- 

 er view, than as being merely a business, by which he may live. 

 The true physician is a man of extensive scientific acquirements. 

 No other profession demands so much scientific knowledge ; and 

 when this is possessed, by a man of powerful and ardent mind, and 

 united to habits of persevering and industrious exertion, the medical 

 man may become entitled to a distinguished rank among philoso- 

 phers. Probably, science is more indebted to medical men than to 

 those of any other profession. Every young man, who, with com- 

 petent talents, enters upon the study of this profession, should aim at 

 acquiring enlarged views of general as well as of medical science, 

 and should endeavor to add something to the common stock of know- 

 ledge. 



The physician, who possesses the true spirit of his profession, will 

 aim at a still higher excellence, that of being a good man. Familiar 

 in the confidence of families, having access to all, in the hour of sor- 

 row, and of tenderness, and weakness, he is, if virtuous and amiable, 

 regarded as the common friend of mankind. It is however in his 

 power, to sow moral contagion, or to diffuse the happiest influence. 

 In concluding, we may observe for the sake of the general stu- 

 dent, that, 



LITERATURE adorns and illustrates science, adding much to its 

 attractions, and to the method, perspicuity, and effect of its communi- 



