Page:Restorative medicine - an Harveian annual oration delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, London, on June 21, 1871 (the 210th anniversary) (IA restorativemedic00cham).pdf/31

RESTORATIVE MEDICINE. 17 the revelation of this important law of nature. Does it not promise to explain the hitherto inex- plicable benefit derived from firing, blisters, mus- tard, croton oil, caustic potass, and other means of cure by external sores? It is when the arti- ficial sore is getting well that the benefit arises: as the new healthy tissue shapes itself outside, it in- fects the diseased parts with health.

It is possible also that by applying the same principle to blood-letting we might learn the truc use of that now unpopular treatment. We have left it off because it failed to do what we had been led to expect of it; but may it not have another use in a differently selected class of cases? May it not set in action the healthy formation of new blood, replacing over and above the previous loss? However, I must not trespass on your time with untried speculations.

I am not telling the tale of a buried event, but aiding to record what is passing under your eyes, an instance of theory grounded on experiment paving the way for practice. Not experience is teaching us these things, but designed scientific experiment. It is this path of progress which our immortal Harvey bids me to-day exhort you to