An account of the proceedings at the first anniversary meeting of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, held at the Bristol Infirmary, on Friday, July 19th, 1833, containing the address delivered on that occasion, by Edward Barlow [and observations and questions respecting vaccination, by J. Baron].

Date:: 1833

Credit: An account of the proceedings at the first anniversary meeting of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, held at the Bristol Infirmary, on Friday, July 19th, 1833, containing the address delivered on that occasion, by Edward Barlow [and observations and questions respecting vaccination, by J. Baron]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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endeavours to have it so allotted. High as is the honour to be so deputed_, I sought not the distinction^ but, on the contrary, waved it, so far as I could con- sistently with the feelings which I entertain towards those who pressed it on me, and with the duty which I owe to the Association. My objections were over- rnled, and 1 have now only to acquit myself of the obligation thus reluctantly incurred, in the best way that my humble powers admit, trusting to the kind- ness of my auditors for the indulgence which I so much need. The greatest difficulty of the task is, perhaps, that to which its novelty gives rise. It is a novelty to review, formally, the medical occurrences em- braced within the compass of a year ; at least it is novel to me to find myself in a situation such as I now fill. Hitherto I have been a humble student of Medical Science, gleaning knowledge as I could, and too conscious of how much remained to be learned to attach any high value to what I had ac- quired. Diligence and humility were the qualities for which I had most occasion. Others, such as I have been but little accustomed to exercise, are also needed to fulfil adequately my present duty. In discharge of it, a higher tone is requisite ; more con- fidence, more pretension, become almost indispens- able, where, in the mere notice of transient events, it is hardly possible to avoid either expressing or im- plying some determinate judgments respecting them. It is my unfitness and want of preparation for acting either the censor or the critic, that makes me even at this moment shrink from the office which I have, perha])s, too rashly consented to undertake. In

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