The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-09-06

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affinity,-and in fact, all scientific physio-
logical science concurs in the existence of
this motion in the blood.
| Who tells the truth? We have many
falsehoods told in medical reasoning and
in medical treatises, not intentional, but
from a want of consideration. In the first
place man who is honest, other things be-
ing equal, is more prone to tell the truth
One who is welded TO theory is more
prone to be turned aside from truth. We
can, therefore, with the most safety trust
those men who have no antiquated creeds
to support, no broken down systems to ad-
vocate, no self-interest at stake; those men
who have sound common sense, an honest
purpose, generous philanthropy, and en-
tire freedom from the slavery of medical
sectarianism; those men who are independ-
ent, whose opinions are derived from
close scrutiny of natures laws; who have
been trained to habits of scientific investi-
CATION, and have assembled so high up the
pathway of science, as to be able 10 behold
the vastness Of its field, and the richness of
its treasures.
Concerning the first question proposed -
how can we discover or select truth--much
has been said by medical men; maxims are
given, among which we have -
"Seizeupon truth wherever found"
as if maxim would tell what truth is, and
where it may be found. The great difficult
ty is to ascertain the precise locality of
truth, to separate it from error, SO that it
shall stand out before the conscience in all
its native purity. Now, as in the days of
Galen, we hear the word Eclectic" often
used, word proper enough and good
enough in case we get, by common con-
sent, some limit to its boundary, and know
| its precise significance. Eclecticism an
! ticipates that there is truth in all systems,
though more or less partial distorted and oh.
scured. Its object is to sift the truth from
the error, TO throw away the chaf, and to
gather the wheat into gamers. This object
is indeed a commendable one But how go
on with this sitting process and detect all
l the little items of truth. scattered among the
rubbish of theories? Are these items Of
truth spread out, bright as diamonds, glis-
tening upon the surface of the earth or are
they, like the diamond beneath Incumbent
rocks, whose light and beauty must be re-
vealed by long labor and hard, deep digging
through intervening distractions.
| il, by eclecticism we mean taking little
here, and little there, little pepper and a
little mercury,-a little belladonna--and
little lobelia, now little bleeding, little
leeching-and now slight touch of the &C.
leciric finger of Jove, without having any
guiding principle by which to make the Sc
lection, never excluding anything, but i'm
bibing everything, then surely eclecticism
must resemble a garment made wholly of
patches of all eolors, and Of all Materials
But if, on the contrary, we mean by tho
term eclectic, a selecting of those remedies
which, while acting in such manner upon
the secretions and excretions, as to eliminate
waste and poisonous matter from the sys-
tenn faster than nature could do, unaided by
| remedies, do not injure the tissues of the
| body, nor leave any i'll effect after that ac-
ton has ceased;-and also using as our
guides in making our selection of remedies,
the principles of physiology, and the idea
that inflammation is not an exalted condi-
ton of vital action, but rather depressed
one, then there cannot, as the matter ap-
pears to my mind, be any objection 10 the
| use of the word Eclectic.
1t is necessary, then,-in order TO make
judicious selection of remedies, for Re-
| formers to take a stand point upon some
| principle sufficiently comprehensive to en-
brace within itself the truth of all well Sc
! lected experience, and sound medical rea-
soning upon a principle which vindicates
its own right to existence by embodying the
| truth of all, and which by taking away the
valuable material of other systems, demol-
ishes them, and rears on their ruins, its own
majestic temple. Eclecticism, then, should
show its comprehensive w,---or its gener-
al idea which shall vindicate its title 10
what it takes. Until this is effected, its most
valuable acquisitions must be shrowded in
the smoke of contention, and its voice be
more than equaled by the loud rattle of
faction and strife. Physiology and Pathol-
ogy are already working out this compre-
hensive law, and the consumation of the
work must be effected-if effected at all
by directing the keen perception of cultiva-
ted intellect along the pathway which ma
ture pursues in the cure Of disease. Already,
from the highest authority, we are told that
diseased action "is but perversion, by ex-
cess-by diminution, or by deprivation, of
some natural function" The true medical
Philosopher should use this idea as guide,
pointing out the direction in which he may
look for safe and efficient remedies las a
guide, showing him how to avoid that fool
ish dabbling with harsh and dangerous
means which tends to antagonize the efforts
of nature, and open for the exit of the soul
the gate of death. With such 'objects and
aims in view judicious Eclecticism, If its
adheren,s are faithful, must succeed. Itstill
needs, however, withini its ranks, and work.
ing side by side, more practical, educated
practitioners, and more logical and scien-
tific investigators. The one is as necessary
as the other.
The man Of Science must push his en-
quiries far back of the mere phenomena of
disease, accurately examine those changes
which il causes in the Ultimate cell Of ami
NAL life. He must