Excerpt from Introductory Lecture, Delivered on the Fifteenth of November, 1830

The domain of medical science is so extensive, that it is more or less identified with almost every department of human knowledge. It may indeed be compared to a majestic river, which, made up of innumerable tributary fountains, bears along one its bosom elements as heterogeneous as the sources from whence they are derived, yet all mutually en riching each other, and every where dispensing the bless ings of health and happiness. To explore all these numerous ramifications would be far beyond the competency of any mind, however powerful. Life is too short; human intellect, with all its boasted prerogatives, too feeble, ever to encompass even a fractional part of the endless and diversified themes, which blend themselves with this vast and God-like science, in the wonders of which, the mind becomes giddy, and imagination is lost in amazement. From this immense assem blage of subjects we have only selected a part, the important details of which it will be our unceasing endeavour to array before you in all their riches and power. Those which we have thought would be most deserving your attention are Jinatomy, Pysz'ology and the theory and practice of Sur gery. In the course of our labours, each of these depart; ments will be considered individually, but always with reference to the others. Indeed, each branch of medicine may be considered as constituting a separate member of a great fabric, which, though to a certain extent perfect, and independent in itself, to exbibit an effect rich and command ing, must be viewed in connexion with the other parts, with whicn it must be united to constitute a grand chefd'aeuvrcs, perfect ih all its parts. By this plan alone 'can their mutual influence and dependence be fairly made out, and renderedsubservient to the elucidation of valuable principles and corn elusions. In considering these subjects according to their natural relations and affinities, they become, as it were, in dissolubly connected, because they are thus made to ex bibit the order of their dependence; they mutually illustrate each other, and we are conducted, step by step, from those which are fundamental, to the ultimate details, which by a regular train of sequences arise out of them. In this we shall imitate the conduct of the architect, who having prepared a safe, and solid foundation, establishes upon it the materials of his edifice, which are then arranged in regular and har monious order, each being dependent for support, upon that on which it reposes, until the whole is completed, and ren dered secure in all its parts.

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