ADDRESS 



OF 



THOMAS ANDREWS, M.D., LLJ)., 



F.R.S., Hoji.F.R.S.E., Etc. 



PEESIDENT. 



Srx and thirt}^ years have passed over since the British Association for the 

 Advancement of Science held its tenth meeting in this ancient city, and 

 twenty-one years have elapsed since it last assembled here. The representa- 

 tives of two great Scottish families presided on these occasions ; and those who 

 had the advantage of hearing the address of the Duke of Argj-ll in 1855 

 will recall the gratification they enjoyed while listening to the thonghtful 

 sentiments which reflected a mind of rare cultivation and varied acquire- 

 ments. On the present occasion I have undertaken, not without anxiety, 

 the duty of filling an oiRce at fii'st accepted by one whom Scotland and the 

 Association would alike have rejoiced to see in this Chair, not only as a 

 tribute to his own scientific services, but also as recognizing in him the 

 worth}'' representative of that long line of able men Avho have upheld the 

 preeminent position attained by the Scottish schools of medicine in the middle 

 of the last century, when the mantle of E;erhaave fell upon Monro and 

 Cullen. 



The task of addressing this Association, always a difiicult one, is not ren- 

 dered easier when the meeting is held in a jilacc which presents the rare 

 combination of being at once an ancient seat of learning and a great centre 

 of modern industry. Time will not permit me to refer to the distinguished 

 men who in early days have left here their mark behind thera ; and I regret 

 it the more, as there is a growing tendency to exaggerate the value of later 

 discoveries, and to underrate the achievements of those who have lived before 

 us. Confining our attention to a period reaching back to little more than a 

 century, it appears that during that time three new sciences arose, at least 

 as far as any science can be said to have a distinct origin, in this city of 



