Perhaps it will be said that the idea of pulling the bones apart is a very simple idea, and that almost anybody would think of that. So was the invention of knives and forks a simple idea. But it was come at rather slowly. The transition from the use of fingers and teeth, to that of knives and forks in their present state of perfection, was not a sudden one. Improvement, in this instance, as well as in every other, had its _march_, step by step—it was not effected by a leap. So it has been with improvements in the setting of bones. It is probable that at first many a bone was pushed and twisted about, and then left in its dislocated state; but at length it was discovered, either by accident, or by a scientific view of the subject, that this pushing and twisting could be made to answer the purpose, by first overcoming the resistance of the muscles by extension and counter-extension. The man who first knew this fact was a real discoverer. And further, as the first knives and forks were made in a very bungling manner, so the setting of bones was at first done awkwardly and unskillfully. The bones were probably pulled in a jerking manner, till a second discoverer found out the fact, that it was best to make the extension very gradually and steadily. Here then are two very material facts in regard to one part of the operation of setting bones, which are furnished to the natural bone-setter from the experience of those who have gone before him; and I think no one can doubt that he learns them in the same vulgar way that the educated surgeon does. Though they were new facts once, they are now familiar to every one who has seen a bone set, or heard a description of the operation. And I would give no bone-setter the credit of having been born with these facts in his head, unless he had been shut up from the world till he was strong enough to set a bone, and then, on being brought forth had set a dislocated limb, making the extension and counter-extension in the proper manner. This would be the only positive proof that he did not learn these facts from some one else. Many familiar ideas, which we suppose that we thought of ourselves, unaided by others, if brought to such a test, would be found to have descended to us from our predecessors. Bone-setters have not so much confidence in their innate skill, as to refuse to learn anything from physicians. I suspect that they do not object to reading a surgical book, or looking upon a skeleton, if they can do it without its being known. I heard one once utter the scientific names of bones and their parts, such as humerus, radius, trochanter, astragalus, &c. He must have got these words from some of the educated surgeons, whom he professes to despise, or from some book upon surgery. It is hardly to be supposed, that he was born with them packed away, in his head, along side of his skill, ready for use, though perhaps his admirers and patrons may think so.