Two introductory lectures, delivered by Dr. William Hunter, to his last course of anatomical lectures, at his theatre in Windmill-Street : as they were left corrected for the press by himself. To which are added, some Papers relating to Dr. Hunter's intended plan, for establishing a museum in London, for the improvement of anatomy, surgery, and physic.
- William Hunter
- Date:
- 1784
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Two introductory lectures, delivered by Dr. William Hunter, to his last course of anatomical lectures, at his theatre in Windmill-Street : as they were left corrected for the press by himself. To which are added, some Papers relating to Dr. Hunter's intended plan, for establishing a museum in London, for the improvement of anatomy, surgery, and physic. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.
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![[ «7 ] ** of difeafes, is to be confidered as a matter of fact and ** obfervation; and is not to be found out, or improved, *' by directing dead bodies: the bark cures fevers; mercury cures venereal dilbrders ; a little oil cures the bite of a V viper; and nothing, yet known, cures the bite of a mad <e dog. An argument which draws univerfality from fome particulars, all logicians will condemn, as inconclusive. It were juft as reafonable to affert, that the bark, and mercury are ufelefs, in the cure of difeafes, becaufe the bark does not cure a pox ; nor mercury, an intermittent; or, becaufe neither of them cures all diforders. It is by Anatomy alone, that we know the true nature, and therefore the moll proper cure of the greateft number of local difeafes. That Anatomy is the very balls of furgery every body al- lows. It is diffection alone that can teach us, where we may cut the living body, with freedom and difpatch ; and where we may venture, with great circumfpection and delicacy; and where we mull not, upon any account, attempt it. This informs the head, gives dexterity to the hand, and familiarizes the heart with a fort of neceflary inhumanity, the ufe of cutting-inftruments upon our fellow-creatures. Were it poflible to doubt of the advantages, which arife in Surgery, from the knowledge of Anatomy, we might have ample conviction, by comparing the prefent practice with that of the ancients : and upon tracing the improvements which have been made in later times, they would be found, ge- nerally, to have fprung from a more accurate knowledge of the parts concerned. And if at any time an accident, or fomething elfe, gave the fir ft rife to an ufeful invention, it was Anatomy that regulated, improved, and eftabliflied it. K In](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21441145_0073.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
