Page:Thirty-five years in the East.djvu/21

 INTRODUCTION. X» that they were benevolently endowed by natufe with their nauseous flavor to warn us against the danger of using theni*too freely. A physician might as rationally assert, that it is possible for him to give to the rotation of the earth any direction he w/Z/s, as that the remedies he admi- nisters in accordance with the mere custom of the profession, must infallibly prove beneficial. He can- not dictate laws to Nature in either cas« ; experi- ence alone is the teacher and- arbiter, and on experi- ence must we ground our hopes. But, as hope often deceives us ; and as even the most skilful physician is not infalhble ; the grand rule to be adopted is — "^// strong doses to be avoided^ and such only to be ad- ministered as, though they may not benefit, yet, cannot do any harm." This rule may easily be followed, if we acquaint ourselves with the effects of medicines both in large and minute doses ; and I think, that without this knowledge, no physician can prescribe any remedy whatever, with a clear conscience. Th€ point to which I devoted the greatest attention in my investigations, was — observing the effects produced by various medicines ; and it was not until the opera- lion of a prescription had been thoroughly tested, that I feh confidence in prescribing it in similar cases — similia similibus. The ancients, without being acquainted with the natural law of similia similibus curantur ( according to which small doses are required) were well aware of the injurious effects of large doses, and recommended the greatest caution — Praestat pauca dost, et per in- tervalla remedia exhibere, quam uno impetu ventri- culum remediorum tnoleste obruere i. e, " it is better to give a medicine in small doses, and at intervals,