On the resources of King's College London for medical education : being the lecture delivered at the opening of the medical classes in that institution on the 1st October, 1852 / by Robert Bentley Todd.

  • Robert Bentley Todd
Date:
MDCCCLII [1852]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the resources of King's College London for medical education : being the lecture delivered at the opening of the medical classes in that institution on the 1st October, 1852 / by Robert Bentley Todd. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    intelligence displayed in the structure of even the simplest organ of the body; and awe, that men should be found indifferent to a Being whose wisdom and beneficence are so plainly displayed in His works. The celebrated Galen, heathen though he was, thus expressed himself with reference to his anatomical descriptions:—c In explaining these things/ said he, c I esteem myself as composing a solemn hymn to the Great Architect of our bodily frame, in which I think there is more true piety than in sacrificing hecatombs of oxen, or in burning the most costly perfumes; for I first endeavour, from His works, to know Him myself, and afterwards, by the same means, to show Him to others, to inform them how great is his wisdom, His goodness, His power.’ If, then, a heathen like Galen, could give expres- sion to such sentiments, how incumbent is it on you, who have the light of revealed truth, to act, in your practical pursuit of Anatomy, with becoming reve- rence to the Creator, when exploring the most perfect of His works; and, in the rooms which have been set apart for this purpose, to refrain from light conduct or trifling conversation. Let me enforce my own advice to you on this head, by quoting a passage from a discourse which many of us heard last year with great interest; the sentiments of which are not the less impressive because they are those of one who is himself among the foremost anatomists of this age:— 4 The dissecting-rooms,’ said Mr. Bowman, on the
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