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Believing the diffusion of intelligence to be the only means by which the errors and mistakes of social life can ever be overcome, the author of the following pages has endeavored to present such information as might assist every impartial reader in understanding and judging of the numerous medical schemes and means now before the public. The work has not been written so much for professional, as for general readers; and it is confidently hoped that no one who gives it a careful perusal, will fail to be improved, although, among so many mooted subjects, it cannot be expected that every reader will adopt the views and sentiments of the author: but if it awaken a spirit of inquiry, which eventually leads to the truth, an important object will be accomplished. It has been compiled and written, at intervals of respite from professional labors; and if the reader should find the same sentiments advanced and nearly the same language made use of more than once, in the course of the work, the author hopes to be excused by all who are practically acquainted with the interruptions incident to professional life. In considering the subject of Homœopathy, he has made numerous extracts from the Organon, and several other works, which are of the highest authority with that order; and he acknowledges himself also much indebted to a work entitled, "Homœopathy, its Tenets and Tendencies," of which Prof. J. Y. Simpson, of Edinburgh, is the author.