Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/112

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108
THE HARVEIAN ORATION.

career, and our heartfelt sympathy with his bereaved family and friends.

Bearing in mind the advances made in more immediate relation to the circulatory system with which I have already dealt in some detail, I think that here also we may claim the gratitude and confidence of those with whom we have to deal in practice. I again affirm that by the intelligent and rational use of the means now at our command, we not only can make a definite and adequate diagnosis in all but exceptional cases; but are further able to perform what may fairly be expected of us in the way of treatment of diseases and disorders of this system and their effects; indeed, I may say, to achieve results which were formerly inconceivable, though we must not pretend to perform impossibilities.

While thus fully appreciating the practical advances which have been made, it behoves us in these "go-a-head" times, as a profession, to exercise some degree of caution and discretion as to what we say and do. We are living in an age when the most extravagant and absurd expectations and hopes are entertained with regard to the present and the future; and when any kind of treatment, however outrageous it may be, that promises results which are really unattainable is eagerly sought after and believed in, audacious quackery being rampant and triumphant. Quite recently I have been asked by