INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
SECTION I.-The case stated-Health, bodily and mental, its
importance-Ignorance of " Educated classes" concerning the
science of life a main cause of Medical Empiricism....................
SECTION II.-Opposition of the Medical Profession to New Truths
-The Priest Physicians of the Pagans and Christians-Hip-
pocrates-Division of Medicine into Surgery, Physic, and
Pharmacy, a great source of corruption and evil-Medical
Knowledge-Its constituent parts, Anatomy, Physiology,
Pathology, Hygiene, and Therapeutics-Distinction between
Medicine as a Science, and the mere Art of Physic-Opinions
of Medical authorities thereon.....
SECTION III.—Popular belief respecting Medical qualifications—
Facts concerning present condition of the Medical profession
-The Medical Act of 1858-The General Council: its defec-
tive administration-Deplorable condition of Medical Educa-
tion-The Licensing bodies-Their numerous licenses and titles
rejected by Army and Navy as no test of qualification-Opi-
nions of Medical authorities on shameful state of the profes-
sion, and destructive character of Medical practice.....
SECTION IV.-Medical Schools and Colleges-Special Hospitals
-General incapacity of teachers-Reaction on the Profession
-Opinions of Medical authorities on the subject.........
SECTION V.-Value of Medical Opinion considered-Experience
alone an unsafe criterion to judge by-Great knowledge con-
sistent with gross ignorance-Scientific experience testifies
against Drug Medication-Admissions of High Medical Autho-
rities, Sir John Forbes, Sir Thomas Watson, etc., concerning the
Inutility of Drugging-The Helpless Condition of the Drug
School...
SECTION VI.-The general character of Medical Practice-High
authorities quoted-Successive variations-Conscientiousness
no palliation for the evils caused by Drug Practitioners-Per-
versity of medical men in rejecting natural Therapeutic Agents
―Their revival and successful progress notwithstanding medi-
cal opposition-Honest inquirers become zealous advocates-
Conclusion.