Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/67

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THE HARVEIAN ORATION.
63

aspects of modern research in relation to scientific medicine. On the other hand, it appears to me desirable to offer a word of criticism and warning, and to urge the necessity of more careful control and regulation of such research, on intelligent and rational lines, with due regard to its practical intention and purpose. One cannot help observing not infrequently that quantity, rather than quality, is the outcome of much that is called by this name; and there is an undoubted tendency to jump to conclusions hastily and on insufficient data, which conclusions are sooner or later, and often very speedily, contradicted flatly by other investigators, the result being much confusion and uncertainty with regard to important questions, a state of things decidedly trying to those of us who are getting on in life, and are yet desirous of "keeping up with the times." Moreover, not a few so-called "scientific researches," some on a very elaborate scale, are concerned with quite trivial and unimportant matters, and have no apparent object, unless it be to vex, bewilder, and thwart the progress of the unfortunate medical student! Personally I must confess that some investigations are made so difficult and complex as to be entirely beyond my comprehension, and the very terms used in relation to them are enough to frighten one off! Let us be thankful, however, that on the whole the facts revealed and the lessons taught by our scientific workers come