An address to the graduates of the medical department of the St. Louis University, session 1851-52 / by Charles A. Pope.

  • Pope, Charles A. (Charles Alexander), 1818-1870.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address to the graduates of the medical department of the St. Louis University, session 1851-52 / by Charles A. Pope. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    speculation and guess work. Because there are uncertainties, it by Do means follows that there are not many truths. These uncertainties are Inherent to the very nature of the subject, and they mostly lie in re,L beyond the true limits of science, and without the bounds assigned to the finite mind of man. They exist, and ever will exist. The phenomena and propert'es of fixed matter, although far from being known, are yel of comparatively easy comprehension and elucidation—but when we would seize those of the living, ever-changing organism, and unfold i'< workings, and the vital chemistry of its .secret and hidden processes, the task becomes one of vast difficulty. In estimating the degree of positiveness in medicine, our objectors 1 sight of the intricate and complex nature of the subject, and, in their reproaches, forget that there is a limit to human enquiry. Nol that, in medicine, we have by any means reached this limit, but yel that things should be known, which we never shall, nor can know. what subject, indeed, within the grasp of man's intellect, can it be said that all is plain, settled, and defined—and that there remains no uncer- tainty ? Of what can we say, that all is known that can be known ? Can it be said of astronomy, when new worlds are being added I tern, and new laws developed?—of geology, while the ages of earth- strata are unknown?—of chemistry, and witness its hourly discoveries ' —or can itbe'said even of the mathematics themselves .' when there relations and powers of numbers beyond the stretch of imagination to conceive. There are connected with these, and all other scie; things not dreamed of in our philosophy, which may never, in this life. be compassed by human ken, in its highest state of gradual perfectibility ; but which the Creator, in his goodness, may perhaps reveal to us Future and higher slate of intelligent existence. Forwise pur| it been decreed, by a Benificent Parent, that we Bhonld, ly diligent labor and patient thought, acquire knowledge of thos which we allowed to comprehend. And this is a gradual procees, for th not revealed to us all al once, save when, bj accident or happ\ inspiration, wo burst the fetters of the unknown, and make giant stl io the pathway of science. We declare, then, that although to a greal extent based on the calculus of probabilities, there Is much certainty in medicine, both as a s(i< and an art that, it is a profession founded on correct general principles, and guided by scientific rules of action. There i> enough, amp] repay its zealous cultivators, enough to maintain its claims to the iv and confidence of mankind, and even to justify its title of divine. The ancients so thought, ill D il with light, and w isdoni and music and placing them all under the care of Ap.dlo. the god id' the sun. Sanctioned, too, by the example and precept of tin- Saviour of man. i<- claims to our gratitude and love are surely binding and eternal. !'• so accustomed to its aid and benefits, the public are hardlj aware of the gn ;ii good our profession is capable of conferring. But some idea of its