The human body and its connexion with man : illustrated by the principal organs / by James John Garth Wilkinson.

  • Wilkinson, James John Garth, 1812-1899.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The human body and its connexion with man : illustrated by the principal organs / by James John Garth Wilkinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    giving- a large army of specials an interest in'wliat is called order ; but the great mass is not touched by such motives or informations. The facts prove that it cannot learn these les- sons, or care for these objects; because, like the old coaches^ they are not big enough to carry it on its voyage through time. There is nothing for it but a new method and kind of knowledge; an Orpheus who can thrill into dance not the pre- sent nimble figurantes, who can dance to any tune, but stocks,, stones, birds, beasts, and fishes, who had no fantasy in them be* fore. That method must take the best common sense of all these people, and shew them that just that, when carried to its highest stages, is the very truth of all the arts and sciences. As soon as this can be done, all stories Avill move one degree higher ; the kitchens will be parlors, and a new drawing room will flower out of every house for the great reception days. The order which will then conserve all things, will not be solely that of the policeman, but it will be like the order of creation, or like that of the notes in a good harmony, where each keeps the rest to their posts. We have selected the human body to make a trial of tlie above method, on account of its central importance and signi- ficance, and because it is already the theatre of our common sense: nevertheless, an}' other object of science might have been chosen, and with the same results. Eor wherever we go, we find that common sense comes first; and when the subject is completed, again comes last. First glances are always charged with it, in a more or less latent form: the business of investigation is simply to eliminate it as pure as possible from its accidents. In no science does the present state of knowledge appear so manifestly as in physiology : in none is the handwriting on the wall so plain. Great is the feast of professors here; but Mene, Mene, Tehel, Vipliarsin, is brighter than their chande- liers. Chemistry and cell-germs are the walls on which the-