An History of Magic, Witchcraft, and Animal Magnetism, Vol. 1

Such instances, certainly, should have the effect of making us more cautious about rejecting facts without a proper investigation of their nature, truth, and value, simply because they may appear, at first sight, to be inconsistent with some of the notions we may have been previously led to hold regarding the powers and phenomena of nature. Theories—frequently the product of misconception, or of too partial and limited an inquiry—must not be allowed to invalidate facts; and there is nothing more harmful to the advancement and ultimate establishment of truth than deep-seated prejudices and preconceptions.

painful struggles in its promotion."—See Lives of British Physicians.

A case similarly illustrating the jealousy of the medical profession occurred not very long ago in France.

M. BOUDIN attained eminence as Chief Physician to the army of the Alps. He is considered a leading authority in military medicine and wrote some instructive letters on the French colony of Algeria. Some years ago, he was one of the managers of the Hospital at Toulon, and after some interesting experiments on the effects of arsenic, he introduced an arsenical treatment for marsh fever malaria, from which the soldiers from Algeria suffered. The Paris faculty made a great outcry; the Minister was besieged with protests; M. BOUDIN was stopped in his treatment and threatened with a judicial inquiry. But he had succeeded; the Government protected him; he was allowed to proceed; and his method was soon afterward professionally recognized. He later rose rapidly in his profession.