Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/110

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106
THE HARVEIAN ORATION.

tendency of the present age. The laity are by no means satisfied, and I see no reason why they should be, unless the progressive scientific or other modern discoveries and developments bearing upon clinical investigation and diagnosis, the prevention or cure of disease, the relief of suffering, and the promotion of sound health, are efficiently applied and utilised, not only with regard to individuals, but also for the advantage of the community at large. And surely they have not been disappointed, but ought to appreciate highly and feel profoundly thankful for, what has already been achieved, as well as full of hopeful anticipation for the future. The mere mention of such familiar words and expressions as anæsthetics, antiseptic treatment, the prevention and cure of tuberculosis, vaccines and antitoxins, organo-therapy, electricity in diagnosis and treatment, the Röntgen rays and radiography, light and colour treatment, must call up in the mind of any fair and unprejudiced person of average intelligence, beneficial achievements which can only be fitly described as marvellous, and which are the outcome of a remarkable series of scientific researches, utilised by the medical profession.

As a striking illustration of progress in a direction very closely connected with the circulatory system, special attention may be drawn to the "brilliant victories," as they are justly called, which have been won in various countries and regions, many