tlemen, on the existence of the higher law,
on its binding power and on the necessity of observing it, because it is
the foundation of my whole course of lectures. If there were no higher
law, then there would be no Medical Jurisprudence, in the true sense of
the word. For Jurisprudence studies the principles that underlie legal
enactments, and if there were no higher law, there would be no such
principles; then the knowledge of the human law would fill the whole
programme. This in fact is the contention of the defendant of craniotomy
to whom I have referred; and he boldly applies his speculation to a
matter in which the physician has the most frequent opportunity to
exhibit his fidelity to principle, or his subserviency to the
requirements of temporary expediency at the sacrifice of duty.

8. You will find, gentlemen, as we proceed in our course, that Doctors
have very many occasions in which to apply the lessons of Jurisprudence
in their medical practice. I even suspect that they need to be more
conscientious in regard to the dictates of the higher law than any other
class of men, the clergy alone, perhaps, excepted. They need this not
only for their own good, but also for the good of their patients and of
the community at large. The reasons are these:

A. The matters entrusted to their keeping are the most important of all
earthly possessions; for they are life itself, and, along with life,
health, the necessary condition of almost all temporal enjoyment. No
other class of men is entrusted with more weighty earthly interests.
Hence the physician's responsibility is very great; hence the common
good requires that he be eminently faithful and conscientious.

B. With no other class of men does the performance of duty depend more
on personal integrity, on conscientious regard for the higher law of
morality than with the Doctor. For the Doctor's conduct is less open to
observation than that of other professions. The lawyer may have many
temptations to act unjustly; but other lawyers are watching him, and the
courts of justice are at hand to check his evil practices. As to the
judge, he is to pronounce his decisions in public and give reasons for
his ruling. The politician is jealously watched by his political
opponents. The public functionary, if he is unjust in his dealings, is
likely sooner or later to be brought to an account. But the physician,
on very many occasions, can be morally sure that his conduct will never