Page:The Hunterian Oration, delivered before the Royal College of Surgeons ... February 14, 1817 (IA b22009358).pdf/48

40 plily as much as possible the necessary oper- ation, or other appropriate means of cure, were Pott’s instructions directed.

From this point of great elevation, a retro- spective view of the anatomical discoveries, and of the physiological and practical im- provements, during the last 150 years, is most gratifying. To mention a very few will, at present, suffice.

The circulation of the blood; and the ap- propriate structure of the heart, the arteries, and veins.

The existence of an absorbing system of vessels; a superficial and imperfect idea of which, so far as regards the lacteals, appears to have been entertained by Herophilus.

The universal distribution of the nervous system and influence. �