Chapter III: Popular Errors, 63

False estimate of the importance of _positive_ medication. This
error appears in various ways. Healing of wounds—anointed axe.
Attributing effects to agencies just preceding them—_post hoc
propter hoc_ mode of reasoning. Referring the cure of a case to
some _one_ remedy or measure, when commonly the result of many.
Disposition to have something done all the time. Disease considered
often as a palpable thing—a humor—a poison—medicines supposed to
neutralize it. Specifics. Supposed to be many—really few, if any.
Definition. Inadequate ideas of the community of the necessity for
discrimination in medical practice. Propensity to look for some
universal catholicon. Disease supposed by some to be an unit. A sort
of universality of operation attributed to favorite remedies, even
sometimes among physicians. Dr. Beddoes’ gases. Physicians _correct_
their errors by experience—the public only exchange one error for
another in medicine. Changes in popular opinion in regard to quack
remedies.