Page:The Hunterian Oration 1832.djvu/40

 any correct description of the theory of suppuration and ulceration ; or for any rational explanation of the manner in which the sanguiferous, the absorbent, and the nervous systems are respectively concerned in the phenomena of disease. His novel experiments and beautiful reasoning on the vital properties of the blood—his views of sympathy, as it exists between different parts of the animal body—his contrast of it with mental sympathy — his application of this doctrine to the elucidation of various obscure points in pathology—the novelty and truth of many of his conclusions respecting the nature of syphilis; and the ingenious considerations, which led to his improvement of the operation for aneurism—all furnish abundant proof of his original mind.

As in that fine portrait of his countenance, which made Lavater exclaim, when he saw it, "That man thinks for himself," I behold in everv thins: that emanated from his labours a confirmation of the same sentiment. His mind, as Pope would have said, was not a simple multiplier of images, and not one of