Editor's Introduction xxiii 



to medical knowledge during the year. This Oration 

 is annually delivered by some distinguished member 

 of the medical profession, and is inseparably associated 

 with the name of Harvey. This graceful act shows 

 how in his declining years Harvey's thoughts were 

 turned to the future. It had for its object to further 

 the progress of scientific knowledge, to stimulate studies 

 in the pursuit of which he had shown himself such a 

 master. He wished when old and infirm, bereft of 

 the power of again entering the arena of active work 

 and investigation, to still do something to increase and 

 extend that knowledge which is of so great service to 

 mankind a knowledge of the human body in health 

 and in disease. 



Harvey died on June 3, in the year 1657, in the 

 eightieth year of his age, and was buried at the 

 village of Hempstead, in Essex, in a vault which had 

 been built by his brother Eliab. 



E. A. PARKVN. 



LONDON, November, 1906. 



