Excerpt from Theory of Medical Science, the Doctrine of an Inherent Power in Medicine a Fallacy: The Ultimate Special Properties of Vitality and the Laws of Vital Force Constitute the Fundamental Basis of Medical, Philosophy and Science<br><br>The supposed power in materia medica and poisons is an error Of gigantic magnitude, which has no place in nature, and is the greatest delusion of thought ever adopted by civilized humanity.<br><br>The science Of medicine is based on only one source Of power, namely, the vital power; and a correct theory Of vitality demonstrates the ideal delusion which has invested materia medica and poisons with active principles or inherent powers.<br><br>The relation of materia medica and poisons to the human organism not one of power, but one of cause.<br><br>Causes may be derived from various sources, but organic activities in health and disease receive their momentum from vital power.<br><br>About the Publisher<br><br>Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com<br><br>This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.