The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-24

| IL is glarlng aDSurdlty 10 suppose tnat any
system of Practice of medicine can be usec
to advantage which is not founded in a
knowledge of the Anatomy of the human
body. and of the laws which govern it both
in health and disease. From the complex
structure and diversified action Of the diff.
ferent parts of the human system, and from
the fact that most ofthe arrangements with
which the physician has to contend are in.
ternal, it is obvious that TO enable him to
have rational conception both of the kind
and degree of arrangement. and ofthe best
mode of restoring the parts to healthy
condition, and at the same time to under.
stand the modus operandi of the medicines
used, he must have knowledge of the parts
involved in the disease. We would remark
that their only crucible is. the human stom-
ach, and their only test of the healing or
destructive powers of their remedies, the
consequent injury or improvement, the life
or death, of the patient. Are not these
considerations amply sufficient to show how
utterly futile ii is to expect any thing like
success from system Of practice where
these acquisitions are wanting? How then
do these acquisitions compare with the
Thompsonian system of practice. Thomp-
son, the reputed author of the system, was
ignorant of these specified acquisitions.
Nothing is required to initiate the most
ignorant man in the community into all
the mysteries of their practice, except the
procurement of patent for the Composition
Po,oders, and little light reading ON the
medicinal properties of few of the most
common plants, then they are Botanics,
and with no other qualifications, are ready
to step forth and ask to be placed upon a
footing of equality with the regular faculty
and be allowed to charge for their services.
Therefore we are of opinion that unless the
Legislature are prepared TO decide thai all
learning is humbug, and that the prcten-
der has a right to equality with the man Of
science, they should not be allowed the
right to practice. We cannot admit the
possibility, that any such system as that of
Thompon's practice which sprang up in
darkness, and is inevitably doomed TO with>
err and perish when exposed TO the light,
can ever win favor with this enlightened
community, and be admitted on an equal.
ty with that scientific system of practice,
which is founded on knowledge of Anat-
omy PLY siology, and Pathology, and which
has been maturing for the last twenty GEN.
turtles, and has received contributions from
some of the most enlightened and brilliant
minds of every age"
The Thompsonians, who consider them-
selves perseuted for righteousness sake, in
common with their brethren Of the same
class in other States, are never discoura-
ged they continue to hope for return Of
the dark ages and seem to think that by
multiplying ignoramuses, they shall ultl-
mately triumph over the sun shine of lite
nature and science.
If the Thompsonian system is good
one, and is not the fimsy concern we have
represented, it ,DiH finally triumph, and
stand the test Of all opposition. We have
not commenced an attack for the sake OF
opposing but for the purpose of exposing a
system Of medical practice which we be-
lieve TO be dangerous, and which has ever
been so considered by all intelligent men.
Now if the advocates of this system are
prepared by any course of reasoning to sus-
tain their theory, we should rejoice to hear
from them; recollect, gentlemen, that you
are occupying the station Of professional
men, and to you the public are looking for
instruction. They are in search of infor-
nation and truth, will you impart them?
OF