Opening address [to the Medical Society] / by the President, Sir Joseph Fayrer.

  • Joseph Fayrer
Date:
[1883.]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Opening address [to the Medical Society] / by the President, Sir Joseph Fayrer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Dr. Routh, a former President, and Dr. Symes Thompson, a former Orator, have told us in their interesting addresses of the ups and downs, the vicissitudes and changes of fortune it has undergone; how it was amalgamated with other societies, and from time to time changed its local habitation, though not its name ; how, from small beginnings in the east, it gradually grew and migrated to the west of London, always tending upwards to a higher standard of practical excellence and utility, until it finally settled in its present home, where, we trust, a renewed career of usefulness will follow the recent step in onward progress which was so happily inaugurated last July by the presence of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, whose interest in the Society on that occasion was so warmly manifested and so graciously expressed. Now, all this has only been achieved by much labour and perseverance; and it is to the indomitable energy of the Fellows, the untiring labour and interest in its welfare which have been evinced by its officers, and to the firm determination of all concerned that the Society should prosper, that we owe the present happy position in which it is placed, and to which we turn with confidence as an augury of future success. And here, gentlemen, I am sure that I express the sentiments of the whole body of Fellows when I say how deeply we are indebted to our late President, our Council, Secre- taries, Librarians, and Registrar, for all they have done, and for having secured for us the great advantages we now enjoy. It is for you to maintain the high prestige, scientific value, and practical utility of the Medical Society and to develope it to a further pitch of excellence that shall be commensurate with the aims of an institution which claims, in true catholicity of purpose, to represent the work of all branches or departments of medical science. I am not going to weary you with a long address, and merely propose to occupy your attention for a brief space with a few observations germane to the present occasion and having reference to matters which concern the work of the session before us. I shall then make way for one to whom we shall all eagerly listen, for I am happy to think that our first meeting will be devoted to a sub- ject which must be of deep interest when treated by the great sur- geon who has already placed his name as high on the roll of bene- factors of the human race as on that of men of science. But let me first say a few words on the actual condition of the
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