ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
641 
contended, “ the mere acanthus leaves of the capitals, but neces- 
sary and integral parts of the edifice, although the Sciolist might 
say they could be done without, and the Iconoclast denounce 
them : the simple fact being, that the several divisions of 
medical science cannot be isolated, since each, as it were, holds 
the other by the hand, giving mutual support.” Having ad- 
verted to the advantages derivable from the adoption of method 
in study, he proceeded to say that “ anatomy, or the natural 
structure of parts, may be safely designated the foundation 
stone of medicine. This necessarily leads to the uses of those 
parts, oi physiology. Now, since abnormal, or an altered con- 
dition of parts, induced by disease, constituting pathology , can- 
not be understood without a previous knowledge of the healthy 
or normal state of the tissues, no more can derangement in 
function be appreciated where ignorance of the use of an organ 
prevails; and much less can it be hoped that right principles 
will obtain in the application of means to restore lost or im- 
paired function, which constitutes therapeutics. With these 
are intimately associated chemistry and materia medica; for, 
although chemistry is placed nearly last on the list, yet will it 
be found that its principles entwine themselves among all the 
other divisions, contributing to the perfecting of the whole, and 
rendering that clear which otherwise would be altogether in- 
comprehensible : indeed, we can hardly set a bound to its influ- 
ence. When we survey the material universe, and take 
cognizance of the wondrous and multiplied forms in which 
bodies exist, it seems a bootless task to set about the inquiry 
of what and how they are constituted, and to trace their mutual 
dependencies. Yet the torch of science discloses much that 
otherwise would have remained for ever hidden, and developes 
laws imposed by the Creator on matter, which have remained 
in force since from out of chaotic confusion beauty and order first 
came. It is the uneducated only that perceives not the truth- 
fulness of the position, “ Nothing was made in vain.” A mind 
rightly instructed 
“ Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, 
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing.” 
And dark indeed must that mind be which perceives not proofs 
of wisdom and design in all the Creator’s works. Around and 
above us we are environed with wonders! The sun as he 
traverses the heavens, in the effulgence of light, glorying in his 
strength — the milder moon, and the star-bespangled sky — this 
earth, the temporary abode of man, clothed with fertility and 
teeming with myriads of inhabitants subservient to his will — 
the mighty ocean, girt with the everlasting hills, and pregnant 
VOL. XXIV. 4 s 
