Hippocrates and Sydenham in his teachings and in his practice. The
points of his system that are best known are his doctrines of
inflammation, obstruction, and 'plethora.' In the practice of medicine
he aimed to make use of all the anatomical and physiological
acquisitions of his age, including microscopical anatomy.

In this respect he differed from Sydenham, for the latter paid but
little more attention to modern medicine than to ancient dogma. In some
respects he was like Galen, but again differed from him, as he did not
wish to reduce his knowledge to any definite system. He spent much time
in studying the medical classics, though he valued them from an
historical standpoint rather than from an authoritative standpoint. It
would almost seem that the great task of Boerhaave's life a combination
of ancient and modern medicine, could not be of any real permanent
value, and the same might be said of his Aphorisms, in which he gave a
summary of the results of his long experience. And yet it is an
indisputable fact that his contributions to the science of medicine form
one of the necessary factors in the construction of modern medicine."

* * * * *

These extracts represent the principles of that bright constellation of
Master Minds who have gone before us and guided our footsteps through
tedious and tentative wanderings into the pathway of Truth. May their
undoubting, united testimony act as a reassuring, convincing influence
which will carry the reader back to the very fountain head of Medical
jurisprudence, through the medium of the Encyclopedia Britannica, the
highest accepted authority and criterion of authenticity in the English
speaking world; for, at the same time it will also provide a positive
and perfect safeguard and assurance of the solid basis and absolute