Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/98

 of agents and measures by which these effects can be produced. While giving due weight to the value of drugs, it cannot be too strongly enforced in relation to the circulatory system, perhaps more than any other, that we have several recognised non-medicinal methods of treatment at our command, which may be of conspicuous service in numerous cases. Moreover, it must always be borne in mind that, by the rational and efficient employment of these therapeutic measures, we are not only able to deal with organic diseases and functional disorders of the circulatory system itself and their effects; but can by their aid exert a marked influence upon certain pathological processes and conditions, general or local; and also guide patients through grave illnesses of different kinds to a favourable termination; or even immediately save life in urgent cases, under a variety of circumstances.

1. Remarkable and striking progress has been made within the recollection of most of us now present in the definite knowledge acquired as to the effects of medicinal agents upon the heart and vessels; and many new and valuable drugs have been and are still being added to the list. By their intelligent and rational use in treatment excellent results can be obtained, and now-a-days it may be truly said that the stigma that we are in the habit of "introducing drugs of which we know but little into a body of which we know less," certainly does not at any rate