LECTURE VIII. M. RICORD'S DEFENCE OF THE NEW DOCTRINE. BEFORE I proceed to the consideration of the second portion of our inquiries-viz., the study of the virulent venereal diseases, I must beg leave to interrupt the methodical order we have hitherto followed in the history of the venereal affections, as the Academic de Médecine, a learned body, whose scientific worth is so generally acknowledged, has just thought fit, in consequence of a paper on syphilis being reported upon, to discuss the

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... doctrines which I am advocating. Since I cannot defend my opinions viva voce among these gentlemen, not having the honour of a membership, I am induced to make use of this channel, in order to answer, in a few words, the arguments which have been brought against me. You, of course, understand that there cannot be any question about persons, I have only to deal with opinions, and when these are openly discussed, I think I have a right to take hold of them and examine them with unflinching impartiality. I am actuated by the love of truth, and by a sincere wish to promote the interests of science, and I am, moreover, anxious that you should become acquainted with all the bearings of the question. Two very important points have been discussed: first, that eternal hankering about the identity of blennorrhagia and chancre-an identity which is said to exist both in their nature, kind, specific cause, and consequences, the latter circumstance being particularly dwelt upon, as both affections seem to produce secondary symptoms, similar in their nature but different in their form. The second point at issue is, the abortive treatment of blennorrhagia and chancre. You know how often, in this hospital, I have succeeded inshowing you why secondary symptoms sometimes appear to be the result of a simple blennorrhagia. On these occasions, I have proved that, strictly speaking, virulent blennorrhagia. differs in no ways from chancre, for you have, in both, the same causes, the same lesions, the same consequences; and I