CHAPTER IX.

THEORY AND OBSERVATION, 200

All real knowledge based upon observation, not on theory. Facts of two kinds—individual and general. General facts ascertained by observation of many individual or particular facts. No theory founded on facts—always goes beyond them. No science in which there has been so much theorizing as in medicine. History of medicine very much a history of theories. Office of theory—suggestive. Abuse of theory in failing to distinguish between the known and the supposed. Newton’s carefulness on this point. Circumstances impairing skill in observation. Mode of reviewing cases. Disposition to form conclusions from a limited range of facts. Young practitioners. Dr. Sewall’s plates. Dr. Sutton’s treatment of delirium tremens. Different theories of fever—Boerhaave, Cullen, Clutterbuck, Broussais, Cooke, Samuel Thompson. Hobby-riding. Diseases of the throat and windpipe. Habit of making loose and exaggerated statements. Credulity and fondness for novelty and change. Changeable state of medicine. No standard authorities as in law and theology. Scepticism in medicine. Easy to theorize—difficult to observe well. Value of good habits of observation. Medical men had too much to do with theories and modes and systems. Eclecticism. Modus operandi of medicines. A reform in progress in medicine. Breaking loose from theory. Promoting rigid observation.