Page:The Hunterian Oration, delivered before the Royal College of Surgeons ... February 14, 1817 (IA b22009358).pdf/35

27 Greeks, very many ponderous volumes, of pompous title and bombastic promise, on the subjects of Anatomy and Surgery had been published; but they contained little that was of any value, save what was purloined. or imperfectly translated from their predecessors. The surgery therefore which prevailed in this country, even at the beginning of the eighteenth century, except in the treatment of a few diseases, could hardly be said to be an improvement upon that of Hippocrates, 2,200 years before !

From the day on which Anatomy began to be publicly taught in London, may be dated the commencement of the rational study of the Healing Art in this country: and the numerous hospitals and great population of the metropolis, afforded constant