644 
ROYAL VETERINARY COLLEGE. 
the prognosis would be favourable ; while, in the latter, the dis- 
ease must be considered of a most dangerous character. The 
microscope and chemistry will almost invariably decide this 
question, by rendering the phosphate of lime evident in the case 
of diseased spine. So also with respect to the deposits from 
urine, which are so various in character ; yet, at the same time, 
in many instances, a judgment may be formed from the examin- 
ation of the nature of the constitutional disturbance which led 
to the deposition, as some of them indicate organic constitutional 
deterioration, others merely functional disturbance, and some 
of them only resulting from slight physical causes. Many 
other instances might be brought forward to prove the com- 
parative facility with which an accurate diagnosis of disease 
may be arrived at by the aid of microscopic examination, and 
the chemical analysis of the products of diseased action; but 
it will be sufficient for my purpose to instance the advantages 
gained in such like investigation in the diseases to which I have 
already alluded.” 
And in conclusion he adds, “ I must beg leave to impress 
upon my readers, that bv this commendation of the use of the 
microscope and chemistry, in relating to diagnosis, I have had 
no intention whatever of inculcating any neglect of the usual 
means which are employed in the investigation of constitutional 
symptoms, the due performance of the natural functions, and 
local appearances, as a means of detecting the sources of disease; 
but would merely shew, that as the sound in the detection of a 
stone, and the stethoscope in the examination of the diseases of 
the chest, are the physical means of improving the sense of touch 
and hearing, so may the sense of sight be exalted by the micro- 
scope, while the science of chemistry is competent to the develop- 
ment of facts which the senses themselves are totally incapable 
of arriving at. I remember when the stethoscope was first in- 
troduced in this country, an excellent physician, although per- 
haps an old fashioned one, ridiculed the use of the instrument, 
and said, ‘I never could be an advocate for the introduction of 
an instrument as an aid to the practice of medicine, which has a 
tendency rather to substitute the senses for the sense of the 
practitioner but this was, indeed, a short-sighted view, as the 
stethoscope is only intended to be employed as a means of ex- 
tending the sense of sound, thus rendering that avenue to the 
brain more susceptible to the impressions arising from the morbid 
indications, than the unaided ear could ever be. Such, indeed, 
is the only use I would wish to propose of the microscope and 
chemistry in medical practice, not with a view, indeed, of 
shortening the road to the formation of a just diagnosis, but to 
render its discovery more certain and unerring ; and as the 
