An address delivered before the Southern Reform Medical Association at their annual meeting in Macon, March 2, 1858 / by O.A. Lochrane.

  • Lochrane, O. A. (Osborne Augustus), 1829-1887.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An address delivered before the Southern Reform Medical Association at their annual meeting in Macon, March 2, 1858 / by O.A. Lochrane. 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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    unwholesome laws. There is a freedom in every thing congenial to a better taste and more graceful action. Uut while everything is on the wing and the flight is upward, the science of Medicine droops be- hind, and on you, Reformers, devolves the duty to carry its flag up- ward. It is in your hands. Let its folds kiss the sunshine. Plant yourself by the mountain of truth and science, and keep your position impregna- ble against thr> assaults of all who would tear it from your grasp, and when the army of Allopathy comes upon you, be not disheartened but exclaim •• Come one. fomo all, this ruck ah From its firm ba asl. Ladies and Gentlemen—I find that language is but a faint instru- ment, when we would wish to give full expression to our thoughts. That plait over phraseology as we will and smooth it into whatever shape we may, it is still cold and lifeless, and the tongue, no matter how solicitous for words, feels but an empty beggar when called upon for utterance. Pleasure has an understanding, but no tongue. This sentiment rises before me now when my heart is an easy captive to the softer emotions of my nature. The parting hour has come—the chain of association that bound us together must soon be broken. Believe me, in the language of one of the most distinguished orators of my native country, a man the flash of whose intellect illumed the darkness of his country's desolation, and the light of whose genius still plays upon her summits- like glory round the head of an Apostle, that if my tongue be mute, my heart is much more than eloquent, and the blood within it, with crimson speech responds to its sentiments. Thoughts pass through my mind like dreams through the laud of sleep and leave no shadow. A thousand fancies flutter their bright wings around me. I feel that this is a royal hour that elevates, in- vigorates and inspires me. Where can the eye rest or the fancy wander ; where the banqueting grounds of thought present richer or more glorious views than that which now surround us? Fame with a jewelled hand may wave man upward, but though a throne was empty in his path, and his name half cut upon the arch of fame, cloud draped and through which a stair of stars led on to immor- tality—still would he turn aside to gaze on beauty. Vainly would I then attempt to attract your attention or fix your thoughts by a farther discussion of Medical principles. My lips might spill out words rich with the life blood of science, but I would