AMPUTATION OF THE TAIL OF TIIE HORSE. 
265 
We have now accomplished our task, leaving many things 
yet to be desired to be said in further explanation. Our 
object, however, has not been to write a monograph on nasal 
polypus, but simply to review the leading features of the 
disease, and to do this we have consulted both the ancient 
and modern history of our science. We have done so 
because there appears to be an increasing tendency to dis- 
regard the works of others. Nothing can be more blameable, 
as nothing so forcibly illustrates the productions of narrow 
minds. It has ever been our belief that no discovery in 
medicine at the present day originates spontaneously. 
Novelties now are but the development and growth of germs 
incubated centuries ago. They are germs, like the seeds of 
plants, possessed of a dormant life, a vitality which slumbers 
till some one possessed of more than ordinary genius, or if 
not, spurred on by deep-rooted curiosity, unfolds the mystery 
imbedded for years between the folds of old parchment, or 
in perhaps the more secure hiding place — the bosom of 
tradition. 
Upper Woburn Pla.ce, March 16, 1855. 
DOCKING, OR AMPUTATION OF THE TAIL OF 
THE HORSE. 
By the Same. 
Mayor, the simplifier of human surgery, a title as grand 
as it is expressive, says in his preface : “ We must deplore the 
patients of those practitioners who are satisfied with what 
exists, and who make it their duty to remain faithful to eru- 
ditely exposed traditions, to learnedly introduced usages, and 
to habits scientifically erected into doctrines, for the exercise 
of our beautiful profession, and for the greater good of suffer- 
ing humanity.” 
“ Simplex sigillum veri,” 
words as indelibly engraven on our minds, as they are on the 
stone under which lie buried the ashes of their immortal 
author, Boerhaave, are those which sum up the doctrines to 
guide us in the practice of surgery. We have been born to 
venerate such an adage, and if it may seem that the subject 
chosen to promulgate our views be not a happy one, we trust 
to convince our readers, that, enemies to barbarity, and lovers 
xxviii. 34 
