The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-12-06
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Compiled for the Medical Chapter of
the Memorial History of Benning-
ton County.

the Memorial History of BennIng-
ton County.
INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS When
we consider the importance and elevated
character of the science of medicine-its
object, the preservation of the health
and lives, and the healing of diseases,
and the amelioration OF the physical and
mental sufferings of our fellow human
beings-its extent embracing a knowl-
edge of all science-it ia evident that
medical education should engage the
earnest attention of the entire medical
professor. The advances made in all
the branches of knowledge, and espec.
tally in the science uf medicine during
the past century, have exceeded in ex-
tent and value those of past ages; and
it is no longer possible to compress its
vast domain within the narrow limits Of
"SeUen prCfeSSOrShips The present age
owes its wonderful progress to expert
mental and scientific research.
Evolution and development are the
talismanlc watch. words of the nine.
teenth century, and the doctrine is now
being accepted that things in the world
do grOtc, and are not made; it is no
longer universally accepted as matter
of religious faith that the world was
created by supernatural power, for
many of our deepest thinkers, pen of
the most profound understanding, be-.
lieve that it has been gradually unfolIed
by the action of natural Causes. But,
not wishing to be accused of her, sy, il
may be stated that, whether the II cory
be according to Darwin or Hackel or
Spencer, or some other philosopher, the
law will be the same in any case, aud
away back, behind "prOtoplasm, "
"germinal matter ard cellular germ
there exists abundant proof of First
Great Cause of an "Infnite wisdom"
for the depth of which language has no
expression. A flood of light on this
subject is now pouring forth on the
world, but its acceptation as a convinc-
ing truth rests in a great measure,
wholly, with the individual.
The world" says Goethe, sis net so
framed that it can keep quiet" All the
natural energies are brought into full
force by the spirit of enterprise, by the
spirit of progress. The telegraph wires
wipe out all territorial boundaries, and
railways penetrate the utmost confines
of the earth, and by them States and
Territories are bound fast together in
one web.
1.-The Bible" says Gail Hamilton, sic
full Of excellent precepts, and the world
is full of bad examples. If man smite
us on the right cheek, we-knock him
down. IL a man sues us at law, we
stand suit, and if he would borrow OF us
we promptly turn away, unless he can
give ample security"
Science and enterprise have spanned
the continent with electric wires, cabled
the Atlantic Ocean, given us the meas,
urements of revolving planets. spread
forth the canvas to the gale, and made
the trackless ocean a highway through
the world. BY the use of scientific aud
cunningly devised instruments bleak
skies and rude winds are fOreseen, and
the navigator places himself in safety
The electric light has displaced gas al
effectually as the latter did the "talloW
Dip and is established upon secure
commercial basis. School-houses
churches, newspapers and books. oper
up to the poorest the IL ht5 and oppo-
tunities of knowledge.
, The wealth Of natl ms increases and W,
see all the arts Of life approaching near
or and nearer perfection. In science
art and literature each succeeding gen
/ GRAFTON IS wiser than it's predecessor
} The mistakes of past experience serve a
beacon lights to warn us off the rock
and shoals of error and guide US TO tn
port of truth.
The great and wide advancement il
the different branches Of medical scienc
! within the last generation is as much
| marvel as the progress made 10 an,
other of the arts and sol noes. The poor
est laborer eau now obtain advice an
I medicine far superior to that which roy
atty could command one or two centu
T ries ago,
!, "The advance in medical knowledg
I within ones memory" says Sir Jane
Paget, sis amazing, whether recokoned i
j the wonders Of science not yet applied
or in practical results, in the genera
= frightening of life, or, which ia still bel
D ter, in the prevention and decrease O