The Enquirer

FOR THE ENQUIRER.

It is truly surprising, and not less to be lamented, that the state of Virginia, so respectable and so conspicuous in politics, has always been as remarkably backward in the pursuit of general science, and especially in the promotion of means calculated to disseminate medical knowledge. Is it because politics are more evidently the concern of the whole world, or that men meet every day with occurrences, which are calculated through the medium of the more active passions, to rouse a spirit of investigation exclusively upon that subject? Surely the present condition of society affords various objects, as well calculated to keep alive the most disinterested benevolence, and through a far more dispassionate medium.

Since it is the co-operation of various talents in a diversity of employments, which produces the happiness attainable in society: we should take care to turn the whole force of each talent exclusively to its proper object, and thus by making the division of labour as complete as possible, give to every occupation the greatest possible opportunity of improvement.

I would suggest to the medical gentlemen of Virginia, the formation of a society, the precise views and extent of which, may be determined upon at the time of its establishment. It is true, a Polemic Society cannot be expected to go into operation immediately, but this no doubt will be the result in time. I conceive, however, that great utility would result from having an association of physicians, if merely for the purpose of receiving communications, to which such an establishment would certainly give rise.

We know not how many men of genius there are, immured in the obscurity of country practice, who for the want of some such inducement and opportunity for communicating their observations, die in possession of that, which might otherwise have been to society the most valuable legacy. Indeed it ought to be a sufficient inducement for such an establishment, to bring together the physicians of Richmond; for it has been remarked, that men however learned, become, if not indolent, at least unambitious to improve in knowledge, so long as they neglect to associate with others of like talents and pursuits.

A street conference can at no time be sufficient to afford an opportunity for communicating important facts relative to practice; much less will it allow conversations about principles in medicine. Newspapers are some times made the vehicles for medical communications, but in such instances, the subject is too often glanced at with the same indifference, as the most trivial occurrence to be met with, especially if it should not happen to be an account of monstrosity, or some lusus naturae.

If there was a committee appointed for the purpose of receiving communications, and selecting such as might be deemed worthy of publication, greater attention would not only be paid to such as were sanctioned and published, but the first step would be taken towards the formation of a society, which might, perhaps, arrive at the greatest importance and utility. Many of the most useful improvements in agriculture, have been made in consequence of the aid which chemistry (one of the branches most intimately connected with medicine) has afforded. The working of mines, in many parts of the world, a source of so much national wealth, manufactures, and indeed an almost infinite variety of occupations, are either entirely dependant on, or derive their highest state of perfection from the same source.

It may readily be supposed, that in Virginia, where there are so many medical gentlemen devoting a portion of their attention to agriculture, this most important of all human pursuits, must receive much improvement from an investigation of subjects, with which it is in such intimate alliance. The following is a familiar example of the disadvantage arising from the want of philosophical investigation upon this subject. Plaister stone, or Plaister of Paris, which is a most valuable manure to farmers owning lands of a certain quality, has been totally discarded from use, merely for want of some one to point out the particular nature of the soil and other circumstances rendering it useful or injurious. When the plaister was first recommended as a manure, every body was eager to give it a trial; but no one could properly be said to experiment with it; that is, it was not used on land of various descriptions, with a view of ascertaining the reason of its not suiting one soil as well as another.

The consequence unfortunately has been, that the disappointment is quite proportioned to the sanguine hope of success, and no farmer is now disposed to give it farther trial. The processes of bleaching and dying, which in all probability will soon claim much attention in this country, are strictly chemical. To point out, however, the advantages arising from chemistry in all the arts through which they might be traced, would far exceed the limits of my present design; and indeed to persons who have bestowed the least thought upon the subject, it must be quite unnecessary.

Do not suppose that an association having in view an investigation of subjects such as I have mentioned, must necessarily exclude such of you as devote some portion of your time to politics, from indulging in that favorite science; for you may be led even in the temple of medicine, to contemplate its widely extended influence. Indeed; your attention will be directed to the consideration of the subject in that point of view, which the more immediately concerns you: I mean; the influence of various forms of government, upon the passions, and upon the general history of disease.

Such are a few of the chief considerations which have induced this address. To say any thing farther upon the subject, I flatter myself will be quite unnecessary; as every gentleman with whom I have conversed respecting it, seems to be perfectly satisfied of its importance. It has therefore only wanted some one seriously to call their attention to it; and if my zeal in this instance, though it may not be greater than that of others, should prove to be exerted in a more effectual way, I shall be perfectly satisfied.

MEDICUS.