Page:Introductory lecture on medical jurisprudence - delivered in the theatre of the Royal Dublin Society, on Saturday, the 16th November, 1839 (IA b21916512).pdf/18

16 value and importance. The various fallacies to which they are liable will next engage our attention, as well as the resources science supplies for guarding against and making allowance for those fallacies. When medical opinions are founded on experiments, I will, whenever it is practicable, repeat those experiments before you, and show you exactly how medical men, in such cases, arrive at their conclusions.

Even from the very imperfect outline T have sketched of this course of study, it must be obvious that it ought to constitute an essential part of the education of every barrister. The information thus acquired will be found alike necessary to him in every part of his professional career; as well, perhaps, the first circuit he goes, and the first brief he holds, as when he has reached the highest place in his Profession; as well in a simple case of assault, as in the most complicated inquiries connected with legitimacy, lunacy, or life insurance. The want of such information must be every day more and more sensibly felt by the members of the bar; inasmuch as from the zeal with which medical jurisprudence is now cultivated by the medical profession, the evidence it supplies will be more frequently appealed to, and must have a great influence in legal proceedings; and, besides, the very arts that civilize and refine multiply the offences, for the detection of which scientific skill is required. The same science that provides a remedy against pain and suffering, arms the hand of the murderer with his most deadly weapon. But it is not merely to the practising barrister that this information is essential. To the judge—the magistrate of every order—the members of the legislature—to all, indeed, who are concerned in making or in administering the laws, it is almost equally necessary for the proper discharge of their important duties. The Profession to which you belong is the portal to all those places of power, honour, and emolument. In that Profession knowledge and industry are almost sure to attain distinction and pre-eminence. It may be said men have risen to eminence at the bar without the aid of lectures, or the laborious study