The Hunterian Oration : delivered February 14, 1861 / by William Coulson.

  • William Coulson
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Hunterian Oration : delivered February 14, 1861 / by William Coulson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the same in every compound organ, in every tissue, and in every elementary particle of which those tissues are composed. This gi-and philosophical idea runs through the whole of Hunter's physiology. According to him there are not many lives, but one life, which pervades the whole animal kingdom, its differences depending on differences in the orga- nized apparatus, and not in the principle itself. The difficulties connected with a due investiga- tion of the laws of the vital principle are almost in- surmountable.] Hunter was fully aware of their existence, and directed tbe full force of his genius to overcome them. The written records of his labours—destined, there can be little doubt, to have formed a complete treatise on the science of life—have, alas ! irreparably perished ; but the facts displayed in their admirable order and sig- nificance still remain for the instruction of those who, endowed with some portion of Hunter's spirit, are enabled to interpret them. To understand and appreciate the vast concep- tion illustrated by the exquisite preparations of our Museum is no easy task in the absence of the text which was intended to explain them; but, like the picture-writing on the walls of an ancient temple, they are invaluable to those who can read
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