HUNTERIAN ORATION. 33 



portions of the body. If, however, after 

 an enlarged education, if after knowing the 

 whole, our observations were exclusively di- 

 rected to a part, it is probable that increase of 

 knowledge might result from such concen- 

 tration of attention. Yet those, in general, 

 who study the diseases of particular organs 

 or portions of the body, think that they 

 may save themselves the trouble of more 

 extensive research, and thus their views 

 become as circumscribed as the objects of 

 their attention. 



It is both evident to reason, and mani- 

 fested by the history of medical science, 

 or by experience, that it can only be 

 attained and improved in one way. We 

 must understand structure and function, 

 and the changes produced in each by disor- 

 der and disease. There is no short cut, 

 nor " royal road," to the attainment of 

 medical knowledge. The path which we 

 have to pursue is long, difficult, and un- 

 safe. In our progress, we must frequently 

 take up our abode with death and corrup- 

 tion ; we must adopt loathsome diseases for 



