subjected medicine to the imputation of being a conjectural art may contribute to redeem its character, and to give to its operations more precision and certainty.
I need not here relate how this proposition has been received by the profession at large, how gratifying this reception of it has been to those with whom the scheme originated, how honourable, truly honourable, to those who have agreed zealously to engage in this, what I must call, truly noble undertaking. Your presence here this day, stamps with your approval the general principle which is involved in our society, and shews that at any rate, the founders of this institution did not make a wrong estimate of the desire, which exists amongst provincial medical practitioners, to advance medical science, and to promote among themselves that harmony and social feeling, which ought ever to characterise a liberal profession.
It has fallen to the lot of the humble individual who is now addressing you, to communicate, either personally or by letter, with a very large proportion of physicians, surgeons, and general practitioners, resident in different provincial towns; and in the course of those communications, there has been but one wish expressed for the prosperity of so promising an institution, and, generally speaking, a desire entertained of being enrolled amongst its members; so that we actually have this day upon our list, 150 candidates for membership.
To attempt to express the feelings of gratitude which I experience towards those numerous friends who have, in so distinguished a manner, attended
