Page:The Harveian oration - delivered at the Royal College of Physicians June 24, 1882 - by George Johnson (IA b21517046).pdf/9



Me. President and Gentlemen, accepting the invitation with which you, Sir, honoured me, to undertake the arduous and responsible duty of Harveian orator, my first intention was to take as the main subject of address the additions to our knowledge of the vascular system, with its nerve supply, which have been made within the last thirty years, and thus to continue the history of these interesting discoveries from the point at which, for want of time, it was left by Dr. Sanderson in the learned oration which he delivered here four years ago. On further consideration, however, it appeared to me that my attention should, by preference, be directed to the systematic attempts which have been made in Italy to rob our illustrious Harvey of the honour which