Sect. III.] Theory and Practice of PJiyslc. 313 



dilating mass, and thereby to irive orli^iu to diseases. 

 On this ground the use of stimulating, eordial, and 

 sudorific remedies became fasliionable through* uit 

 Europe in the latter half of the seventeenth centJi- 

 ly. This doctrine, which exhibits the last glinnncM- 

 ing of the chemical sect, attained its utmost heiglit, 

 and was taught and practised with the greatest ap- 

 plause, hv the celebrated Francis du Bois, more 

 known by his Latin name of Sylvius, professor of 

 medicine in the university of Leyden, who conti- 

 nued for many years the medical oracle of Europe, 

 and gave an eminent degree of eclat to the semi- 

 nary to which he belonged. With this physician 

 acidify formed the principal source of morbid afVee- 

 tions; and he extended and supported his doctrine 

 by every analogy that the learning of that period and 

 the utmost ingenuity could devise. Agents adapt- 

 ed to correct or expel this acrimony were exalted 

 into universal remedies, and supplied every inten- 

 tion of cure. 



To .oppose the cardiac and alcxipharmic doc- 

 trines of the Sylvian school, which often consisted 

 in doing violence to nature, and could not fail, 

 when carried to extremes, of increasing the mischiefs 

 it was intended to remove, required the powers of 

 a great and original mind. For this purpose the 

 illustrious Sydenham was eminently suited. The 

 sagacity of this physician led him, hy an almost 

 seeming intuition, to discern and obey the dictates 

 of nature, and to atlbrd every proper assistance 

 without urging her to useless and liazardous ellbrts. 

 The effects of this revolution were innnediately seen 

 in the improved treatment of acute diseasc^s of every 

 class, when, instead of the fashionable ah^xipharmic 



