Oration before the Medical and Surgical Society of Baltimore : at its Fourth Anniversary Meeting, January 17, 1859 / by Lewis H. Steiner.

  • Steiner, Lewis H. (Lewis Henry), 1827-1892.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Oration before the Medical and Surgical Society of Baltimore : at its Fourth Anniversary Meeting, January 17, 1859 / by Lewis H. Steiner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    ORATION. Mr. President and Gentlemen : In accepting the position, which your kind preference has given me this evening, I have not been unmindful of the difficulties attendant upon the preparation of a discourse, worthy of the character of the Medical and Surgical Society, and yet not dissonant with the festive character of this Anniversary Meeting. It is a rare thing for members of our profession, to cast aside the cares and annoyances inci- dent to its practice, and to meet together for the exchange of friendly courtesies,—to clasp a brother's hand with a warmth and geniality that will cause the blood to flow gaily through its appointed channels. All this is interdicted by the special character of their engagements, which separate them from their brethren and make their lives, to a certain extent, scenes of solitary toil amid wretchedness, misery and woe. But when the physician has met his brethren for such purposes, as are involved in the present meeting, let not the hour be spent in grave discussion of science, in attempts at the discovery of the secrets of pathological trou- bles, or even in debates as to the efficacy of new remedial agents. Away with all these heavy questions, they will inter- fere with digestion and will mar the pleasure of the evening.* You will permit me to select a subject, which, although of interest to us all, yet has a ridiculous side that makes it suit- able for discussion at a supper table. The great Epic poet of the Romans began his iEneid with Arms and the man I sing, and, with your permission, the brevity of such an introduction shall be imitated by me * The Oration was delivered at the annual supper.