Page:The advancement of science by experimental research - the Harveian oration, delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, June 27th, 1883 (IA b24869958).pdf/58

 they have, however, the consciousness of having rightly performed their duty, and when the facts are fully known we believe they will be honoured.

It has been the common experience of medical men that oftentimes when the praise was most deserved they have received the least; and it may require years and even a life time to shew the true value of work and to remove the mistakes of insufficient knowledge and of prejudice. It was so in the great work of Harvey himself; some of the practitioners of his own time thought lightly of his views and of his practice, for they did not understand the importance of his discovery. The mountain peak may shine brightly in the morning sun light, but a deep shade may be cast from the mountain side till a brighter light and noonday sun dissipate the shade; in like manner some great truth may stand forth in all its brightness, but a dark shadow may be cast beyond, till ignorance is lost in the sunlight of completer knowledge.

The pages of nature lie open before us