But, if Abernethy's views are so true or so excellent as we allege that they are, they must have some relation to anything that is good in every kind of medical or surgical treatment; and this equally, whatever the system (so called) whence it may arise, however much of truth or error it may contain, or however perplexingly these qualities may be blended together. These are points on which we have yet something to say; and as we are anxious that the public and the profession should favour us with their attention to the very few remarks we have the space to offer, we must have a new chapter.
[82] See "Medicine and Surgery One Inductive Science." 1838.
[83] A contemporary of the Hospital, of whom, as a practical surgeon, Mr. Abernethy expressed a very high opinion. Until the matter was explained, Mr. Vincent's son was afraid that something "sneerlike" was intended in this passage; and we were glad of an opportunity of correcting that impression. Nothing could be farther from the intention than anything of the kind in regard to either. But it seemed to us an infelicitous result of the Governors probably having no better rule for the disposition of their portraits than that which some of us are obliged to observe in the shelves for our books—we mean the rule which has twelve inches to the foot.
CHAPTER XXXII.
"Quæ res neque consilium neque modum habet ullum
Eam consilio regere non potes."
Ter. Eun. Act i, Sc. i.
"Master, the thing which hath not in itself