If I can see so far. Annual oration: Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast, October 2004.

I must thank the Medical Staffofthe Royal Victoria Hospital forthe greathonourthattheyhavebestowed upon me today in asking me to deliver the 2004 Oration. It is interesting to note that in 1852, when DrAndrew George Malcolm was giving this oration he stated that the oration was "an old established custom". From the first Oration in 1827 until 1883 the opening address probably took the form of the 1st clinical lecture of the teaching year. In 1883 it is recorded in the Medical Staff Minutes of the Belfast Royal Hospital that there should be "an introductory address" given annually, and so the tradition continues to this day.