0"T' LAERT> "! - USP

III. MEDICAL TEACHING IN RECENT, TIMES.
THE , CHARACTER OF THE SIXTEENTH
J. . . CENTURY.
IN proportion to the increase of knowledge and its
.more extensive prevalence, the conviction gained ground
that thought must be freed from the fetters which held it
in check. What in the 13th century had been felt by only
;a few select spirits and proclaimed by them with dauntless
-.courage, at the end of the 15th century filled the hearts of
•all- cultivated men. The impulse towards freedom and
independence exerted an influence on all provinces of in­
tellectual life and formed the fundamental note which
resounded in art as well as. in science, in religion no less
than in politics.
In the history of civilization movements of mighty import
like those of the 16th century, do not arise suddenly but
are the outcome of a long preceding activity. They exist
long before they appear, they escape superficial observation
and are recognizable only by the eye of knowledge. Like
the seeds of plants which crowd the soil, they germinate in
obscurity and shoot up only when their time has come.
The origin of the efforts for reform of the 16th century
dates far back in the middle ages. The history of this
.struggle tells us of unsuccessful attempts, of fruitless toil,
of hopes trampled underfoot, and of sacrifices sealed by
blood. Even in the earlier centuries enthusiastic and
devoted men fought for freedom of thought: but
the combatants were isolated and were overpowered by
their opponents. LUTHER and MELANCHTHON had their
forerunners who suffered death for their convictions.