982 VIEWS OF THE ANCIENTS. 



Yet Hippocrates often cautions us in regard to 

 their debilitating influence, especially in acute 

 diseases, and during the relaxing heat of summer. 

 He further states, that in some cases the death 

 of his patients seemed to be hastened by the 

 violent operation of the medicines which he pre- 

 scribed.* (Epidemics, book v.) 



It was wisely observed by Celsus, that " medi- 

 cine is not always good for the sick, but invariably 

 hurtful to the healthy.'" And it was maintained 

 by Asclepiades, that " diseases should be cured 

 quickly, safely, and pleasantly" But we have 

 seen that a very large majority of our medicines 

 operate as predisposing and exciting causes of 

 disease, by deranging the nutritive properties of 

 the blood, weakening the stomach, bowels, brain, 

 voluntary muscles, and depressing all the powers 

 of life ; consequently, that they cannot always be 

 given safely. And it must be admitted, that so 

 far from being pleasant, most of them are ex- 

 tremely nauseous and disagreeable. 



After devoting a long life in endeavouring to 

 improve the profession of medicine, the cele- 

 brated Hoffman laid it down as an axiom 



* And it was maintained by Plato, that " the very existence 

 of physicians in a republic is a proof of vice among the people." 

 But does not the same observation apply equally to the other 

 learned professions, and still more strongly to that of war? Yet 

 they are necessary evils in the present imperfect state of society, 

 and must continue until a higher and better state of knowledge 

 shall become the universal inheritance of mankind. 



