e fields of
se innomi-
irisdiction.
ion law, it
purpose of
ising from
ite in their
ing parties
e exoteric
at large, in
ife, health,
Measured
duty rises
an a simple
recognition
I with con-
o, not from
of law, and
, whatever
never these
legislators,
aring their
fcourts in
s of drugs.
professions
possible not
eyond that
point where, in a happy syncretism of both sciences, I
could be easily followed by practitioners of either. Con-
scious at the outset how inevitably this must happen, I
have at least endeavored to reduce the number of its
occurrences to the fewest possible; and for this purpose
have often compressed the discussion of important legal
principles within limits stripping them of all argumenta-
tive development, and substituting for it such bald terms
as might seem to savor of dogmatism. But the nature of
the undertaking left me no other course to pursue, since
what has been said in reference to legal principles will
also apply with equal force to medical subjects.
In avoiding, therefore, any amplification of topics in
directions where possibly a wider argument might have
been justifiable, I have sought to combine precision with
brevity, by generally selecting the analytical form of syllo-
gism, and supporting conclusions of law by the reasons on
which they synthetically rest. Much verbiage is thus
escaped, and the subject divested of all necessity for cir-
cumlocution, by presenting it in its baldest and most
striking outlines. And as I have always conceived this
to be the best form in which the essence of a legal princi
ple can be stated, I have accordingly pre-ordinated it to
the inferior claims of external expression, leaving these
to be met and answered by readers who will naturally
supply the omitted steps for themselves.
ROSLYN, N. Y., June, 1869.