The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-12-14
Jsnr tbr Gnquirer.
HUMPHREYS,

1t is truly surprising, and not less to be la
Jnented, that the state of Virginia, respectable
and so conspicuous in politics, has always been
as remarkably backward in the pursuit of gene
raj science, and especially in the promotion Of
means calculated to disseminate medical know.
ledge. Is it because politics are more evidently
the concern of the whole world, or that men
meet every day with occurrences, which are
calculated through the medium Of the more ac
tive passions, to rouse spirit of investigation
exclusively upon that subject Surely the pre-
sent condition of society affords various objects,
as we'll calculated to keep alive the most disin-
terested benevolcnce, and through far more
dispassionate medium.
Since it is the cooperation of various talents
in diversity OF emPloyments, which produces
the happiness attainable in society we should
take care TO turn the whole force of each talent
exclusively TO its proper object, and thus by ma
KING the division of labour as complete pos.
sible, give to every occupation the greatest pos.
slh!e opportunity of Improvement.
would suggest to the medical gentlemen of
Virginia, the formation of society, the precise
Yiews and extent OF which, may be determined
upon at the time of its establishment. 1t is true
2 Polemic Society cannot be- expected to go into
operation Immediately, but this no doubt will be
the result in time conceive, however, that
great utility would result from having an assoc-
ation OF physicians, il merely for the purpose of
Receiving communications, TO which such an es-
Enlistment would certainly give rise
we Know not how many men Of genins there
are, manfred in the obscurity Of country prac-
tice, who for the want of some such inducement
and opportunity for communicating their obser.
yations, die il possession OF that which might
otherwise have been to society the most valuable
legacy. Indeed it ought TO be a sufficient in.
duceInent Tor such an establishment, to bring TO
gether the physicians of Richmond for it has
Beer remarked, that men however learned, be
come, IT not incident, at least unarnbitious TO i'm
due az ,nnor
associate with Others of like talents and pur
suits.
street conference can at TO time be SUI fficient
to aitnrd al opportunity for commune tinq i'm
portant facts relative TO practice; much less will
1t allow conversations about principles in Ipedi
cine. Newspapers are some times made the We
hicies Tor medical communications but IN s,rh
instances the subject is too often glanced at with
the same indifference, as the most trivial occur
renee TO be met with, especially if il should no,
happen TO be All account Of monstrosity, or some
AIsJs nature
II there was a committee appointed for the
purpose of receiving communications. and GO
secting such as night be deemed worthy of pub
hcatIon greater attention would not only be Maid
to such as were sanctioned and published Int
the FIRST step would be taken towards tho for
NATION OF soeiety, which might, Perhaps, ar
rive at the greatest importance and utility. Ma
nyof the most useful improvements in agr;cuI.
nre, have been made in consequence nf the aid
which chemistry Zone of the branches most init.
natcly connected with medicine) has afforded
The working Of mines, in many parts of tbs
world, source of so much national wealth. ma
sufactures, and indeed an almost infinite VARIETY
ot occupations, are either entirely dependant ON
or derive their highest state Of perfection from
the same source.
II may readily be supposed. that in Virginia
where there afe so many medical gentlemen dc
yo,Pg portion Of their attention TO agriculture
this most important Of all human p,,rsi,,s met
receive mUch Improvement from an nyestipstion
ct subjects, VITA which il is in such intimate al.
lance The following is familiar ezampJe Of
the disadvantage arising from the want az pb;.
Isoplmcd investigation upon this subject. pi,s.
ter stone, or Plaster Of Paris, which Is n mos,
valuable manure 10 farmers owning l,n9s nc
certain quality, has been totally discarded from
use, merely Tor want of some one to pom, out t,o
particular Dature Of the soil and other eiroun,,
stances 'eniering 1t useful or Injurious. when
Sie p'aistcr wss first recommended as 4 roen,,re
every body was eager to gtve IL trial ; but ~,
one could properly he said TO experiment viii, i
thst -, 1t was not used on land of ,arjous de-.
cppions with q yiew Of sscc4ainine the ,,,s,,
si as not suhos one sol as well IS another