A







             LECTURE,







                     DELIVERED







          TO  THE   STUDENTS





                      or THE






MEDICAL  COLLEGE OF OHIO,
AT THE OPENING OF THE SESSION, 1841—2,
BY M. B.  WRIGHT, M. D.,



          Profeisor, Ice.
J. * C n. Brongb,





      1841. 
  At a meeting of the Students of the Medical College of Ohio, held in said
College, for the purpose of appointing a Committee to request of Professor
Weight his Introductory Lecture for publication, Mr. T. Ryan was called
to the chair, and  D. Judkins appointed Secretary.
  The object of the meeting having been stated, it was, on motion,
  Resolved, That a committee <Jf three be appointed  to  fulfil the above
request.  Whereupon, the  chair appointed Messrs. Lacock, Cottle and
Black, said  Committee.                        T. RYAN, President.
    D. Judkins,  Secretary. 
CORRESPONDENCE.
                                    Cincinnati, November 26,1841.
  Sir: The Students of the Medical College of Ohio, through us their com-
mittee, beg leave to assure you of the high  pleasure afforded them by
your recent Introductory Address, and very respectfully solicit a copy of
the same for publication.
         We have the honor to be, Sir, yours, &c,
                                S. G. LAYCOCK,     )
                                LUCIUS A. COTTLE.} Committee.
                                E. D. BLACK,        )
  Professor M. B. Wkigiit.
                                     Cincinnati, December 2, 1841.
  Gentlemen:—You have my thanks for the manner in which you have
noticed my last introductory lecture, and in accordance with your request,
it is herewith placed at your disposal.
  It has been said, that in this lecture, I have "made an attack upon the
clergy."  To so indefinite a charge,  it  is difficult to reply, and I shall
meet it, therefore, with a mere denial.  I have embraced this  influential
class of individuals, in a few remarks, aimed  at the defence of my profes-
sion, and I hope that none of us will shrink  from our  duty, in  protecting
^t against future violence.  If, as a profession, we Would be true  to the
public, we must be true to ourselves.   If we have been time-servers,  let
us be so no longer.  If we have  bent the knee for favor, until we have
felt the foot of oppression upon our necks, let us put  forth the  strength
that is within us,  and rise from  the  degradation.  If united, confiding,
and  resolute, we  may  yet save  many valuable citizens from those evil
influences, which gather around the sick-bed, under the guise  of benevo-
lence.
  Should other parts of my lecture be deemed objectionable, censure
must pass me, to those  circumstances by which I was surrounded, and by
which I was governed.   I hope,  however, that like many of our  prescrip-
tions, the lecture will prove more useful  than agreeable.  If so, my object
will have been accomplished.
  That you, Gentlemen, and those you represent, may enjoy long lives of
prosperity and happiness, is the  sincere wish of
                          Your friend,            M.B.WRIGHT.

  Messrs. S. G. Laycock, Lucius A. Cottle, E. D. Black, Committee. 
 
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE.
   To present you  an elaborate  disquisition,  upon any one  branch o{
Medical Science, forms no part of my design, upon the present occasion.
A brief allusion to a few of the incidents of professional life, will be mort
in accordance with my own views and feelings.  I hope,  also, that  this
plan will meet with your approbation.   I may say some things calculated
to dishearten the timid and inexperienced; but, they should bear in mind,
that every occupation in life, has its perplexities as well as pleasures.—
I could not wholly dishearten you if I would, for you are already aware,
that to  prosecute   the study, or  to  pursue the practice of medicine
successfully, requires no ordinary share of courage and  determination.—
You can claim but few of the enlivening influences which are experienced
during an advancement in other pursuits.   The apprenticed mechanic is
cheerful in his toils, from the facility with which he handles the imple-
ments of his trade, and his daily improvement in manufacturing skill.—:-
The young merchant is encouraged with the prospect of becoming, at
once, a business man.  No sooner does he learn to fold goods, to measuro
tape, and to collect  bills, than he finds himself in possession of a smiling
countenance, an oily tongue, and a persuavive language and manner.  In
a word, he has acquired, with but little trouble, the tact of a salesman.—
On the contrary, the student of medicine is  compelled to undergo years
of probationary  labor, before he is justified in testing the amount and
value of his knowledge.  He, also,  makes  constant and large expendi-
tures, without one source of professional income, while  those engaged in
other pursuits, are compensated,  more or less, from the commencement to
the close of their services.
   The accumulation of a surplus capital, the stimulus of most others to
enterprise and exertion, does not enter into a physician's expectations.—
In this respect, indeed, his situation is peculiar.  The bills of the  mer-
chant, the mechanic, the lawyer, and even the printer, are all paid before
those of the doctor.  Upon no just ground, however, can such neglect be
advocated; nor would it be practiced, if men did  not so  soon  forget their
sick-bed resolutions.  That reformation is necessary in this  particular,
may be urged in the strongest language of interest, if not of feeling.  To
discriminate accurately, and to prescribe with success, the mind of the
physician should be  free  from  all extraneous anxiety.   Above all, the
nond of poverty should not rest heavily upon him.  He who enters the
chamber of his patient with  the constable  at his heels, and applies with
calmness and accuracy the remedy to  the  disease, must possess more
indifference than belongs to  common mortals.
   But let us examine this subject a little further.  How widely, and  how
strangely different are the  demands upon physicians, from those  upon
most other men.  The very  acts which would meet with strong condem-
nation in the former, would be excused or unheeded in the latter.  Notice
the ragged boy as he walks  the streets of the city—listen  to his plaintive
tale—Sear him ask for a little tea or sugar  for a sick parent;—but  pass
not on, until you have heard, and your heart has felt, the hasty response,
"where is your money?"  Does the bereaved mother, decrepid under the
weight of years, solicit materials for the shroud of a dead daughter, she is
arrested by the enquiry, "Old woman, where is your money!" 
6
  Would the physician treat thus the objects of charity?  Or dare he if
he would?  No.   Though suffering himself from want, he is  always
expected to give.   Neither  the season nor the hour, prevents him from
going forth to the relief of suffering humanity.. There are none, however
situated, who do not claim a share in his sympathies.  Constantly is he
administering to some poor wretch, with whom many in community
would not permit their dogs to associate.  The physician bestows, gratu-
itously, what, if counted in the purse, would make him rich.  Is it  not
then, the grossest injustice, to have withheld from him, his legal, equita-
ble demands, by those who are abundantly able to pay?
   You will  not find any class of individuals more anxious to be free from
debt, than Physicians.  How  far they succeed in  their wishes, is no
business of mine; but, it is useless to deny the  fact, that they are not,
generally, the most acceptable debtors.   If it be true,  that they are slow
in the payment of their debts, it is doubtless  attributable to causes  not
wholly within their own control.   There are but few medical men who
have inherited  wealth, and when  those  who  have not been so fortunate,
are denied compensation for their services, how can they be punctual in
the liquidation  of demands against them?
   It would seem  to be a very general belief, that Physicians accumulate
easily and rapidly, this world's goods, or that they  can live upon their
good deeds.  This belief, however, is not the offspring of sober reflection,
and if not banished by intelligent minds, it needs not the eye of prophecy
to foresee the result.   Unless there  should be a mutual recompense, as
well  as reliance, between the Physician and a large portion of his patrons,
 his freedom of  thought and  action will be curtailed, and ultimately, ho
will sink down into the most humble of dependants.
   I have not the time, nor is the present the most proper occasion, to
bring before you this  subject in  all its details.  But,  if you will trouble
yourselves to reflect upon the condition of many of those within the circle
of your  own acquaintance, you will become satisfied, that some efforts
are necessary, to save  the profession from future ruin.
   Call at the office of one, and instead of having his mind engaged upon
his several cases of disease, and the effect of his remedies, you  will  find
him calculating chances with a view to profit,—maping paper cities, and
 drawing upon  his imagination for  their commercial and manufacturing
 advantages. When next you see him, he will boast to you of the money
which he has  made,  by means of  what, in old-fashioned times,  was
 denounced as gambling, but which  the improvements  of the present age
 sanction, under the more modest  teim, speculation!   Another has turned
politician.  His books have  been exchanged for  political  papers.  He
forgets the definition of terms which enlighten the  reason, to learn those
best calculated to excite party passions.  He  becomes vociferous in the
 bar-room, and at all assemblages of the people for political purposes, he is
 a conspicuous actor.   And, finally, you may trace him to the door of po-
 litical patronage, whither he has  gone to demand his reward for disin-
 terested  services.
   Among the causes  by which men are induced  thus to abandon their
 profession,  none is more conspicuous than the want of means by  which to
 live.  We certainly should not ascribe it to any unwillingness to engage
 in laborious efforts.  If so, sad indeed would  be  the disappointment.—
 'I ake as an example, the mere office seeker.  He is constantly busy—busy
 in making professions, and busy  in convincing  the  people  that he is  as
 great a  man as he fancies himself to be.  If he  is  successful in obtaining
 office, he cannot keep it, unless he is faithful in the discharge of its duties,
 or without bestowing upon his party constant electioneering services.  If 
7
he fails to secure an appointment, he never ceases to express his grief and
indignation, and redoubles his energies in behalf of those more competent
t6 appreciate his merits.
  It is worthy of remark, however,  that a vast deal of the pecuniary dis-
tress of Physicians, is owing to a  want of common business knowledge
among themselves.  At the commencement of practice, a large majority
are not prepared by experience, for a systematic kreping and collecting1
of accounts, and from their reluctance  to engage in such matters subse-
quently, they fail to secure a proper remuneration for  their services.—
Every Physician should feel as easy in the presentation of his bills, ns he
is conscious of having conferred adequate benefits; and, vet,  there is no
duty engaged in with more reluctance.   Why this is so, need not be fully
explained, but in view of the fact,  that  early habits influence subsequent
actions, we might venture to suggest, that the education of  young men
for  the practice of medicine, should  undergo a  radical change.  The
Physician should require the student under his charge,  not  only to read
books and to compound medicine, but also, to devote a portion of his time
to financial concerns.   Such a  regulation could  not be otherwise than
mutually beneficial.   The student  would acquire a species of knowledge
greatly necessary in all the operations  of practical lite.  The Physician
would be enabled to  devote  more time to  study—to  investigate more
closely his cases, and to enjoy more invigorating repose. And I sincerely
hope, that this subject may be presented to the profession properly  and
forcibly, and that it will be, not only  seriously considered,  but reduced
to practice.
  There are a few mere money-makers of the profession, who are of no va-
lue except to themselves—who contribute nothing to the common stock of
professional knowledge, and when  they depart from a  limited routine of
practice, it is to  gratify the  blind prejudices and  morbid  appetites of
others.  They indulge in no elevated desires—the kindlier sympathies of
man they know nothing of, and the extent of their duties is estimated by
anticipated profit.  My language, therefore, is not intended to be in fel-
lowship with their sentiments.  I desire, by what  has been already said,
to advocate the cause of the large majority, who, if paid every farthing of
their just  demands, would not  be  compensated for the time  expended—
for  the toil and depressing anxiety to which they are constantly subjected.
  In examining the nature, and in  estimating the  extent of a physician's
services, it should  be recollected  that he is not allowed  to select his
patients, as is the merchant his customers.  All classes  of persons, whe-
ther poor or rich, humble or exalted, have equal demands upon  his
knowledge and skill.   For this there are several  reasons, one of which
may be mentioned.  In our country, it  is not easy to  say, upon whom
our services will be most beneficially bestowed.   Every man may  look
forward to the post of confidence and distinction, and who can tell, whe-
ther in rendering service to those filling high stations, or  to the occupant
of the secluded cabin, he is accomplishing  the  most extended  and the
most enduring good?   To settle this question more  to  the satisfaction of
our own minds, let us examine it for one moment.
  When the late President of the United States was known to be ill, every
eye was turned towards the Capitol.  One day we were elated with the
prospect of his recovery—the next  brought us the melancholy  intelligence
that his toil-worn system was yielding to the power of disease.  When it
was announced  that Harrison was  numbered with the dead,  a wholo
nation mourned his departure; and when the oft-repeated question came
to our ears, did his Physicians discharge their duty? it  had  reference to
the  elevated character of their patient.   But.were their obligations in this
instance, peculiar in their nature?   Strong,  indeed, were the claims of
the  venerated Harrison upon the affections and confidence of the people, 
8
—responsible was his station, and great was the shock which his country
sustained, when his soul took its flight from mortality.  But his place, as
the head of a great nation, could not  go long unsupplied.  The spirit of
our constitution, and  a common interest, forbid it.  Every where, over
this broad land, are men whose minds are sound—whose views are eleva-
ted—and whose intentions are  patriotic; and  although possessing their
own peculiar traits of character, are fully able to render immense service,
and ever willing to devote their  best energies to their country.
  On the other nand, when the head of a family dies, there are none who
are willing to replace his  care and protection.   Time alone lessens  the
bereavement, and accustoms the heart to its desolation.  And,  with this
parent's  guardianship, the young, but sturdy and energetic boy,  might
one day reach the highest point of man's ambition.   He,  too, might lead
armies to victory, and become the head of a great nation.   We are  bound
then, always to do our duty.
  Among the many impediments to a rapid and successful advancement
in medical studies, may be mentioned,
  1st, Intellectual disqualification.
  2d, Early discouragements.
  3d, A thoughtless neglect of  professional obligations—upon each of
which, I have a few words  to  advance,  in the order in which they  are
presented.
  Fondness of offspring, is an inherent principle in man's nature, and  hi«
anxiety lor their success  in life, increases with their advancement to
manhood.  Nor does this anxiety subside, even after they have been left
to buffet the world single-handed.  Many there  are,  who, in their  reflec-
tions upon the future, have imagined, that if they should ever  be blessed
with a son, he would be a prodigy in intellect—very  much like the father
—and the sphere which he is to occupy in life, is settled in advance.  Or
if the boys have become  already somewhat numerous, that profession is
selected for them, to which their individual capacities are supposed to be
best adapted.  It has been said, that  in making  this  choice, the  one
possessing the most amiability of character, is assigned for the ministry.
Another manifesting a high order of intellect, combined with much cun-
ning, is put to the study of the law.   Then, there is a third—what is to
be done with him? Why, he is  a dull thinker, a clownish fellow,  of  not
much credit to the family, and of him is made a doctor!  Such, I observe,
is apart of the sayings with which we are occasionally presented.   Upon
them, however, I am not disposed to make any  comments of censure, for
they emanate from those who are as devoid of wit, as they are  incapable
of correct observation.  Our profession  need not yield to any other, in  a
deep, heart-felt solicitude  for the happiness of man,  nor in  reference to
the intellect  necessary to secure that happiness.    With respect  to  the
cunning, I need only say,  that I shall not attempt to  sever its connection,
although it seems rather ungenerous, that we should  be denied all partici-
pation in a faculty esteemed so useful.
  It is a fact, however, that many young men are disqualified for medical
distinction, by a dislike of the details embraced in medical studies.  And
if any of you are engaged in these studies, to gratify  the wishes  of a fond
parent, against your own positive inclination, you had better  stop where
you are.  Under such a state of things, you have a doubtful  reputation
before you, and many valuable  lives may be put to  hazard.  If you  are
engaged in acquiring a knowledge of medicine, with no other object than
to render your position in society respectable, it is my duty to declare that
you are blinded to your destiny.  Reputation as a man, will depend upon
your intelligence and  moral  bearing;—reputation as a physician, upon
wedieal  knowledge and success in practice.   To be a doctor  in name,  is 
9
no great honor—to be one in fact, is to be as high as your ambition need
ever desire.
  We have already hinted, and now assert, that the members of the me-
dical profession possess as much strength and activity of mind, and enjoy
as wide a range of intellectual culture, as can be found in any other pro-
fession; yet, there are some who pass a miserable, unprofitable existence,
for want of that most useful of all endowments—common sense.  By this
we mean as understood in every-day language, an ability to apply knowl-
edge successfully to practice.  To a physician,  this is  as necessary as
knowledge itself.   Without it, however learned he may be, he can never
reap the advantages of a successful practice.
  Professional discouragements arise from various  causes.   A restless am-
bition is adverse to correct scientific attainments, and success in practice.
Although, I firmly believe, that students think too  little, and act too sel-
dom, yet, if they aim at a display of skill in advance of knowledge, they
will  reap, as their reward, the saddest disappointment.  The surest, and
consequently, the best way to attain success, is to enter the path of study
at its beginning, and to travel in it steadily and undeviatingly to the end.
The limited knowledge which we now have, is to us far  more valuable
than the immense mass of facts which we have not; for, without the one*
the other could neither  be acquired  nor understood.  The information
which we have gained to-day, should satisfy us of what we  can learn by
the efforts of to-morrow.
  Again, young men falter in their scientific pursuits, in consequence of
the extra exertion which they find it necessary to make, to keep pace in
knowledge with their associates.  If such is the  relative situation of any
one present, permit me to say, that it is well for you.  You will be the
more willing  to call industry to your aid, without which, there is but little
that you can  accomplish.  It is well, that you do not rely with over con-
fidence upon your own natural abilities, independent of  exertion.   Self-
conceit is the rock upon which the adventurous barks of too many  young
men are apt to split.
  A neglect of professional obligations, arises not so much from a dislike te
their performance, as to an habitual indulgence in other associations. We
have all experienced the overwhelming influence of appetites artificially
created.   We have  witnessed the blighting   effects of some, upon  the
dearest interests of our dearest friends.  And,  as we often quote cases to
illustrate our views, allow me to introduce  one closely connected with
our present subject.
    This is a  dreary night, said I to a friend, as  we were about retiring
to bed.    It is just such an one as Country physicians have  cause to
dread j for, if twenty sunny days have  passed  over their heads without a
patient, a summons and a storm are sure to come  together.   At this mo-
ment, a heavy knock was heard at the door, and in an  another, an indivi-
dual entered  and seated himself by the half-smouldered fire, as uncere-
moniously as if he had  been the equitable claimant of  the premises.—
The rain from his tattered garments trickled upon the floor, and he shook
as if in a fit of the ague.   After several ineffectual  efforts to compose his
limbs, he pulled from under his loose  wrapper a brown jug, which he
raised to his mouth, and of whose contents he partook  freely.  He drank
the second and the third time, before  he became  sufficiently composed to
express his wishes.   At length, said he, "This is a  dreadful night to ride,
but a far more dreadful one to be sick in a leaky  cabin !"   You  seem
lost, bewildered, said I.  "Aye,"  said he, "lost to  happiness;  bewil-
dered like the man who beholds  not his sins  until the wrath  of God is
upon him!"   These  remarks had scarcely been uttered, when a vivid
flash of lightning  darted  across the room, as   if  in  token of  vengeance
              '2 
10
upon some one present,-the thunder rolled through the heavens, and
large drops of rain were driven forcibly against the window.—The outer
elements:in a word, were all in  fearful commotion; but, seemingly, it
was nothing compared with the agitation of that man's soul!  finally, he
 several miles, I was conducted into a rude, half-finished place of abode;
 and at this distant day, when I ask myself, what did I there behold? pain
 seizes the very inmost of my feelings!   Poverty never  claimed  a more
 hungry, miserable,  cadaverous looking family  of beings.  Disease never
 preyed upon a more attenuated frame—upon a more heart-broken female,
 than she who occupied the only article to be seen in the shape of a bed.
   Exposure to the storm—the lashings of a guilty conscience—the dread
 of a deserved doom—had prevented the spirituous potations from exerting
 their usually exhilerating influence upon the degraded husband. Delirium
 Tremens came soon upon him as a consequence; and never did  a mind
 suffer severer torments. He  endeavored to hide himself from his thousand
 imaginary pursuers, but he could not—flee from them he could not—con-
 quer them he could not.   His was, in truth,  a laughter-creating, yet
 melancholy madness.                                     .
   Time and medicine restored him to reason—to a full  perception of hie
fallen  condition, and to the  wants of those who had called upon him in
 vain for protection and support.  Still, he looked around for his old com-
 panion in folly and sin, and as  he  could not  fix his eyes upon it, he en-
 quired, "Where is the brown jug?"   His feeble  wife replied with that
 peculiar mildness which characterized all  her  actions,  "It is broken.—
 When you were very wild and violent, you supposed it  to be  an enemy
 come to destroy you—you gave it a heavy blow, and it is broken."  After
 gazing upon the neglected one a few moments, with a stillness that might
 have been mistaken for the sleep of the grave, he embraced her fervently,
 and exclaimed,  "Wife! we are yet saved! the spell is gone, and I shall
 return to sober and  industrious life!"  From that hour, happiness and
 prosperity smiled upon a family, that had known for years  nothing but
 wretchedness.
   If you would pursue your profession honorably  and successfully, guard
 closely against the formation of injurious habits.  Break that brown jug, or
you are gone!
   There is nothing in regard to which so much wisdom is assumed, as
 upon the practice of medicine.   Individuals, however ignorant upon ge-
 neral subjects, do not hesitate to advance opinions respecting any medical
 topic that may be presented. Bv a wink of the eye they can understand
a disease, which the most experienced physician may not have been able,
fully, to comprehend.  And there would be no  great harm in permitting
such persons to  enjoy a good opinion of themselves, were it not  for their
impertinent interference in  the directions of  enlightened practitioners,
and especially in cases where life might be endangered  by the  slightest
departure from correct treatment.   In fact, it is  in the latter cases that
they are most disposed to act, and seem to think their services more espe-
cially  demanded.   But, the time  has come,  when such  presumption
should receive its just rebuke.  It is the means  of destroying many, very
many, valuable lives.   When  the  prescriptions of the physician are
changed, either by adding  to, or subtracting from their  amount,—or
when the proper time for their administration is  disregarded, he cannot
be expected to  administer with success, or even with safety.   It  would
be far more advantageous to the patient, to rely solely upon the effo rts of
nature, than upon medicine  so varied  in dose,  or so compounded  as to 
11
render its action uncertain.  But, how are we to check such officiousness
on the part of pretended or misguided  friends?  By argument?  No.—
You will be  defeated by  this; for they will tell you what  you cannot
gainsay—that they  prescribe  after the manner of their aunt or grand-
mother, who never  lost a patient!  Will you attack them  by harsh epi-
thets?  If you do, their course will be still more determined,  and more to
to the injury of your patient.  What then is to be done?  I do not know
of any effectual remedy, but to bring upon the offenders the  strong arm
of the law.  It is the only way to arouse their sensibilities, and to  incite
them to proper reflection.  If they cannot be reached by any penal statutes
now in existence, severer  enactments should be demanded.  Laws are as
necessary for the protection  of life, in these  cases,  as when you have
reason to fear the knife of the  assassin.  At all events, such aggressors
Bhould be visited by no less punishment, than is, at times, inflicted upon
the practitioner.  He is made to suffer for mal-practice, and if life or limb
is endangered by the wilful neglect or interference of  others, why should
they not be held accountable also?  Is a fatal indulgence in self-will to
be excused, when ignorance is no shield against penalty?
   You are all aware, that opposition is encountered by every man  in his
progress through life.  But, occasionally, you will  receive it  from a quar-
ter,  which your present knowledge of men and things does  not lead you
to expect.  This opposition has been borne by physicians, not  only with
characteristic meekness, but with very  long silence.   And  although I
have no hope that any thing I may say, will change the views or practice
of a single individual, I am  not willing that  the present  occasion shall
pass by, without alluding briefly to the  subject, that you,  too, may  be
prepared to meet it in a becoming spirit.
   After having attended the family of an individual for months and years,
with an assiduity and success, well  calculated to establish confidence in
your integrity and skill, you will find him to have  become, suddenly, the
advocate of some falacious doctrine, or some bold impostor.  This charge
 I do not intend to make against laymen, but  against  a portion of those
 who exercise an unbounded influence over them—the clergy.  I  say a
 portion of the clergy, and I am happy that I am  thus limited in the  objects
 of my remarks.  To the opposition, then, which we receive from these
 individuals, we object for several reasons, although we shall  allude to but
 one or two.   We object to it, in  the first place, because  it authorises
 ao-ainst  them the accusation of inconsiderate or wilful ingratitude.  They
 are  not charged for professional services, notwithstanding they may  be,
 and, in  most instances, are, as able to pay, as physicians are  to give.  But
 it is'natural, that we should  look for something "more  than a heedless and
 determined hostility.  We are  thankful for the prayers of their tongues,
 and these might satisfy us,did we not know that they  are counterbalanced
 by frequent denunciations  of the  heart.  Return  evil for  good,  is lan-
 guage which they, of  all other men, should not engraft  upon  their code
 of morals.  We can excuse individual preferences, as belonging to every
 generous impulse of the human heart; but all  our feelings  revolt at  the
 interposition of  ministerial influence  to  propagate medical error, or to
 defeat professional success.   True, the individuals before  us, return, pro-
 fessedly, to the right faith when life  is in peril, and, as  every prodigal
 should do, acknowledge their waywardness;  but their minds once in
 pursuit  of vagaries, will not  submit long to sober reason, and no sooner
 is health restored, than they start in eager pursuit of some other dangerous
 delusion.                                      ••  . •  i        i_
   And again, in what other light can you view ministerial encroachments
 upon professional rights,  than as downright presumption ?   Can it  be pos-
 sible that theso men ar« more competent to judge of the action and value 
12
pf remedies, than those engaged in their daily investigation?  They may
have been called to the ministry, but I deny that God ever intended them
to be the special objects of His favor, op that He has bestowed upon them
an intuitive perception of the laws of nature; and in the absence of such
special endowment, what right have they to dictate to us, or to the people,
the system of practice we or they shall adopt or sanction?
  In assuming such immense superiority, these kind guardians accuse us
of culpable ignorance.  But how stand the facts?  Every thing dignified
with the title of a new system of  practice—-every thing  claimed  to  be
valuable as a remedy  in any particular disease, is subjected to the test of
experiment by those competent to judge correctly,  and under circumstan-
ces admitting of no mistake or deception,  and the  results  are communis
cated to the profession throughout the world.  Whatever contains promise
of good is retained, while the opposite is  as properly rejected.   Such is
the quiet, but sure and continued  manner of acquiring  a  knowledge of
every thing appertaining to the science of medicine.  Professional inves-i
tigations not being published in  the every-day journals of our country,
nor proclaimed from  the corners of the highways, it  is  not generally
known that they have been instituted,  and very often a remedy is an^
nounced as new, which had been in general use long before, as had been
as long abandoned,
  It would seem,  also, that there is no hesitation in charging us with  a
want  of integrity—with an unwillingness  to employ any remedy sugi
gested by those out of regular practice, notwithstanding its high claims
may have  been fully sustained.   This accusation is as  unjust as the
former.  What is the grand  aim of Physicians amidst their exertions,
their privations, and their deep-felt solicitude? The cure of their patients.
And what care they,  whence may  come the medicine, or may be its char-<
acte*j provided it can accomplish their object?   Nothing,
  I am aware that many of the individuals who  have been arraigned be-
fore you, require our pity, as much as they deserve our censure.  Their
minds are so perverted, that they esteem nothing as valuable which  has
tangibility.  To be deserving of consideration, it must act  upon  their un?
dergtandings through the eye of faith.  Write them a prescription, plain
and simple to common minds, and they reject it as  useless. Throw over it
the veil qf secrecy, and its charm becomes irresistible.  The lightning as
it darts athwart the heavens, and  the thunder which succeeds the flash,
produce no emotions in them, when considered philosophically, but when
associated with some vague notions of divinity, they stand amazed,  and
in awe.   If Christ were to revisit this earth, and stand before them, face
to face—if  they were to behold Him, nailed to the  cross, writhing in
agony, and were  to  hear him exclaim, in his own pathetic language,
»'My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"  they would  not  believe in his
holiness, until  after he had ascended beyond the bounds of human vision!
  If I know myself, I would  not  utter one  sentence, which  might  be
construed into a derision of the ministerial character.  I would cheerfully
perform any service, which might secure it against contamination.  I
would not address the reflecting portion of the ministry, in  any other than
in the language of sober and deliberate caution.   I would ask  them to
cast their eyes oyer the columns of any of  the newspapers of our country,
and to read the thousands of certificates in favor of quack nostrums, and
the names of those appended to them, and then I  would ask, whose lan-
guage is most extravagant, and whose names are most conspicuous?
And if, after an unprejudiced examination upon these points, an answer
should be returned, I am satisfied it will be in condemnation of their own
brethren.
   I  am  ready  to  admit, that  a  large  portion of those certificates
e/igmata in the brains, and flow from the pens,  of  patentees and vendors. 
IS
But their very forgery proves one of two things—either that the clergy,
upon these subjects, are credulous to a fault, or that they are generally
believed to be so.  For some years, my enquiries and  observations have
been directed to the causes of nostrum seeking, and I am well convinced
that, in our day, no species of quackery would have ripened into popu-
larity,  if unaided by the nurturing care of too many of these individuals.
And if there are any still resolved to abandon that holy ground upon which
they should stand, to become the leaders of a dangerous combination, and
are ultimately found to be socially and religiously dead, they will become
as fit subjects for the knife of the moral dissector, as any  other men.
  Against a general support of quackery, I have not one word  to utter.
I have always believed, and still believe, that efforts of this nature, or
those of a more formidable character, are decidedly injurious to the cause
of truth.   Opposition begets  curiosity, and  curiosity will be gratified,
regardless of consequences. And, moreover, I am not certain that the use
of secret remedies, is not  intended by  nature for special purposes.  The
violent may be designed to rid us of knaves, and the mild to answer for
the gratification of the feeble minded.
  There is another subject, of some delicacy, to which I cannot fail to
give a passing  notice.   A young man about to leave his home and his
friends, in search of a situation favorable for practice, is often supplied
with more gratuitous advice than he  can turn to  good  account ;--and
much  of this is given by those, whose judgments are too often controlled,
by the honest, but mistaken zeal of their hearts.  "When you have se-
lected  your location, join our church,  and secure its patronage," is the
subject of every-day council; and it is not often passed by unheeded,
as many act upon the principle, that professions of goodness, supply de-»
fects of knowledge.  But, gentlemen, a declaration  of wisdom upon im-
portant subjects of which you are ignorant, is one sin; hypocricy in
religion, another; and when combined in thesame individual, unspeakably
detestable is  his character.
  Do not  misinterpret my meaning,—do not understand me as objecting
to church-membership, or to your becoming exemplary christians. Would
to God that every one of us were true  disciples of that best of all Phys-
icians!—that when we had failed to impart healthful action to the mortal
body,  we  might aid the spirit in its joyful flight to eternity!
  Happy is the man who can discern the beauties of pure religion—who
feels in his heart its persuasive, soothing influence, and  who reposes in
safety  upon its  promises and hopes.  There is nothing which more effec-
tually  controls  the impetuous  nature  of man—-nothing better calculated
to develope and strengthen his affections—nothing, in a word, more effi-
cient  in making  him  what he should  be.   The immortal  spirit, like
Noah's dove, flies every  where, without being able to find one spot upon
which to rest its weary wing, until it returns to the place whence it issued.
  Great, I say, is the happiness of the true christian—but, doubly cursed
will  he be, who aims to counterfeit the  very essence of his Maker, for the
sake of traffic.   And I would say to those who encourage such conduct,
look well  to  your responsibilities.  While you are offering inducements
to the  physician,  to become at heart and in practice a hypocrite, you are
plunging your javelin deeper and deeper into the vitals of undefiled relii
gion.  Every day's observation establishes the fact, that empty professors
have filled more "hearts with skepticism,  than  the most hardened villains
that  ever cursed God and died! Would any man dare, whilst administer-
ing the holy sacrament, to say, in words "Eat this, for it  is emblematical
of the  broken body of your Saviour—drink this, for it is his blood—eat and
drink,  that you may the more effectually impose upon your  fellow men?"
No, he dare not.   His tongue  would become paralyzed, and withered in
the effort; and yet, it is to be feared, he says this too often in  effect, 
14
  The time allotted by himself for the delivery of this lecture, has nearly
expired, and I shall conclude by inviting your attention to but one or two
additional points.  To avoid disappointment, and all its unpleasant con-
sequences, we should be cautious, as well at the commencement of our
professional  career, as  at  a more  subsequent period, how  high  we
permit our expectations to soar.  Many look forward, very anxiously, for
the time, when every breeze will bring to them the loudest notes of pop-
ular applause.  To win it. however, is no easy task, even if it were worth
the seeking; for, in a great degree, it is  the result of accident,  rather
than of the regular business operations of life.  It will depend more upon
the flash and noise which accompany our actions, than  upon  the amount
of good we may accomplish.  For  example,  the poet  has  asked, "Who
are the brave?" and the reply has been given, he who moves firmly in
face of the  foe—he  who  quails  not with the slaughtered around him—
he who cornea forth from the  sanguinary  conflict,  feeling  not  his own
wounds, but with an eye still fixed upon the honor and glory of his coun-
try.  Even time does not dim the lustre of his achievements,  whilst  the
Physician, who, undismayed, battles with  the pestilence,—who trembles
not at his grim and threatening visage—whose soothing voice is heard in
the house of desolation—who opens the jaws of the monster, and restores
to the child a parent, and to the parent a child, is forgotten with  the
excitement of the moment.
  It will be far more profitable, then, so to shape our course, as to merit
public approbation, if we do not receive it, and to secure the silent acqui-
escence of our own judgments, with the acquittal of our own consciences.
Occasions demanding self-examination, will be presented to us frequently.
  When the  father has become  prostrate, and emaciated by disease—
when the world and all its delusive prospects are receding from his vision;

        "When with a faultering hand he waves  adieu,
        To those who love so well, and weep so true;"

when the curtain is being unrolled, and is falling rapidly between him in
time and in eternity, then the question will come home upon us, have we
knowingly and faithfully performed our important trust?
  When we look upon the  stiff and inanimate body, and reflect  that  the
eye will beam no more with intelligence; that the lips are  sealed against
the expression of useful advice; that the heart beats not with  its wonted
kindness and  love; that the hand has  ceased  its ministrations of benev-
olence.—When, too, we behold the sobbing mourner approach the coffin,
and bend over it to warm the cold cheek with the last kiss of affection;
and when we hear, from the fulness of the heart, the  exclamation, "My
mother! oh, my mother! and are we bereft of thee? " our  souls will sink
back upon themselves, and we will be  forced  to enquire,  what agency
have we had in these things?
  When we go to the place of graves—the home of the dead—and  read
the inscription on the tombstone of one who was our patient—who was a
child in whom centered all parental hopes, and around whom entwined
the greenest tendrils of parental affection—the deeply-buried will come
up before us,  a frightful spectacle of an insatiate grave, and demand a re-
trospect of our skill and  fidelity.
   And, in conclusion, let me say to you, that, if upon these points  you
find your sensibilities too painfully acute, bring them under proper con-
trol, but do not destroy them.   To perform our part  aright, we should
exercise feeling as well as judgment.  He who is devoid of sympathy,
cannot appreciate, with  sufficient dread, the ravages  of death—he does
not calculate  the full value of those fire-side, home endearments, without
which, the journey of life  would  be pursued  with  a  dull  and sorrowful
spirit.