The Harveian oration on advances in knowledge regarding the circulation and attributes of the blood since Harvey's time : delivered before the Royal College of Physicians of London on October 19, 1914 / by Richard Douglas Powell.

  • Powell, R. Douglas (Richard Douglas), Sir, 1842-1925.
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Harveian oration on advances in knowledge regarding the circulation and attributes of the blood since Harvey's time : delivered before the Royal College of Physicians of London on October 19, 1914 / by Richard Douglas Powell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    sensitised by such autogenous stimulation, and are thereby rendered unduly excitable to further stimulation—they are anaphylactic—in a greater or less degree, and tuberculin inoculations are apt, unless given with the greatest caution as regards dosage and repetition, to induce a recurrence of negative phases or periods of paralysed resistance very inimical to the patient’s prospects. I cannot say that I have ever observed tuberculin vaccine given three times a day after meals, after the manner of the Court physician in the Doctor’s Dilemma,” but I have often seen it given on unsuitable occasions and in recklessly repeated doses in entire ignorance of the intimate history of the disease and with disastrous results. The necessity of a period of restful quietude after any administration of tuberculin is further emphasised by the above considerations. We have seen how heart and pulmonary mechanism are subordinate to the circulation of a vital stream which, so constant in all its physical aspects, so infinite in its attributes and adaptations, dominates all the functions of life. Might not Harvey quote Leviticus—“for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof”—with even greater conviction to-day ? I have yet, Mr. President, one duty to perform, and that is to exhort the Fellow's and Members of the College to continue their endeavours for the advancement of the College in learning and general prosperity. It is impossible to record the number- less gifts to the College since Harvey’s time ; gifts of learning, gifts to the library, gifts of valuable and interesting documents relating to the College, gifts for research, gifts for hospitality. In the past year such gifts have been continued and w'ere recorded in your address recently published. Harvey’s further exhortation to the Fellows was that for the honour of the profession they should continue “ in mutual love and affection amongst themselves, without which neither the dignity of the College can be preserved, nor yet particular men receive that benefit by their admission into the College