Some of the philosophies of this work: "An intelligent 'doing nothing' is the acme of medical science; the real business of a physician is not that of curing patients, it is a question of not killing; Nature is never engaged in a senseless and purposeless work of any kind: I do not infer that there is a ratiocinative guidance, simply the adjusting of needs to ends, the laws for which are resident and imminent in the needs." The author gives recommendations for the treatment of specific ailments and the maintenance of good general health.