PRINTED FOR RICHARD PHILLIPS; BY J. ADLARD, 23, BARTHOLOMEW THE Medical and Physical Journal. 1 OF VOL. XXIX.] JANUARY, 1813. [NO. 167. For the Medical and Physical Journal. HALF-YEARLY REPORT of the PROGRESS of MEDICINE, from JULY to DECEMBER, 1812. (No. VII.) "The variable composition of man's body, hath made it an instrument easy to distemper, and, therefore, the poets did well to conjoin music and medicine in APOLLO, because the office of medicine is but to tune this curious harp of man's body, and reduce it to harmony."-BACON. THAT THAT the benefits arising to society by the art of medicine will ever be commensurate to the intelligence, skill, and honor, with which it is exercised, is a position subjected neither to the cavils of ignorance, nor the objections of learning. That men of liberal education, grounded in the elements of natural science, of candid and benevolent minds, neither sharpened by cunning, nor blunted by imbecility, are those best qualified for this important avocation, is no less self-evident. But how may a race of medical practitioners be secured to society, thus qualified in morals and knowledge, to tune and reduce to harmony this "curious harp of man's body?" Important indeed to the philanthropist, the philosopher, and the statesman, is this question. It has often been repeated, that, in every age and in every country, respect and honor has been given to the physician. Why then has the Indian alone been sincere in his homage; while in polished society the sarcasm of wit, and the ridicule of buffoonery, have been levelled at a profession, which, mustering in its ranks the most learned among mankind, has frequently been, as a body, the contempt of learning? Because, even where knowledge and civilization are diffused, forgetting the high and honorable post in which he is placed, the medical prac No. 167. titioner B |