bourgelat’s introductory lecture. 641 
impenetrable barriers which Nature has placed between herself 
and us—by not being eager to draw from our first rudiments of 
knowledge those consequences which are too frequently contra¬ 
dicted by experience—by persuading ourselves that theory, how¬ 
ever solidly established it may be on the structure and func¬ 
tions of parts, has nevertheless its strict boundaries—by not 
yielding to any authority—by not becoming the slave of any 
opinion—casting aside all prejudice—by admitting that only 
which has been faithfully and constantly seen, and rejecting 
all that has been affirmed but not demonstrated;—in a word, 
by acquiescing only in the truth of facts, and in that which 
necessarily follows from their admission, and by despising 
systems of every kind—monuments of the pride as well as the 
weakness of the human mind, which can impose upon and 
seduce us for a little while, but which sound reason, sooner or 
later, overturns and destroys. 
Our principles should be those only which are confirmed by 
experience; nor should we have the temerity to extend them be¬ 
yond that from which we may draw a legitimate conclusion; nor 
ever wander far from them, and their evidence and their cer¬ 
tainty should only lead us to conclusions few in number, but 
not mutilated, or made with that spirit of prepossession always 
disposed to refer every thing to the idea with which the mind is 
filled. A single fact proves nothing: phenomena, rapidly viewed, 
rarely present those aspects which are most of all important 
for us to consider. These incomplete attempts do not furnish 
matter for any sure induction; and the desire of finding in this 
% 
or the other medicinal substance a power which it is often 
far from possessing, makes us frequently attribute to it effects 
which are totally independent of it, and which are due to nature 
alone. 
A coup d’ail quick and correct, and a clear and sound judg¬ 
ment, are rare gifts, but indispensable in him who wishes to dis¬ 
tinguish himself in the art of healing. What acute discernment, 
and what tact must we possess, in order to decide with certainty 
on the existence of many diseases, their origin, character, seat, 
and progress; to balance the indications and symptoms against 
each other, and to draw the natural conclusion; to compare it in 
vol. iv # 4 s 
