duration, and pass off in about a given period, and great numbers of nervous diseases are almost wholly under the influence of the mind. It is probable that nine-tenths of all cases of indisposition would result in recovery, if they were in no way interfered with. When the sick man, after making use of some supposed medicinal agent, is relieved and gets well, he is inclined to ascribe his recovery to the medicine. The conclusion may or may not be correct. Every recovery is the legitimate operation of the sanative powers of the organism, either with or without the aid of medicine; and as a large portion of diseases at length spontaneously pass off, we ought to be extremely cautious in ascribing recoveries to medicines employed; and when the supposed remedies are inert or of doubtful utility, the idea should be rejected altogether.
If we attempt to reason with the advocates of any kind of quackery, and endeavor to show them the absurdities of their positions, they will often tell us that they care nothing for theory so long as the practice is successful. So said the deluded votaries of Perkins, and so say the advo-
