38 HUNTERIAN ORATION. 



ledge. We are sometimes called upon 

 to examine the bodies of the dead, in 

 hopes of our being able to discover the 

 cause of death for the satisfaction of their 

 relatives, when such examination affords us 

 no additional knowledge ; for we see only 

 the common appearances of disease with 

 which we are familiarly acquainted : and yet 

 we are frequently denied the same opportu- 

 nity when we most earnestly solicit it, from 

 the belief that we shall obtain important in- 

 formation by the investigation. Wishing to 

 exhibit the effect of such refusal by some 

 striking instance, I am tempted to relate an 

 anecdote of Mr. Hunter, even though some 

 may not think it to his credit. Mr. Hunter, 

 who was never afraid of speaking his mind, 

 had attended^ in concert with another sur- 

 geon, a fatal case of disease in the child of 

 a gentleman of opulence and worldly con- 

 sequence. Mr. Hunter had been much in- 

 terested by the case : he had considered it, 

 as he was wont to do, deliberately and in- 

 tently ; and believing that much good might 

 result from ascertaining its nature, he had 

 requested permission to examine the body, 



