Page:A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America - John Morgan.djvu/60

 breast from practising at random and in the dark; not knowing whether his prescription might prove a wholesome remedy, or a destructive poison. To discover the nature of an uncommon disease, or to account for an unusual symptom, puzzles his invention.—Ignorant of every true principle, from which, by a just reasoning, he might be able to deduce practical inferrencesinferences [sic], he knows not what prognostic to make, or what plan of treatment to observe.—Unsteady and irresolute, he attempts a variety of means; such as either avail not, or such as heighten the danger of the disease, already too violent.—He may thus interrupt the salutary attempts of nature, or, not knowing how to second them, tamper with the life of his patient, and idly wailing to fee what nature herself is capable of doing, neglect to succour her, till it is too late, and the fatal hand of death is just closing the gloomy scene.—Wretched is the case of those whom chance, or misinformed judgment, shall throw into his hands, to fall victims of his temerity.—Great is the havock which his ignorance spreads on every side, robbing the affectionate husband of his darling spouse, or rendering the tender wife a helpless widow;—increasing the number of orphans;—mercilessly depriving them of their parent’s support;—bereaving the afflicted parents of their only comfort and hope, by the untimely death of their beloved infants, and laying whole families desolate. Remorseless foe to mankind! actuated by more than savage cruelty! hold, hold thy exterminating hand.—