Page:The Harveian oration - delivered at the Royal College of Physicians, October 18th 1887 (IA b30475958).pdf/15

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

13


Ergo ipsas quamvis angusti terminus ævi
Excipiat (neque enim plus septima ducitur æstas)
At genus immortale manet, multosque per annos
Stat fortuna domûs, et avi numerantur avorum.

But before leaving the loving commemoration of our great benefactor, I wish to point out some evidences of his genial and even humorous temper, which must have made the lectures pleasant to listen to.

P. 16. Speaking of the position of the abdominal organs, he says: “ Situs omnium partium certus partim incertus.” Then, breaking into familiar English, he notes: “ Natura Romidges (sic) as she can best stow, as in ships.” While still on the same topic, he points out that malposition of organs occurs in “ yeoung (sic) girls by lacing; unde cutt there laces.”

P. 53. In another place, in describing an irreducible hernia, he says it may be filled “ cum maxima quantitate aquae et flatus.” “The man behind Covent Garden ‘Bil.’ ”

P. 35. The spleen is described in man “ as washous to the kitchin,” and its absence in lower organisms, “ Inferior kitchins need noe washhous.”