Medical and physical researches, or, Original memoirs in medicine, surgery, physiology, geology, zoology, and comparative anatomy / by R. Harlan.

  • Harlan, Richard, 1796-1843.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical and physical researches, or, Original memoirs in medicine, surgery, physiology, geology, zoology, and comparative anatomy / by R. Harlan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    the present occasion, into any discussion relative to the nature of the soul, its mode of existence, connexion with the body, &c. ; the almost universal belief of its immor- tality, being based on an evidence totally dissimilar from the facts and observations of which this essay is composed. Though we are as ignorant of the nature of the soul, as we are of the Deity ! yet have we the same proofs of the existence of either. All nature in silent eloquence fur- nishes indisputable testimony. That it is a principle en- dowed with immortality, and capable of existing after death, in a state separate from the body, we learn from the God of nature/ With such conviction we may well rest satisfied, and with suitable modesty direct our inves- tigations to those palpable branches of this mysterious sub- ject that lie within the grasp of reason : otherwise the splendid efforts of genius may in vain waste their strength in the unprofitable pursuit of theoretical speculations, and add little or nothing to the solid and accumulating mass of inductive observations. Ignorance or levity could alone instigate us to pronounce recklessly on a subject, which is so intimately associated with the present happiness, and fu- ture prospects, of millions of the human family ; concern- ing matters of faith it is in vain to dispute ; all that an indi- vidual need claim, as a rational, consistent, and dignified being, is the unqualified right to obey the dictates of his own conscience, and firmly and openly to maintain that belief which is the result of unbiassed feeling, reflection, and observation—this surely is an honest zeal, and, whether mistaken or not, should challenge the respect and admi- ration, and not the odium and persecution of our fellow men. But if the dread of popular prejudice, if the fear of detecting facts which may militate against our pre- conceived notions or antiquated opinions, can prevent us from freely discussing a physiological question so very in- teresting and important, where shall we seek for the boast- ed pre-eminence of human reason? 53