INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
621 
scientific principles, maybe safely left to the book- worms of the 
closet, who practically are of no worth, as they are only theorists. 
And what is theory, I would ask, but the exposition of the 
principles of a science ? And to be explained they must be 
known. He, therefore, who is unacquainted with them, cannot 
in the strict sense or meaning of the term, be, a sound prac- 
titioner, which the correct theorist in the end is sure to be. 
And who shall say what is the amount of gratification the 
educated man enjoys arising from a conviction that he has 
done what is right, or in consonance with science ? And con- 
trast this with the doubts and fears that must ever harrass the 
mind of the ignorant man in cases of difficulty ; whose practice 
being a mere peradventure, if successful, is only so fortui- 
tously. And especially will this be experienced by him if so 
be his employer, knowing something of medicine, should 
happen to interrogate him as to the character of the disease, 
and the modus operandi of the medicines he is about to 
administer : and many such employers are met with now-a- 
days. 
The simple truth is, the objection originates in a love of 
idleness, is fatal to all advancement — nay, is a shameful retro- 
gression. 
To bleed, purge, and blister, 
To rowel and to clyster ; 
would seem to be near all that is considered requisite by 
some persons. And whence has come your boasted “ sound 55 
practice, if such be really possessed by you, but from the care- 
ful analization of facts by others, the deduction of principles 
therefrom, and their subsequent application ? 
Go back, go back to the days of “ tarred herrings ” and 
“ decaying slugs;” to the. use of “mummy” and “ dried 
toads for the value and efficacy of these were as firmly 
believed in then, as the numerous musty receipts of the no- 
school men, as the late Professor Sewell used to designate 
them, with their traditional statements are by you. 
But I am addressing those from whom I anticipate better 
things. You are about to make your exodus into life, and to 
you I would say, make asthatic culture your earnest study, 
remembering “ the mind’s the stature of the man.” Regard 
not the sarcastic imputation of the idler that you 
“ Have eaten of the insane root 
That takes the reason prisoner 
for however opposed maybe the views you entertain to those 
once held, if founded on a true basis, they must be right. 
