Is the human eye changing its form under the influence of modern education? / Edward G. Loring.

  • Loring, Edward G. (Edward Greeley), 1837-1888.
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Is the human eye changing its form under the influence of modern education? / Edward G. Loring. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    engaging in the study of our interesting profession you are not actuated solely, nor indeed chiefly, by the motives which govern the strictly commercial part of the community in the exercise of their worldly calling, but by those elevated aspi- rations after usefulness, which have manifestly guided the conduct of many departed lights of medical science. It is delightful to dwell upon this subject—to record, eveu in this general manner, the services of men who have volun- tarily renounced much of the emoluments of practice — the splendour of a fashionable position, with its much-courted but temporary honours, and its seducing but ephemeral respect—in order that they might possess themselves of that time which was necessary to enable them to record the results of their experience for the advantage of succeeding generations. It is, I say, delightful to dwell on such a sub- ject, for it constitutes one of the brightest and holiest pages in the history of human conduct. I have thus endeavoured to explain the grounds on which it has been considered advisable to establish, at this school, a Professorship of Ophthalmic Surgery ; and it remains for nie to endeavour, by my attention to the duties of my office, to justify that choice which has caused my appearance in this theatre to day. Gentlemen,—The inflammatory diseases of the eye alone are exceedingly numerous; and I need scarcely tell you that, viewed in relation to their consequences, many of them are exceedingly important—■ more important indeed than are the frequent results of inflammation of other parts, whose functions are, nevertheless, essential to the persistence of life. For example, inflammation of the attached and loose portions of the pericardium may take place, and, through the medium of effused lymph, produce their agglutination, without, as a necessary consequence, impairing, in any but the slightest possible degree, the function of the vital organ that nieuibrane