The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1852-11-05

stores of knowledge which teach how to look
at disease, what the symptoms indicate, and
what has been found most available to couIl-
teract them. How else is ne superior to the
nurse. Even to the most liberal and reason
able mind, it is difficult to admit anything,
however just, conflicting with opinions pre-
conceived and long entertained. 1t will
therefore be expedent to enlarge somewhat
on this point. Medicine may be called the
filtered product of all time, the contributions of
innumerable minds, each correcting or en-
larging OH bis predecessor, and all conducting
TO form systematic whole. Since it COM
menced at the entrance of evil into the world,
notwithstanding the great intellecss that have
been engaged IN the investigation of disease,
no single individual has succeeded in adding
more than few facts, or perhaps one solita-
ry principle or two, as the result of his own
labors. If then so little has been or can be
gained frcm the practice of life time, is the
presumption rational that regards the elder
practitioners as always tie most worthy oil
confidencei Isit not evident,on the contrary,
that excellence has no connection with, or de-
pen dence upon age or time, when employed
solely IN practice, but only as tits occupied in
obtaining an Intimacy with the concentrated
stores of written experience, can we resist
the conclusion that he who is most intense
in the study of those, will necessarily becore
the best physician, and that the conpara-
lively young man who has pursued that course
may be immeasurably the superior of the
hoary headed veteran who has in great
measure neglected it, and continued content
with limited knowledge, knowing the public
prejudice which falsely supposed the qualif-
cations oil experience, to be imbibed from The
sick bed, whereas it is only displayed there!
1t only recalls what he has read, for applica-
ton. No common practicioher, and only a
rare and Industrious and acute genius ever
discovered a new idea or a novel phaze in
disease. The hospital attendant is constant
ly cognizant of the "ills that flesh is heir to-
vet at last he obtains but a mechanical adrot-
ness, and remains common drudge. II he
had studied he wouli have understood, and il,
proportion to his eruditon would lie the extent
of his understanding of what he Observed
In no other manner is progressive skill pos
sible.
The prevailing opinions ere partially ac-
counted for by the fact, that in the West we
turn out professional asprants without their
having enjoyed the time or opportunity essen
tal tor eihcIent prepare ion. Many-most
indeed-begin practice simultaneously with
their studies. Thus, ignorant of course, they
blunder along the first years. In time they
acquire some knowledge and aptness at the
business. Not however because of, or from
their practice, but owing to doing that in
which they were before notwithstanding on
what comes under their notice. But these
seldom become accomplished in their voca-
tons, us they abandon reading and improve
ment stops, as soon as they appropriate as
much as will pay, unless ir deed, they possess
those qualities of mind which induce indus
try by the desire to know and understand, and
which will ultimately under any circumstan-
ces, attain to excellence.
A newspaper, Mr.. Editor, ought to be de-
voted to elevating and correcting, we'll as
to giving expression to public SENTIMENT
But knowing your limited space, have been
compelled to omit some, and So slightly to
touch on other points, as to render my mean
ing less perspicuous than | could have wish
eb. a few suggestions only could be thrown
out. which to do justice to, would require an
elaborate essay; but for which the cultivated
mind will discourse for itself thousand i'll.
Illustrations. MEDICIS.