and make it a distinct profession, they were visited with the severest rebukes, and capital punishments were often inflicted upon such as dared to offer innovations to clerical dogmas. The escape from the paws of that fearful lion has been by slow and dangerous movements. But as soon as it got free, and had become a distinct and independent existence, it made efforts to expunge all the superstition with which it had been incumbered, and to establish itself as a rational science. Yet tradition perpetuated superstitious notions among the common people, and it is evident that, until the art of printing came into use, medical science could make but slow and feeble progress. Nor did the sacerdotal power release its hold upon the profession suddenly and entirely. Even now, in pagan countries, medicine is controlled by the priesthood. It is but little more than two centuries since the true course of the circulation was ascertained by Harvey. Considering all the obstacles that have ever stood in the way of her progress, it must be acknowledged that she has done all, and more than all, that could
