Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-05-05
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 5, 1896.


geous application Of practical skill and manual
, dexteriiy. have perhaps sufficiently insisted
upon the propriety Of more general extern
sion Of philosophical science among artists and
mechanics, who. by reducing theories 20 prac-
tice, and careful application Of scientific
principles TO experimental facts. will not only
surmount many Of tho difficulties a. at ordina-
rily present themselves, but may be conducted
step 10y step To the discovery Of some improve
ment that will bring 10 them distinction and
wealth, aud prove to their country sources Of
ambitious industry aud iIoalculable benefit. -
These are not the speculative visions Of be-
wilderod fancy, nor airy castles, built up only
in az excited imagination, bui they are legiti-
mate calculations, founded on truth, and borne
up by experience. Take, for example, Mr..
Watt, who, by all OF his mechanical skill and
laborious investigation Of the properties of
steam, carried out the grand discovery Of our
citizen, Mr.. Ramsay. and brought the power
Of steam 10 it, present state Of perfection; or
Of MIR. Wedgewood, who greatly advanced his
own emolument and distinction, and the inte-
rests Of hi, country, by bis improvements in
the art Of manufacturing porcelain; or Of
SIR II. Da'y, who, BY the invention Of his safe
" lamp, has saved the lives Of thousands, and
impressed his name "a letters OF gratitude and
everlasting remembrance upon the hearts of
his countrymen.
But, none of the arts have vet reached the
highest possible acme Of perfection. There is
still much room for invention and improve
ment- Who, then, is 10 win tho palm that is
ever ready tn be awarded 10 a successful ex-
ercise Of industry and ingcnuity' VIII il be
allotted ~ the man, who, resting upon the
mere chances Of fortune, seeks no other guide
TO lead him on IN Iii, pursuit or, may we
49, a r IL
availing himself Of every scientific acquire
ment " thin his reach, substitutes for vague
and doubtful conjecture, the light OF reason
and the certainty of judicious inductioni The
beneficial results which How from .his union of
science and art, not only involve individual
and local interests, but seriously affect our ma
tional prosperity. Il j. upon rho influence Of
this connection that We are, and ever wall he
dependent for our distinction as a commercial
people. This alone can bring Us To that per
lection Ia which We are To- look for riches and
power, and place us GA footing with other
countries, in those productions which consti-
tute the great basis Of national trade and in
tercourse. IL Is also fron the combined pow
ers OF science and art that We must expect a
development Of the immense treasures that
may still lie buried IN our soil at some future
day, 10 enlarge our resources, and add 10 our
i =
source, is 10 come a continuation Of improve
ment in the modes Of public convey ance, by
which, distance, that has hitherto been tie
great barrier To a RAPID grow Ia of universal
happiness, will be annihilated, and all diversity
of interest and separation of feeling be re-
moved 10y free intercourse and mutually Of
advantage. These considerations are of them
selves sufficient 10 direct 10 scientific pursuits.
as far as his opportunities will allow, every
man who has at heart the glory and welfare OF
his country, which are, by far, uearer 10 every
true American. than his life.
But, the science Of Chemistry pertains TO
other sciences, rs strongly as II does 10 the
arts. The study Of medicine embraces with
peculiar force and proPriety within its limits,
knowledge 81 Chemistry. Its relation 10
medicine, whether regarded merely as a
branch of general science, or as au acquire
ment Of practical utility, renders 1t particular
~ worthy Of careful aud deliberate IN, estisa-
ton. BY chemical analysis, we examine and
are made acquainted with the composition and
the nature and properties IL animal matter,
both solid and huid. The light OF Chemistry
Is equally indispensable IN conducting the ex-
animation Of the physiological actions by
which the vital principle u sustained aud life
Protracied. Nithout recourse o. 1t. i. would
be impossible 10 ascertain the true meehan-
ism OF the animal functions, or 10 discover
the uses Bnd properties Of the 1uids seereted
by the different organs 81 the animal ecouo.
my. Without Il, We should be aIko igno-
rant Of the reason for the change produced
ON the blood, as II flows through the lungs, in
contact with atmospheric cir, and Of the ef-
fects Of cold, heat, and other external agents
upon the living sysIem.
But, the essential advantages derived to
\ 81 r
Of Chemistry, are not confined TO the points
just cited. which are but the foundation Of
the theories VI medicine. They srply with
still morc clOseness 10 Ihe actual practice 81
this useful profession. Let us observe first
the assistance rendered us IN the srt u pre-
serving health The choice Of salutsry food
and air can only be made through tie aEsn-
- oi Chemistry, or rather hose pfope rites
which viIIate aud render unhealthy food nod
air, are tested AID discovered 10y means Of
chemical research, ard their injurious innu.
snce can DO removed only by AID of the
same. u alone can detect the adulto atoms
praoiised by the fraudulent or wicked, to
/ achieve their base de.igos
The Physician must, IN many eases. resort
90 the powers Of Chemistry in order 10 az
certain the nature Of The riedir,nrs be en-
ploys, aud their suilsbilHy u elect the end
be desires The taste aud Other character
istic properties 81 msny medical articles,
are very much The result of The chemical
combination Of which they consist. ard more
shan this. many medicines produce their re-
medal effect altogether 10 Virtue q their
chemical elements Bat The aid u Chemis.
try y stili more ready snd mc.iitDabie in
eases ~ po',onins 10y corrosive o. other de-
strnctvs tubslancss. Upon .is general prin-
cipies, We srs FURNISHED with autid0tUs, o.
/ fsliibie, u adnif i.tsrsd in t,ue. large
majority Of he affifis-.. Gee Nstsria Nedica
+ are chemicHi compsuuas, dependent on the
priucipiss of that seffHCs iuf tHsH existence,
no les than their effects. q be- deduction,
= then, o. egtii1ate sd talp0fiaut one, that
Ia tnowlsige n Chemistry is powerful
suNiiiafy 90 q safc cod safcetsfui practice n
/ Medicine. snd should uot be- overlooked b ,
Z those engaged b. o. Tho crbusctiea wsa 81
one time doubted sud attention 90 II deemed
I gnnsoesssfy, but 10 these days. am happy
I 60 say, thst che studJ ~ chemistry. a. . dis.
tinci brsnch. forms psrt ~ ne regular
7 Medical sduosilon. 81 every school Ia or
county
Agricultnrs, 81 aft q go others The u.ssl
interesting, because n ~ inmstfiately sob.
ssrFsut 10 lhs wants - ous nsiurc. exlen.
II ID