The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1871-06-08

It is little amusing to see how much these
quack supporters assume to know of the &C
bart Of Of tbe mountain -foxevus scraped ap
will yomit and if seraped doacR will purge, es-
pecialIy il done in the right time of the moon
If asked for reason for the action of their Ia
yorite remedy, they refer to higher and
much better authority than their usual medical
adviser a. Grandmother said so,'' and it must
be so, for she wai a good nurse
1t is not impossible that their reasoning. and
conclusions are logical as some of their legal
and theological conclusions.
Charity however compels us to think they in
tend us no harm tnas tneir course IS rather ra tae
knowledge is u dangerous thing. AS exemplars
and public teachers. their influence might be
productive of great good if arrayed, as certain
ly it ought to be against every specie of charla-
tanisn.
practitioner has to contend, are embarrassing
and discouraging- and yet consciousness that
tive of most good should inspire US to manfully
contend for the great truth science has re-
ed ,e thev impart to mitigate human suffering
and thus ameliorate as far as we can the condi-
tion of man. Every barrier to successful pro-
press will give way as general intelligence pre-
walls. and the people more fully realize the i'm
portanee OF an acquaintance with the laws OF
health
when the great aim of man shall be health
instead of wealth. whenever he shall strive to
cultivate sound body in order that he may
have a sound mind the happiness of the race
will be greatly promoted
This most desirable condition of things can
only be accomplished by persistent systematic
effort Like ali successful reforms, it must be
done by edneating the masses IN such & manner
Who shall inaugurate the reform? Who can
desire its accomplishment more than the truly
Intelligent physician Medical science does not
fear investigation.
Ouackery cannot flourish for any length of
time except where ignorance prevails. The
past history of the medical procession is in
some respects truly SAD one. apprehend
that much of the want of confidence that peo-
the conduct of the profession itself. not only in
its treatment of the general public by its rigid
most culpable folly of which we have ever been
guilty, IS the disgraceful manner In which the
profession has abused itself Instead of that
mutual confidence and cooperation that should
exist, we too often distrust and envy. We
are not only too intolerant Of others, but cannot
spire confidence, is a broader and more catholic
| spirit.
tions of science but the diSc0oerer of truth in
any department. of science in no way affects its
efficacy. have no sympathy with the various
| systems of irregular practice yet it cannot be
denied that they have done some good indirect
by arGusing the IRON ,nerr
| effect on our method of preparing and admins
| tering remedies. We should most cheerfully
| award them credit for what they have done
| While would insist on a rigid exclusiveness of
| all that is found false in theory or practice
| exclnslYe We should be catholic in its truest
sense. Ours is no exclusive system but includes
all from every system that experience proves
most beneficial.
Medicine not being among the fixed sciences
| progress and improvement should be our watch
word. The rapid advance in medical literature
| almost revolutionize our system of practice
! from year to year, and will continue to do So
No physiological fact has ever been changed or
admits of change, but the discoveries in chem
| istry and physiology, aided by microscopic in
| vestigation, are continually suggesting new
remedies to supercede the old ones, and thus it
| ever will be- 81 t---s
AS it was not given to one man or generation
of men to possess all knowledge, it should be
our highest aim to profit by the experience of
| the past, improve the momentous present in
| making such additions to the common stock of
| knowledge we can, that we may transmit to
| those who may come after US, such information
as will aid them in unfolding the great truths
| of science that God instituted for mans highest
development and happiness.