TESTIMONIAL TO PROFESSOR MORTON. 2 67 
But, though these were the predominating sentiments, we 
further felt that Professor Morton richly deserves this token 
of our regard for the services he has rendered to the profes- 
sion ; and that he does, I shall now endeavour, very briefly 
to prove. The chair he has so long occupied in this Insti- 
tution, you know, is that of Medical Chemistry and Materia 
Medica. He is the first person who has lectured on Che- 
mistry within these walls ; and not only the first who has 
lectured on Veterinary Materia Medica, but, as regards Great 
Britain at least, he may almost be considered the founder, 
the originator of that important division of science; and 
fortunate indeed are we in having him for our guide in this 
section of our studies. Professor Morton received his ap- 
pointment as a lecturer within the College, in November, 
1839; but you must not suppose that his labours in behalf 
of Veterinary pupils commenced then ; far from it. His 
anxiety for their welfare ; his desire for the advancement of 
the profession, led him to deliver a course of lectures yearly, 
from a period dating more than a quarter of a century back 
from the present time. I might occupy much of your time 
by expatiating on the importance of chemistry to the phy- 
siologist, and to the pathologist ; but I abstain from more 
than a passing allusion to it. We hear, in this theatre, 
repeated illustrations from the lips of our preceptors ; and 
after what has been impressed upon you so frequently in the 
course of chemical lectures delivered during the earlier part of 
the current session, it maybe considered almost supererogatory 
in me to speak of the value of this science ; not only as being 
essential to the proper study of Materia Medica, by making 
us acquainted w ith the nature of the compounds employed 
in the treatment of disease ; but also as an admirable and 
beautiful exercise for the cultivation of the mental faculties. 
Viewed in the latter light, if perseveringly studied, by 
increasing knowdedge, and by nerving the pow r ers of the 
mind, it tends, gradually but certainly, to worldly advance- 
ment, whilst it engenders inward satisfaction and confidence. 
I know r not in w-hat terms to speak of Chemistry in reference 
to Materia Medica. What, indeed, would Materia Medica 
be without it? Why, it would be w-hat it was before it had 
its foundation in the principles of that science ! It w ould be, 
to a very great extent, empiricism, and mere chance work ! 
We need, indeed, but to look at the formulae in old books 
to convince ourselves of this. Not only do many of them 
appear supremely ridiculous, from the number and remark- 
able character of their constituents ; but they are, not (infre- 
quently, absolutely prejudicial. We find substances jumbled 
