THE BLUNDERS OF THE PAST.

Colonist, Volume V, Issue 468, 18 April 1862, Page 4

THE BLUNDERS OF THE PAST.

A Gi.onious Deliverance .'—When Mustaphn, a Greek slave of Constantinople, was told that he must embrace Mahometan ism or suffer martyrdom, he chose the former alternative, naively observing thafc 'it was better to trust a merciful God with his soul, than butchers with his body.* There aro many medical practitioners (we will not be so discourteous as to call them butchers) who, witli the best intentions in the world, can no more be soberly trusted with the professional care of a human body, than a Sultan's executioners. If the mutes of the seraglio have their bow-strings and scimetars, these disciples of tho Empirics of Antiquity are equally ready with their scarcely less fatal weapons— mineral poisons, caustic, tho lancet, and the knife. Fortunately, however—or rather providentially— tlie sick are no longer left to tlio tender mercies of these iienical Terrorists. A milder nnd more eflicacious system of treatment then theirs has been introduced by the distinguished Professor Holloway of London, whose Pills and Ointment are takino: the place of the pernicious potions, steel and caustic of the Furiosos of the Profession.—The essential difference between his remedies and theirs is this; tlie former sustain tho strength and constitution ofthe patient, while they eradicate tho causes of disease : tlie latter break down the natural stamina of the invalid, before they be^iu to operate upon tho disorder. In other words, his medicines reinforce nature in her conflicts with the debilitating influence of disease, while their depleting practice too often prostrates beyond all redemption those animal forces whicli sickness has weakened nnd depressed.—The world is no longer blind. The light of knowledge has illumi-

nated its darkness. The people observe, reason, adopt and reject for themselves. When Holloway, twentyfive years ago, full of that enthusiasm which springs from tlie consciousness of a great discovery, burst from his.laboratory with the inestimable results of a long course of research nnd experiment in his hands, and addressed himself to the healing of the nations, he was opposed only by the licensed professors of that science whicli ho proposed to enrich with two contributions of priceless value. Pretension turned its buck upon him, but the press gave publicity to his inventions, the people tested and adopted them, and their fame soon vegan to irradiate the world. England did not long monopolize what was intended for mankind. The new curatives began to attract the attention of the continental governments. Russia legalized their admission into her territories, and their inventor received a royal ivitation to visit Si. Petersbury. Spain endorsed them, and Professor Holloway was subsequently received with unusual honors at Madrid. All Europe acquiesced in the verdict pronounced by England, Russia and Spain, and the Pills and Ointment soon found their way, through various channels of commerce, to all parts of the civilized globe.— Slug Advocate.