Page:The Harveian Oration,1902.djvu/12

 peril by the skill and devotion of our brethren. His Majesty has been singularly fortunate in having had on both occasions, as officers of his medical body-guard, the greatest living experts in the class of diseases by which he was assailed; and it is to us a legitimate source of satisfaction that our art has made such progress within the memories of us all as to have rendered it possible, in circumstances formerly almost hopeless, to save a life so precious to his subjects. If the King owes much to the medical profession, we on our part, gladly acknowledge the deep debt of gratitude which he has earned at our hands. He has at all times exhibited a sympathetic interest in our work, our needs and aspirations, and in particular by the magnificent endowment which he has secured to the metropolitan hospitals, he has done much to promote the cause of medical education and the welfare of his people. The illustrious Harvey, whose name, on this day of St. Luke, we are met to honour, was also fortunate in having in King Charles a sovereign deeply interested in scientific progress, who provided his trusted physician with many facilities for his observa-