36 



from what constituent of the proteid molecule it is derived. Tlie 

 other constituents of the molecule may perhaps furnish the anti- 

 dote, or a poison antagonistic to that produced by the bacillus ; 

 for we know that poisons are antagonistic to each other — atropin 

 and muscarin for example, ' We may even hope to find that tlio 

 action and growth of the bacilli may be inhibited by certain sub- 

 stances, and then by injecting these substances into the blood, 

 disease may be prevented, or if disease exists it may be ari-osted 

 or cured. Is there not then, in this direction, much that should 

 attract you and in Harvey's words " encourage you to search out 

 the secrets of nature"? The changes seem so minute and inscru- 

 table, sometimes so transitory, that amidst difficulties and disap- 

 pointments we may often be discouraged and inclined tq abandon 

 the investigations. So it was with Harvey — " I found the task 

 so truly arduous, so full of difficulties, that I was almost tempted 

 to think with Fracastorius, that the motion of the heart was only 



to be comprehended by God At length by using greater and 



daily diligence I thought that I had attained the truth and 



that I had discovered what I so much desired, both the motion 

 and the use of the heart and arteries." Reverently, earnestly and 

 hopefully he continued his work, and he succeeded. Let us follow 

 in his footsteps, gathering up the facts, and with minds educated 

 and trained to reason upon the facts, let us try to penetrate further 

 into nature's mysteries; thus may we be enabled to do God's 

 work in the world, preventing and healing all manner of diseases, 

 and so promote the happiness and welfare of mankind. One, 

 whose memory is reverenced by all here, Dr Parkes, wrote : " Tn 

 the scheme of Providence it may not be meant that man shall 

 be healthy. Diseases of mind and body may be the cross he has 

 to bear ; or it may be the evil against which he has to struggle, 



