Indiana State sentinel., 1849-08-23
HYrERcRIrlcAL.-Inr reference 10 a recent parsgrsph

l
of ours, the Journal has the following
"There, who will say they don't how to fax
Ike DoclUs, anyhow Reducing te CONSTRUCTION Of the
capillary rssels Sc Doubtless tits very learned. and
very ntesble-JO those who understand IT, But what Is
meant by reducing CONSTRUCTION Of the capillary vessels "
and how would these doctors 20 about reduce dawng
together or eoniIacton, which Is Wcbstes definition Of
construction 2 If the 'cspillsIy vessels drawn to-
geher in cholera, very easily understand that they
could be reduced restored their lomer state but
reducing Construction Of hucklebeuy above
persmmon' We inclined think that these Doc
TORS are in the hx he Of whom is said Nsgads
artJer seoul rOces which being Interpreted means that
u folly for jackass 10 Try TO roar ike lion"
The medical knowledge of our neighbor is certainly
improving rapidly. else has kind friend at its
elbow who readily aids it with his scientific assist
ance. We wrote in such way as we thought would
suit the limited capacity of our neghbor himself and
minds of the same calibre, of similar degree Of
cultivation Had we been addressing minds of a
superior order, and had we aimed TO escape hyper
criticism, should have been little more precise
perhaps. Instead of merely saying that certain
remedial process would tend to reduce construction
of the capillary vessels" &c, should have said
preternGtural construction, &c. But that would only
have been still greater stumbling-bock in the way
Of neghbor, if he is as ignorant as he confesses
he is of common medical phraseology. We supposed,
however, that every jackass, well as any lion.
could comprehend that alluded to preternatural or
diseased construction; but il seems that we were
mistaken as TO the jackasses They must be 6rayed
" like fool in mortar" and ii becomes necessary,
il appears, that sweet voices should be attuned
delicatey, to suit their critical ears.
The EXTREMIST hypercriticism, however, will sus-
tain in the precise language we used, no,wth-
standing the cavilling of our learned critic. Witness
the following authorities to of the defnons
of the term /" reduction"
REDUcrroN.-This word, in lis most extensive
sense, is applicable to all operations by which any
substance is restored 10 ats natural state -Hoopers
Med. Die. by Akerly; 1886.
| in surgery, the returning of dislocated bone
into its proper place."-Cfardner's Med Die l647
Z" In surgery, the operation of restoring dislo-
Gated fractured bone to Its former place"-Web-
sier's 4to, Merriam, 1913.
'' Diminution; conquest sublugation; bringing
back a former state; reclaim to order Milton II
l-Worcester's Webster, svo., 1915.
These authorities fully sustain us in the use of the
terms, which the Journal attempts to ridcule Re-
ducng construction" is it to its natural
state," its proper place" condition to &c d.
mnish it; to conquer subjugate it; TO bring it
back; to reclaim it to order. &c. in other words
to cure it, if it be diseased. Now all this may be a
huckIeberry above" the Journals "persimmon :"
but that is not fault. We are not responsible
because it is Ounce nor because il is ignorant of the
legitimate and proper of English words without
regard to their medical Specification 1t can therefore
take home to itself the Latin adage which it borrows
from the Dictionary of Quotations for the sake of
displaying its pedantry, and when it next goes q
wool gathering let it take not go back shorn.
ssGoddess of luckless ounces come near,
To pour thy sleepy lessons on mine ear"