[25] I cannot help thinking that, if St Martin be still alive, which is most likely, the Royal Society would do honour to themselves and render an essential service to science, by using their influence and means to have him brought over to this country and subjected, under the direction of a committee, to such further experiments as may throw light upon a variety of important points which Dr Beaumont, as an individual, had it not in his power adequately to investigate. In throwing out this suggestion, I need scarcely add, that I am far from undervaluing what that gentleman has accomplished, and that I consider it no disparagement to him to say, that he has left some subjects of interest connected with the inquiry still undetermined. Dr Beaumont has done his part too honourably and too well to risk any loss of credit by the subsequent researches of others; and as a case so pre-eminently favourable for carrying on the investigation may never occur again, it is the more necessary to turn it to the best possible account while it is yet time. If funds be wanting for the purpose, it is not unreasonable to suppose that Government would at once grant them, were the request urged by such an influential scientific body as the Royal Society, particularly as a few hundred pounds would suffice. If this suggestion shall ever be acted upon, special care should be taken not to injure St Martin’s health by withdrawing him entirely from his accustomed diet and mode of life, otherwise the whole value of the experiment may be lost--the object being to _ascertain the laws and conditions of_ HEALTHY DIGESTION. [26] The reader will find the same line of argument most eloquently and successfully pursued by Dr Buckland in his admirable Bridgewater treatise on “_Geology considered with reference to Natural Theology_,” which appeared subsequently to the first edition of this volume. [27] Professor Carsewell of the London University has rendered an essential service to practical medicine, as well as morbid anatomy, by demonstrating, in an excellent paper published in the 34th volume of the Edin. Med. and Surg. Journal, that softening and erosion of the stomach, considered by Broussais and others as always results of inflammatory irritation during life, are generally caused by the digestive action of the gastric juice after death. The essay is well worthy of an attentive perusal; but it would carry me too far to notice it here at greater length. [28] Macgillivray’s Description of the Rapacious Birds of Great Britain, p. 24. [29] Blaine’s Veterinary Art, 3d edit. p. 247. [30] Art of Invigorating and Prolonging Life, 3d edition, p. 160. [31] Art of Prolonging Human Life, English edition. London, 1829. P. 282. [32] Paris on Diet, p. 93.