Page:The Harveian oration delivered at the Royal College of Physicians June 26, 1889 (IA b22361285).pdf/35

 errors, now received as truths, swept from our path, and the atmosphere cleared for the perception of facts now obscured for want of the proper light by which to discern their nature and value.

Much might be said of the abuse of physiology in its application to pathology. We are not quite secure in the present day from the tendency to too rapid generalisation which infected men’s minds in Harvey’s time, and which contrasted so strongly with his mode of thought and procedure. We may perhaps attribute this evil partly to the state of the medical profession, which in these days of competition has become greatly troubled. It is now the fashion to work, and many do so because they are ashamed to be thought idle. If naturally slothful, a fact or an assumed fact supplies them with sufficient matter for a theory, and then with little trouble they can appear before the public at frequent intervals, borne on a cloud of misty composition. Or, they may be more industrious, but lack wit, and urged forward by the inspiration of example, go through much labour.

But they have worked badly, and find a very small return for the time and trouble expended.