The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-08-02
From The Middle States 5isdisai Rs16tmst.
The Study OF Medicine,
By r. BACMEIsTEk.


OF all the scientific studies, that 81 Medi-
cine seems TO cover and actually does cover
the largest area Of scientific ground, mas
much as, to the full understanding Of its va
rious branches, a knowledge Of most all the
natural sciences is requisite.
There are in the human body the mani
festatious Of all the various forces with whicH
natural Philosophy, in its widest sense, has
to deal The laws of sound, light, eleciricis
ty, magnetism, of equilibrium and motion,
of inorgance and organic chemistry, are all
requisite to the proper understanding of
Physiology alone, land altogether the othsf
branches of Medical Science do not call for
wider scope of auxiliary scientific knowl-
edge than this, they are, what is more per-
picking to the student, for great part based
on maxims, which when called by theif
right name, are neither more nor less than
empiricisms.
A single look into volume treating of
Materia Medica will convince any one Of
the truth Of this assertion. We there find
the material on which our future success,
in alleviating human suffering, Is dependant
and to our sorrow we perceive that the truths
laid down are only so many appeals 10 ouf
faith in the correct observation of others.
Here ii is that we find ourselves, at least
in the beginning O. Medical Study, deprived
of that deep-felt conviction which is our joy
full companion in the study of the pure sci
ences.
How then, can we be reconciled to the
loss which is felt in this respectl
Ianswer, there is but one way:-in the
first place study that which is within the
grasp of the mind and let the knowledge
thus obtained be used as an instrument with
which to reveal the more hidden things of
nature. .
Study the laws Of nattire as they bear upon
this subject, become acquainted with Chem.
istry, Anatomy and Physiology and if thor.
ough, that clear, unpreiudiced perception,
whichashall be a guiding star at the bed
side of the sick as well as in the adminis-
tration of your remedies, will be acquired.
Away with the idea that host of symp-
toms and remedial agents learned by heart,
will carry one through the ordeal of practi-
cal life, or that one can do better than an
other simply because he is aware of errors in
medical theory and practice. A knowledgeof
others faults may be advantageous if proper
ly applied, but it will never serve as sound
basis on which contentious physician
should stand
do not say that we should exclude
knowledge of others faults in practice as
useless, but should be careful how we inn
bibe the faults of others. We should seek
to prove all things and to hold fast 10 that
which is good.
Always let the judgment recognize the
fundamental principles which should guide
and direct us, for in no other way can we
stand In the ranks of progressive science
and by no other means can we Kghtfdily ex-
pect to reap any benefit from scientific la
Dor.
The idea that Medicine could be practiced'
by mere routine was too much upheld by
the early Reformers; and we all know thar
this idea they advanced has been a great
hinderance to Reform and has drawn upon
it the severest criticism
Onward is the watchwcrd Of the age and
unless the students, who daily join the ranks
of Reform, carry with them this spirit Of the
times, they will be of little service to the in
terest Of Progressive Medicine