138 ON THE NATURE AND PRINCIPLES OF 



PART III. 



OF THE OPINIONS IlITIIKRTo HELD AS TO TUE ESSENTIAL 

 NATURE OF INFLAMMATION. 



HAVING thus briefly recapitulated the views which 

 I have been led to entertain as to the healthy actions 

 of the minute blood-vessels, there remains but one 

 additional topic to be noticed before entering upon 

 an examination of the great question selected for 

 the present inquiry. And, however delicate and 

 difficult the task, I must not be deterred by any 

 feelings of timidity or respect for individuals, from 

 concisely stating, and candidly criticising, the pre- 

 valent opinions on the subject. In all scientific 

 investigations, the love of truth should be held 

 paramount to every other consideration. But in 

 the examination of questions connected with medical 

 science, and particularly in the study of an important 

 and extensive disease like inflammation, where the 

 interests of humanity are so evidently and imme- 

 diately promoted by the advancement of our know- 

 ledge, an undue reverence for the opinions of others 

 would indeed be an unpardonable weakness. 



It is not my intention, were it in my power, to 

 attempt any lengthened review of the numerous 

 doctrines which have successively been presented to, 

 and for a time adopted by, the profession. Such a 

 di-play of erudition would in this, as in many oth<T 

 cases, be much more curious than instructive; for, 

 as far as my limited observation has enabled me to 



