'Carta, Israel, History of the ?ortlar»i school for medical instruc- tion. 1874. fa fP852l •874 wM ■■'■•':'* HHataK-'cr:;; jfctU;: . : 3£ :': ■.■**/. yr v NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE NLM 00D7520b M 15? cqOQ^QpDZQTyQOQrQQrCCOQ'C^)rOL Surgeon General's Office <¥ec/icn, fc NLM000752064 HISTORY OF THE PORTLAND SCHOOL FOR MEDICAL INSTRUCTION. AN ADDBESS AT THE DEDICATION OF THE NEW SCHOOL ROOMS, AND THE OPENING OF THE EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL COURSE, 17th OF JUNE, 1874, BY ISRAEL THORNDIKE DANA, M.D., WITH the remarks of HON. ISRAEL WASHBURN, JR., HON. WILLIAM W. THOMAS, JR., DR. ALFRED MITCHELL, REV. EDWARD T. HINCKS. PORTLAND, ME: STEPHEN BERRY, PRINTER. 1874. P85ZD PREFATORY NOTE. In commencing the eighteenth annual course of instruction, with a re-organized and enlarged board of teachers, and rooms far more commodious than any previously occupied by the School, it seemed fitting that the event should be recognized with more formality than it has been customary to observe at the beginning of the year's study. And, as the institution had been in operation for so goodly a number of years that few, even of those most acquainted with it, were conversant with the man- ner of its origin and the progress of its growth, it was thought that this occasion of a new departure was a most appropriate one for the telling of the story of the School. This duty was as- signed to Dr. Dana, who was one of the founders of the School, and has been connected with it from the very beginning. The past and present students, the practitioners of the city, and prominent gentlemen in various walks of life, were invited to the opening. The exercises took place in the new apartments in the Canal National Bank Building, on Middle Street, and were arranged by a committee consisting of Drs. Gerrish, Small and Gordon, the former acting as presiding officer for the evening. After inspection of the premises by the company present, the address was given. This was followed by remarks from gentle- men who had consented to represent their several callings— Ex-Gov. Israel Washburn, jr., Collector of the Port, speaking for the Commercial Interests, the Hon. William W. Thomas, jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives, for the Law and Legislature, the Rev. Edward Y. Hincks, of the State Street Congregational Church, for the Clergy, and Dr. Alfred Mitchell, 4 Portland School Professor of Obstetrics and the Diseases of Children in the Medi- cal School of Maine, for the profession of Medicine. The company then adjourned to the Falmouth Hotel, where a boun- teous supper was served. Remarks were here made by Ex-Mayor William L. Putnam, Mr. A. A. Strout, and others. The Amphion Club furnished music at intervals throughout the evening. So great was the satisfaction manifested by all present, and so genuine the regret expressed by those who were unable to attend, that the teachers decided to publish the address and speeches for circulation among the friends of the School. They send out this little pamphlet, therefore, confident that it will meet with a cordial welcome from all who have been connected with the Portland School, and hopeful that it may, wherever it is read, be promotive of a healthful interest in the elevation of the standard of medical education. for Medical Instruction. 5 HISTORICAL ADDRESS. By Israel T. Dana, M. D. Mr. Chairman: On the occasion of the dedication of these new rooms, it has been deemed appropriate to have an address in which the history of the school should be briefly traced to the present time, and the honor of presenting it has devolved upon me for the reason you have just specified. The Portland School for Medical Instruction is just entering upon its nineteenth year. Let us consider for a moment the circumstances connected with its formation. It had been long felt that the method generally pursued in this country, of " reading medicine " in the office of some single physician, was unsatisfac- tory in its results. The most eminent physicians,whose instructions were most desired, were of course the most engrossed in the cares of practice, and if they had in their offices students, some in the first, some in the second and some in the third year of study, it was simply impossible that they should devote time enough to the work of instruction to make it at all satisfactory or complete. Indeed, the principal opportunities of the student, aside from access to the doctor's books and the seeing of an occasional minor operation of surgery, were, sometimes, waiting in the office and running for the horse of the instructor. The Boylston Medical School had been for some years in ex- istence, and doing noble service, with such men as Bigelow, Reynolds, Storer and Holmes for instructors, and a few similar schools were, I think, in operation in some of the principal cities 6 Portland School of the country, when, in 1854, the American Medical Association adopted a resolution " cordially approving of the establishment of private schools to meet the increased desire on tbte part of a respect- able number of medical students for a higher grade of professional education than can usually be acquired by 'reading medicine,' under the direction of a single instructor." In these schools, a number of physicians being associated together, the work was divided between them, each having a specified department, and systematic and thorough instruction was given by recitations, lectures, demonstrations, &c. About this time, the list of older and best established physicians in Portland embraced such men as John T. Gilman, William Wood, Gilman Daveis and Charles W. Thomas, men of whom any city might have been proud. Immersed in the cares and occupations of practice, they were not disposed to take up the laboring oars in a school. They were ready, however, to give their hearty encouragement to such an enterprise, and in many ways to aid its establishment. Prominent among the younger physicians was Dr. William C. Robinson, and early in 1856 an agreement was entered into between Dr. Robinson and myself, to take students together, dividing the work. We invited Dr. Simon Fitch, who had recently removed to Portland, to join us, and the first annual announcement of the school was issued March, 1856, under the name of the "Portland Medical School for Preparatory Instruction." The instructors of the first year, 1856-7, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Materia Medica, Midwifery, and Diseases of Women and Children. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Physiology, Pathology and Practice. Simon Fitch, M. D., Anatomy, Surgery and Chemistry. By arrangement.with the managers, the rooms of the Portland Dispensary were used as school-rooms. We had two students, N. W. Leighton and Franklin Staples. The instructors of the second year, 1857-8, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Anatomy and Midwifery. for Medical Instruction. 7 Israel T. Dana, M. D., Materia Medica, Theory and Practice, and Physiology. Theodore Ingalls, M. D., Surgery. There were about half a dozen students. Two rooms in the third story of No. 174 Middle Street, were used as school-rooms. A sad event of this year was the sudden death, by apoplexy, of Dr. Ingalls, a loss greatly lamented by both teachers and pupils. The name of the school was changed in the second annual announcement to " Portland School for Medical Instruction." In January, 1858, an act of incorporation was obtained from the Legislature, Drs. J. T. Gilman, Wm. Wood, Gilman Daveis, C. W. Thomas, W. C. Robinson and I. T. Dana being named corporators, and the corporation was authorized to hold property to the extent of twenty thousand dollars. The instructors of the third year, 1858-9, were: W. C. Robinson, M. D., in Surgery and Midwifery. I. T. Dana, M. D., in Theory and Practice, and Materia Medica. A. M. Paddock, M. D., in Anatomy and Physiology. The same rooms were occupied, and the number of students was about the same as the year before. Dr. Paddock left the city towards the end of the year. The instructors of the fourth year, 1859-60, were: W. C. Robinson, M. D., in Surgery, Obstetrics, and Diseases of Women and Children. Israel T. Dana, M. D., in Theory and Practice, Materia Medica and Auscultation and Percussion. W. R. Richardson, M. D., in Anatomy and Physiology. Rooms the same. Number of students increased a little. During this year, some instruction in Practical Pharmacy was given by Henry T. Cummings, M. D., at his drug store. The instructors of the fifth year, 1860-61, were : W. C. Robinson, M. D., Surgery, Midwifery, and Diseases of Women and Children. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Practice, Materia Medica and Aus- cultation and Percussion. 8 Portland School W. R. Richardson, M. D., Anatomy and Histology. Charles H. Burbank, M. D., Physiology. Same rooms. Number of students about the same. The arrangements of the sixth year, 1861-2, were the same in all important respects as in the preceding year. The instructors of the seventh year, 1862-3, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Materia Medica and Obstetrics. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice, and Physiology. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Anatomy and Surgery. Drs. Richardson and Burbank had entered the U. S. Naval Service. The .same rooms were occupied, and the number of students was about the same as the year before. The instructors of the eighth year, 1863-4, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Materia Medica and Obstetrics. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice, and Physiology. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Anatomy. George L. Goodale, M. D., Surgery. In December, 1863, new and improved rooms were secured at No. 122 Federal Street, over the store of Mr. Edward Mason, apothecary, the second story being used as recitation rooms, and the third as a dissecting room. The recitation rooms were leased, for an hour a day, to the Portland Dispensary, the school being thus enabled to reduce its rent, and avail itself more fully of the clinical advantages of the Dispensary. The number of students was about a dozen. The instructors of the ninth year, 1864-5, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Materia Medica and Obstetrics. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Surgery and Physiology. George L. -Goodale, M. D., Anatomy. The same rooms were occupied, and there were fourteen stu- dents. The instructors of the tenth year, 1865-6, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Materia Medica and Obstetrics. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. for Medical Instruction. 9 Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Surgery and Physiology. George L. Goodale, M. D., Anatomy. The same rooms were used, and the number of students was again fourteen. The instructors of the eleventh year, 1866-7, were : Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Materia Medica and Obstetrics. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Physiology and Histology. George L. Goodale, M. D., Anatomy. Samuel H. Tewksbury, M. D., Surgery. Dr. S. H. Weeks acted as demonstrator of Anatomy. Same rooms were occupied, and the number of students was fifteen. Messrs. Nathan Cummings, John B. Brown, Samuel E. Spring, A. W. H. Clapp, S. H. Tewksbury, Thomas A. Foster and George L. Goodale were elected Associate Corporators. An " Auxiliary Board " was also elected, consisting of thirteen prominent physicians, located in the different sections of the State, whose names appeared in the annual announcement, and whose influence in their respective neighborhoods was expected to be used in favor of the school. The instructors of the twelfth year, 1867-8, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Materia Medica and Obstetrics. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Physiology and Histology. George L. Goodale, M. D., Chemistry and Botany. Samuel H. Tewksbury, M. D., Surgery. ■ Stephen H. Weeks, M. D., Anatomy. The same rooms were used, and there were twelve students. The instructors of the thirteenth year, 1868-9, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Obstetrics and Materia Medica. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Histology and Physiology. George L. Goodale, M. D., Chemistry and Botany. Samuel H. Tewksbury, M. D., Surgical Diseases of Women, and Orthopedic Surgery. 10 Portland School Stephen H. Weeks, M. D., Anatomy. Wm. Warren Greene, M. D., Surgery. No change of rooms. Number of students twenty. The instructors of the fourteenth year, 1869-70, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Obstetrics and Materia Medica. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Histology and Physiology. Samuel II. Tewksbury, M. D., Surgical Diseases of Women. Stephen II. Weeks, M. D., Anatomy. • Wm. Warren Greene, M. D., Surgery. Number of students twenty-eight. Same rooms. The instructors of the fifteenth year, 1870-1, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Obstetrics. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Physiology. Samuel H. Tewksbury, M. D., Gynecology. Stephen H. Weeks, M. D., Anatomy. Wm. Warren Greene, M. D., Surgery. Charles O. Hunt, M. D., Materia Medica and Chemistry. Fred. Henry Gerrish, M. D., Microscopy and Histology. Dr. B. B. Foster, acted as Demonstrator of Anatomy. Number of students fourteen. Same rooms. The instructors of the sixteenth year, 1871-2, were: Wm. C. Robinson, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women. Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Stephen H. Weeks, M. D., Anatomy. Wm. Warren Greene, M. D., Surgery. Charles O. Hunt, M. D., Materia Medica and Chemistry. Fred. H. Gerrish, M. D., Microscopy and Histology. George F. French, M. D., Physiology. Dr. B. B. Foster again acted as Demonstrator of Anatomy. Same rooms. Number of students nineteen. The instructors of the seventeenth year, 1872-3, were Wai. C. Robinson, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Worsen and Children. for Medical Instruction. 11 Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice. Stephen H. Weeks, M. D., Anatomy. Wm. Warren Greene, M. D., Surgery. Charles O. Hunt, M. D., Materia Medica and Chemistry. Fred. H. Gerrish, M. D., Microscopy and Histology. George F. French, M. D., Physiology. Dr. F. A. Stanley acted as Demonstrator of Anatomy. Same rooms. Number of students twenty. For the year 1873-4 the exercises of the school were suspended. We enter upon the eighteenth year, 1874-5, with new facili- ties. Important improvements have been made. " The number of instructors has been increased, and the consequent greater division of labor among the teachers will enable them to offer the students the results of more special study in each department. The course for the ensuing year will, therefore, be far more thorough and comprehensive than ever before. More commodi- ous apartments have been secured, and the accommodations are now ample for all the purposes of the school." [Eighteenth Annual Announcement.'] The instructors of the present year are: Israel T. Dana, M. D., Theory and Practice, (Diseases of the Chest.) Thomas A. Foster, M. D., Diseases of Children. Samuel II. Tewksbury, M. D., Clinical Surgery. Stephen H. Weeks, M. D., Surgery. Wm. Warren Greene, M. D., Ophthalmic Surgery. Charles O. Hunt, M. D., Materia Medica and Therapeutics. Frederic IT. Gerrish, M. D., Physiology and Microscopical Anatomy. George F. French, M. D., Theory and Practice. Seth C. Gordon, M. D., Diseases of Women. Horatio N. Small, M. D., Obstetrics. BarzillaiB. Foster MD, | Anat Charles W. Bray, M. D.. j J The third and fourth stories of this elegant building (Canal Bank Building, Middle St.,) are devoted to the exclusive use of the school. 12 Portland School Five of the instructors have occupied professorial chairs in various medical colleges. Dr. Robinson was Professor of Materia Medica, and also of Obstetrics, in the Medical School of Maine, 1862-72. Dr. Dana was Professor of Materia Medica, and also of Theory and Practice, in the Medical School of Maine, 1860-69. Dr. Goodale was Professor of Materia Medica in the Medical School of Maine, and also of Natural Science and Applied Chem- isty in Bowdoin College, and now fills the chair of Vegetable Physiology in Harvard University. Dr. Greene has filled the chair of Surgery in the Berkshire Medical College, the Medical School of Maine, the University of Michigan, and the Long Island College Hospital. Dr. Gerrish is Professor of Materia Medica in the Medical School of Maine, and of Physiology and Materia Medica in the University of Michigan. Dr. B. B. Foster has been Demonstrator of Anatomy in the Medical School of Maine. Two of the instructors have been Presidents of the Maine Medical Association, viz., Dr. Tewksbury in 1866, and Dr. Dana in 1868. Dr. T. A. Foster has been President of the Cumber- land County Medical Society. Six instructors have held commissions in the Army or Navy. Drs. Burbank and Richardson were commissioned Assistant Surgeons, U. S. Navy, in 1861, the latter dying in the service in 1864, and the former still filling his position with honor. Dr. Hunt served in the late war as 1st Lieutenant, 5th Battery, Me. Vols. Dr. French was Surgeon-in-Chief of "Logan's Divis- ion" on Sherman's "March to the Sea," and also Personal Staff Surgeon to General Grant £t Vicksburg. Dr. Small was Rank- ing Surgeon-in-Chief of 2d Brigade, 3d Division, 24th Army Corps, and also, for three months Ranking Surgeon of same Corps. Dr. Gordon entered Army in 1861, as Assistant Surgeon 13th Maine Infantry; promoted to Surgeon of 1st Louisiana Infantry, and afterwards Surgeon on Staff of Gen. Cameron, commanding 13th Army Corps in Red River Campaign; subse- quently Surgeon in charge of General Hospital at Natchez, Miss. Three instructors have died, viz., Drs. Ingalls, Richardson and Robinson. Dr. Theodore Ingalls died of apoplexy in 1857, after only a few for Medical Instruction. 13 months' connection with the school. In this short time he had endeared himself to both students and colleagues. After a long and extensive practice in Bridgton and vicinity, he removed to Portland a few years before his death, being at the time in feeble health. Dr. Ingalls was a very able practitioner and influential man, commanding the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Dr. Wentworth R. Richardson, after two years' connection with the school, entered the Navy in July, 1861, serving with honor till his death at Key West, in 1864. He was a young man of great promise, an earnest and enthusiastic student,' an accom- plished physician, and a generous and honorable man. He died, loved and mourned by many friends. Dr. William Chaffee Robinson was one of the founders of this school, and an instructor in it up to the time of his death. He was born in Chaplain, Conn., Nov. 27, 1822. The early years of his life were spent on his father's farm with no greater educa- tional opportunities than those afforded by the " district school." Originally endowed with a strong and active intellect and pow- erful will, he improved to the utmost the facilities within his reach. The very difficulties he was obliged to overcome in securing an education, served to develop his faculties, and estab- lish in him habits of industry, perseverance and self-reliance. Full of ambition and hope, he opened a school in Norwich, Conn., when quite young, and was very successful and popular in it. In 1845 he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. John Ford, of Norwich, and, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine from the University of New York in 1849, came at once to Portland, and opened an office at the corner of Middle and Union Streets. He entered upon his professional life with great enthusiasm. His sanguine temperament helped him in the early years of un- remunerative practice. His generous and sympathetic nature drew friends around him, and bound them closely to him. He attended faithfully to business, and devoted his leisure hours to earnest study. He interested himself warmly in all laudable public enterprises, and was largely concerned in the establishment 14 Portland School of the Portland Dispensary, the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, of which he was the second President, and of the Portland Provident Association. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, and Superintendent for years of its Sunday School. He was deeply interested in the commercial prosperity of the city, and had most sanguine anticipations of its growth. His zeal and willingness in all sorts of professional labor were unbounded. He was specially fond of the work of medical instruction, and personally interested in students. Almost from the first he had students of his own. His labors in this school, in the establishment of which he was the "magna pars," were unceasing, and were a source of great enjoyment to himself, as well as advantage to the students. So also in the Medical School of Maine, as Professor, first of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, and then of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women, he labored with great zeal and remarkable success. He was always popular with his students, who not only prized his instructions, but loved as well as respected the man. He had a very large and, at last, lucrative practice. He was remarkable for his consideration of, and kindness to, the poor, to whom his time and sympathy and skill were liberally given. During the war, in 1862, when an appeal was made for sur- geons to leave their homes and go to Washington for hospital service, he promptly responded, and performed a month's most valuable service in the Armory Square Military Hospital, which was crowded with wounded men from Gen. Pope's army. He did not know how to spare himself, and, after the great fire of '66, with all the burdens of practice and college and school on his shoulders, he went into the City Council, and was Chairman of the Building Committee of the First Baptist Church. Under this accumulated pressure, his health gave way, and, in the early summer of 1868, he was stricken down with paralysis. Gradually rallying from this, he was able in part to resume his labors of practice and teaching, giving three courses of lectures at Bruns- wick afterwards. In the last year of his life, he suffered intense agony, his left foot being affected with gangrene so as to require amputation. He bore his sickness with great fortitude and for Medical Instruction. 15 Christian resignation, and died peacefully, June 30,1872, in the good hope of a better life beyond. He left a widow, having married in 1853, and three children to mourn the loss of a most devoted and affectionate husband and father. No physician had a stronger hold upon the confi- dence and love of his patients than Dr. R. He also enjoyed in the highest degree the respect and trust of the community, and I doubt, too, if any physician had more and warmer friends amongst his brethren. It is an instinctive thing in mothers to be proud of their sons. The instance of the Roman matron, who pointed proudly at her sons as her jewels, while others were displaying their stores of gold and precious stones, has become so famous because so natu- ral. The Portland School for Medical Instruction is proud of her sons, now numbering some one hundred and sixty. The smallest number of students was, in the first year, two. The largest was in the fourteenth, twenty-eight. Some remained for three successive years. The average number of the last ten years is sixteen. Many of our fellow-citizens are even now ignorant of the fact that there is such an institution in Portland. Had there been a school of divinity or law, with half as many students, everybody would have known all about it. I am inclined to think modesty must be the besetting sin of our pro- fession. But it is the quality, more than the number of her sons, that this mother is proud of. It is the testimony of the faculty at Brunswick and other colleges, at which these students have offered themselves for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, that they have generally been conspicuous in their classes for the thoroughness of their knowledge, and their readiness in the use of it, as compared with others who had pursued their studies in the old method of " reading medicine." Eleven of them are now established in practice in this city, viz., Drs. Weeks, Thayer, Hunt, Gerrish, Webster, B. B. Foster, Files, Stanley, Brooks, Ring and Tolford. The following are known to have occupied official positions of importance, viz., Dr. Franklin Staples, President of the Minnesota 16 Portland School Medical Association; Dr. C. H. Burbank, U. S. Navy; Dr Le Baron Munroe, U. S. Army ; Drs. S. S. Emery and B. T. Sanborn, Assistant Physicians in Insane Asylum at Augusta; Dr. George L. Goodale, Professor in Bowdoin College and Harvard University; Dr. Alfred Mitchell, Professor of Obstetrics and the Diseases of Children, in the Medical School of Maine; Dr. Frederic Henry Gerrish, Professor in the Medical School of Maine, and the University of Michigan; Dr. Charles O. Hunt, Permanent Secre- tary of the Maine Medical Association. Four of the past students of the school are now instructors in it, viz., Drs. Stephen H. Weeks, C. O. Hunt, F. H. Gerrish, and B. B. Foster. From the many who are now reflecting honor upon their " Alma Mater'''' from fields of private practice, only a few can here be mentioned as samples of the lot, viz., Drs. N. W. Leighton, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Wendell P. Anderson, of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Henry F. Walker, of New York, N. B. Coleman, of Portsmouth, N. H., William G. Carter, of Concord, N. H., A. K. P. Meserve, of Buxton, R. G. Dennett, of Saco, P. C. Wiley, of Bethel, J. B. Severy, of Farmington, Henry H. Hunt, of Gorham, Geo. W. Hale, of Sedgwick, Geo. W. Foster, of Bangor, R. D. Bibber, of Bath, E. B. Weston, of Lewiston, F. H. Chase, of Orland, F. W. Chadbourne, of Oldtown. Having said so much by way of history, let me say a few words relating to the future. As the largest city in Maine, Portland has in the past afforded opportunities for such work as this school contemplates, not elsewhere found in the State. Its population and wealth have been steadily growing, and, step by step with this growth, its facilities for clinical instruction have increased. The Maine General Hospital, now almost ready to open its doors to patients, will add immensely to its facilities in this most important direc- tion. As physicians of the city, we have felt under moral and professional obligation to develop these opportunities, so far as we may be able. We propose to engage in this work, first, with true esprit de corps. We love our profession. Except the soul of man, the for Medical Instruction. 17 human body is the most sacred thing in all the world, the thing most worthy of attention and service. It is sometimes the high honor and privilege of the physician to save life, either by the prevention, or the cure of disease. Were this not so, however, and were it his sole function to do what he could for the relief of bodily pain, his would be the highest human vocation save only that which ministers "to the mind diseased." And even here, so closely are the maladies of mind connected with those of the body, and so peculiarly related do the physician and patient become to each other, that it often happens that troubled minds and hearts are opened to his influence that are closed to all others. We propose, then, to cherish and to teach our students to cherish an ardent love and appreciation of our calling. We propose, secondly, to engage in the work in the spirit of generous co-operation. Physicians, like musicians, have the reputation of being morbidly sensitive—touchy in their relations to each other. Perhaps the popular estimate is unjust to us in this respect. A certain amount of magnanimity is requisite to all genuine co-operation. Diversities of birth, temperament, taste, education, opinion and natural gifts, often separate men. But, in a co-operative movement, these diversities must not be allowed to antagonize each other; they must be utilized, so that the peculiar strength of each may be made to tell in the combined effort. Agreement in everything is by no means essential to co-operation in one thing. True love of a particular cause, and an honest purpose of promoting it, are enough to admit of co-operation in it on the part of men differing as widely as possible from each other in other opinions and practices. They are enough, too, to allow of that hearty appreciation of, and satisfaction in, the achievements of each on the part of all the rest, which are so necessary to the most effective and comfortable co-operation. And we propose, also, to teach our students to cultivate the co-operative spirit as a duty which the profession justly claims of all who enter it. We propose, thirdly, to engage in this work in genuine love of the truth in science. Scientific truth must be sought for earnestly, 2 18 Portland School as men seek for hidden treasures, laboriously, as miners search for the veins of richest ore. Facts observed are the basis of all true knowledge. Upon the foundation thus laid, the superstructure is raised by the applica- tion of reason to them. The sculptor, taking his mould of the face he would reproduce in marble, presses the clay to it firmly at every point, so as to get an accurate impression of each line and lineament, so that his work, at last, may be true to life. Impressions in minds are infinitely more important than those in clay, because upon their accuracy depends so largely the quality of our knowledge, the truthfulness of our ideas. The facts of science, then, must be closely observed. The very fabric, the parenchyma, of the mind must be brought into contact with them and touch at every point, so that the impression taken may be true to the minutest point. There are two widely different attitudes which the mind may take in approaching a question, that of the advocate and that of the judge. The advocate, committed beforehand to one side of the question, seeks only for such facts as will aid him in proving his own view. The judge, uncommitted and impartial, seeks to get before his mind all the facts in the case, whatever their bearing, and out of the whole mass to infer the truth. The student .of science must swear by no master, "in verbis nullius magistri jurareP He must not be the blind follower of any guide. He must himself commune with nature, and interro- gate her fairly. In questions of science, quite as much as those of politics and religion, to quote the beautiful language of President Hopkins, "it is the business of every man to put and hold himself in the position of one who infers, that is in a judicial position, and to hold an even balance." One result of such study as this is a growing humility. The mind is observing the work of the Almighty and striving to attain to an understanding of His infinite ways. It is only the very young student, the embryonic scholar, who can boast of his knowledge, and spread the gay feathers of conceit and self-satisfaction. In the spirit of such considerations as these, we now dedicate these rooms to the study of true medical science. for Medical Instruction. 19 REMARKS OF MR. WASHBURN. Mr. Washburn (of whose remarks we are able to give but a brief sketch) thought he must have been crazy when he consented to be present and make some remarks this evening. He did not know at the time, that such a school as that now to be re-opened had ever been established in this city, nor what its special field of instruction was to be. But from what he had heard and learnt since he came here to-night, he felt that there was no madness in the projectors of this work, or, if so, that there was excellent method in it. It was, as he had discovered, a school ancillary rather than antagonistic to that at Brunswick, and was designed to give instruction to students such as heretofore had been received from isolated and individual practitioners. He had been charmed with the interesting, lucid and eloquent address of Dr. Dana; and, if the style and manner of that effort were a fair example of the clearness and directness to be expected in the explanations and lectures to be hereafter addressed to the students in this school, he would venture to prophecy the complete success of this renewed undertaking. There were many reasons, he thought, for entering upon it. The location was fortunate ; it was easily accessible by railroads and steamboats from all parts of the State. He had often had his attention called to the number of learned and able men in the medical profession in this city, whose aid he now supposed might be relied upon in maintaining the character of the instruc- tion to be given here. Then the Maine General Hospital was 20 Portland School soon to be opened for the reception of patients. The fact that there was such an institution in Portland was another reason why this school ought to be re-established. Mr. Washburn here referred to the success which had crowned the efforts of a few earnest and devoted men, who had a few years since made up their minds that a State Hospital ought to be erected and should be. He spoke of the exceeding liberality of the citizens of Portland, who had alone contributed over $80,000;. of the wise and ready liberality of the State, thanking from his heart the members of the Legislature, who had so clearly perceived and so readily performed their duty as executors of the public will, and distributors of the legitimate benefactions of the State. To the medical profession throughout the State, the thanks of the humane and generous people of the entire community were due for their intelligent and active interest and efforts in the cause. We are in the habit of building monuments, Mr. W. said, to great men and public benefactors when they die; but in this case, a monument, more enduring than any of marble or brass, has been erected in a man's own life-time, and by himself, the mod- estest man in Portland, one whose modesty is only equalled by his skill as a physician, his worth as a man, his public spirit as a citizen, and his generous warmth as a philanthropist. He need not mention the name of Dr. John T. Gilman, for no one in this presence would question the statement that he was, by his earnest, persistent, efficient and devoted efforts, entitled to the appellation of Father of the Maine General Hospital. for Medical Instruction. 21 REMARKS OF MR. THOMAS. Mr. Chairman:—It would certainly be a work of supereroga- tion in me to talk physic to an assemblage of doctors, but I will say a word in behalf of a sister profession, that of which I have the honor to be a humble member—the law. Among the pleasant vineyards of Germany lies the free, im- perial city of Frankfort on the Main. Here, in the old council hall, is this inscription: One man's word Is no man's word, Justice needs That both be heard. Human law is justice brought down and applied to the affairs of men—justice reduced to practice; and one of its noblest attributes is expressed in the old inscription at Frankfort, for the law condemns no one unheard. It may strike the culprit, but it first hears him. Indeed, the courts of law furnish the only tribunal among men where all parties in a cause are fully, openly and impartially heard; and the decisions of the law, as well as its methods, faulty though they ofttimes may be, are yet the nearest approach to justice yet attained among men. Law furnishes the broad and firm foundation upon which is built the political and social structure of every civilized nation on earth. Without law there could be no title to life, liberty or property; everything would be the booty of the strongest; all government, municipal, state and national, would be impossible; civilization and Christianity itself would be blotted out. 22 Portland School A people without law, if such can be imagined, must of neces- sity be a community of savages, governed only by their own brutal lusts, and occupied in robbing, despoiling and slaughtering one another like wild beasts. Over the portals of such a nation no inscription could more fittingly be written than that which Dante saw over the gates of hell— "All hope abandon, ye who enter here." The disciples of physic and law may well fraternize, for they have much in common. They certainly are among the best, if not the most abused of men ; yet the business of each profession is largely to prevent or alleviate suffering. Every law is coupled with a penalty for its violation. The law and its penalty go hand in hand. One breaks a law of health; sickness and suffering is the penalty; but the good physician steps between the law and its victim, and, by timely use of medi- cines, averts or expels the disease, or, at least, by -anaesthetics mitigates the suffering. Again, one breaks some statute law. The statute prescribes the penalty. But the good lawyer intervenes, and, by a skilful use of the pharmacopoeia of his profession, rescues the unfortu- nate one from prison or death, restores him to his family and friends, perchance to sin no more, but to be a good citizen and neighbor for the remainder of his days. So the lawyer also allevi- ates suffering; and yet, for these very good offices, the community feel called upon to soundly berate him. This analogy may be carried farther and applied to some extent to the remaining learned profession, divinity. For there exists in these modern times an influential and increasing school of theologians, who maintain that the doom pronounced by the doctors of the old school is unwarrantably severe, and interpose the teachings of a milder creed between fallen man and eternal punishment. We may not be able to accept all the tenets of the new theology, but surely we all must sympathize with its con- clusions, and hope they may be correct. As for the work of individual ministers of all creeds, history does them justice, as it portrays them following in the footsteps of the great Master— going about doing good. for Medical Instruction. 23 We thus have, as a bond of union between the three learned professions, the alleviation of the suffering of mankind. Could there be a nobler or stronger bond ? Law, in the full, free sense of the word, is not limited to the statutes, or tribunals of man, but is of boundless scope and power. Theology is but the law of God ; religion the law of love. By laws immutable, the grass grows, the cataract roars, ocean heaves, day dawns and man " lives, moves and has his being." In obedience to law, " the same yesterday, to-day and forever," " the morning stars sang together," and the grand army of worlds throughout the universe is marching on in eternal review before the throne of God. 24 Portland School REMARKS OF DR. MITCHELL. Mr. President and Gentlemen: When, a few weeks since, I was invited by my friend, Prof. Gerrish, to represent in some way the medical profession at the re-opening of the Portland School for Medical Instruction, I had in my mind, as I accepted the invitation, one of those pleasant but exclusive meetings of the faculty and students of the school, which, on former occasions, I have had. the pleasure of attending. My friend did state that certain gentlemen outside of our pro- fession would represent Theology, Law and Commerce, and that a few other gentlemen of these various callings would be invited to be present. Still it seemed to me that the affair was to be private, social and informal; but when, a day or two since, I saw, in your printed circulars and in the newspapers of your city, that I, in titular capacity, " would make a speech," I was fairly fright- ened ; then " I smiled a sickly smile " at the incongruity of the thing. The title fits me awkwardly and is uncomfortable enough without saddling me with a speech. I am glad to find, since coming here, that the order of exercises for the evening signifies that remarks, rather than speeches, are expected. I was invited to remark on this occasion, not for the reasons which prompted the selection of the distinguished gen- tlemen who have preceded or will follow me, but rather on account of my being in some way connected with matters of medical instruction, also that I was formerly a student of this school, and, finally, because I am a non-resident of your city. I for Medical Instruction. 25 can think of nothing more apposite to introduce the few remarks that I have to offer upon the subject of medical education, than to quote a few sentences of the St. Andrew's University Address of Mr. John Stuart Mill, upon literary and scientific education. He says, " Education, in its larger sense, is one of the most inexhaustible of all topics. Though there is hardly any subject on which so much has been written by so many of the wisest men, it is as fresh to those who come to it with a fresh mind, a mind not hopelessly filled with other people's conclusions, as it was to the first explorers of it; and, notwithstanding the great mass of excellent things which have been said respecting it, no thoughtful person finds any lack of things, both great and small, still waiting to be said." Now, of the few small things which I have to say touching medical education, which subject certainly stands among the most important of the things which concern this life, the chief of them will relate to the present status of our American system. How to remedy its faults has been hitherto, and still continues to be, a question difficult of solution. When we compare the preliminary requirements and the course of study in the older countries of Christendom, it serves to ex- hibit us in a most unfavorable light. I have only, sir, to cite the preliminary examinations in Greek and Latin literature, history and geography, mathematics, chem- istry, physics, and natural history, of England, France, Germany and Italy; the term of professional study, ranging in these various countries from the four years of England, to the six years of Italy; the annual examinations; the required hospital attendance; all these facts and features, I repeat, serve to show in damaging relief the almost universal absence of preliminary examinations in our country, our bad system of tutelage, our short and crowded lecture sessions, the brief term of three years of study, the absence of any but the final examination, and that of exceedingly low degree. Lest our theological and legal friends may institute unfavorable comparisons, I would remind them our several posi- tions in all these particulars are nearly identical. I cannot refrain, in this connection, from giving expression to our admiration of the bold and noble efforts which the Harvard Medical School is 26 Portland School making to elevate the standard of medical instruction. Her efforts, which, at their inception, many looked on with apprehension, not altogether free from jealousy, I fear, seem now to be crowned with complete success. But generally in our younger country, with its new civilization, its hurry and sharp competition, little time is afforded for original or pains-taking investigation. We are compelled to strive for a fair knowledge of necessary fundamentals ; we must allow gump- tion, that reputed indigenous and indefinable quality of the Yankee intellect, to supply deficiencies. The stimulus of necessity must spur us to accomplish much in a little time. It is common with all of us to often feel dissatisfied with what we have accomplished, and as often utterly overwhelmed with what it seems we ought to accomplish, to become in any sense masters of our profession. I have recently derived some comfort from reading the inaugural address of Prof. Huxley as Rector of the University of Aberdeen. While he recognizes fully the importance of careful training in the necessary elements which pertain to professional knowl- edge, he, in a generous discussion of the question of medical education, runs counter to those who contend for a thorough knowledge of such sciences as botany and comparative anatomy, and takes the extreme position of regarding them as non-essential. As these have been the departments of scientific knowledge to which his studies and teachings have been specially devoted, his position is conspicuously unprejudiced. Again he says, "The patent fact of limitation of time remains." ' If a man could be sure That his life would endure For the space of a thousand long years,' he might do a number of things not practicable under present conditions. Methuselah might, with much propriety, have taken half a century to get his doctor's degree, and might very fairly have been required to pass a practical examination upon the contents of the British Museum, before commencing practice as a promising young fellow of two hundred or thereabouts." Of those who would pursue the mistaken course of acquiring that which is non-essential, thus inevitably crowding out that for Medical Instruction. 27 which is vital, he inquires, " Whether, when standing by the sick bed, racking their brains for the principles which shall furnish them with the means of interpreting symptoms and forming a rational theory of the condition of the patient, it will be satisfactory for them to find that those principles are not there, but that they can quite easily give an account of the leading peculiarities of the marsupialia, or enumerate the chief characteristics of the compositae." For himself, he says, " In choosing between two physicians, one who did not know whether a whale was a fish or not, and could not tell gentian from ginger, but did understand the ap- plication of the institutes of medicine to his art; while the other, like Talleyrand's doctor, ' knew everything, even a little physic;' with all my love for breadth of culture, I should as- suredly consult the former." I most emphatically disclaim any intention to say anything, on this occasion, which shall in the least degree detract from the highest possible standard of medical education. I should do injustice to the address of Prof. Huxley, if I failed to present briefly what he does utter upon this point. . He asks: " In view of the extremely serious responsibilities which attach to the calling of a medical practitioner, whether, out of the four years devoted to these studies, so much as an hour should be spared to any work which does not directly tend to fit one for these duties?" He would have that "practical familiar finger-end knowledge of anatomy which a watchmaker has of a watch." " The greater truths of anatomy and physiology should become an organic part of the mind; they should be so familiar that if one was roused and questioned in the middle of the night, he would know them as he knows the geography of his native place and the daily life of his home." A moment ago I spoke of the peculiar disadvantages which attend the study of medicine in our own country ; but I think that we may with just pride claim, that while, in original in- vestigations in physiology and pathology, we are behind our brethren of Germany, France and England, we are not inferior to them in surgery and practical medicine. Some, whose personal 28 Portland School observation would seem to warrant a competent judgment, claim for us the first place in the first named department. Many here present recall the fact that attempts have been made to increase the number of years of study in our medical schools and colleges. Thus far these attempts have been unsuccessful. While this matter was under discussion, it was suggested, and the suggestion met with hearty commendation, that schools similar to the Boylston School of Boston, be established at all practicable points. The very interesting historical address to which we have just listened has fully demonstrated the value and impor- tance of this and similar schools. It seems impossible to add a word to those which have been said, to show the incomparable advantages of such a school over the ordinary methods of private instruction. I have only, in order that repetition may impart emphasis, to mention the advantages of contact with various minds, the daily recitations, the anatomical and clinical resources. It remains for me to congratulate you, Mr. President, and your associates, upon the possession of these new, spacious and convenient rooms, and to congratulate those who come here for instruction, that so able a faculty has been selected, that so much of ripe, practical experience, sound learning, culture and enthusiasm will be combined in the instruction afforded here. It is not the promptings of the moment, the mere influence of the time and place, but rather the abiding and deepening impression of years which leads me to thank my former instructors and esteemed friends, Drs. Dana and Foster, the elder, for the impetus which my earliest months of professional study received from their valued teachings, or from those of him of whom the orator of the evening has so fittingly spoken, the late Dr. Robinson, who, if not trained in all the knowledge and culture of the schools, had in perfect possession that practical knowledge which Prof. Huxley so highly exalts. He had enthusiastic zest in his manner of instruction, warm, personal interest in those he instructed; in fine, there was in all the works of his life so much of unselfish devotion, that I doubt if it has fallen to the lot of many to have for Medical Instruction. 29 their memories more tenderly cherished, or their precepts more highly valued. How it saddens us all, with a peculiar sadness, to think of the weary and suffering months of his closing life. If the souls of the departed take cognizance of the affairs of this life, can we doubt that he who, next to the church of his Master, and his home, loved his profession and all that pertained to it, is here present, and that his shadowy hands are extended in benediction over this new birth, which, in a thousand seen and unseen ways, shall be a blessing to this and other generations. 30 Portland School REMARKS OF MR. HINCKS. 3Ir. President and Gentlemen: Like the previous speakers of the evening, I had never dreamed, until invited to be present with you to-night, that a thoroughly- equipped and efficient medical school had long been established in Portland. The effect of this disclosure upon me has been to increase the admiration which the fine display now making at the City Hall* had already compelled me to feel for the modesty with which our beloved city has hitherto concealed her treasures from her citizens. So deep an impression has this revelation made upon me, that I am prepared for new discoveries. I feel by no means sure that I may not, while walking through a quiet corner of our city, stumble upon a full-fledged college, well manned with professors, and full of students, and perhaps rejoic- ing in a military drill and a full-fledged rebellion. It is not a desire to please you, gentlemen, which leads me to say that the surprise with which I learned of the existence of your school was a joyful surprise. I have always had a strong liking for physicians of the regular school. I like them because they are so exceedingly orthodox. They believe that correct belief is essential to proper practice, and so do I. My life is altogether too precious to be entrusted to the care of any one who treats me according to crude empirical notions of his own. I will only trust it to a physician who has carefully studied the revelation which God has given in the human frame and its laws, and who, in his treatment of me, will be governed by * The Portland Industrial Exliibition. for Medical Instruction. 31 definite knowledge obtained from his study. And, therefore, I make common cause with my brethren of the regular school of medicine who, using the light which God has given them, and getting orthodox teaching, live up to their light and practice upon sound principles. Let me congratulate you to-night, gentlemen, on having chosen so noble a calling. The physician's work, aside from the curative benefit which it confers, is of so elevated a nature that he who properly performs it elevates society. The tie which binds the physician to his patient is a very noble one. It is not (it is unnecessary to remind you) a mere commercial bond. Into the service which the true physician renders his patient, there enters a zeal and fidelity which the mere hope of earning money could not inspire. Affection makes it faithful, and sympathy makes it tender. And, believe me, the patient to whom such service is given appreciates the nobility of the motives which prompt it. He regards his physician not as a mere employe, but as an honored friend; one who not only does his body good with medical service, but also enriches his soul with his friendship. Such a calling, gentlemen, ennobles society as well as those who give their lives to it. Every man who faithfully follows it, and so exemplifies its disinterested spirit, is a benefactor, for he is doing something to counteract the mercenary spirit which is the bane of our society, and to give a nobler character to our social life. Let me also congratulate you, gentlemen, upon the bright prospects of increasing success in conquering the foes which lie in wait for frail humanity, which- stretch before the pathway of your noble profession to-day. We who stand without are not altogether ignorant of, and by no means without interest in, the rapid strides which medical science is making. We know, and rejoice in knowing, that the discovery of organic chemistry has immensely increased the extent and the precision of your knowledge, and that the use of the microscope is enabling you to walk firmly through regions where you once trod only with the faltering foot of conjecture. And let me say, gentlemen, that we of the laity think that we discern clear evidence of the 32 Portland School growing efficiency of your profession, in the increasing reasona- bleness of its methods. The theories upon which you act in your treatment of us are in completer harmony with our common sense than were those which your predecessors followed in curing our diseases. It seems to us more reasonable to build up the system by tonics, than to let it down by phlebotomy ; to send the consumptive patient away to seek the restoring effect of a bracing climate, than to imprison him in a heated room; to make nature an ally rather than an enemy in trying to effect a cure. We cannot but infer that such improvement of method must be followed by corresponding increase of efficiency, and we rejoice at making the inference. And permit me, gentlemen, to go on to say that we of the laity think that we see a further evidence of improvement on the part of your profession in the greater consideration with which you treat us. You use us less as if we were children and more as if we were men. You are drawing away the veil of mystery which used to hide the physician's treatment of the human body from the vulgar gaze. You are beginning to take us into your confi- dence. You are explaining to us why you do with us thus and so, and thus are making us, instead of blocks to be wrought upon, intelligent co-operators with you in effecting your cures. This conduct of yours seems to us eminently judicious, and we augur good things from it for the efficiency of your profession in the future. Pardon me, gentlemen, if I for a moment assume the preacher's part and go on to give you a brief exhortation upon this point. It is simply this, made virtute este, go forward in the path on which you have entered. Treat the people with all possible openness. Avoid, to the very extent of your power,*assuming the character of the Indian medicine man. Never practice upon the credulity of your patients. For what is the great preventive of quackery but this, the popular appreciation of the reasonableness of your methods ? Let men and women, who have been endowed with a fair share of common sense, be made to see that the theory upon which the practitioner of the regular school acts is more reason- able than that which the quack follows (if he follows any), and for Medical Instruction. 33 they will be likely to employ the former. But let the proceed- ings of each be shrouded under an impenetrable veil of mystery, so that there is no opportunity for reasonable choice offered to them, and it will not be at all strange if they be imposed upon by the confident assertion, backed up by long lists of pretended cures, with which the quack thrusts himself upon them. So far, then, as the physician in his practice plays upon the credulity of his patient, so far does he encourage quackery. You may have heard of the way in which teeth are extracted in China. The dentist (who claims to be a conjuror) tells the patient that "the venomed stang that shoots his tortured gums alang," is caused by an imp which has taken up his abode within the suffering molar. With a pair of huge pincers he wrenches out the tooth, and displays it to his patient, bidding him look writhin it and find the malign spirit which has occasioned the disturbance. The patient obeys, and sure enough, in the cavity of the tooth is lodged a flea, in which his believing gaze discovers the dwelling-place of the evil being who has disturbed his peace. The explanation of the mystery is, that the hollow bamboo handle of the pincers cont:;ins the insect, which is by a little legerdemain transferred to the cavity of the tooth. Now it might be said in justification of this performance, that the cure was wrought as effectually as though the patient's credulity were not played upon. And in case my esteemed friend, your President, were called to attend a mild case of scarlet fever, in which no medicine was needed, and should, to satisfy the patient and family, prescribe some colored and sweetened water to be taken every hour, it might be pleaded that the effect produced would be the same as though no prescription had been made. But we should be obliged to admit that the Chinese dentist's de- lusion stood in the way of the progress of a scientific and skilful dentistry among his people. And a little thought would show us that the delusion which I have (merely for the sake of illus- tration) supposed our friend to practice, stood in the way of the triumph of medical science over charlatanry. No, gentlemen, only the truth, first, last and always, will give quackery its death-blow. 3 NLM 0007550b 4 liil iVWnu mmMi i, !.•;.•!: ■ ; ■■'' ; ■■■i:-;i'- :■•'■;i->:|:!.|!.i! .|l4'f i i ■-......u:. i* i'l i. y i '-W«fi: . ■! 't • : | ! i • ■ | i ■ i r ' iilHM NLM000752064