Final answer:
Doctors historically may not have disclosed the secrets of their discoveries due to a variety of factors, including commercial interests and the intrinsic complexity of nature. In literature, this theme reflects the philosophical idea that some knowledge might be inherently unreachable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question, 'Why doesn't the doctor explain the secrets of his discoveries?' reflects a historical and philosophical concern about the accessibility of medical or scientific knowledge. Historically, doctors may have been reluctant to admit the full scope of their discoveries due to a variety of reasons, such as commercial interests, professional prestige, or the very nature of scientific inquiry, which often reveals results rather than processes. This reluctance could be especially pronounced when issues like industrial poisoning were at stake, as admitting such problems could have wide-reaching implications for businesses and regulatory practices.
In literature, this theme is explored in Nathaniel Hawthorne's story where Aylmer, the main character, encounters the limitation that Nature presents by being "severely careful to keep her own secrets". This illustrates the philosophical view that some knowledge may inherently be beyond human grasp or that discovering such knowledge requires methods and instruments beyond those currently available. In scientific practice, as the transition took place from discourse to experiment, the understanding of the natural world advanced, but not all secrets were unlocked, and some knowledge remained closely guarded, be it for ethical reasons or recognition of Nature's complexity.