The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-15
From Chambers Journal
POPULAR MEDICAL FRRoRs.
When compenced practice as afurgeo

When commenced practice Us ahuSe"iit
found that popular notions on medical sub
iects exercised considerable influence on the
minds Of many wel-educated people, and TO
some extent interiered with their ready con-
currence in the views Of their medical advi-
sers In some cases took pains to explain
what are considered the more correct and
scientific views bnt was not always sue
cessfu in combating notions which seemed
10 have the authority ages, and the snfira-
ges Of all mankind in their favor Thus
had frequently the modification Of finding
my explanations received with ncredulity
and distrust, and at times even with an open
denial, when an experienced nurse or aged
matron conceived her wisdom TO be called in
question. Al length the idea suggested il
sell Of noting down the common IDEAS enter
tanned on many Of the subjects in question,
with a view 10 inqniring how far they may
be deserving Of credit. 1t could not well
escape me that many doctrines, which had
long been regarded as vulgar errors, have
again been received into favor, or have been
found to contain the germs Of valuable disco
verics.
There could not be well more striking
instance OF this than the introduction Of the
vaccine incubation Dr. Barron states tina,
whilst Jenner was young man, engaged in
pursuing his professional education at the
house Of lis master at Sodbury, a young coun-
trywoman applied for advice. The subject
Of the smallpox was casually mentioned in
her presence, when she Immediately remark
ed, II cannot take that disease, for have
had the cow-pox.nf Now it was popular
notion in the district that those who had been
the subjects of the cow-pox were not liable
to the smallpox. The idea, ridiculous as ii
might seem to superficial thinkers, engaged
the attention Of Jenner, and he set himself
about inquiring into the truth Of the matter,
and BY his perseyering and patient inquiries,
accomplished the greatest disc very which
has perhaps ever benefited mankind.
In one of Jenher's notebooks of 1899, he
says, IL know OF no direct alluson TO this
disease in any ancient writer, yet the follow
ing seems not very Instantly to bear on it..
When the Duchess Of Cleaveland was taunt-
ed by her companions, Mol Davis Lady
Mary Davis and others, that she might
soon have to deplore the loss Of that beauty
which was then her boast, (the smallpox
at that time raging in London, she made
reply 10 this effect, "That she had no fear a.
bout the matter; for she had a disorder
which would prevent her from ever catching
the small-pox.'t
In l646, Sir Thomas Browne, the author
Of the "Religio Medici," wrote his work
called "Inquiries into Vulgar and Common
Errors" In the preface, the author speaks
oi the difficulties Of the undertaking in style
which is both quaint and amusing. eve
hope" says he, at will not be unconsidered
that we find no open track or constant man
udnction in this labyrinth but are Off times
fain to wander in the America and untravel-
led parts Of truth. And therefore we are Of
tentimes constrained to stand alone against
the strength Of opinion, and to meetthe Co
liah and giant Of authority with contemplate
pebbles and feeble arguments, drawn from
the scrip and slender stock Of ourselves y
Some Of the errors which this grave writer
set himself about exploding with SO much APP
pearance Of erudition, would only make US
smile in these days Of science and learning
Thus he controverts the absurd idea that
bear icks her cubs into shape, land endeayors
to show how il is to be explained "that man
becomes hoarse or dumb il wolf have the
advantage first 10 eye HIM"
II seems, however, that Sir Thomas
Browne was by no means superior to the
prejndces Of his own day. at is singular"
says one of his biographers, "that notwith-
standing his zeal to detect all errors, he
seems not very easy to admit new positions !;
for he never mentions the motion Of the earth
but with contempt and ridicule, though the
opinion which admits it was then growing
popular, and was surely plausible, even be-
fore il was confirmed as an established truth
by later observations.
Many Of the expressions commonly made
use Of in speaking on medical subjects might
be changed with advantage to suit more ra-
tional views. Some Of them, il is true, are
only used metaphoricay, and it would not
therefore be fair to censurc them too rgidly.
We hear OF the seeds Of disease lurking in
the system--ofa complaint flying about, and
finally settling upon particular organ and
these phrases, though foi the most part used
vaguely, have to certain extent a bias over
: the thoughts. There can be but little doubt
that very many of the vulgar opinions were
IN reality at one period the established doc
trlnes Of the day; for in this, as in many
other cases, It has happened that the better
informed part Of mankind have forsakcn the
doctrines they promulgated by the time the
people became familiar with themS It is
the same with the fashions Of cur dress, and
the pronunciation and choice of our words,
the generality Of mankind being Of necessity
more slow both to adopt and reject particu-
lar usages and customs. To a certain ex-
tent, therefore, they furnish sort Of saluta-
~ drag on the more volatile part of society.
Some Of the old notions which have already
become sufficiently exploded ale still en-
balmed, as it were, 10 our language and
common forms Of expression. We speak Of
a"tender heart" and "true-bearted friend"
as though this organ were the seat Of the
mind Then we read in Scripture of "bow-