38 “ ON THE FUTURE OF PHYSIC.” 
tion of disease geographically . . . are matters demanding 
inquiry ; and as regards the actual cure of disease, what is our 
prospect touching the task that, between the first natural 
appearance of the human living thing on the earth 
to its last natural appearance, it shall not die from un- 
natural causes, nor from natural causes that come within 
the governance of man ? It is good. It is good because we 
are learning 'definitely not to lose trust in remedies for the 
reason that we cannot apply them at once with accurate 
judgment, but to believe in them as powerful means of cure 
that are yet to be accurately employed Because we are 
seizing certain agents, and are forcing them to tell us what 
they perform on the body, what is their physiological action, 
and what antagonism of action they offer to the phenomena of 
disease. . . . Because we are learning, in respect to remedies, 
that their physical action on the process of animal natural 
dialysis, or action in controlling or exciting nervous systems, 
may be learned by methods of physical research, that wait 
but to be tried to be proved as true to us as other physical 
inquirers. . . . 
“ In the future of physic, as we advance in the directions 
I have tried to signalise, we - shall stand firmer and fairer 
with the world. But our success shall not be perfect until 
yet another, and of all the mightiest, truth breaks upon us — 
namely, that the solemn and august secret of our power is* 
not in the amassment of wealth by our professional exertion, 
— not in the amassment of popularity by it — not even in the 
creation by it of that future fame and name in history which 
all men of noble instinct and noble nature would die to 
secure, — but in the accomplishment by it of one simple end, 
the happiness of mankind. In this accomplishment lies our 
own happiness, and with it all true and worthy pow T er, all 
true and lasting glory. Meted out ever for this end, we require 
no other incentive for research, no other corrective for research, 
and no other protective against schismatic foes; nay, we require 
not even reward of gratitude, grateful though that may be 
when spontaneously it flows at our feet. It is a simple formula 
of living action this ; but how potent ! Is this professional 
desire, is this act, is this practice which we daily do, in desire, 
in act, in practice, is it for the happiness of the individual, of 
the race? Shall the conscientious answer be Yes? Then is 
the act strong, unassailable, and, though it even partake of 
error, holy. Shall the answer be No? Then is the act 
weak, easily controverted, bad. This is not moral axiom, 
it is scientific truth. To many in all time it hath been 
known, medicine hath lived upon the knowledge ; to 
