Page:The Harveian oration delivered at the Royal College of Physicians June 26, 1889 (IA b22361285).pdf/15

 quality which sees analogies or points of difference undistinguisliable by the vulgar.

It is vexatious to observe how frequently writers and talkers quote Bacon as the introducer of the inductive method of reasoning; the fact being, as Herschel states it, that ‘it is not the introduction of inductive reasoning as a new and hitherto untried process which characterises the Baconian philosophy, but his keen perception, and his broad and spirit-stirring, almost enthusiastic announcement of its paramount importance.’ It was Bacon who thus exposed the weakness of the Aristotelian philosophy, and substituted an extended scheme, glorious in its simplicity and startling in its perfection.

With all this it must be remembered, as Herschel has said, that ‘the inductive method had been practised in many instances, both ancient and modern, by the mere instinct of mankind.’ Hippocrates practised inductive reasoning, and we find Boerhaave, in his oration, ‘De Commendando Studio Hippocratico,’ written in 1701, insisting on this, and recommending the Hippocratic method of conducting medical inquiries.

Far removed from such perfection was the