170 REPOKT— isro. 



flowers or musk, we never consider the question of absorption bj the blood, 

 but attribute the phenomena that follow to a superficial influence exerted upon 

 the periphery of nerve. The question is, whether with certain other agents 

 a more extended influence may not be exerted through the nervous struc- 

 tures so that the nervous centres themselves may be impressed and systematic 

 derangements be excited by the disturbance. If this be proved to be 

 the fact in respect to known organic bodies, such as nitrite of amyl, it may 

 be worth while to carry out the same line of inquiry in the investigation of 

 those obscure diseases which we attribute to minute particles of organic 

 poisons, and which are invariably heralded by symptoms indicating changes, 

 of function, at least, in the nervous centres that govern those organs by the 

 action of which the natural life of the body is sustained. 



In concluding this Report, I have once more to claim your indulgence for 

 all its shortcomings. I claim to be, as it were, a mere gardener in the field 

 of physiological medicine. The physicist and the chemist give seeds which 

 I and a few others plant in our domain. "We take the offering, try its value, 

 and then there follow accompHshed scholars and practitiouei's who join with 

 us in proving and establishing the practical results and benefits that are to 

 succeed upon the primary research. The labourers in the primary research 

 are not uufrequently forgotten for a time, as their followers gather their 

 produce and weave it into forms that attract and please the world. But our 

 satisfaction is none the less complete as we witness the develojjment of our 

 efforts, since the solid satisfaction lies, not in the promise of the sowing, but 

 in the proof of the reaping. I have thanked this Association many times for 

 having recognized the imjjortance of the primary exertion to which I refer, and 

 in thanking it once more I hold myself at its disposition to continue at my 

 tasks under its sympathetic and powerful influence. It is true that by what 

 is called private industry one may do much to advance any profession, if to 

 the advancement the mind be simply and sincerely devoted ; but when one 

 expends industry, as I have been allowed to expend it, by the direction of 

 this convocation of men of all sciences, the effect is tenfold in weight and 

 measure. The effort is accepted away from these meetings because it has 

 been accepted in them, and the science of medicine is strengthened because 

 she marches with the other sciences in mutual understanding and for mutual 

 progress. 



Report of the Rainfall Committee for the Year 1869-70, consisting of 

 C. Brooke, F.R.S. {Chairman), J. Glaishek, F.R.S., Prof. Phillips, 

 F.R.S., J. F. Bateman, C.E., F.R.S. , R. W. Mylne, C.E., F.R.S., 

 T. Hawksley, C.E., Prof. Adams, F.R.S., C. Tomlinson, F.R.S., 

 Prof. Sylvester, F.R.S., Dr. Pole, F.R.S., Rogers Field^ C.E., 

 and G. J. Symons, Secretary. 



In our last Report we reprinted the rules which had been issiied for the 

 guidance of observers, and we also exjiressed the opinion that a considerable 

 addition to the staff in several districts was desirable. This proposal was 

 approved by the General Committee at Exeter, and a small sum granted 

 towards the expenses which would be incurred. 



One of the districts very destitute of observers was Dartmoor, and thither 



