The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-09-13
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Is Medical Reform Impyricismi

For some time past we have been fondly
hoping that an union of the scattered forces
of ''Medical Reform" would at no distant
day be effected upon lasting and impreg-
nable basis. AS this fraternizihg movement
approaches its acme we discover that there
| area few N our ranks who psisseas 20 much
OF the spirit of INSTRUMENTATION that they
cannot even submit TO the restraints that the
immutable natural principles of true medi.
cal science imposes; especially if these
truths happen to be drawn up in the form
of'a "creed." Happily for our cause, how
ever these "wide liberty" advocates are
composed of but small minority of new
school practitioners, and if we fail in con.
vincing them of the policy of systematic
union, the dearest interests of the cause
demand that we leave them the liberty to
select medicines or poisons, innocuous REM
edies, or destructive agencies, as their indi.
vidual fancy may suggest-without princi-
pies or fundamental truths TO guide them:
Let them shun wild and fanatical empyric-
ism as but they cam while those who are
willing to be restrained and confined with
in the bounds of truth unite together upon
the general and (among us the) universally
admitted fundamental truths of medical sci
ence. ,.a
We are willing to allow a consistent lati-
tude Of opinion in all the details of medical
theory and practice. Indeed we are as truly
willing for all men TO select what medical
principles they think most perfect as we are.
that they should select the best remedies or
course of treatment. But we as medical re.
formers profess TO adopt system of practice
which is in direct antagonism with the old
time system of poisoning; and why do we do
ita Why do we thus differ from the advocates
Of old time physic!' Because their practice
is unnatural and destructive to human health
and life But why do enlightened and
learned men adopt such a practice? Be-
cause it is logically dedueed from abstruse SER
roneous principles that were never proved to
exist" and the principles being admitted
the practice must be legitimate.
Now medical reformers have demonstra-
ted the absolute perfection Gas far as this is
atainable by remedies at ally of an anti
destructive or innoeuous practice, and if
from this series of general truths, which
we call "medical principles is correctly
induced, how can they be erroneous how
can they be "restrictiveo? how can man
that adopts such principles be called "big-
oted, y "stupid, J" "ignorant,p etc? Is it not
probable that these terms may be much
more truly applied to those persons who
profess to believe in and adopt such prac-
tice, and will not acknowledge such princi.
pies? Without such fundamental truths to
guide us in the selection of remedies and
the application of curative processes our
boasted eclecticism is but wild and extrava-
giant empyricsm. What idea can scientific
men have of medical science that is not
based upon some system of admitted facts,
as guide in the practical application Of
thereapeutical agentsl Can Medical Re-
form ever assume the exalted position in the
scientific world that its intrinsic excellence
entities it to while it appears before the
minds of men in its present unsystematized,
chaotic condition? These are questions
worthy the candid consideration of some of
our overzealous, e1traliberal reformers, and
for the purpose of properly systematizing
the great discoveries of modem times into a
legitimate science of medicine, if they are
not willing to assent to the "platform of
principles adopted by the middle States
Savans,n we are, at least, ready 70 unite
with them in the adoption of better one
whenever by their extraordinary abilities
they discover the existence OF general, nat
ural truths adapted tosuch q purpose Mod
teal Rg6rnfr.