“THE VITAL FORCE.” – In the November number of last year, we took exception to Dr. Bayard’s position as set forth in the Popular Science Monthly, in his explanation of Homeopathy, that, as a science, it “is the law of the vital force.” Dr. P.P. Wells, in a late number of the Homeopathic Physician, has discussed the question at some length in his peculiar way. Allowing all he says to be true, it reduces him to the absurdity of attempting to prove a self-evident proposition. When the point at issue is assumed by either party, to say the least, it cuts out the party, so assuming, and argument is ended. We cannot, therefore, follow Dr. Wells, since to our mind, the question is debatable, and worthy of study; and is one which cannot be settled by flippant assertions. It is also clear, that so broad a question cannot be properly discussed in a brief editorial. We are not, however, disposed to leave the controversy as it stands at present. We repeat, that the facts of Homeopathy are one thing; the theories which help to explain them are another thing. It is a necessity of the human mind to have things explained. The best of all explanations, is a demonstration. A thing which can be demonstrated is a scientific fact. We, however, incorporate much into science so-called, which we cannot demonstrate; and we explain, all such things by the help of theories. Many points are settled by the theory of authority. An ecumenical council, a synod, a conference or an individual, is often considered sufficient. There are persons who would take Dr. Wells’ statement upon almost any question as a final settlement of it. Upon this theory it is only necessary to point out what the authorities say; and most of the hard questions that might otherwise vex the mind of man, are in this way answered and disposed of. Next to the theories of this sort, stand theories founded on imagination or superstition. Given a series of phenomena, apparently inexplicable, and all you have to do, is to, construct an ideal cause. The ocean, the forest and the air were once filled with imaginary beings, who drove the winds about, made the seas boil and hurled thunderbolts through the heavens. Spirits, malign and benign, filled every unexplored corner of the universe, and became the efficient source of its mysterious phenomena. For centuries, imagination, backed by authority, covered the whole ground, and solved all riddles. Subsequently, Science came into the field, and claimed her right to answer these puzzling questions. This she does in two ways: First, by demonstration. She repeats the phenomenon at will and shows every step in the experiment. In this way she curbs and controls imagination and destroys the specters of superstition. But secondly, science must employ theories respecting many things she cannot demonstrate. But such theories are always essentially scientific theories. They hold no relation to the theories of authority or imagination, because in essence, they always correspond with the facts of sciences.