Page:The Harveian oration - delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, London, June 29th, 1867 (IA b22315263).pdf/30

 investigation, or who lacks faith in the power of his art.

And not only should we feel the urgent need of apprehending all truths divulged by collateral science, but it is our interest, as well as our duty, to promote the diffusion of medical knowledge throughout society; for we may thereby hope to mitigate the greatest of our trials. It is peculiar to us, that we are judged by those who are not able to form just opinions. A cause won by a great lawyer is appreciated by all; but a life saved, or a true judgment pronounced in an obscure but hopelessly fatal case, may be attributed to anything except the physician's skill and knowledge. The public need much scientific enlightenment fairly to estimate the results of practice, or to decide on the merits of any new discoveries. Harvey lost much of his popularity by promulgating his views; and society is scarcely more able now than in the time of Harvey to decide justly whether they are crushing a meritorious practitioner by their censure, or bolstering up a quack by their encomiums. This uncertainty of re-