156 Extracts from Dr. Yeats's 



Extracts from Lectures delivered at the Royal College of Physicians 

 . ill May 1827, founded by Dr. William Crone, chiefly on the 

 Structure^ Functions, and some Diseases of the Colon, with some 

 Preliininary Remarks on Anatomical Knowledge, 8fc. By 

 G. D. Yeats, M.D., F.R.S., Fellow of the Royal College of 

 Physicians, &c. 



Although there is no part of the human body which does' not 

 present objects for deep and interesting inquiry to the philosopher 

 and the anatomist, yet the more intimate connexion which some 

 parts have with the life, the comfort, and the happiness of the 

 individual, demands a closer and a more anxious investigation. 

 There is no study, however engaging, no pursuit, however agreeable, 

 which offers to the contemplative mind, objects more pleasing and 

 attractive than the animal frame. From the deep research which 

 has been employed upon it, the patient investigation it has under- 

 gone at different periods of anatomical history, in its structure, 

 its actions, and the laws which regulate them, by professional 

 men of high talents and knowledge, it can scarcely be ex- 

 pected that I shall be able to introduce any thing sufficiently 

 striking to excite your feelings, or acquire your notice : particu- 

 larly when it is considered that I address an audience whose 

 minds are familiarized with every subject I can present, and whose 

 pursuits have led them to similar inquiries, enhanced by their 

 acquirements in science. But notwithstanding centuries have past 

 away, during which much labour has been bestowed, and great 

 ingenuity displayed in investigating the economy and structure of 

 the human frame, yet it will be acknowledged that, although much 

 has been performed, much still remains to be done ; for, in our 

 dissections of the dead, and in our investigation of the laws which 

 regulate the living body, much novelty often presents itself to our 

 view, which excites our surprise and perplexes our understanding. 

 If we travel, therefore, in a beaten track we shall still meet with 

 some objects which will create new ideas, and stimulate to fresh 

 exertions : lor, be it recollected that what is common is not always 

 generally known, and what is known not always well understood ; 

 and that while we are pursuing our investigations some new dis- 

 eases are budding into existence and others are falling away ; and 

 of those which remain many change their types, their symptoms, 

 and their appearances, and require various modes of treatment in 

 different seasons and in different climes. — Differre quoque pro 



