560 Sir William Maeewen [June 7, 



instances life has been sapped at the governing centres of energy by 

 the pathological lesions, operations on the brain have Ijeen very 

 successful, many of them veritably snatching the patient from the 

 brink. 



The consummation of all that surgical activity has been attained 

 by the introduction of aseptic practice, surgery having been re- 

 developed since the introduction of Listerian principles and treat- 

 ment. 



Personal Teaching and Demonstration versus Books. 



It is fashionable nowadays to decry University teachers and pro- 

 fessors, many regarding them as an effete remnant of antiquity. It 

 is contended that all that is required is to issue a paper or a book and 

 allow the students to read at their own fire-sides instead of compel- 

 ling them to attend lectures and demonstrations in a University. 



' It is true that formerly the teaching extended only {is far as the 

 teacher's voice could carry, but now one can write in one's own 

 lal)oratory, and, if the message be important, it will be borne to the 

 limits of the civilized world, and thus it is possible to instruct an 

 audience of unlimited size. 



There is, however, a difference between teaching by books and 

 viva voce teaching and demonstration. Some things may be explained 

 by means of clear writing and may be understood by correct reading 

 of what has been written, but there are other things difficult of com- 

 prehension in detail without the aid of practical demonstration. 

 More especially is this the case when one has not the opportunity of 

 personal contact with the introducer or with one who has seen his 

 practice and followed his methods. No matter how well a statement 

 may l)c written, impressions are drawn from it which differ according 

 to the preparedness and previous experience of the mind of each in- 

 dividual reader. Personal ol)servation produces a much more vivid 

 impression and generally corrects individual misconstruction. 



As Professor of Surgery in Glasgow Lister followed the Scottish 

 method, teaching the principles of surgery in the University, and 

 afterwards demonstrating his methods in the wards of the Infirmary. 

 His lectures in the University and his observations in the wards 

 were complementary to each other, and gave a groundwork more 

 thorough than could otherwise have been obtained. Those who had 

 been so taught found his methods simple and easy of execution, and 

 were often astonished at seeing others less fortunate falling into 

 serious errors in their attempt to carry out the antiseptic practice 

 after reading Lister's papers alone. 



There were many earnest men — professors of continental uni- 

 versities, amongst others — who were well qualified to read correctly 

 what had been written, yet who, having read, were not satisfied, but 



