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THE HUNTERIAN ORATION. 35 lithotrity, and who in consequence became interested in searching out the records of the art.*

A striking feature in modern medical science is the zeal and the discretion with which the various collateral branches of knowledge are brought to its aid. The happy union of the sciences, their mutual fecundation as Cuvier expressed it, is here signally displayed, per- fectly realising the same idea which Cicero has so beau- tifully and philosophically expressed, Omnes artes, que ad humanitatem pertinent, habent quoddam com- mune vinculum, et quasi cognatione quidam inter se continentur.f We have chemistry, human and com- parative anatomy and physiology, zoology and geology, all mutually aiding, yet each confined within its own sphere. A century ago, out of a few facts observed by the great chemist of the day, upon a living gym- notus, or silurus electricus, would have been almost certainly constructed a chemical theory of life. But

F.R.S. Read before the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, November, 1838. Dublin Journal of Medical Science, January, 1839.
 * An outline of the History of Medicine. By Sir Philip Crampton,

The honour of the re-introduction of lithotrity must be accorded to the French Surgeons. In the year 1818, M. Civiale contrived an instrument that would perforate the stone, and, besides, scoop out its interior, in order that from the knowledge tlius obtained of its composition, an appropriate solvent might be directed to it. When, by successive perforations and scoopings, the stone was reduced to a mere shell, then did the idea occur of crushing the shell into frag-

ments and powder. + Oratio pro Archia, Poeta. �