INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
619 
Here is the tracheotomy tube of Professor Spooner. Not 
a hollowed out bit of elder, or a piece of tin tubing, either of 
which on an emergency may be employed — and such readiness 
evinces c£ tact ” on the part of the operator ; but this is a 
safer and a truly surgical instrument. 
Our lithotomy instruments — never wanted in the dark ages 
of veterinary medicine, since this operation with its modifica- 
tions, and others, as neurotomy, periosteotomy, &c., were 
not then performed — are almost perfect; and the same may 
be said of those required in cases of difficult parturition, for 
which we are principally indebted to Professor Simonds. 
Mr. Varnell, knowing that an escharotic applied to a dead 
part could be of no real service, invented those clams, which, 
acting by pressure only, have superseded the so-called ff caustic 
clams.” Nor must his improved balling-iron and frog-seton 
needle be forgotten. 
In dental instruments, Mr. Gowing stands nearly alone, 
and very ingenious and most effective are some of those which 
he has devised. 
I could go on and bring forward other ee means and appli- 
ances,” but I must refrain, for I am trenching on ground 
not my own ; nevertheless, I consider all these changes as 
indicative of our onward march ; being streams from the same 
fountain, and they must continue to flow, or we shall soon 
wither, and cease to be as a profession. 
I might likewise have spoke&i of what has been called the 
“ fashion of physic,” and the alterations that have taken place 
in the practice thereof through it. How we have turned from 
the use of Galenicals to chemicals, it having in Mons. Sainbel’s 
time cost this institution twice as much for herbs in Covent 
Garden Market, for poultices and fomentations, as it does now 
for all the drugs we consume, while the number of patients has 
quadrupled. How with avidity a new therapeutic agent is tried, 
and as quickly discarded and denounced as of no value, if so be 
it does not perform almost impossibilities, or more than realize 
the expectations of its employer, whereas the probability is 
the fault rests with him from its mal-application. How de- 
ficient we are in correct information as to the actual quantity 
of the substances necessary to be given, and the changes that 
are effected in many off them ere they enter the system, and 
on which their operation so frequently depends ; ignorance 
of which has often led to serious consequences. 
Unquestionably we are safer in the administration of re- 
peated small doses of medicinal agents, than we are in larger 
ones. These latter may constitute a means of trying the powers 
