The life work of a chemist : an address delivered in the Town Hall, Birmingham, on the 7th October, 1889 / Sir Henry E. Roscoe.

  • Henry Enfield Roscoe
Date:
[1889]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The life work of a chemist : an address delivered in the Town Hall, Birmingham, on the 7th October, 1889 / Sir Henry E. Roscoe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    is poisoning by a distinct chemical compound, the microbe being not only the means of spreading the infection, but also the manufacturer of the poison. But more than this, it has lately been proved that a small dose of these soluble chemical poisons confers immunity. If the poison be administered in such a manner as to avoid speedy poisoning, but so as gradually to accustom the animal to its presence, the creature becomes not only refractory to toxic doses of the poison, but also even to the microbe itself. So that instead of introducing the micro-organism itself into the body, it may now only be necessary to vaccinate with a chemical substance which in large doses brings about the disease, but in small ones confers immunity from it, reminding one of Hahnemann's dictum of Similia similibus curantur.'' Here then we are once more on chemical ground. True, on ground which is full of unexplained wonders, which, however, depend on laws we are at least in part acquainted with, so that we may in good heart undertake their investigation, and look forward to the time when knowledge will take the place of wonder. In conclusion, I feel that abme sort of apology is needed in thus bringing a rather serious r&ce of business before you on this occasion. Still I hope for youi forgiveness, as my motive has been to explain to you as clearly as I could the life-work of a chemist who has in my opinion conferred benefits as yet untold and perhaps unexampled on mankind.
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