Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-09-25
VOLUME ". NUrIBER IS,


and confusion, And | am bold in as ssert-
ing that he who has never unravened the
regular series of links which connect hu-
man parts or unfolded the various textures
of which the human system is made up.
and phiosophically traced the causes i
life and death by means Of minute manual
demonstration, however gifted by nature
IN turning to his own account the blunders
consequent upon q want Of such knowledge
cannot acquire lasting and permanent
reputation as a Physician and Surgeon.
much less viii he be able to apply the The
rapeutical agents which the Materia Med
lea presents. with a well rected effect
Perhaps the study of Chemistry may be
ranked next to anatomy in the scale Of
scientific and practical importance to a
successful practitioner Of medicine and
perfect acquaintance in this interesting
branch Of science may truly be said to be
the Intellectual maguetism--the secret
spring which opens the flood gates of the
21lfcltfgclt lf1z9reTSe around which cluster
the fulgent varieties Of divine workman
ship. and in whatever aspect Of arrange
ment we view it. the medical studcnt
should become famiiiarly acquainted with
all the truths which it uufolds in the vari-
Gus departments and operations Of nature
and its intimate connection with almost
every branch Of human knowledge
Doct. DlcK. in his remarks on the in
fueuca Of scientific knowledge and its ten
dency to promote the external comforts
of general society" has SO forcibly and
truly illustrated this interesting topic that
[ shall give his own words without com
ment or apology,
He SAYS, with regard to the profcs-
SONS IF the physician. the surgeon and
the ap5thccary. it is now universally ad-
mitted that an extensive acquaiuta tance
with the principles and facts OF clients
try Is essentially requisite to the success
tul practice Of these arts. The human
body may be considered as a species of
I4D0rat1l2l IN which the various processes
OF absorption secretion fermentation COM
position and dccomposition, are incessaut-
ly going forward Every article Of food
and drink we throw into the stomach. ev-
erg portion Of atmospheric air we receive
into the lungs. every impression we derive
from the surrounding elements. every mo
ton Of the heart aud lungs, and every
pulse that v,brates within rs. may b. con
sjdered as eifectiug q chemical change ia
tie vital fluids and in every part of the
animal system the nature Of which. II IS
of the utmost Importance 10 tire medical
practitioner to investigated understand
For how can he be Supposed to be success
fui ia hIs attempts 10 c9unteTact the dis
orders to which the human frame is incl
dent and to pr3duce 2 chemical effect on
the constitution of his patient if lie Is ig-
norant either ot the processes which are
going on IN thc syetem-of tie chemical
Of the substances which lie
throws into it-or of tie effects which
they viii certainly produce If lie is ie
uorant Of The chemical affinity that sub
sists between the various articles OF the
Materia Medica, he may often administer
preparations which are net only inctnca-
cious but even poisonous and destructive
t. his patient. When two chemical sub
stances, each Of which might be admins
tered S1Dey0teIY with safety. arc combined
tLev sometimes produce a substance which
Is highly deieterious 70 the animal system
For example. although mercury oltI oT4-
csltcoa nluyiatic aciI h@e both been
and either Of them may be
taken separately without injury to the an
imal economy. vet If medical practition-
e. 'i'L''.i' u .ie oliei'o''' i.i'l'1ics o-
sl'gn = 'aDTes iI 'tIo 81 ne % ias'5 , 2. 'He
.o~il'9 sil0'-iu go O9l'l ~ e''il' III
''.iC' 'iie ii.''s' "a '''i"' 0oust uei-
~ mint el'se s'liJe tile p.o''to' ~ 'llls
NJ 80 '',. - a. l'. =
4 - H. @ - 'I b '5o' b III, o'
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