Page:The Hunterian Oration for 1850.djvu/45

29 and object ; one appeal to nature, from one common enemy, disease.

In a remarkable degree have the duties of our profession a tendency to keep alive the best emotions of our nature, and to engender a warm sympathy with the sufferings of humanity; towards the mitigation of which, a considerable portion of our time and knowledge, is devoted. Yet, with all its attendant evils, the practice of the law is regulated by a sense of decorum, of propriety, and even of refinement, which in a far less positive degree, are practised by the sister profession.

“I hold every man,” says Lord Bacon, “a debtor to his profession, from the which, as men do receive countenance and profit, so ought they of duty to render themselves, by way of amends, to be a help and ornament thereunto. This is performed in some degree, by the honest and liberal practice of a profession, when men shall carry a respect not to descend into any course that is corrupt and unworthy thereof, and preserve themselves from the abuses wherewith the same profession is noted to be infected. But much more is this performed, if a man be able to visit and strengthen the roots and foundations of the science itself, thereby not only gracing it in reputation and dignity, but also amplifying it, in profession and substance.”

Thirdly,—The state of the law exerts an important influ- ence in depressing the rank of the profession of medicine.

It is general practice that gives the stamp to the whole, and it is to this department that my remarks are intended specifically to apply.

The general practitioner is an amphibious link between a