The repulsions which the public have to overcome are admitted; but let us not, in common justice, forget those sacrifices of time, labour, and too often of health also, which are made by the profession. Nor is it immaterial to mention that it is a service for which they seldom receive any remuneration, the only incentive being one which, if it excite no sympathy, is at least entitled to respect—namely, the desire to improve their knowledge of their profession. There is no doubt of the deep and common interest which the public and the profession have in this question; and it is from that conviction that I have ventured on these few remarks. Abernethy, when he introduced any subject in his lectures, was accustomed to say at once all that he intended to remark on it. I beg, in the foregoing observations, to follow his example, which I trust the reader will accept as an apology for the digression. [Footnote 17: "Forest Scenery."] [Footnote 18: The ordinary plan in respect to bile in the _human_ body.] CHAPTER VII. "L'art (de délicatesse) consiste à ne pas tout dire sur certains sujets, à glisser dessus plutôt que d'y appuyer; en un mot, à en laisser penser aux autres plutôt que l'on n'en dit."—BOUHOURS. One of the most beautiful poems in the English language, perhaps, is Armstrong's "Art of Health." Whether it be that the title is uninviting, or from some other cause, I know not, but it is very little read; yet scarcely any one who has read it, has done so without pleasure. Besides containing many admirable and valuable instructions, it shows how an ordinary, and to many even a repulsive, subject can be treated with such discretion, taste, and even elegance, as to render it pleasing and attractive. Such a writer could have conveyed, even in prose, explanations of disease so as to interest and instruct his readers. With no such power, we are almost inclined to regret the impossibility of doing Abernethy justice, without saying something of nearly all his works. If, however, in so doing, we make one more step towards familiarizing the public with matters which affect their best interests, we shall not regret any labour which this, the most difficult part of our task, may have required.