1 XXVI
2 the quantity of the dose, or, the intervals at which it is
3 administered. Thus, minute doses of certain medicines
4 remove nausea and arrest vomiting ; whilst the same
5 medicines given in larger doses, produce a contrary
6 effect; others, when taken in large quantities, act as
7 purgatives; but, when administered in minute portions,
8 check diarrhoea. Therefore ,, since we are aware that
9 medicines in minute doses possess peculiar qualities and
10 powers , it is our hounden duty to make ourselves ac-
11 quainted with this mode of using them , and it is imperative
12 on us to forego such notions and principles ( hereditary
13 or acquired) as are founded on prejudice. Minute doses
14 alone can produce real medicinal action . Properly em-
15 ployed, they operate beneficially ; because, their action
16 is confined to that part of the body which is the seat
17 of disease, while the remainder of the system is not
18 attacked or weakened ; if improperly employed, they
19 cannot, from their minuteness, be very injurious. Large
20 quantities of any materials, whether from the kitchen or
21 the apothecary’s shop, whether prepared by cooks or
22 prescribed by Greek, Arab, Indian, or European phy-
23 sicians, are not entitled to the name of medicines ; they
24 are to be considered nutriments , when properly used
25 — when abused, they are poisons.
26 Instances frequently occur, wherein large doses of so-
27 called medicine, appear to produce curative effects upon
28 the patients ; but, it is probable, that, in some cases,
29 the recovery is attributable to the healing power of
30 nature alone, which often repairs what bunglers have
31 injured.
32 Many persons cannot conceive, how minute doses,
33 which are so small that they are supposed to be lost