Page:The Harveian oration - delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, London, June 29th, 1867 (IA b22315263).pdf/13

 being designed to do honour to the memory of his friend Dr. Baly. It has been determined that the medal shall be awarded biennially, and that it shall be entitled the Baly Medal.

As two anniversaries only have been celebrated since the college has decided on abandoning the classic form of delivery, it may seem not inappropriate to consider the legitimate matter of the annual address. The orators on these two anniversaries have used the occasion to dilate on special subjects, and they have done it gracefully and profitably. Yet, though their example may be occasionally adopted to great advantage, it may occur to some, as it does to me, that, by establishing that method as a rule, we should be in danger of losing sight of Harvey's meaning; and that it would be more strictly in accordance with his wishes if we were to continue to commemorate the benefactors, and to make the progress and fresh achievements of medical science our prevailing theme. Both subjects can scarcely be completely handled in the time that an orator may reasonably command: