An introductory lecture, delivered at the opening of the thirty-eighth course of lectures, in the Medical College of Ohio / by L.M. Lawson.

  • Lawson, L. M. (Leonidas Merion), 1812-1864.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory lecture, delivered at the opening of the thirty-eighth course of lectures, in the Medical College of Ohio / by L.M. Lawson. 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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    vile compounds flow into the great Democratic stomach. Our republican doctrines will not permit us to sanction a monopoly in the sale of sugar, whiskey or tobacco ; and it is equally apparent that special privileges should not be extended to medicine. Thus the ultraism of the doctrine of equal rights runs throuo-hout, not only our civil and social fabric, but also in- vades our scientific institutions, and reduces to a common level, the vilest quack and the most learned physician. The most abstruse science is subjected to the same laws of competition that regulate commercial transactions, as though the public could judge of the nature of disease and effects of remedies with equal accuracy that they can of the quality and value of flour and bacon. The great mistake which underlies all this, consists in the almost total abnegation of the existence of a science. Med- icine, in popular eyes, is nothing more than an assemblage of accidents. The accumulated wisdom of past ages, swelling on like the mountain rill into the vast ocean, is cast oflF with supercilious scorn by fools and cynics ; and they bury beneath a cloud of ignorance, prejudice and superstition, that knowl- edge which stands next to inspiration itself. Indeed, he Avho interprets aright the mysteries of nature, passes beyond the veil which shuts out the vulgar eye, and stands in the presence of Deity. But while the man of science approaches the mysteries of nature with the greatest caution and most profound veneration, the ignorant and reckless, at one gigantic stride pass all obstacles, and Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread. Science is like the tender plant which requires protection from the rude blasts and withering frosts of winter; but instead of that fostering care which the interests of humanity demand, the department which we represent is ruthlessly cast aside, or positively degraded by depreciating associations. Our governments deem it right and proper to establish