cal analysis, which, in general, is attended with too many difficulties to warrant the investigation.

Third. That it is unequal in its operation, while it gives to the empiric two-thirds of the whole of the privileges attained by the regular practitioner, after having spent at least three years of laborious study, attended with great expense of time and money, to acquire a scientific and correct knowledge of the healing art, without subjecting them to any of the responsibilities and penalties incident upon mal practice, &c. on the part of the regular licensed practitioner.

Fourth. That it is degrading the science of medicine to place its scientific and well qualified votary so nearly upon a par with the illiterate, unprincipled or ignorant quack, and thereby often smothering a laudable ambition in the pursuit of an honorable attainment, from a knowledge that he, at most, can only share, and that with ignorance, the just rewards of his labors and merits.

Fifth. That the "botanic physicians," almost without exception, are utterly unqualified to form a correct opinion of the natural and probable consequences of any disease, or as to the proper remedies to be applied in different and distinct cases, or even as to the peculiar virtues and properties of the several remedies they profess to use; and, in lieu of correct knowledge, substitute secrecy, chicanery and deception.

The committee, after having duly examined and considered the subject of complaint, on the part of your petitioners, respectfully beg leave to submit, that in their view, they can readily conceive that the act, or that part of it above referred to, has produced effects and results contrary to the probable anticipations of those who were its advocates and supporters; and that instead of being instrumental in dispensing benefits and blessings to community, it opens the door and offers inducements to the unprincipled, illiterate empiric, to impose upon the credulous and unsuspecting, by assuming a knowledge of the mysteries of the healing art, by some special dispensation; and, to give color to these pretensions, use every means that they are masters of to cloud and mystify the true science and knowledge of medicine; thereby retarding and preventing the spread of useful information, by smothering the natural and inestimable propensities of our natures, which impel to an inquiry into causes and first principles; the seat of science, from

whence she points her votaries to the true paths of wisdom and knowledge.

It is also the opinion of the committee that the age in which we live has advanced too far in a knowledge of the arts and sciences, and is too familiar with the blessings and benefits arising from them ever to wish a return of the days of ignorance, superstition and witchcraft; and that the general sense of community will sustain those in whom they have vested the power to make laws in the enactment of none that, in their operation, are calculated to prevent, or in any way retard, the spread of useful and correct knowledge, or degrade any of the necessary, honorable and important professions.

That the professions of physic and surgery are among this class it is presumed, at this day, needs no argument to prove: and, that a correct knowledge of them can be acquired, without much arduous study, practice and investigation, and at an expense of considerable time and money, is only pretended by those who deal in mystery, superstition and quackery, for the want of science and correct information.

In support of these positions the committee beg leave to suggest, that as yet, within their knowledge, there has never occurred an instance of a scientific practitioner, or a man of acknowledged general science, who has admitted the theory of the botanic physicians, by confining himself to the use of the roots, barks and herbs of the United States, to the entire exclusion of all others of the vegetable kingdom, together with all minerals, as well of our own as other countries, in the practice of medicine.

Is there not in the idea itself a palpable contradiction of one of the most universally acknowledged laws of nature, viz: That nothing was made in vain? Is it not equally unsupported by the laws of nature, science, philosophy and human reason? And have not ignorance, superstition and empiricy ever been at war with philosophy and science, and all liberal and enlightened research?

When we consider the multiplicity of diseases' to which the human family are liable, their fickle variableness, the constant liability to which we are exposed from the visitation of new and unknown diseases, and the dangers consequent upon ignorance of their natures and effects, some estimate may be formed of the difficulties attending the acquirement of a knowledge of the pro

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fession, and of the constant necessity for study, investigation and practice to keep pace with the changes which time must ever produce. And it is clearly evident that the healing art could never have been brought to that degree of perfection which it has attain. ed, short of the most devoted application of human reason, aided by science and untiring research.

It is pretended that the act herein alluded to is calculated to present inducements for the encouragement of the study of botany, and thereby to dispense to the world many blessings by becoming acquainted with specifics which a more extensive and thorough investigation of the vegetable kingdom would place at our disposal, Hence the reason for this band of new lights classing themselves under the appellation of botanic physicians, thereby carrying the idea that they are possessed of a knowledge of the medicinal qua, lities of the plants of the United States, that is not required of the regular licensed practitioner. How far this position is entitled to credit will appear from the following facts as viewed by the committee.

1. That a very great proportion of the medicines now in use by the regular faculty are derived from the vegetable kingdom,

2. A large proportion of these vegetable medicines are the pro. ducts of the United States.

3. That the laws regulating the practice of medicine require that a knowledge of the principles and nature of medicines, as well as diseases in general, must be attained by the student of medicine, before he can be admitted to practice as a member of the faculty. And as American vegetables form so great a proportion of the medicines in use, a knowledge of botany is consequently indispensable to the regular profession. And the committee can readily conceive that the knowledge acquired in this useful branch of science, by the two parties, is in general quite as disproportionate as is the character of the learned and scientific proficient in medicine, compared with that of the plodding, unlicensed imitator. And on the contrary, the effect is rather to retard the diffusion of useful knowledge by reducing the regularly educated physician to a level with the empiric or ignoramus both in his character and the fruits of his labors.

The commitee having thus briefly set forth their views of this subject, and having taken into consideration the fact, that the sister

professions, viz: law and divinity, are, by the laws of the State, protected against the encroachments of unqualified intruders, as in justice they ought to be; and considering, as we do, that the professions of physic and surgery, stand at least, equal, in point of honorable attainments and importance to any, and are therefore entitled to their due share of protection from the arm of the law. And being fully convinced from the facts set forth, as well as from the dictates of our own reason, that that portion of the act entitled, "An act regulating the practice of physic and surgery," passed April 7th, 1830, and complained of by your petitioners, is unequal in its bearings, and pernicious in its effects, both upon the fa culty and community at large, and therefore ought, in our opinion, to be repealed,