DR. ELLIOTSON S CLINICAL LECTURES. 407 
depond much upon native character, and which no person, from 
merely seeing another practise, can ever attain; and that is, 
energy to put into execution what his knowledge tells him to 
do. I am satisfied that it is the want of this energy, and not the 
defects of our science itself, that has caused physic to be so 
behindhand as it is. I am satisfied that if we are energetic; if 
we are constantly on the look-out for facts, constantly trying* 
every thing rational, we may bring our profession to a point of 
perfection that at present we have no idea of. Patients will 
always die long before old age wears them out, and death will 
always be attributable, in some cases, to many circumstances 
that do not bring our profession into fault. If persons will ruin 
their constitutions, if they will, for a length of time, expose them¬ 
selves to unfavourable circumstances, which must injure the body 
locally or generally, it will be absurd to expect then any means 
can reform their dilapidated frame ; a new body would be re¬ 
quired. But, with that exception, I have no doubt that we may 
ascertain the nature of diseases to such an extent, and acquire 
such a knowledge of the medicinal pow er of various substances, 
some that we already employ, but which are only partially 
known, and may likewise obtain possession of so many other 
medicines which at present are not known at all, that w e may be 
able to confer far greater blessings on the community than are 
now within our powder. I believe that, with constant attention 
and energy on your parts, we may see the profession, even in 
your day, rise to an excellence it has not yet attained. We may 
be certain that every exertion we make for the advancement of 
our profession, however scanty its results, nay, should it entirely 
fail, w ill pave the way for success with those who come after 
us ; that it w ill facilitate their labours; and though w e may only 
toil at manuring and preparing the land, our successors will gather 
fruit, and practise with success where we failed. With this 
persuasion, it is our duty to persevere, as the forerunners of those 
who w ill come after us with more knowledge, and practise with 
greater success.” 
