396 AIM AND PROGRESS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE. 



till they induced incurable blindness, can now be 

 detected and remedied at the outset. From the very 

 reason of its presenting the most favourable ground for 

 the application of the scientific method, ophthalmology 

 has proved attractive to a peculiarly large number of 

 excellent investigators, and rapidly attained its present 

 position, in which it sets an example to the other depart- 

 ments of medicine, of the actual capabilities of the 

 true method, as brilliant as that which astronomy for 

 long had offered to the other branches of physical science. 



Though in the investigation of inorganic nature the 

 several European nations showed a nearly uniform ad- 

 vancement, the recent progress of physiology and medi- 

 cine is pre-eminently due to Grermany. I have already 

 spoken of the obstacles which formerly delayed progress in 

 this direction. Questions respecting the nature of life are 

 closely bound up with psychological and ethical inquiries. 

 It demands, moreover, that we bestow on it unwearied 

 diligence for purely ideal purposes, without any approach- 

 ing prospect of the pure science becoming of practical 

 value. And we may make it our boast that this exalted 

 and self-denying assiduity, this labour for inward satis- 

 faction, not for external success, has at all times peculiarly 

 distinguished the scientific men of Germany. 



AA'hat has, after all, determined the state of things 

 in the present instance is in my opinion another cir- 

 cumstance, namely, that we are more fearless than others 

 of the consequences of the entire and perfect truth. 

 Both in England and France we find excellent inves- 

 tigators who are capable of working with thorough 

 energy in the proper sense of the scientific methods ; 

 hitherto, however, they have almost always had to bend 

 to social or ecclesiastical prejudices, and could only openly 

 express their convictions at the expense of their social 

 influence and their usefulness. 



