Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 1.djvu/29

 which are enrolled the names of scientific men from all parts of Great Britain; a vast proportion of whom assembled together at their late meeting at Oxford. We may, therefore, infer, that the desire for such a combination of forces in the Medical Profession, though dormant, has existed. We may infer this from the avidity with which the proposition to form such a society, as we contemplate, has been, on all hands, received.

The facilities of communication, too, between distant towns, both personally and by letter, are so much greater than formerly, that the very distance at which many of the members may reside from each other, will oppose but a slight barrier to our undertaking. Every thing now conspires to make the present a fit time to begin our great experiment. Let us look, alone, to the numerous charitable, medical institutions which, to the honour of the provinces, flourish so vigorously in every direction. The means which they would afford, to increase our knowledge of the medical art, if they really were sanctuaries of science, as well as of sorrow, are incalculable! Again, I am far from thinking lightly of the influence which provincial medical men have in society; but I also believe that, as a body, provincial medical practitioners do not hold the rank in the community to which they may attain, and to which it will at all times be the effect of our association to stimulate them to aspire. To this end it is also of immense importance, that, as a profession, we should maintain a dignified attitude before the world; for, if we turn our attention to the members of the medical profession themselves, and