Virchow—that we owe the definite establishment of this doctrine, between the years 1846 and 1856, with the demonstration of the origin and nature of infarcts, founded upon the basis of anatomical, experimental, and clinical investigations, which have been well described as a model of scientific research in medicine. His discoveries revolutionised many traditional ideas current at the time, and introduced a new era in pathology, the development of which I can well remember when a student. The field opened up by Virchow attracted numerous workers, amongst them our distinguished Fellow, Kirkes, and many valuable additions have since been made to our knowledge of the subject of embolism, but mainly relating to details.
5. The relation of the circulatory system to other systems and organs is now universally recognised, at any rate in theory, as being of great pathological and clinical significance, which is a marked step in advance. The intimate connection between the heart and lungs is obvious enough. The mutual relations between the nervous and circulatory systems are also well-known, both as regards structural changes and functional disorders. The secondary effects of any cardiac disease which causes persistent interference with the general venous circulation, upon various organs and structures, are of the utmost importance. One of the most conspicuous and striking examples of modern progress which deserves mention
