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disease cannot be apprehended, unless his 

 opinions respecting life be previously un- 

 derstood, and, therefore, did I deem it 

 necessary, in the first place, to endeavour 

 to explain his doctrimes on that subject. 

 There is an obscurity in his writings, and 

 his meaning cannot always be perceived, 

 unless by that kind of illumination which 

 is derived from a continual reference 

 to his elementary opinions concerning 

 vitality. With such elucidation, how- 

 ever, it may be discerned that in the lec- 

 tures I last year had the honor of address- 

 ing to you, I did little more than deliver 

 Mr. Hunter's opinions respecting diseases. 

 Surely, He must have been a strong 

 and clear sighted man, to see so far 

 through obscurity; for till very recent- 

 ly no light had ever shone upon these 

 subjects, but of late the vital functions 

 have been so far illuminated, that any one 

 who pleases may see that Mr. Hunter has 



