Transactions of the Medical Society of King's College, London.

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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Transactions of the Medical Society of King's College, London. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/262 (page 4)
    To their united solicitations I opposed the reply, that u that which was impossible seldom happened, and very rarely came to pass.” But this impossibility was immediately met by another, a counter impossibility—the impossibility, namely, of refusing the collective request of the King’s College Medical Society, comprising, as it does, the best of the students of King’s College. And this impossibility was backed by another impossibility—that, namely, of refusing what was begged as a personal favour by one, my deep and warm regard for whom is shared by you all, and to whom I have especial reason for feeling under obligation, for within the past fortnight he has been the kind and solicitous attendant at my sick bed. I found, therefore, that impossibilities were ranged rather on the side of my giving the address than against it; so I surrendered at discretion; and the result is that you see me before you to-night, full of good intentions and wishes, but, I fear, with rather an empty head, and but a small amount of paper indifferently spoiled. Such, gentlemen, with a little oratorical license, is a true and particular account of the way in which an unsuspecting man was trepanned the evening before last;—the dramatis personce, such as I have mentioned to you; the hour, half-past eight in the evening ; the scene, the western side of Russell Square. Now, with only one clear day to collect my ideas, and en¬ gagements numerous and various enough to prevent any col¬ lecting of ideas at all—hospital practice, physiological lec¬ tures, private engagements, &c.,—I am sure I shall not plead in vain for your indulgence. But while I ask you for your indulgence I do not ask you for your sympathy. The pleasure I have at feeling I have stood by the Medical Society of King’s College at a pinch,