The Harveian oration 1866 : delivered June 26 / by George E. Paget.
- Paget, George E. (George Edward), Sir, 1809-1892.
- Date:
- 1866
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The Harveian oration 1866 : delivered June 26 / by George E. Paget. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![ague with cincliona bark, but liow far are we still from understanding in any scientific sense the spe- cific action by which the cure is effected. This practical utilization of facts before their real nature has been scientifically determined is not peculiar to medicine. It may be observed in all the arts which nearly concern men's daily welfare and interests. The exigencies of society, the wants or sufierings of some men, the cupidity or ambition of others, are parents of invention far more prolific than the pure love of science. The rotation of crops was practised by farmers long before botanists could give any reasonable explanation of its advantages. Thus art antici- pates science. In mechanics, practice almost in- variably precedes theory, and often by very long periods. 'Tis but a few years since Dr Joule determined the thermal equivalent for mechanical work. For ages upon ages the fact had been utilized by savages, when they rubbed together two dry sticks to ]3rocure fire. Suction-pumps had been at work for hundreds of years before ToniceUi showed the true cause of the suction. The boomerang is used by Australian savages, the screw-propeller moves the navies of great nations,](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21778954_0021.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
