Rational medicine, its position and prospects : an oration delivered before the members of the Hunterian Society, on the 15th February, 1860 / by Stephen H. Ward.

  • Ward, Stephen Henry, 1819-1880.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Rational medicine, its position and prospects : an oration delivered before the members of the Hunterian Society, on the 15th February, 1860 / by Stephen H. Ward. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    regard with feelings of anxiety the present position of the profession, and be convinced that it is high time for those who have the opportunity to speak out what they honestly think. Let us, while yet we may, strengthen our position with regard to special thera- peutics where it is tenable, and abandon it where it is weak and indefensible, and let us claim as our rightful domain, and associate ourselves more closely with general therapeutics, and the modified health-laws they embrace. It is a bold step, doubtless, from the old system to the more rational one, which I, in common with others, would advocate; but in laying aside the old heroic weapons, and abandoning long-cherished pretensions, the occupation of the rational medical practitioner will not be gone. Strengthened by the recognition of the pleni- tude of Nature's resources, as proved by the study of the natural history of disease, medicine will, in his hands, make more rapid and healthier progress, and he will be sustained by the conviction that his services will be as much needed as ever in his capacity of Natures minister J' * While venerating the masters of his art, and respecting what they did with the light afibrded them, let him take care, lest any past or present medical prophet have undue influence over his mind ! Be it his to interpret Nature with the best faculties he possesses; to seize as his rightful possession the good and the true, from whatever quarter they may come; to pluck the soul of good- ness CYcn out of things evil; and, through a judicious * See Appendix (2.)