[1] See my _Alchemy: Ancient and Modern_ (1911), SESE 63-67.


Writing of the Sympathetic Powder, Professor DE MORGAN wittily
argues that it must have been quite efficacious. He says:
"The directions were to keep the wound clean and cool, and to
take care of diet, rubbing the salve on the knife or sword.
If we remember the dreadful notions upon drugs which prevailed,
both as to quantity and quality, we shall readily see that
any way of NOT dressing the wound would have been useful.
If the physicians had taken the hint, had been careful of diet,
_etc_., and had poured the little barrels of medicine down the throat
of a practicable doll, THEY would have had their magical cures
as well as the surgeons."[2] As Dr PETTIGREW has pointed out,[3]
Nature exhibits very remarkable powers in effecting the healing
of wounds by adhesion, when her processes are not impeded.
In fact, many cases have been recorded in which noses, ears,
and fingers severed from the body have been rejoined thereto,
merely by washing the parts, placing them in close continuity,
and allowing the natural powers of the body to effect the healing.
Moreover, in spite of BACON'S remarks on this point, the effect
of the imagination of the patient, who was usually not ignorant
that a sympathetic cure was to be attempted, must be taken
into account; for, without going to the excesses of "Christian Science"
in this respect, the fact must be recognised that the state
of the mind exercises a powerful effect on the natural forces
of the body, and a firm faith is undoubtedly helpful in effecting
the cure of any sort of ill.