34, HUNTERIAN ORATION. 



our familiar associates, or we shall never 

 be thoroughly acquainted with their nature 

 and dispositions ; we must risk, nay even 

 injure, our own health in order to be able 

 to preserve or restore that of others. Yet 

 if we do this, our profession will be held 

 in the highest respect ; not as in ancient 

 times, merely on account of the beneficence 

 of its object, but because it will be further 

 perceived, that the means are adequate to 

 its accomplishment. 



If, however, we are disposed thus to 

 labour for the public good, some conces- 

 sion, co-operation, and encouragement on 

 the part of the public, may be by us rea- 

 sonably expected. Anatomical knowledge 

 is the only foundation on which the 

 structure of medical science can be built. 

 Without this, we should but increase the 

 sufferings of those afflicted with diseases, 

 and endanger their lives. Opportunities 

 of dissection should therefore be afforded 

 to us. The bodies of persons dying in the 

 hospitals abroad are given to the surgeons 

 for dissection, and even with the acqui- 



