An address to the graduates of the Medical Department of the St. Louis University : delivered March 1, 1853 / by M.M. Pallen.

  • Pallen, M. M. (Moses Montrose), 1810-1876.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address to the graduates of the Medical Department of the St. Louis University : delivered March 1, 1853 / by M.M. Pallen. 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.)

    10/32
    speculation and guess work. Because there are uncertainties, it by no menns follows thai there are not manytrutl le uncertainties Inherent to the very nature of the subject, and tl y lie in regi beyond the true limits of sciem e, and without the hounds assigned to the finite mind of man. They exist, and ever will exist. The phenon and properties of fixed matti r from being known, an of comparatively easy comprehension and elucidation—but when h> would seize those of the living, ever-changi and unfold its workings, ami tin- vit,:l chemistry of il I hidden , -.the task becomes one of vast difficulty. In estimating the degree of positivenesa in m sight of the intricate and compiei .in their reproaches, forget that there is a limit to 1, it, in medicine, we have by anj eached this limit, b that tilings should he known, which we never -hall, nor can 1, what Bubject, indeed, within the - intellect, that all is plain, settled, anil defined—and that there remains no U tainfy ? Of what can we say, that all is known that can be Can it be said of astronomy, when new worlds are being added I tern, and new laws developed ?— tfth's strataare unknown?—of chemistry, and v. hourly discoveries ' —or can itbe'said even of the mathematics then when then relations and powers of numbers beyond I _: nation to conceive. There are connected with these, and all other .- things not dreamed of in our philosophy, which r. in this ii • compassed by human ken, in it- ility; but which tlie Creator, in his goodnese future and higher state of intelii-ent existence. it been decreed, by a Benificent Parent, that we should, bj diligent labor and patient thought, acquire knowledj which we allowed to comprehend. Am! this i- a gradual not revealed to us all at once, save when, bj inspiration, wo burs: the fetters of the unknown, and mat ill the pathVi ay of Bciem e. We declare, then, that although t.> d mi the calculus of probabilities, there Is mm h certainty in medi :1 I,ll;i1'1 ,,lil! i' is a profession founded on correct general principles. and guided by scientific rules of action. There is enoi repaj its zeal tus cultivators, enough to maintain and confidence of mankind, and even to justifj it- til ancients so thought, in . ;■ „•„), light, and wisdom and mush il,l(1 Plang them all under the care of \poll ,| „f ,]10 sun. Sanctioned, to,,, by the example and precept of the Saviour o( mi i claims to our gratitude and love are surely binding and eternal B so accustomed to its aid and benefits, the public are hardh aware of the P01 8 ] ourprofe apable of conferring. But some idea of its