A lecture on the importance of a knowledge of physical science to the members of all professions : being introductory to a course of lectures on the application of acoustics to the discovery of chest diseases, delivered to members of the medical profession, and of the Philosophical Institution, at Birmingham / by Peyton Blakiston.

  • Blakiston, Peyton, 1801-1878.
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture on the importance of a knowledge of physical science to the members of all professions : being introductory to a course of lectures on the application of acoustics to the discovery of chest diseases, delivered to members of the medical profession, and of the Philosophical Institution, at Birmingham / by Peyton Blakiston. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    entering into tlie subtle reasonings of the Philosophers of Greece and Rome—or that he would have been less roused by the sub- lime eloquence of their Orators, because he had been wont to listen to that Voice which speaks in all the operations of Nature. Nor can we suppose that his estimate of all that is noble and great in man would hare been less just, had he been habituated, not merely to scan the actions of the warrior and the statesman, but also to follow those master spirits, who, at different times, have unravelled the laws by which the Universe is governed. It is with pleasure, however, that we hail the commencement of im])rovement. The University of London has included Natural Philosophy among the subjects, a certain knowledge of which, is required from the candidates for medical degrees; and it is to be hoped that this example will soon be followed by other pubhc bodies possessing the privilege of granting such degrees. In King's Col- lege, London, and in the University of Durham, classes have lately been formed for the purpose of educating students in the art of civil engineering, but in which all can acquire a sound .knowledge of Physics; and in King Edward's school, in this place, measures have already been taken for giving instruction in some of the elementary branches of Natural Philosophy, which will doubtless be still fur- ther extended, as circumstances shall permit. Above all, in the University of Cambridge, a certain proficiency in these subjects is now required from all who present themselves for degrees in arts; while the examination of the aspirants for mathematical honors is such as to elucidate, not mer(^ whether they are possessed of the mathematical knowledge necessary for working out the higher branches of Natural Philosophy, but whether they can and do use this knowledge; in short, whether they are Philosophers as well as calculators. As a better a^ra has thus commenced, it may be considered use- less to touch upon the subject on this occasion: but, although the light has begun to dawn, the darkness has not been dispelled. There are parts of the globe on which, for a great portion of the year, the sun's rays do not fall; but the moon and stars afford that light which they have borrowed from the great luminary, and thus prevent the horrors of darkness. In a similarly subordinate character, I would