36 DIVISION OF LABOUR. 



It is one of the first axioms of medical science that 

 no one is competent to treat the diseases of a single 

 organ, unless he is competent to treat the diseases of 

 the whole frame. The folly of dividing the diseases of 

 such organs as the head and stomach, between which 

 the most intimate sympathy exists, is evident to the 

 unlearned. But the whole structure is united by deli- 

 cate white threads, and by innumerable pipes of blood. 

 It is scarcely possible for any complaint to influence 

 one part alone. The Egyptian, however, was marked 

 off, like a chess board, into little squares, and when- 

 ever the pain made a move, a fresh doctor had to be 

 called in. 



This arrangement was part of a system founded on 

 an excellent principle, but carried to absurd excess. It 

 is needless to explain that division of labour is highly 

 potent in developing skill and economising time. It is 

 also clearly of advantage that in an early stage of 

 society the son should follow the occupation of the 

 father. It is possible that hereditary skill or tastes 

 come into play ; it is certain that ajmrenticeship at 

 home is more natural and more efficient than appren- 

 ticeship abroad. The father will take more pains to 

 teach, the boy will take more pains to learn, than will 

 be the case when master and- pupil are strangers to 

 each other. 



The founders of Egyptian civilisation were acquainted 

 with these facts. Hence they established customs which 

 their successors petrified into unchanging laws. They 

 did it no doubt with best of motives. They adored 

 the grand and noble wisdom of their fathers; whatever 

 came from them must be cherished and preserved. 

 They must not presume to depart from the guidance 

 of those god-like men. They must paint as they 



