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precipitates them into the grossest errors. In medicine, as in other sciences, if they do not set out on sound principles, they pass on from error to error and multiply mistakes, unable to divest themselves of their first prejudices, which, being confirmed by habit, become a second nature.
Easy it is to fall into errors, hard to recover ourselves from them.
Facilis descensus Averni: sed revocare gradum, hoc opus, hic labor est.[1]
With greater ease we may sow just principles in the beginning, than clear away the rank weeds of popular prejudices, after having had time to take deep root, and fix themselves firmly in the minds of students.
Let us now turn our views to the growing state of this and the neighbouring colonies; let us reflect on the great number of inhabitants scattered through such an extensive tract of country, who are destitute of all the aids of medical science. Let us consider further, that in many large towns and villages, there are a number of persons entrusted with the practice of medicine and surgery, who, being destitute of all means of acquiring the true principles of their profession, remain in a pitiful state of ignorance in it, without any prospect or opportunity of correcting their errors, or greatly improving their
- ↑ Virgil; Æn. vi
