INTRODUCTORY LECTURE. 
289 
character. On the other hand, he who is ignorant of the 
means by which these changes in its character may be 
effected, employs his antidotes at random, or suffers the early 
moments to be wasted, while he is acquiring the necessary 
information, during which period the agonized sufferer is 
gradually perishing from the power of the venom, " which 
shuts up sense, and o'er his inmost vitals creeping," finally 
overcomes by its prowess, and secures a victim, if not to 
ignorance and poison, at least to poison which ignorance was 
incapable of counteracting. 
The prevention of disease is equally an important object 
with the physician, as its removal when formed, and a know- 
ledge of chemistry is indispensable to the full understanding 
of public hygyene. The diagnosis of disease is frequently 
aided by chemical agencies, and there is a class of diseases in 
which it is almost impossible to form a correct diagnosis, 
without an aptitude at chemical manipulation, as well as 
knowledge of chemical principles and affinities. Situated 
remotely from the residence of practical chemists, the practi- 
tioner of medicine is frequently called upon, in courts of 
justice, to furnish testimony in cases involving the greatest 
responsibility and intricacy. The life and death of the 
prisoner, his acquittal or conviction, rest upon the fiat of the 
medical witness. How exceedingly important, then, that that 
witness should possess, in a thorough knowledge of chemistry, 
the means by which he may be enabled to pronounce his 
opinion with certainty, his mind unembarrassed with the 
reflection that he may, through ignorance, have the responsi- 
bility of an unjust verdict laid to his charge. The recent 
application of the galvanic fluid to the cure of disease, renders 
a knowedge of that subject important to a physician; and, 
finally, it may be said, that a complete medical education 
cannot be attained without extensive acquirements in the 
science of Chemistry. 
It is deemed unnecessary to delay you longer with an 
enforcement of the claims which the chemical and pharma- 
ceutical sciences have on your attention, and even on that of so- 
