Page:A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America - John Morgan.djvu/54

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

[ 18 ]

have all these taught in such perfection in this place. Destitute of that general knowledge which unveils to us the operations of nature, we cannot penetrate into those truths, that form the rules by which we ought to conduct ourselves, in the cure of diseases.

There is no art yet known which may not contribute somewhat to the improvement of Medicine; nor is there any one which requires more assistance than that of Physic from every other science. Let young men therefore, who would engage in the pursuit of Medicine or Surgery, make use of all their industry, to possess themselves in good time of these acquisitions. They are necessary to facilitate a progress in the healing arts; they embellish the understanding, and give many peculiar advantages, unattainable without them.

So much being said of the nature of medical knowledge, we are the better prepared to form a judgment on the subject proposed. Let us now take a general view of the state of Physic as hitherto practised in America.

And here we may congratulate ourselves, that in this, and some of the large neighbouring towns, we have a number of skillful physicians and expert surgeons, qualified by genius, education, and experience, to take charge of the health of their fellow