New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-31

scene to the sick, aud cool and solitary retreats 30
the convalescent in their spacious avenues. Pill
grims from every quarter frequented these sacred
shrines. Subjected to wholesome regimen,
breathing pure and temperate air, and inspired
BY the hope Of miraculous cure, they were easily
acted upon BY the saeerdotsl influence. Constant
appeals were made 10 the imagination. Unless
they were purified by course Of abstinence, sacri
fee, and prayer, no access was permitted to the
oracle. In order to obtain a response, they were
often Obliged TO remain in the temple for several
nights The patients who recovered were regarded
as examples of the divine bounty, and left behind
them offerings of gratitude 10 the healing god.
For many ages, the science of the priests was
kept in profound mystery. Nolayman was allowed
to participate in its teachings At length this Sc
verify was relaxed, and each temple to certain
extent became school of instruction. Among
the means for communicating knowledge employed
by the priests of Escuapius, were the votive tab
lets, which, after the recovery OF the sick, were
placed upon the walls and columns of the temples.
On these tablets was inscribed the account OF the
disease and the means of its cure although the lat
ter were usually of site character, with scarcely
trace of positive scientific observation. Thus OF
certain blind person who came to consult the ora
Gle one of the old tablets relates that he was re-
Quired to perform acts of worship at the sacred
altar and having rested his fingers on the altar
and applied them TO his eyes, he presently recovered
his sight. Another who was attacked with peu-
risy which every one thought would be fatal, was
ordered to apply to his side the ashes of the altar
mingled with wine. He was cured on the spot,
and received the congratulations of the people.
The emancipation of medical science from the
monopoly of the priests was a gradual process.
The movement commenced in Greece, and re-
ceiyed q powerful impulse from the disciples OF
Pythagoras 1t was they who first introduced the
custom of visiting patients in their own houses.
Many of them obtained great celebrity in their
day for successful cures. But not till the ago OF
Pericles, did medicine assume the character OF
science of observation, nor was It then relieved
entirely from the mystical influences in which 1t
had its origin. Hippocrates was the first to re-
duce the fragmentary principles of medical prac-
tice to an elaborate system, forestalling in some
degree the philosophical methods of subsequent
age. He visited the principal Greek cities OF
Europe and Asia in pursuit of medical knowl-
edge, publishing on his return the celebrated works
which introduced the physical science OF man
within the domain of natural philosophy Even
during his lifetime, bis authority became para
mount on all questions of medical science. Plato
and Aristotle appeal to him as an acknowledged
MASTER on every subject relating to human organi-
cation. But neither Hippocrates nor his descend
ants ever made actual dssectiOns. This was for
hidden by the reverence for the dead, which
| prevailed in Greece.
With Hippocrates, the phasis of scientific in
quiry which Comte calls the metaphysical stage Is
found in full development. His works abound in
theories, which give to purely speculative abstrsc'
tions the character of efficient entities. For ex-
ample. in the system of which he is regarded a.
the chief author, the humors play the part o.
secondary or physiological elements; they are
agents endowed with diverse, or even contrary
properties placed at the disposal of the vital prn
ciple, which alone gives to them good or evil
direction" To these humors many imaginary
qualities were ascribed, arising from the elements
that were thought to predominant in their compo-
sition Fanciful relations we're also supposed to
exist between these humors and the seasons Of
the year.
The work of Hippocrates in giving scentifi
direction to the practice Of medicine was continued
BY the illustrious Galen. Educated in the best
learning of his day-performing extensive tours OF
observation in the most enlightened cOuntries-and
endowed by nature with q remarkable medical
tact-he soon obtained signal preeminence in his
profession. He claims to have been the first who
gave the true method Of curing diseases, although
| be acknow lodges the value of the system of Hip
pocrates. But with all his acuteness of observa-
ton, he was in bondage TO metaphysical thories,
explaining the functions Of the animal economy by
the doctrine of peculiar hierarchy of souls, spir-
it, and faculties.
The death of Galen occurred in the second CEN
fury of the Christian era, and following the course
of history through the early and middle ages, We
find nothing TO arrest our attention, until We ap-
proach the period of the revival OF letters. The
positive method is indicated by various partial
movements. but of course, as yet receives no
| marked development. The first dissection OF the
human body was made by MOndni, professor at
Bologna, about the commencement OF the four
teenth century At that era and long after, 1t was
the custom TO demonstrate anatomy on the bodies
of animals. 1t required no small degree Of bold
ness on the part Of Mondini 10 venture upon
human dissection. The prejudice en- this subject
was so great that for more than century no one
dared to repeat openly the experiment of the
BolOgnese professor. Nor was he quite clear in
bi oun conscience as 10 the lawfuness of the Oper-