Brief history of ophthalmic surgery in Great Britain, during the present century / by James Billet.

  • Billet, James.
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Brief history of ophthalmic surgery in Great Britain, during the present century / by James Billet. 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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    coveries. Vast and invaluable advances have been made of late years in the science and practice of surgery, an anxious, arduous, ho- norable profession. To the philanthrophic ob- server, what sight is there on earth more gratifying except one ; or to the enlightened mind, what more grateful to Him that gives to the right hand her cunning, than that of seeing intense suffering quail before your hand, and imminent danger exchanged for perfect safety. I know not of any adequate reward save this one for his sleepless nights, broken health, and daily responsibilities. In short its own reward beggars all beside. The old Mr. Patch, who was supposed to be the best Lithotomist in England, for many surgeons came from London to see him operate, was heard to say, that he never had a night’s rest when he expected to operate the next day. It could not be reasonably expected that the Science of Physic should advance in equal- pace with that of Surgery. Who shall pene- trate into the mysteries of life, or look into the great vital interior, so as to descry its innumer- able wheels, moving with a swiftness, intricacy, and precision, which no human contrivance can rival! Nature keeps her secret well. We must be content to work in the dark somewhat. To treat profoundly, yet clearly, “De causis
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