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Original Communications. 
scarcely be too great, provided they possess the requisites of 
activity and diversity of power. 
But in order that the practitioner may be able to select the 
remedy applicable to any particular case, it is obvious that he 
must be acquainted not only with the general character, but 
also with the minute peculiarities of the whole circle of medi- 
cines. It is not sufficient for him to possess an accurate 
knowledge of the seat of the disease, just views of its nature, 
and a clear insight into the indications for its treatment. All 
these will avail him little, unless he is at the same time ena- 
bled, from his familiarity with the properties of medicine, to 
select that which is calculated to answer the indications pre- 
sented. He who neglects the study of Materia Medica, under 
the impression that it is inferior in importance to those branches 
of medicine which have a more immediate reference to affec- 
tions of the system, may become a profound physiologist or 
pathologist, but will be an inferior practitioner ; and it has 
been observed of those who have devoted themselves with a 
partial zeal to the study of disease, that they are not always 
the most successful in its treatment. 
But a knowledge of the remediate powers of medicines is 
not all that it necessary. The physician should also be ac- 
quainted with their characteristic sensible properties, in order 
that he may recognise them when placed before him ; with 
the signs of their purity and efficiency, that he may avoid 
imposition in their purchase; with their various chemical cha- 
racters and relations, that he may escape the disappointment 
which must result from the joint use of incompatible sub- 
stances; finally, with the modes of most advantageously com- 
bining and preparing them, that he may avail himself of every 
modification in nature and form, which the palate or stomach 
of the patient, or the peculiarity of his disease may demand. 
They who give due weight to these considerations will, I am 
convinced, join me in the sentiment, that the study of Materia 
Medica cannot be deemed of little importance, or postponed, 
with impunity, to that of any other branch of medical science. 
