154 THE PRESENT STATE OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 
which would enable those who possessed the necessary test to 
solve a great number of most important questions in medical and 
surgical practice, in which, therefore, comparative certainty would 
take the place of so changing an aspect of personal experience. 
It was very gratifying to witness the increased co-operation and 
appreciation of scientific merit which was being manifested in 
other countries; and they must acknowledge their obligations to 
other nations, especially to Germany, for much of that spirit. It 
was pleasant to see the medals of their Society awarded to 
foreigners for their efficient services to medical science, and to 
witness the elevation of their own countrymen to posts of rank 
and honour in other lands; especially in the call of Sir David 
Brewster to the chair of the French Institute, lately occupied by 
one of the greatest of modern chemists, Berzelius of Stockholm. 
In conclusion, it was always gratifying to witness an increasing 
sense of the benefits and pleasures which might be derived from 
scientific knowledge by persons in every rank of life,—a sense 
which had been constantly evinced by that illustrious person 
whose love for science had that day induced him to honour them 
with his presence. No doubt their President would express to him 
the sense which was entertained of his Royal Highness’s con¬ 
descension in visiting that assembly; he would, therefore, only 
presume to add, that as it was a pleasure to every Englishman to 
witness the Prince Chancellor of one of their ancient Universities 
assisting in giving that honour to science which a sense of its 
importance had prompted him to give, so was it always the prayer 
of every Englishman that the force of parental example might 
have its full influence upon a long line of princes, whose personal 
character would give a stability to the throne itself, even should 
there be again such an overthrow of dynasties as it had been their 
lot, under Divine Providence, to sympathise in, but not to share. 
The oration was received with frequent indications of gratifica¬ 
tion; and, at its conclusion, the Prince Consort was rapturously 
cheered, which he most graciously acknowledged. 
Medical Times . 
The Present State of the Medical Profession — 
Necessity of Reform. 
The present position of the medical profession must strike the 
reflective mind with the conviction of its political imbecility—an 
imbecility, bearing, as it does, an inverse ratio with its social im¬ 
portance. Under a second visitation of a frightful disease, which 
has as yet happily committed but partial ravages, the Government 
