s

AN
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE,
DELIVERED IN THE
MEDICAL  COLLEGE
OF
®W^3M£-©^.IR®3,aM^.,
NOVEMBER IS35.
y
     By THOMAS Y. SIMONS, M. D.
PROFESSOR OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PHYSIC IN THE
   MEDICAL COLLEGE OF SO. CAROLINA, AND FORMERLY
       PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF
                SOUTH-CAROLINA.
PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF THE STUDENTS.
"^^8^-   s<iyf$:'l\
v.  ov A
     Charleston.
PRINTED BYTHOS. A. HAYDEN7
   No. 44 Queen-Street.

        1935.
 
 
ADDRESS.
Gentlemen,—
     In accordance with the general custom of offering some intro-
ductory remarks,  before commencing  a regular  course of Medi-
cal Instruction, I address you on the present,  as  I  hope to do  on
all  occasions,  with  that frankness and honesty  which should  al-
ways subsist between instructors and students.  I will not attempt
to captivate you with  the  beauties of Rhetoric—they are foreign
to a Science,  the object  and intention of  which  are  essentially
practical.   I shall speak  to you in  the plain unadorned language
of truth.   The language of Science is the  language  of simplicity—
It appeals not to the imagination, passions nor feelings—but to  the
understanding—I  shall  endeavor  as  far as possible to  pursue  her
path.
  I know,  gentlemen, of no profession more responsible  or more
important in its effects upon  the human race,  than the one you  are
about to  adopt.  The intelligent Physician in all civilized nations
has sustained an exalted rank in the human family, and in less civili-
zed nations, those  who have displayed  Medical skill, have been  as-
sociated almost with Divinity—indeed it has been honored with  the
character of a Divine Art.   To advocate the usefulness and  impor-
tance therefore of the Medical profession,  which  the experience of
all ages  and conditions of men,  have  proved to be indispensable,
would be as idle as to prove the genial influence of the sun in giving
light and warmth to our planet.   But although its  usefulness  and
importance  are unquestionable, still it has, oftentimes, from the igno-
rance  of many  of its  followers, proved a scourge to the human
race, and hence,  from this cause a scepticism  has  existed  among
some, as to its actual utility.  It  has  been seriously  questioned
whether  the evil  which ignorant Physicians have done, has  not
more than counterbalanced the good of  the  intelligent  and skilful.
Whatever may be said on this  point in relation  to Medicine, may
with equal  propriety be said of any other department of knowledge
..hich  does not come under the  character of an  exact science.—■ 
6
 What has been more abused or inal-adininistcred in some instances,
 than the principles of law  and equity?  Do not statesmen, who
 should regulate governments in the  principles of virtue and honor,
 frequently violate their solemn duties? and has not the sacred temple
 of God  been profaned by ignorance  and vice?   Yet  would  we
 say that all law, all government, all religion, is undeserving of con-
 fidence because some men, either from incapacity or wickedness, do
 not put fully into practice the immutable principles of equity or the
 eternal truths of religion?  It  is true there  have been some men,
 in all ages, who have been dignified with  the character of philoso-
 phers, who have thrown the shafts  of ridicule and proclaimed their
 anathemas against religion, because, under the garb of sanctity, some
 have polluted the temple of the Most High—and in like manner, the
 Medical profession has been satirized by the poet,  and sneered at
 by the cynic—because of the ignorance and folly of some of its mem-
 bers.  Indeed, when we reflect upon the conflicting doctrines which
 have been advanced in Medicine, when we reflect upon  the con-
 tinual efforts  which are made by Medical  men to bring themselves
 into notice and reputation, by decrying their competitors, and how
 many pursue the profession, who either by their attainments or pow-
 er  of observation or acumen,  are unable  to apply properly  its
 principles, we have reason rather to wonder at the respect  which is
 still paid to the dicta of Physicians than that there should he at times
 little or no distinction made by  some portions of a community be-
 tween the regularly educated physician and the empirical pretender.
   Empiricism has prevailed in every country  and in every age.   In
 all professions, nay, in every  pursuit of life,  we  find some men
 preferring the paths of treachery, cunning, and imposture, to that of
 honesty, intelligence and virtue; and among the vacillating, weak,
 and credulous,  how many  are entangled  in  its snares—while
others, afflicted with incurable diseases, hope  still  fluttering  in
their bosoms,like the weary and benighted traveller pursue any false
 light which may be  presented  to them—the hapless victims of its
 fatal promises  Our profession has, however,  no more to complain
-of  than  the  pursuits of other  men.   Whenever the  physician is
thoroughly acquainted with the principles of his profession, he has
nothing to fear, for knowledge,  associated with virtue and honor, is
 a panoply, capable  of resisting the shafts of  envy, or the intrigues
 of designing men.
   I know of no profession more responsible in its nature—nor more 
7
important in its effects upon the human  race, than the  one you
have chosen.  Physicians are the guardians of the public health.
In most enlightened nations of Europe, and in many portions of our
own country, laws  have been  instituted, to prevent  all who are
not regularly educated, from pursuing the practice of Medicine,
hence it is reasonably  expected, that they who assume  the  impor-
tant duty of instruction in this noble and useful branch of knowledge,
embracing in its offices, so much of the higher order of intelligence
and good intentions to afflicted  humanity, should strongly impress
upon their pupils, the absolute necessity of devoting all their time,
and concentrating all their talents, to obtain that information which
will enable  them to discharge with fidelity  the momentous duties
which they  will hereafter  have to assume.  God has implanted in
our nature an instinctive love of existence—from childhood to the ex-
tremity of old age, we see the active operation of this all-pervading
principle.   Neither the troubles of the world, or the pains of loath-
some disease, can annihilate this strong feeling.  Hope flutters around
even when  the  last  embers of life are expiring.   Men, therefore,
when  arrested in  their pursuits of ambition or  worldly gain  or
pleasure, by the poisonous touch of disease, turn to the physician ae
 to their guardian angel, to shield them from the shafts of death, they
expect, and have a right to expect, that they who assume that eleva-
ted, nay, I might add, sublime  position,  be fully prepared to per-
form the high trust to which they have been called.
   Having these views of our profession, believing it to be one of the
noblest in its offices, and responsible in its consequences, I wish you
all so to regulate your studies, that you may not only do honor to the
institution with which you may be associated, but be benefactors of the
 human race. I shall therefore address you with the freedom which
 these  sentiments inspire.
   It is a remark which I have frequently heard, and which my own
observation has in some instances confirmed, that young gentlemen
too often commence the study of some one of the learned professions
without the necessary preparatory  knowledge, and without using
those proper exertions, and devoting  that time and attention which
is absolutely necessary, for success and eminence.  That they are
too often caught by the mere tinsels and glitter of knowledge—
skim upon the surface—and are amused with technicalities and fine
spun theories, neglect  the  attainment of that profound  knowledge,
the reward of laborious and   patient  investigation;  and  finding 
8
themselves neglected  and  unemployed,  that  self-love  induces
them to attribute it to any other cause than the want of that fund
of information which commands the confidence  and admiration o
mankind.   It is indeed to the members of the learned professions in
all countries,  that the people  look  up for wisdom  and  instruction.
They are,  and ought to  be, the active and efficient agents, in all
moral and intellectual improvement.   So diffusive is the benign in-
fluence of education, so enlightened from this source have most
men become  that they  quickly  detect ignorance.   The learned
professions give now no more rank  to  an individual than  he may
obtain by  his merits.  The  character and respectability of all  pro-
fessions rest upon their proper basis,  the capability and attainments
of those who pursue them.
  There is perhaps none in which success and public confidence is
more slow in  being  obtained than the  medical profession.  Man-
kind are impressed with the belief, and  reasonably  too, that inde-
pendent of a knowledge of the  principles, an enlarged experience
is likewise necessary to  render a physician skilful, and  that all
who have commenced their  medical career, even they who have
previously devoted many years to it, and have taken the advantages of
the opportunities of the first  Medical  Institutions  to prepare them-
selves, have found they have had to await the issue of time.   That
they have ascended gradually, into public confidence—but in every
step they have gained  an influence which will sustain them in the
elevated position in which they may be placed.  If then it is  but by
slow and laborious efforts that the Physician, who  has used every
means  of obtaining Medical knowledge,  can succeed, what can
he  expect who  is content  with a  superficial knowledge,  whose
attainments in Literature and  Science, or the principles  of those
sciences,  upon which Medicine  is based  are  extremely limited,
who  cannot  fully explain the structure or functions of the  organs
of  the system upon which he is to apply his Medical  agents, and
therefore is unable to detect the seat and nature of disease.   Such
men   may hope, by  making  great  pretensions  and  assuming
much consequence—for none are so confident and presumptuous as
those who are ignorant—to succeed in life.  But those  tricks which
may be successfully played off by the  charlatan, would place the
 regularly educated Physician, or in other words, the Physician who
 has a diploma, in the most absolute contempt.  Whether, gentlemen
 you have taken up the profession as a mere means of gain, or from 
9
the desire of making it subservient to  higher  and more  ennobling
purposes—policy as well  as  necessity require  that  you  should
make yourselves amply qualified  for  the  discharge of its duties.
"It cannot be concealed, (says Professor Jackson in his Introduc-
tory Address to the Medical Students of the University of Pennsyl-
vania,) that  public confidence in the knowledge and  intelligence of
the profession has been shaken—has been most materially impaired
in some sections  of our country.  Every  where does empiricism
abound.   In many districts it is warmly encouraged and patronized*
not by the vulgar and ignorant, but by the respected and intelligent—
'whence, says he,' arises this state of things—is it not from obser-
vation too apparent to the public from the  inferior grade of Medical
Instruction?  Do they perceive that wide  difference in the acquire-
ment of the regular practitioner, and the empirical pretender which
should always distinguish them?"
   How far this serious charge against the system of education in
the Medical institutions of our country is correct, it is not my inten-
tion  to  inquire,  nor would  it be suitable on the present occasion.
 If evils of  this nature do exist, it behoves every patriotic Physician
 to use his best exertions to correct them.  If  young men, whose
 character or capabilities, or attainments, are not adequate to the dis-
 charge of the duties,  are  admitted to  the  honors and privileges of
 the Medical profession, it is an outrage upon a community, a degra-
 dation to the  profession.   But although some may receive Medical
 degrees who are unworthy of them,  yet we  have every reason to
 be proud of the distinguished medical gentlemen who by their wri-
 tings have  given  additional lustre to our  great  and  happy country.
 Whatever reforms may be required in  all of our Medical Institutions,
 for they are all governed by similar regulations, there are abundant
 opportunities  in the United States for Medical improvement  if the
 Student  thinks  proper to take advantage of them.   If he does not,
 he ought not to  be permitted to receive the Medical honors.   How-
 ever Strict this may seem, yet when it is  known  that a Medical de-
 cree cannot  be  obtained unless the individual  is deserving, the
 aspirants  will use proper exertions, and  communities will benefit
 by them.  It is  no kindness to beguile  a  young man into the
 belief, that a  slight knowledge of his  profession will enable him
 to succeed in life—nor should the desire  of making an institution
 popular, deter an instructor from  warning  him of  his error—
 ,,n  the  contrary, his solemn  obligations  and duty demand that 
                             10

he  should  be  honest and  frank, and  that he endeavour to guard
his  pupils  against  a  delusion  so   fatal  in  its  consequences—
so injurious to the cause in  which  they  are engaged.  If, gen-
tlemen,  you will  only do justice to yourselves, you will  be able
to put down empirical pretenders.  They are  not to be  arrested so
much by  legal  statutes, or by decrying them,  as  by  convincing
the  public of the immeasurable  distance between  them and  the
Physician of science—I must confess with all that  has been  said
about empirics,  I have  never yet  known an  intelligent  Physi-
cian, if he  had  perseverance,  industry, good manners, and with-
al virtue and honor,  who  had any thing to apprehend, or  whose
success was at all  impeded by them.  Empirics themselves  are
compelled to respect such men,  who  amidst the ebbs and flows
of  popular favour, retain their elevated  position in the respect and
confidence  of  a community.   The true means of success in every
profession, and in every pursuit of life, and the  easiest, and certainly
the  most  pleasurable,  is to become, as far as possible, masters of
that profession or pursuit, and thus by talents  and acquirements, to
command that station which  others may aspire to  obtain  by low
cunning, or condescensions, and who are hence constantly made the
sport of fortune, or become the tools of designing and ambitious men.
  Having made these general remarks, which  I trust you will  duly
appreciate,  as arising from  an anxious desire for your  future wel-
fare, as well as from a patriotic and philanthropic wish, that those who
are to become members of  the Medical  profession may hereafter
sustain its character and usefulness.  I beg leave now to  direct your
attention to the  importance of a thorough study of some  branch-
es of a Medical education,  which I fear have not been sufficiently
attended to by most of our Medical  Students—at least I  am per-
suaded not as much so as by Medical Students in European Schools.
These  are the study of Anatomy and Physiology, and the attendance
upon the Hospitals for  practical  instruction.  To offer any argu-
ments in favour of the study  of Anatomy, would seem a  useless
task—a knowledge of the structure of the human frame—the treat-
ment of the diseases of which becomes the object of the  attention of
the Physician, must at once  be observed is indispensably requisite__
yet, how many Students are  there  who content themselves with
merely attending the  Lectures of the Professor of Anatomy,  and
neglect that devoted attention to practical Anatomy in the dissecting
rooms, by which they become intimately acquainted with the  sub- 
il
jecl,  and the neglect of which opportunities they may  never  be
enabled to regain.   Who that is ignorant of this branch, the  basis
upon which  all Medical  science  rests, can  pretend to obtain a
knowledge of the seat of disease, or practise Medicine with any de-
gree  of certainty.  A mere  knowledge of the  structure is  not
enough, you must likewise become  proficients in the peculiar offices
or  functions  of all  the  different  organs  of the system, constitu-
ting the phenomena of life.   Disease is an  irregularity of  function
as well as organic lesion, and to  know these irregularities and de-
viations from a  healthy action, you must have  a knowledge of the
action, of the functions, and of the organs as they are in health.
   The value and importance of Anatomy and Physiology, the basis
of Medicine as well as of Surgery,  will be fully explained to you by
the Professors of these respective chairs.  All I am desirous of im-
pressing upon you, is, that the practitioner of Medicine, who is igno-
 norant of these two branches, cannot be regarded in any other light,
than that of an empirical pretender.   But,  although  they  form the
basis of Medical science, the Student  before  he can become pre-
pared to enter upon the practice of the profession ought to learn the
 means ol investigating the nature of disease, and the application of
 proper remedial agents,  and these are to be acquired by practical
 observation, at  the bedside  of the patient.   It  is the  duty of the
 Professor of  the  practice of Physic, to teach the various principles
of Medicine—the different  theories which have  been advanced of
 the nature  of disease—the causes  which  produce derangement of
 the system—the effects of those causes constituting disease, and  to
 describe the various symptoms and  methods of treatment. Still these
 duties, however minutely and adequately performed, are not enough
 to prepare the Student for the practice of Medicine, they are calcu-
 lated to enlighten him so far that he may be prepared to derive ad-
 vantage from practical observation. Thus the Hospitals in  the prin-
 cipal Schools of Europe are the places where Students  after ha-
 ving gone through the preparatory steps of education derived from
 the Lecturers, flock to complete their Medical attainments,  and fit
 them for the  practical  duties of their profession.  No  Student
 can obtain a Medical degree  who does not go through this ordeal.
 How many young men are  there in this  country who have been
 embarrassed, and mortified at their want  of practical information,
 when they have entered into life.   How many have deeply repented
 of the  neglect of the opportunities  of  practical instruction  when too 
i>
laic.  1 have seen many  intelligent young Physicians  who  with
all their theoretical and scientific attainments, have lost public con-
fidence, from their want  of practical tact,  and by an  ignorance
of the details of their profession.  I warn you, gentlemen, that the
mere closet rhysician,  whose knowledge of disease is derived alone
from books—who  inuulges his  imagination  with the vagarirs 01
theorists, when he should study from the great book of nature, will,
with all his learning, be neglected, and never inspire full confidence.
Such  men seldom think or observe  for  themselves the indispensa-
ble requisites to become eminent, but as the weathercock  is changed
by every direction of the wind, so  are  their views of  disease by
every new theory which is advanced.  They  can tell you what oth-
er men have done, but can do nothing of themselves.   Now I am to
be understood  not as depreciating a knowledge of Medical Litera-
ture, far from  it, but  I wish  to impress upon you  that theory alone
will not answer.   The history  of Medicine  shows the revolutions
which have taken place in Medical theories where men of superior
minds have like meteors, shone with momentary splendour, and then
have sunk into night.  The examination of Medical doctrines, which
are highly instructive and useful, will convince  you  by how few
the opinion of the  world  has frequently been  governed—and with
what slavish devotion men sometimes attach  themselves to the dog-
mas of some distinguished character. It was the quaint remark of
Bacon, 'thru credulity  in respect to authors, and making thein dic-
tators in place of consuls, is the principal cause that the Sciences have
no further advanced. For hence, though in mechanical arts the first
writer falls short, time adds perfection, whilst in the Sciences, the first
author goes farthest, and time only abates or corrupts.'  This thral-
dom of the hum;>.n mind,  has, however,  been  nearly destroyed.—
That  great  philosopher   has  directed  us  to the proper  course
of investigation—to accumulate facts upon  which to  draw inferen-
 ces, the only true principle of inductive philosophy.  Now of all pro-
 fessions, there is none  in which this important truth is  more appli-
 cable, than the study of medicine, for although based upon scientific
 principles, it is still  a practical art—a knowledge of which can nev-
 er be  obtained,  but  by  observation.   A disease studied  at  the:
 bedside of a patient, makes an  indelible impression,  all  the symp-
 toms are strongly exhibited—we see what changes are going on in
 the functions; and how far the remedial agents applied, operate  in
 re moving morbid action.   The Student is apt  to be deceived with 
13
the idea, that to learn practical Medicine, he must see extraordinary
cases, or a great number of patients  at once.  But  it must  be re-
membered that every case, however otherwise trifling, is important
to the  Student inasmuch as he is learnt thereby  to enquire into, and
properly investigate the causes and seats of disease.  He becomes
thus gradually instructed  by those  whose  experience afford the
mr,u;o  which  he will pursue,  when he  comes  to depend upon
his own  resources,   li is the s\ stem of Medical education which
I have  broughl to your view, as now pursued  in all wtil  regula-
ted institutions, which has  contributed so  largely to elevate the
character of the  profession,  and  to command for it a rank  among
the Sciences,  France for  centuries, bound  down by  a   slavish
devotion  to  authority,  was  under  the  guidance  of  the   Hippo-
cratic and Galenical Schools until Napoleon, who,  whatever  may
have been  his  errors, arising from inordinate ambition,  the re-
sult of extraordinary powers of  mind, so regulated the Medical
Institutions, as to bring into  notice the genius  and  industry of the
 votaries of Medicine, and  gave every facility, and extended every
 opportunity for  the study of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology,
 and spared no expense to  make the Hospitals  the great means of
 practical,  Medical  and Surgical  Instruction.  The result we all
 know.   France  stands now  pre-eminent among  the nations of the
 earth,  alike for  the immense advantages  she presents in her Medi-
 cal Colleges, and the distinguished abilities, researches, and  labours
 of her Medical men—Medical gentlemen  and Students from every
 portion  of the  world, are  now  attracted to her  Metropolis, as to
 the great emporium of Medicine, Science, and the Arts.   Having
 said  thus much in reference to  these branches  of Medical edu-
 catioD,  I  shall  merely  express the hope that our Students will
 become   more  profound   in  some of  the  collateral  Sciences,
  especially Chemistry.   It  will be unnecessary to  urge its impor-
  tance  and value, or to point  out the great resources  which it has un-
  folded to us, in explaining some of the sublimest phenomena of na-
  turc, or  its' immense  contributions  to the arts and luxuries, and
  conveniences as well as  necessities of  men.   These will be elo-
  qucntly  and ably delineated, by the Professor of Chemistry.  I may
  be allowed to remark, however, that independent  of its advantage
  and interest in a scientific point ofview-a knowledge of at least
  Pharmaceutical  Chemistry is indispensably  requisite  to Physi-
  cians  more  especially  such as  practise in the  country.  I hey 
11
have to be their own Apothecaries, and hence should be acquainted
with the Chemical principles of Medicines, as well as their various
combinations and actions on each  other—for by the attraction  of
certain substances  a new compound is  formed  altogether differing
in its  properties,  qualities, and  i\l dicinal virtues.   I offer these
remarks, because it. somo instances I have  observed  that the impor-
tance oi this branch <>t a AlM'wJ education has not been  duly es-
timated.   It has  b.-eii too mudi  ngankd as a  subordinate study,
when it is one deserving your mostii  voied and assiduous attention.
  There is but one more of the many interesting subjects to which
I might call your attention, did  time permit, and for  a momentary
consideration of which, I must ask your indulgence.  It is the value
of a classical education.  In this enlightened age, it  would be  a
matter of  superogation to advocate the value or necessity of gentle-
men, who  are members of the learned professions  having some clas-
sical attainments.  I am not disposed  to think  that  every Physi-
cian is to be like a Parr or a Pokson, a profound classical  scholar'
but he should at least have so much knowledge of Ancient and mod-
era Literature as becomes the gentleman and  scholar. It is true
 there  have been  several distinguished  members of our profes.
sion, who  have been deficient in a knowledge  of classical litera-
ture, who  have attained great eminence, for genius can remove ma-
ny difficulties.   But  they have  likewise,  from  this cause,  been in-
capable* of  communicating  to the  world their immense  fund  of
information  and  experience with  perspicuity  and precision, and
violate, not  only  good taste,  but  logical reasoning.    In our
country, as in all enlightened nations,  great advantages are  afforded
(and there are few of our young gentlemen who have not  enjoyed
them) of a classical education.  The only source of regret is, that
too many  regarding classical attainment as not essential, neglect it
as soon as they commence their professional studies.  Now, if we
are desirous of forming a Medical Literature, worthy of our  great
country, the  propriety of devoting some of their leisure hours  to
improvement in Literatnre and Science,  must be more deeply im-
pressed upon the minds of Medical Students.   Rccal  gentlemen, to
your miud, the distinguished literary and  scientific gentlemen, who
have enlightened their country, you  will  find the members of none
more eminent than those of the Medical profession.   In natural and
moral science, in literature, medical gentlemen have,and still hold an
exalted rank.  It  is  seldom that  you find a Physician, educated  in 
15
Europe,  no  matter what  his  station,  that has not at least a gen-
eral knowledge of literature and science.  It is this which has con-
tributed so largely to elevate  and  give  a dignity  to medicine,  in
Great Britain and on the Continent of Europe. I have but one word
more to offer in favor of the value of a  knowledge of literature and
science to the Physician.   By  his very  avocations and  the posi-
tion which he must necessarily hold in society, a Physician is thrown
into the circle of literary and scientific  men,  and as Medicine is to
the great mass of mankind, as a sealed book, he will be estimated
much  by  all  intelligent  men,  according to his general  attain-
ments.   It is astonishing what advantages it  often gives—and how
much it has rewarded and given eminence to  those who have even
not been profound in their profession.
   In the  remarks I  have  made,  I  trust,  gentlemen, I shall not
be misunderstood,  nor my motives  be  mistaken.   It  is far from
my purpose  or intention to discourage you  in  the  prosecution of
your studies, but rather to awaken you to a  full  sense of the  im-
portance and responsibilities of our profession.   The duties of the
Physician are indeed arduous and respoi.sible.  He presents himself
an offering at the shrine of humanity, to alleviate those who are af-
flicted with disease in all its varied and appalling forms.  He has to
stand  firm  amidst the ravages of epidemic disease, which  comes
with fearful power to devastate the human race, while  the  stoutest
hearts fly from the scene of desolation.  He has  to be the friend and
 comforter of the poor  and the afflicted.  He has  to  sacrifice all
selfish,  all  pleasurable pursuits  in discharge  of  the  higher  and
 more  solemn  duty of devoting his life to the alleviation  of those
 afflictions which  have fallen upon the  human  race, either  by
 their own  imprudence or the operation of causes beyond their
 controul.   The life of a Physician,   is  one  of  continued care,
 anxiety and study; no hour can he call his own.   By night and by
 day are his services required, even the solemn  day allotted  by  Al-
 mighty  wisdom and mercy, as a day of rest to  his creatures, is  one
 of toil to him.^- But, how enlarged and elevated are his duties; what
 unbounded confidence is reposed in him, and with what gratitude and
 respect is he received and esteemed if  he discharges, faithfully, his
 trust.    He is indeed the arbiter of life and death—and as  his  ac-
 quirements and capacities are  circumscribed or extended, will he be
 u blcssino- or a scourge.   It is not wealth only which is to compen- 
                              16

sate the Physician, but the elevated rank in which he  is placed
among his fellow-men—it is therefore for these reasons, I wish you
to be enthusiastic and to  exert  your  intellectual  powers, in the
proper attainment of Medical  knowledge, that you may become,
not only valuable members of society, but sustain  the dignity and
character of our profession.   Read the lives of distinguished medi-
cal men.   You will  find them  a  series  of untiring  efforts and
ceaseless exertjons. To be truly great is to be useful,and to be useful
we must associate to those  powers with  which God has endowed
us, industry, perseverance and laborious research.   Nothing of any
importance has ever been attained  without industry and  labour.
Much  has frequently  been said about  natural talents—in  these
cases we may observe  the coruscations of  genius,  as  fleeting
as  the meteor or the ignis fatuus.  No  good has ever resulted to
mankind from these evanescent displays.  Genius and  industry
form the  master spirits  of every  age;  they are like the fix-
ed  stars  in the firmament, constantly pointing  out the sources of
light, but genius, without industry, is like the comet which comes to
disturb the harmony of the universe,  without producing any known
good.  It is within the experience of every one of common obser-
vation, that men of ordinary minds, with a  systematic arrangement
of their studies, associated with zeal and perseverance, have after a
series of years,  risen  to stations of usefulness  and honor, while
those who depend alone upon the gifts of nature, are unnoticed and
unknown.
   I fear, gentlemen, that I  have tired your  patience, in occupying
your attention with the desultory remarks  which I have made.   If
in my ardent desire, to arouse all the energies of your mind, to be-
come collaborators  in elevating and sustaining one of the noblest
pursuits of man, I may have gone too far—I trust you will do me the
justice to believe, that I am actuated alone by an anxiety for  your
future welfare and honor. 
 
 
 
 
 

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