Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-10-20


out the strictest attention, and most minute
observation OF facts and phenomena, ever
arising; and just regard 10 the experience
OF others in the application of medicinal
agents. Truth is generally found between
extremes; and the "Eclect" physician. as his
name implies. culls from all theories phat
they may contain IF good. Free from pre-
judice and bigotry. he never disdains prac-
tce which reason sustains, and experience
demonstrates as being benefcial;-at the
same Time, he is no slave to antiquity, no
violent hater of novelty; hence he does not
live to pursue the beaten path of s'the
fathers" in constant dread vf innorelion,
simply as such. He is ready to avail him.
self Of any new light or discovery, as he is
consideraie and regardful of past experience
knowing that in an age OF light and knowl-
those who have gone before have not
lbed tie acme of wisdom, or reached
the end Of discovery. Unfortunately there
is too great tandency in the human family,
at this day, 20 adhere with pertinac;ous
tenacity to old systems, with their habit to
error, rather than trouble themselves to
search after truth; ard even truth, when
ascertained, is often rejected, or reluctantly
adopted. When Harvey discovered, or
rather demonstrated his theory. of the cir
culation of the blood. history tells US that
not single physician in England over 40
years OF age, appreciated or acquiesced in
the discovery. Even ct the present day,
an old physician of high repute, Dr.. Cart
wright, of New Orleans, forgetting that
fact !once affifmatively proven can never
afterwards be overthrown, has published
new hypothesis upon this subject. The
time has been, when to promulgate new
discovery was to invite prosecutions, and not
to recant when demanded, led to the prison
or the stake. Manhood seem to have an
appetite for error And when it is for the
first time ascertaned and romugated,
many persons too ignorant to investigate,
too stupid to comprehend, or too bigo ted to
admit, go to work to stir up the prejudices
of the multitude, and reckless for their part,
if the truth itself should perish with its ad.
vocate, hold fast to preconceived notions,
evererroneous. "Enoch and Noah" as
good man said, "were not the only ones
derided by the multitude for adherence to
duty"
Truth has always had her martyrs; and
is not truth more beautiful when star ding
firm amid persecution than when kindly re
ceved and adopted! Truth wears sublimer
aspect; when seen in its advocate, in the
flames or the torture. But wherever seen,
it will live,
Truth crushed to earth will rise again,
The eternal years of God a:e hers,
While error, W ounded, writbeS in pain
And dies amid her worsh ippers."
And this has been true with regard to me
dical practice, as abandoned systems, and
exploded nations, laying strewn along its
path, abundantly testify. But still we have
those who do cry new cases and suggestions
as innoua tions. No matter how benehcia
10 the human family-no matter how we'll
calculated to relieve suffering--let mode
of cure be but nep, and it ismet with sweep
ing !denunciations of "6dmbug,' and "guack-
eryt" Pretension, alsoI is more common
than knowledge empty nod from an old
Official head has, TOO often, more influence
over the masses than real merit on the young
He who has the manliness to lift up his
voice in defence of newly discovered truths
against antiq uated theory, though acting in
behalf of the best interests of the human
family, is too often doomed to pen ury and
persecution. Such has been the case in
our day, and in this land of liberty! But
this State of things must pass awry, as
night recedes al the approach of the sum-
In this age Of grand progress in all that re-
lates to the best interests of mankind, old
theories and systems will be forgotten and
discarded, for the new of greater merit and
better reason. Henceiorth, those who
would sway and control public opinion, in
respect TO science, must themselves be
scientific. Age as age, either in the system
or lts practitioners can claim no conclusive
privileges, unless it can stand the light of
the age, and has made proficiency accord
ing as the means tor improvement have
been afforded. The will of the old Doc,o.
is no longer otnnipotent, and his ipsi dieit
has ceased to be oracular. The co6-webs of
anlivufty, clothing the form of an anti quat-
ed stem, will not be mistaken for the gray
hairs of age, and genius will not hesitate
10 brush away the cobwebs to let in the
light of new discovery, and send it forth,
upon its good Samariton mission to the sick
and the suffering, with the genius and spirit
of an enlighted age, as its commendaiion.-
80 mote IL be'
UP THE PIKE.