324 ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE 



dependent on that general philosophical training which con- 

 stitutes the fundamental object of a university. 



This comprehensiveness of study, characterising these three 

 professions, is necessitated by the nature of their common 

 object. Differing in importance, in accordance with their 

 respective purposes, they have, nevertheless, this feature in 

 common, that they have severally to do with human nature. 

 The first has its sphere of action in the responsibilities and 

 duties of human nature to its Maker, Preserver, and Judge ; 

 and has for its end the eternal happiness of humanity. The 

 second is occupied with the responsibilities and duties due by 

 members of the community to positive law emanating from 

 supreme political authority, and has for its end the temporal 

 happiness of humanity. The third devotes itself to the well- 

 being of the corporeal frame, which, although not an essential, 

 is nevertheless a highly important element of human happi- 

 ness ; inasmuch as on the condition of the body depends the 

 due performance of the social duties of the individual and his 

 efficiency as a member of the community. 



The three liberal professions being thus directly devoted 

 in common to the wellbeing of humanity, your share of the 

 work is to determine the conditions on which health may be 

 best attained, and to indicate or to supply the means thereto. 



Health essentially consists in the harmonious performance 

 of all the functions of the being. The conception of health 

 can only be derived from our conception of life as manifested 

 in organisation. In the lowest plant, up to man himself, we 

 unhesitatingly, and as it were instinctively, assume the health 

 of the being as the most perfect manifestation of its life. As 

 health is then the end to be attained by the calling of the 

 physician, life, and more particularly life in relation to 

 humanity, must constitute his peculiar study. 



It appertains to the very essence of a liberal profession 

 that its practice can only be finally determined when its 



