A letter to the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. P. R. S., on the causes and removal of the prevailing discontents, imperfections, and abuses, in medicine / from Thomas Beddoes, M.D.

  • Thomas Beddoes
Date:
1808
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter to the Right Honourable Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. P. R. S., on the causes and removal of the prevailing discontents, imperfections, and abuses, in medicine / from Thomas Beddoes, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.

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    considering-, besides, that the merit of out-lccturcrx will have claims upon the inquisitive, and that many had no other chance for acquiring a smattering- of natural philosophy and natural his- tory, how could any student, and especially the most ardent, avoid attempting too much at once? The consequence was too apparent. Our acade- mical architects, in their hurry to finish the structure, failed to lay a solid foundation, But the contrary is, in effect, affirmed. The senate appeal to the advancement of medical sci- ence, by the graduates of their school. Here again, unless we had a measure for the quantity, and a test for the quality of improvement, which may be fairly expected in a given time, to what can we have recourse but the inconclusive ex- pression of opinion ? While some acquiesce or admire, others viewing' the immense number of labourers sent from Edinburgh into the field of medicine, may feel astonished at the insignificance and small value of the produce. When persons, however rude or utidertaiigbt, have certain objects constantly under superintend- ance, they inevitably acquire some insight into their properties, and skill in their management: Were the Hindoos indebted to instruction in mathematics for their proficiency in astronomy ? Of all knowledge the beginnings, and of some the £rcat part, are owing to the lessons of opportu-
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