'ffioutLt (faLj 'l*?7 DELIVERED IN CASTLETON DECEMBER 2,185S, ^ «s<^. ^^*»S.,k AT THE , • ' ' - c^jn^K^tatKfHK^r VERMONT ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, CONNECTED WITH MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE. i5g Joshua Bates, E. B. PRESIDENT OFTH E^.d-0 L t K G B. 2.07. SMITH & SHUTE, PRINTERS. 1824. r\ % The transactions of this day, in many important respects, furnish occasion for congratulatory address. We may con- gratulate our country, in view of the increasing attention paid to medical science, and of the consequent improve- ment in the practice of the healing art—of the rising re- spectability of a profession, so extensive in its influence, and so intimately connected with human happiness, as that of physick. We may congratulate the guardians and pat- rons of this institution on the success which has attended their efforts to place it on a respectable and permanent foundation, and render it subservient to the cause of hu- manity. We may congratulate the professors, that their arduous duties have not been discharged in vain, nor their labours performed without the best of rewards, the satis- faction of publick usefulness. We may congratulate the young gentlemen,who have enjoyed the distinguished privi- leges, here furnished, for improvement in medical science. Especially may we congratulate those, who have completed the prescribed course of preparatory studies, that they are 4 about to enter on the publick and responsible duties of their profession, with the best evidence of their qualifica- tions, the most honourable testimonials of character, and the fairest prospects of respectability and usefulness in life. The profession of physick does, indeed, occupy a distin- guished and honourable place among the employments to which men are called by the voice of benevolence. It* comparative importance may be estimated by a view of it? subserviency to human happiness. Without health, all other terrestrial sources of enjoyment would fail to answer the purpose for which they were opened—to produce their intended effects. What can soften the sick man's couch ? Can riches, or honours, or amusements, or even the sooth- r ing voice of friendship ? Wealth may, indeed, crown our table with delicious fare ; but health alone can give a re- lish to the richest viands. It may procure for us the downy pillow, or adorn us with costly robes and splendid appa- rel ; but it cannot remove the pain of an aching head, nor quench the flames of a burning fever, nor chase away the rigours of a convulsive ague. It may, indeed, purchase all the means of luxury; but it cannot, for a moment, resist the baleful influence of disease; nor cause the sick man to forget his languishment, and cease to feel his pain. Riches, without health, are like the fabled cup of Tantalus; they excite, without gratifying our natural desire of happiness; instead of alleviating, they often increase our sufferings, and mock us in our misery. The same might be said of all other sources of earthly enjoyment. They must all fail^to yield the refreshing stream, except it be conveyed s through the channel, which health opens to the seat of hap- piness in man. Whatever, therefore, is calculated to preserve or restore health, assumes an importance not to be measured by any other earthly good. Hence the direct bearing and immense influence, which the profession of physick has on the hap- piness of mankind. For in vain would be the remedies and preventives of disease, which are so profusely scatter- ed around us, without knowledge to discern their adapta- tion to their proper ends, and skill to make a ready appli- cation. And (let it never again be forgotten ; it has been too often forgotten,) this knowledge can be acquired by careful study and laborious research alone; and this skill by nothing short of an acquaintance with the accumulated results of practical experience. It is true, some have boas- ted of medical skill, without knowledge, or of knowledge obtained without study and the labour of research ; they have pretended to the discovery of a more direct avenue to the temple of JEsculapius, than that which encircles the ex- tended field of science; but they have never found access to his sacred altars ; their worship has been hypocrisy— their offering " strange fire;" or, to speak without a figure, no safe specifick, no sovereign panacea has yet been dis- covered ; nor any man born a physician. The history of the healing art incontestibly proves, that, in order to secure its highest benefits, it must be made a distinct profession; and this profession be accessible to those only, who have devoted much time, and employed respectable talents in appropriate preparatory studies. In- deed, the science of medicine opens a field of research, re- 6 quiring all the energies of a vigourous mind ; and calling to its aid all the patience, necessary to an acquaintance with the accumulated experience of ages. It puts in requisition every intellectual faculty ; and lays under contribution eve- ry branch of natural science. To trace the symptoms, dis- cern the character, and mark the progress of disease, re- quires in the physician a knowledge of anatomy and patho- logy, or an intimate acquaintance with the structure of the human frame, and the various functions of its several or- gans. Nor can this knowledge be accurately acquired without some acquaintance with the various branches of natural philosophy, including the laws of chemical affinity. To discover and apply appropriate remedies, the physician must explore the vegetable, animal, and mineral kingdoms; must study the sciences of botany, zoology, and mineralo- gy—must by chemical analysis investigate the properties of medicine, and be able to predict its operations, and antici- pate its effects. Thus almost every point, in the whole circle of the sci- ences, has a direct bearing on the profession of physick. I would not be understood to intimate, however, that all branches of science are equally important; much less, that all are indispensable to the successful practice of medicine. Sound judgment, with carefui and patient observation, may sometimes go far to supply the deficiency of education and scientifick preparation. Nor will science alone, however broad the foundation, and however elevated the superstruc- ture, supersede the necessity of moral qualifications. To a good physician, patience, industry, temperance, unshaken fortitude, and incorruptible fidelity, are indispensable re- quisites. 7 It is obvious too, that these scientifick qualifications can- not be obtained by all, with equal facility ; nor possessed by all, in equal degrees. More especially is it obvious, that they cannot have been equally within the reach of men, in every age, and every clime. The sciences are all pro- gressive. Not one of them has attained to its highest ele- vation in a single age—not one of them has yet reached a state of perfection. Medicine, with its kindred sciences and arts, has had its infancy, its childhood, and its youthful vigour; it has " grown with their growth, and increased with their strength ;" but, like them, it has not yet reach- ed the maturity of manhood ; much less has it assumed that gigantick form, to which it is surely destined, and to which it is now rapidly rising. No sooner were diseases introduced, with sin, into the world, than remedies were eagerly sought. But, for a long time, the discovery of them must have been exceedingly limited, and the art of applying them exceedingly imper- fect. The tardy steps of every collateral and subsidiary branch of science must, of necessity, have checked the progress of medical knowledge. Beside, the advancement of this science, more than any other, has been retarded by the blindness of bigotry, the terrours of superstition, and the unsupported hypotheses of speculative philosophy. Vain were all attempts to obtain anatomical knowledge, while superstition prohibited the dissection of the human body. The analogical conclusions of comparative anato- my were often false—always inconclusive. Nor was it, till philosophy had shaken off the trammels of the schools, discarded the authority of dogma and hypothesis, and as- 3 sumed the order of nature, proceeding by analysis, collect* ing facts, and rising by induction from particular observa- tions to general principles, that this, with other branches of science, began to exhibit a permanent character, and ad- vance by regular steps of improvement. Hippocrates, in- deed, may have accomplished something, by an entire se- paration of physick from philosophy, while philosophy con- sisted of nothing but presumptuous dogmas and wild con- jectures ; but the separation was .^.natural; and his im- provements were of coarse limited in progress, and tem-r porary in duration. His system, to give it .consistency and durability, needed the support of true philosophy and colfateral science. After a lapse of ages, Galen, by his superiour genius and industry, was able to revive, in a measure, the proper spirit of inquiry and improvement; but neither his genius nor his industry could overcome the obstacles which lay in his path ; and all improvement in medical science slept with him, for thirteen hundred years, buried in the rubbish of the cloister and the darkness of the monastery. But when Luther had broken the chains of superstition, and Bacon, aided by Descartes and Locke, had overthrown the pillars of scholastick philosophy— when free inquiry was permitted, and the laws of induc- tive reasoning established, this, with the other sciences, was placed on a foundation, never to be shaken ; and acquired a progressive improvement, never to become retrograde. From the time of Sydenham this progress has generally been uniform; increasing with increasing rapidity, like the velocity of a gravitating body, in its uninterrupted approach to the centre of gravity. While anatomy, with its practU 9 cal application to surgery, has annually received a trU ute from the classified observations of the physiologist; mate- ria medica has been no less improved by philosophical re- search into nature ; and especially, by the discoveries of chemical analysis. Indeed nothing seero° to have contribu- ted more directly and more effectually to the advancement of medical science, than the progress of what Mr. Locke has quaintly denominated " philosophy by fire.'5 But the recent» .{ablishment and multiplication of medi- cal schools is perhaps, more than every thing beside, cal- culated to give a diffusive circulation to this accumulated and accumulating knowledge of disease and remedy; and thus to raise the standard and elevate the character of the medical profession. By private instruction, patient re- search, and careful observation, many, indeed, have obtain- ed a fund of practical knowledge, and become useful and even eminent physicians. But how often has genius ex- hausted its energies in experiments, which had been already made ! How much time has been expended in researches, the results of which had been already discovered! How many have thus spent a long life in the investigation of what was already known, and what might have been de- monstrated to them in a single lecture!—An institution like the " Vermont Academy of Medicine," is therefore of im- mense importance to the progress of medical knowledge. It is happily calculated, as in a focus, to collect the scatter- ed rays of medical science; and again, as from a radiant point, reflect them back on society, with all their enlighten- ing and vivifying influence. Beside the facility which such schools afford for the acquisition of knowledge, and the ra- 10 ^s. pidity with which they enable a young man of talents to qualify himself for respectability in his profession; they have a direct tendency to prevent medical imposture—to detect and discourage ignorant pretenders to innate skill— to give a death-blow to empiricism, with all its effrontery and nostrums. Well, then, may we rejoice in the establish- ment of these schools in our country! Well may we hail this day, as a happy era in the history of the iEsculapian art! Well may we congratulate the publick, on the rise and progress of this infant institution ! The trustees and guardians of the institution surely have reason for self-gratulation, that, amidst the difficulties and discouragements, incident to an undertaking so vast and complicated, they have been enabled to persevere ; and so soon raise it to an elevated rank, and give to it a character of permanence and respectability___Gentlemen, let not your devotion to its interest, nor your zeal for its prosperi- ty, abate. The same fostering hand which has raised it, must be stretched out for its support. As in point of time, it was the first institution of the kind in the state ; so let it be the first in point of character and publick usefulness.__ Nor will the professors, on whose fidelity and indefati- gable labour its high reputation chiefly depends, fail of ob- taining that reward, which arises from a consciousness of having accomplished an object, at once important to the cause of medical science, and honourable and beneficial to their country. The young gentlemen, who have enjoyed the distinguish- ed advantages which the institution affords, will not, we trust, tarnish its character, nor neglect its interests. To 11 those especially, who have nrow completed their preparato- ry studies, and are about publickly to receive the honourable testimonials of their attainments in medical science, under the seal of the college, with which this academy is connec- ted ; and to enter on the important, laborious, and respon- sible duties of their profession, we would address a word of congratulation and exhortation.—We congratulate you, gentlemen, on your prospects of success and usefulness in your profession. It is a profession highly honourable, be- cause highly useful; and you are about to enter it, under peculiarly favourable auspices. In your preparatory stu^ dies, you have enjoyed advantages for improvement, which fall to the lot of few ; and you will carry with you creden- tials, which will every where command respect, and ensure to you a cordial reception. It is true, this institution and the classical seminary, with which it is connected, have their en- emies. But they are such enemies, as a dignified and ener- getick institution must always expect;—enemies to enlarged benevolence, elevated science, and sanctifying truth;—ene- mies upon the narrow principles of selfishness, and the low intrigue of a wretched and short-sighted policy ;—enemies to the best interests of the state, and the true happiness and glory of the community. They cannot invalidate your cre- dentials, nor tarnish your reputation. We, therefore, con- gratulate you on the bright prospects which open to your view, at your entrance upon your profession ; and we ex- hort you to a faithful, discharge of its high and responsible duties.—It is a thought full of solemnity to a serious and benevolent mind, that the health and lives of your fellow- men are to be committed, in a measure, to your care ; and 12 that, in the same measure, their blood will be required at your hands. Indeed, motives of interest, of benevolence, of accountableness conspire to urge you to a faithful im- provement of your talents, and to a faithful and watchful application of your professional knowledge. Nor should it be forgotten, that your standing in society and daily inter- course with all classes of men, will give you an extensive in- fluence on the moral, political, and religious character of community. May this influence be always salutary ; and may you be rendered eminently useful and happy, in allevi- ating the miseries and promoting the happiness of your fel- low-men.—Finally, may we all, in whatever sphere we are destined to move—in whatever employment we are called to engage, act well our part; and receive at last the appro- bation of our Judge.—May. we all find a remedy for that dis- ease with which our souls are deeply infected, in the balm ofGilead, applied by the skilful hand of the great Physi- cian. Mpptvtoip* CONTAINING AN HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL IN CASTLETON ; BY ONE FULLY ACQUAINTED WITH ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS. The Vermont ^cattemg of S&eTrtctne owes its origin to the liberality, energy and patronage of Doctors Selah Grid- ley and Theodore Woodward of Castleton ;—the one emi- nent in the science and practice of Physick ; the other in Phy- sick and Surgery. These gentlemen purchased* a building in the central part of the pleasant village ofCastleton, which was built for a store and office; and unitedly opened a medical school in the spring of the year 1818. In Oct. 1818, they obtained from the Legislature of Vermont, a defective act of incorporation, by the name of Castleton Med- ical Academy (which was altered to its present name at the Oct. session in 1822,) and increased the number ofthe Board to ten members. Additional instructors in Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry and Botany, were employed in those important branches of medical education. The school, thus incorporated and organized, attracted pub- lick notice; and the rapid increase ofthe number of students, and professional men who resorted to it for instruction and im- provement, gave celebrity to the institution. To excite emulation among the students, the corporation, in August 1819, united with that of Middlebury College, where their final examination was made and degrees of Doctor of Med- icine adjudged and conferred on the meritorious. 14 In October 1820, the charter of incorporation was enlarged by giving to the institution the right and power of conferring de- grees : yet the connection with Middlebury College still con- tinues,and degrees conferred, as before the enlarging act. Ft was soon found that the building, thus purchased and fit- ted up, was not sufficient to accommodate the increasing num- ber of medical students. It was thereupon resolved, by the corporation in the winter of 1821, to purchase a suitable site, whereon to remove the old building, and erect an additional one of about fifty feet by thirty ; two stories high ; with a sky light, and a turret for a bell. A place was accordingly purchased, the building removed, and an additional one erected in the sum- mer of 1821. The first floor contains a spacious lecture room with ascending seats, a chemical laboratory and apparatus, and a study and library room. In the second story is the anatomical theatre and lecture room, directly under the sky-light,-with as- cending circular seats, which are entered by two avenues ; the one horizontally, the other by descending stairs towards the centre. It also contains a dissecting room, and another room which is occupied for a valuable anatomical museum, various minerals and natural curiosities. These buildings have been erected and furnished with a bell and apparatus by the indus- try, liberality, responsibility and exertions of a number of indi- viduals in Castleton and its vicinity. It is the first medical in- stitution established in this state ; and deserves the liberal aid and patronage ofthe great and good. While our lives and healths are considered as important to community and precious to our- selves, such an institution must be of immense value to render more useful the medical profession, which has been for years past, so much disgraced by ignorance, deception and quackery. Such institutions excite diligent inquiry and investigation in the science of medicine; and concentre their results. They n\-" so collect into one common fund the knowledge and experience ofthe profession ; where it is scrutinized with caution and ap- proved or disapproved by the united counsel of skilful and experienced men; and then diffused and applied to piactice in community. This serves as a bulwark against the fatal effects of accident and the attacks of disease. The necessary expences ofthe institution became burthen- fome upon its friends and patrons, and upon the'liberal part of community : the corporation, therefore, petitioned the Legisla- ture, in Oct. 1821 for pecuniary aid to defray, in part, the ex- pences ofthe building-, and to procure an addition to the, library and apparatus. This, like other petitions for similar purposes, proved unsuccessful. The Legislature readily incorporate li- \ * 15 terary and other institutions, but never feed or cloathe them from the treasury. While similar institutions receive liberal aid and support from the treasury of our sister states, ours must rely, for their existence, upon their industry, usefulness and a justly acquired and extended reputation ; and upon individual patronage and liberality. In the mean time, the pecuniary em- barrassments were not the only difficulties, which the institu- tion had to encounter. Some of its professors forgot the original stock into which they were ingrafted. They loved its nourish- ment more than its growth or welfare. And they also loved a controuling exercise of power over it more than the govern- ment of correct and just principles. Envy, ambition and ava- rice sometimes enter the breasts of great as well as small men. Whenever vain ambition is the ruling passion of the soul of man, it increases, like avarice, by repeated gratification. The patient will soon discover symptoms of instability, and become inflated with ostentation and the love of power. Add to this the love of money, and then fttture prospects and influence only se^ve to provoke appetite and stimulate desire even to frenzy. Thus men often lose sight of patriotism and the love of extend- ing useful knowledge; and thereby shipwreck their fortunes and reputations ; and also do essential injury to others and to the publick. All the professorships have been filled by able and scientifick men ; whose interests and feelings are identified with the pros- perity and usefulness ofthe institution. Lectures on Chemistry and Botany are open to all who wish to attend only on them ; and also on Anatomy. The regular course of lectures will commence on the first Tuesday of September annually. Five lectures or more will be delivered every day, under five professorships. 1. Anatomy and Physiology, to commence daily at eleven o'clock A. M. 2. Theory and Practice of Medicine and Medical Jurispru- dence daily, after the first five weeks, to commence at nine o'clock A. M. and three P. M. 3. Principles and Practice of Surgery and Obstetricks, with the diseases of women and childien, daily, to commence at ten o'clock A. M.; and also after the first eight weeks ofthe term at two P. M. 4. Chemistry, Botany and Natural Philosophy daily, to com- mence at nine o'clock A. M. and at two P. M. and occasionally in the evening at seven for the first ei^ht weeks of the term. 5. Materia Medica and Pharmacy daily, the first five weeks, ofthe term, to commence at ten o'clock A. M. and two P. M. *»' The 4y^l| tidiriniedcement will be holden at Castleton on Wedfj»jrSdahe close of each term, when the students, en- tit!ed|Bwg^*. will bave thetn conferred ; or at the annual doAftSfcement/at Middlebury, on the third Wednesday ot Au- gust. ' Notwithstanding the numerous embarrassments under which theiijNtitwtion has laboured, yet the rapid increase ofthe num- ber oMtudents is Conclusive evidence of its extensive useful- nes"s and prosperity. In 18.*8y when the lectures first commenced, fifteen students only attended the spring, and nine the fall term. In 1819, twen- ty-four ; in 1820, forty-four; in 1821, seventy-six; in 1822, eighty-six ; and in 1823, one hundred and twenty-six. On the first Tuesday of December 1823, the first annual commencement was holded at Castleton, when the degree of Doctor of Medicine was conferred on thirty-one graduates ; and some were deferred until the annual commencement of Mid- dlebury College. £ A numerous audience attended, and an address was deliverew" by Doctor Bates, President of Middlebury College ; and also by Professor Anderson, member of the Royal College in Edin- burgh, Europe : and a salutatory oration m Latin, and a vale- dictory oration in English, by two ofthe graduates. The rapid progress of this medical institution, under its vari- ous embarrassments, is without a parallel; and reflects honour on its founders, professors and patrons. It was founded in be** nevolence ; and has been supported by a zeal to promote the publick good and to render more useful to community the med- ical profession. Within the short period of five years, it has been enabled to assume a primary rank w tb other institutions liberally endow- ed from the publick treasury ;—and it now offers to the medical students ofthe United States as great theoretick and practical ad- vantages in the study, practice and science of medicine as can be found in any other seminary ; and with less expense. The corporation and professors of the institution humbly so- licit publick and private patronage and liberality ; and pledge themselves not only to receive their bounties with gratitude and faithfully to apply them to the publick good, and the im- provement ofthe institution ; but also so to conduct its publick and private concerns as to reward its benefactors, and deserve well of their country.