646 . ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
this is a most unjust reproach, since they understand neither the 
meaning nor the value of chemistry. They can no more read 
its language than they could a work written in Hebrew 
characters without having previously learned those characters. 
“ It is not unworthy of remark, that many physicians profess 
to hold chemistry in contempt, exactly as they do with phy- 
siology ; that medicine reproaches physiology, and with equal 
injustice, as she reproaches chemistry. The physician who has 
learned medicine, not as a science, but as an empirical art, ac- 
knowledges no principles, but only rules derived from ex- 
perience. The object of his inquiries is only whether a 
remedy, in any given case, had a good or a bad effect. This is 
all the empiric cares about. He never asks why 1 He never 
inquires into the causes of what he observes ! 
“From what a different point of view should we contemplate 
the abnormal or diseased conditions of the human body, if we 
were first thoroughly acquainted with its normal conditions, if 
we had established the science of physiology upon a satisfactory 
basis ! 
“How differently would the treatment of diseases be conducted 
if we had perfectly clear notions of the processes of digestion, 
assimilation, and excretion. Without just views of force, cause, 
and effect — without a clear insight into the very essence of 
natural phenomena — without a solid physiological and chemical 
education, is it to be wondered at that men, in other respects 
rational, should defend the most absurd notions ; that the doc- 
trines of Hahnemann should prevail in Germany, and find dis- 
ciples in all countries V 7 
The function of DIGESTION was viewed as a complex rather 
than a simple process, and the change that amylaceous matters 
undergo in the mouth, through the influence of saliva, by which 
they are converted into imperfectly formed sugar, the principal 
agent effecting this transmutation being an albuminous principle 
designated salivine, and which acts as a ferment, while the 
caseous and other allied bodies are merely dissolved by the 
alcali of this secretion, was dwelt upon. This change was said 
to be brought about in an incredibly short time. The presence 
of the suipho-cvanide of potassium imparts to this secretion its 
great peculiarity; and it has been conjectured that this salt 
being in excess in the saliva of some animals, gives to this se- 
cretion its poisonous properties. The food being thus insalivated, 
is passed into the stomach, and there it is further acted on by a 
peculiar acid. What this acid really is has called forth much 
difference of opinion. For a long time it was accepted as being 
the hydrochloric, derived from the common salt of the blood by 
electrical action; and most writers allow that there is always a 
