CORRESPONDENCE. WlLLOUGHBY MEDICAL COLLEGE, }' Columbus, Nov. 4, 1847. { Professor Butterfield : — Sir — The Class of the Willoughby Medical College of Columbus having listened with the highest satisfaction to the Address, delivered by you, at the opening of its First Regular Session, in this City, have appointed the undersigned a Committee, to present to you their com- pliments, respectfully soliciting a copy of the same for publication. Respectfully yours, J. Walter Scott, Ky. W. Fenton Clark, Md. G. Hill Ambrose, III, N. Webb Eames, Ala. Thomas Sloss, Mich. i M. L. Faulkner, Pa. Jno. W. Conway, la. J. Smith, Arkan. Tim. Taylor, Va. A. E. WlGTON, O. «*, Willoughby Medical College, } Columbus, Nov. 5,1847. £ Gentlemen : — The Lecture which you have so kindly asked for publication, was written with no such intention. I have heretofore steadily refused all similar requests, and comply with this, not because I believe that there is anything in the Address itself to merit such a distinction, but to grat- ify what I am assured is the unanimous wish of the Class which you represent. Accept for yourselves, Gentlemen, and present to the Class, my orateful acknowledgments for the honor done me, and believe me, Your friend, JOHN BUTTERFIELD. To .1. Walter Scott, W. Fenton Clark, G. Hill Ambrose, &c, Committee. LECTURE. On this, the commencement of the First Regular Session of Lec- tures of the Willoughby Medical College, in Columbus, I cannot forbear congratulating the Hon. Trustees, my Colleagues, you, Gentlemen, and our Community, upon the cheering prospects before us. Situated as Columbus is, in the heart of a great and growing State — the centre of an immense population, soon to be doubled, the site of numerous Public Institutions, and peopled by an en- lightened and liberal community — what is to hinder it from becom- ing as distinguished as the patron of the liberal arts and sciences, as it now is by its position and influence. Every citizen must, or should feel, an honest pride in encour- aging and supporting whatever will tend to add to its reputation. Every institution of sound learning, especially, whether the Com- mon School— that great lever which moves our world — or the higher and more pretending Academies and Colleges, should ever enlist his sympathy, and open, if need be, his purse as well as his heart. What is it that gives to New England its acknowledged pre-em- inence in all the elements of social happiness and moral influence, at home and abroad? What is it that dots every sea with hei ships, and fills every mart with the results of her productive industry? What is it that scatters her wealth in millions over the land, encour- aging, enriching, fertilizing everywhere, while a rich return is con- stantly flowing back into her own bosom ? What is it that sends her hardy and enterprising sons into every clime the sun shines upon, to diffuse her skill, her learning, and her manly indepen- dence? She owes it, not to her soil, for it is naturally barren — not to her mountains, for they are of granite instead of metal—not to her position, for Virginia excels her—not to her climate, for it is cold and bleak —not to her wealth, for this is a consequence of something behind- not to any, not to all these, are we to look for 4 f the solution of the problem. She owes it mainly, nay entirely, to the watchful interest with which she has ever guarded her rising I generation. From the days of the Pilgrims to the present, the / school house has risen side by side with the house of God; and from these two sources have flown, as from overflowing fountains, those rich streams of light, and knowledge, and liberty, and wealth, which have so long gladdened and blessed the world. •----------- /" Like effects follow like causes; and so sure as the sun dispels the / darkness of night, so sure may we, may Ohio, attain a like position ( by like means. Let hei educational interests, based upon a sound morality, and this, upon our blessed religion, ever be paramount! Let Banks, and Presidents, and Wars, and Taxes, have their due consideration; but let the Common School and the College, and the Church, be first cared for, and all will be well. We have established among you, citizens of Columbus, a new institution, for the purpose of fitting young men for the exercise of a most useful and important profession. We have done it with the full determination on our part to spare no effort to merit the public patronage. We had the strongest confidence that we should receive it. We present you this large class of young men as the result of our efforts. We ask you to look upon them with a kindly eye. They are most of them strangers, and as such, entitled to your courtesy. They are, many of them I know, all of them I hope, actuated by an ardent desire to make the most of the privileges they will here enjoy, and to fit themselves for usefulness and respecta- bility in the world, and for this, m< rit your respect. They are young men, passed beyond the school, it is true, and with their minds matured; but still for the most part, young, ardent, full of the restless activity incident to their age; judge them not harshly, all are once young. r~—'"*~~-----------—----■ ■■■ - « For them Ipromise you, that you shall have no cause to regret their sojourn among you. If cases of misconduct now and then occur, as may be expected among so large a body of students, I assure you that in every medical class with which I have been ac- quainted, the general sentiment has been entirely sound, and no one can long forget what is due to himself, his classmates or the com- munity, without being frowned upon with a severity which he will both understand and feel. Do not, then, in our House, any more 5 than in that other House, attribute to the whole body, what may be the fault of a single individual. On behalf of the Faculty, I assure you, that we shall exert our whole influence to render the Institution under our immediate charge, a valuable acquisition in every respect to our growing city. To our own Profession we pledge ourselves to be faithful to its interests, its character and its dignity — to meet, to the extent of our ability, that great demand now so loudly expressed by our whole body, for an advance in the standard of Professional attainment, and to keep pace with the constant and rapid progress of our science. In redeeming this pledge, we shall not feel called upon to follow every new light that shoots across our horizon, or to hoist upon our banner any special motto. While every true physican is, and must be, an "eclectic," we will not be called by that nor any other name. While every true physician is desiring and laboring for "reform," in the sense of improvement, we will not be called " reformers ; " for few who have thus styled themselves, have ever been as anxious for the interests of medical science, as their own. While we will use and recommend every and any remedy from the vegetable world, known to possess a power which may be used for good over the human system, we will not be called " botanies." We belong to no sect; we teach no exclusive doctrines ; we are bound to no sys- tem. We look upon Medicine as a whole, made up of parts, some of which are far more finished and pt ifect than others. Some of these parts, as Anatomy, Chemistry, and Botany, are sciences in themselves, susceptible of being carried even unto perfection; but others, as Therapeutics and Pathology, are necessarily and for ever imperfect. Medicine, as a whole, or rather the Practice of Physic, can never be reduced to the precision and certainty of an exact science, till a Procrustean bed is contrived capable of forcing all mankind into mere brute machines. This can never be, and for this reason no system of Medicine has ever long stood the test of time and experience. We may approach it, that is, a system, but it is doubtful if we ever reach it. Those which now force themselves upon the public attention, (equally with the thousand and one al- ready lost in the sea of oblivion,) under the imposing title of "new systems," or more significant isms or pathys, the mind accustomed to pathological study and reasoning, sees at once to be necessarily absurd and false. While we make these assertions, do not imagine that we are the advocates of a stand-still policy, and the enemies of all innovation; do not imagine that we are contented with our profession as it is. No —while we see and feel that there is yet a vast field before us, we will encourage every legitimate effort to improve it—we will adopt and lend our sanction to any means, from whatever source they come, which give a reasonable promise of usefulness to suffer- ing humanity. We see and feel the imperfections of our art. We know better tl an others, the uncertainties and anxieties incident to its exercise. We know of, and deplore, the lamentable deficien- cies of many of our professional brethren — but we do not believe with many, that the profession itself is retrograding. The last fifty year:, in spite of all the intra and extra abuse that has been heaped upon us, has witnessed a greater advance toward perfection, than any two centuries before, since the days of Hippocrates. General Anatomy, Pathology, including' Physical Diagnosis, Pathological Anatomy, Animal and Pathological Chemistry, and the application of the Microscope to Physiology and Pathology, can almost date their origin within that period; while Special Anatomy, Materia Medica, Medical Jurisprudence, Therapeutics, have made corres- ponding strides in the onward march. The single discovery of the illustrious Laennec Auscultation, with its associate Percussion, would have marked any century before the 19th. Vaccination, which saves its millions annually, Insane Hospitals, Hygiene, form but a part of the boon which our Profession has besiowt d upon the world, almost within the memory of some who hear me. And at the pres nt lime, with such laborers in the field as Louis, Andral, Chomel, Yelpeau, Schonlein, Rokitansky, Chelius, Lie! ig, Watson, Bennett, Williams, Liston, Alison, Chapman, Jackson Stevens, Parker, Clark, and a host of others equally distinguished, we can hardly retrograde, if we will. More learning, more skill, more persevering research, are now, and untiringly bestowed, upon the various departments of medical science, than ever before. Scarcely a week elapses, that some new discovery does not break upon us, and what has long been held as truth, is undergoing thorough re- vision. Many diseases, which flUed the ancient world with terror, and baffled all their resources, are almost disarmed by modem skill; and the average duration of life, in all highly civilized countries, is 7 gradually advancing. It is true that we must all die, and that the utmost limit of human skill can only defer the fatal event; but we look forward with hope and confidence to the day, when we shall approach the top of an eminence now far hidden in clouds — when we shall see and apprehend clearly, by the light of those upper regions, much that is now obscure or hidden from our view. I know it has become much the fashion of late years, and this by men and women high in the literary world, to decry the Medical Profession, as unstable and unsatisfactory, and its practitioners as selfish, bigoted, and unworthy of confidence. I know that the hue and cry first raised by interested ignorance, and prolonged by vul- gar prejudice and conceited pedantry, is still kept up, and echoed and re-echoed, by a very considerable and influential portion of the community. I also know, that very few physicians feel called upon, either by self interest or self respect, to stand up and boldly raise their voices in their own defence. They are for the most part, content to labor, and to wait for the silent vindication which time and truth generally work. Gentlemen — before entering upon the active duties of the pro- fession of your cioice, it is proper that you should pause for a little, and reflect upon the difficulties and trials, as well as pleasures, which most certainly lie before you. No profession, no business in life is free from these, and each has its own and peculiar ones. The physician is dependent, like all others who labor with head or hands, upon the community for support. He is. however more emphatically than any other, the servant of all who may choose to employ him. He must be ready at all times, night or day. in sun or storm, to answer the calls of his patrons. That many-headed, many-sided, capricious master, the public, will not even allow him to enquire, whatever may be the case, the distance or the responsi- bility, whether he is likely to receive any remuneration for his services. He will be branded at once as a mercenary, selfish, un- feeling wretch, if he dare to refuse to devote his time, his learning, and often his money, for the relief of the suffering poor, — and that most heartily, by those who, like the Levite, will constantly pass by, without a pang, on the other side. Not many weeks since, a man of some intelligence was speaking to me of a certain physi- cian in his neighborhood. He went for him, one very dark night, 8 in much haste, to see a laborer of his, who was suffering intensely from some acute disease. On the way — for the physician instantly started with the messenger — and whan nearly at the end of the journey, he had the woful presumption to enquire, whether he would pr .bably be paid for his services. This question so disgusted my informant, that he immediately turned from the poor Doctor, and with a curse, doomed him to find his patient's whereabouts, as best he might; and not only this, but became his determined enemy ever thereafter. Every physician who hears me, who has seen anything like service, has often encountered the same spirit. We have this rule, which is binding upon all mankind: " Do unto others, as ye would that others should do i<» you." We arc also commanded to be charitable, to do good, and the like; but we are no more under obligations, moral or civil, to render gratuitous aid or service, to rich or poor, than any other class of equal means, in the community. Our Profession is our capital, as truly so as the money of the merchant or the manufacturer; and our little pittance is as truly our due, as the payment for the provisions of the one, or the wares of the other. We are under no more obligations, I say, to give our professional aid to the poor, than the baker is to furnish them bread, and the butcher meat, on the same terms. While we deny utterly, that we are alone or chiefly, or more than others, included under the divine commands to be charitable, and to do good as we have opportunity, are we taught to refuse our aid, when called upon by those who have nothing to give in return ? By no means. The community at large should recompense us in part, at least, and this is done in some of the older states; but whether they do or not, we should exert ourselves to the utmost of our power, for all alike. It is true, that very many of those whom we serve faithfully and well, will be ungrateful, and forget, with the first breath of wind, or puff of steam, or murmur of water, all we have done; nay, that they will abuse, misrepresent, and vilify us, to their utmost; yet there are others, whose gratitude is so heartfelt, whose affection and confidence are so true and enliie, that it repays for all. I can truly say, and I am not alone by thousands, that some of the happiest hours of my life have been spent in professional labors, which I did not even enter upon my day-book. There is much of truth in the famous saying of the illustrious Boerhaave, so 9 often quoted — "The poor are my best patients, for God is their paymaster." Ingratitude for your professional services, you will find, is not confined to the poor. You will meet it at every turn, almost. Establish yourself in any portion of our country ; possess yourselves of all the learning and skill of the age; be faithful, prompt, industrious; let your moral influence be felt and appre- ciated, for good ; make yourselves almost indispensable to the health and well-being of those around you: and while firmly and immov- ably seated, as you suppose, in the affections of your patrons, let. an advertising, self-trumpeting quack come along, and scatter his false promises, far and wide, no matter if he be ignorant as a sav- age, or of any variety of color, and see how many of your fast friends will desert you, to be cured by the miracle-monger. A few years since, an ignorant negro of this species, drove his coach and four in the neighboring Athens of the West — the Queen City — and was consulted by hundreds of intelligent people ; and though his fall was sudden, scores of others equally distinguished, have arisen from the same obscurity, to fill his place. You will be compelled often to suffer from the neglect and deser- tion of those whom you have benefited, but you are to he silent. If you have a very sensitive disposition, the sooner you learn to rest satisfied with doing what you believe your duty, and to disre- gard one half the world around you, the better it will be for your tranquillity and happiness. The ethics of your profession, though lit- tle understood by others, enjoin upon you the most strict and sacred regard for the rights of your brethren, as well as your own. You will often encounter wholesale denunciation and abuse, for what is called the punctilious and foolish etiquette of physicians. To this is charged most of the medical quarrels and bickerings which often disgrace us; indeed, to this is often charged, by those who know no betier, many of the acknowledged defects of our art itself. The popular clamor may incline you — it does incline some—to depart from what our rules require. This yielding to what you know to be wrong, however flattering it may be to your pride, or advanta- geous for the time to your purse, almost necessarily involves you in difficulties with your brethren, and ultimately injures you in the public estimation. The trath is, that our admirable code of Ethics, which has re- 2 10 cently been revised under the sanction of the National Convention, if strictly followed, would preclude almost the possibility of seriou* differences among us. There is nothing in them at war either with good sense, strict honor, or a most careful regard for the best welfare of our patients. If our noble Profession is to be degraded to a level with the most common and least difficult of the mechanic arts; if we are content to lose our distinctive name, or be confounded with the horde of mercenary blood suckers that feed upon a credulous community, let us throw down, or disregard the barriers, which the best wisdom of the best of men has thrown around us, and it will soon be done. When any man loses his stlf respect, the respect of others follows surely thereafter. Every Profession constitutes in a measure, a sort of community within itself. Each is, from the nature of the case, best qualified to judge of its own necessities, and to enact laws for its own internal government. This is true in Divinity, in Law, and in Physic; and however well qualified either may feel to regulate the others, it only makes itself ridiculous, when the attempt is made. " All men can- not know all things;" and there is a fountain of good sense, as well as sound philosophy, in the old raying —" Ne sutor ultra crep- idum." But there are other difficulties before you, of a more serious na- ture than those which are found in the ignorance, credulity and injustice, of a portion of the community around you — difficulties inherent in Medicine itself, and which the utmost stretch of human learning will never wholly remove. These will meet you at almost every turn. The most intricate problems in any science, are often brought before you for solution. Given, — the behavior of certain parts, or the whole organism — the symptoms; — Find the cause — the precise pathological change upon which they depend — and when you find this — which you cannot always do — you have ad- vanced but a single step, though a very important one ; — What will remove this cause, or so influence the vital forces, that the diseased- porticn shall again take on its hra'thy action? Consider, for a moment, what is necessary to the perfect solution of the latter query, and see how we can only ajj.reach this solution, not reach it. First, the constitution,, that is, the whole man, must be thor oughiy understood and comprehended, not only anatomically, but physiologically ; and this knowledge must be so accurate, that the 11 effect which any given circumstance or agent will produce, can be certainly foretold. This we can never fully compass, for each indi- vidual man differs in many respects from every other man ; and we all know, that what will even endanger the life of one, may be harmless or beneficial to another. Next, we must have a perfect knowledge of whatever agents or medicines we employ, and of their action upon the human body, under any and every variety of diseased condition. The classifica- tion, physical and chemical properties and relations, may all be perfectly understood; but what relation do they bear to the vital forces ? How will they act in health, and again, when these forces are modified bv disease ? What influence will the mind exert, in mod- ifying, increasing, or neutralizing their effects? Will these effects be in any way changed by age, sex, temperament, climate, temper- ature, the electrical or hygrometrieal condition of the atmosphere, habits of life, &c, &c.; and if so, in what manner, and how much ? Even an unprofessional mind at once sees the utter impossibility of calculating with mathematical precision, the causes, course, and cure, of every disease. As our science advances, the confident dogmatism of the older times recedes, and the most enlightened physicians are willing to acknowledge how little they know. All, and much more than I have mentioned, is necessary, it is true, to the reduction of Medicine to a perfect system, but not indispensable to the successful Practice of Medicine, else we should have none such. He who approaches nearest this perfect knowledge, will be the most successful, and the most scientific in his treatment of dis- ease ; and surely the largest intellect, aided by the most persevering industry, will find ample material and ample scope for its action, during a whole lifetime. Another difficulty which will constantly meet you, and which orows cut of our imperfect knowledge, is the extreme fallacy of medical facts and medical testimony A great portion of the public may easily be induced to believe the most extravagant and impossi- ble miracles of healing; for they rely implicitly upon the testimony of others, and upon their own senses. The enlightened Physician will do neither, for he looks back upon a long array of names, illus- trious even in the annals of science and the world, who firmly believed and testified to, facts, which he now knows to be false} 1! Our older professional writings abound in false facts; and if physi- cians of acuteness and eminence are liable to be deceived, how much more a hundred fold, those whose knowledge places no check upon their credulity ! We are often abused for what is called our bigoted skepticism, in relation to many new and startling theories and facts, which are set forth with so much plausibility and evidence, that the popular mind is dazzled out of half its wits, and holds but a feeble control over the remainder. Many minds are convinced by entirely opposite reasons. One class, by those so profound that they can neither understand nor confute them; and another, by those so shallow, that they will not pay for, indeed hardly bear, confutation. Both are alike perfectly convinced, positive, and dogmatical; and vou will find that they comprise a very considerable portion of the community. These are they, for the most part, who become adepts in wonder-working receipts, and deeply learned in miraculous cures. These are they who testify in newspapers, and figure in medical almanacs ; who traverse streets and compass neighborhoods, to make proselytes; and who not unfrequently enlighten the world upon subjects concerning which they themselves are profoundly igno- rant. They may be learned in law, divinity, fiction — or the art and mystery of making puddings and cakes, and therefore they are fully competent to decide magisterially, upon knotty points in physic ! We can prove Homoeopathy by a learned clergyman, and Hydropathy by an eminent novelist ; and if you are not con- vinced of the truth of both, we can add to the former a skillful sea captain, and to the latter a distinguished female writer upon domes- tic cookery. It does not seem to occur to these learned people, that where so many and opposite things are proved, some of them must necessarily be false; and J. am decidedly of opinion, that if the whole medical field were at once abandoned to them, they would very soon be quite as much " by tbe ears " as tho poor Doctors ever were. It would seem to be in accordance with com- mon sense, that those who educate themselves for any pursuit — who accustom their minds to the careful investigation of what per- tains to it— who, understanding all its parts, are capable of look- ing at it, and judging of it as a whole — would be better capable of reasoning upon it, and of forming and promulgating opinions, than those who receive what they know concerning it, by intuition or 13 accident; but such is the progress of the age, that this common sense is the last of the senses to be regarded or consulted. Gentlemen, it is your duty to scrutinize carefully, and to adopt eautiously, what comes to you from every source, in relation to your art; but especially what comes to you from the mere evi- dence, however strong, of non-professional people ; — I do not mean to question their veracity or integrity, but they are more likely to be deceived, than to testify truly ; nay more, judge not too hastily concerning what you yourselves see and hear. Bring your reason, your knowledge and your observation, to bear upon each other, and with all the best light you may have or procure, you will still find much that you cannot understand ; you will still often be deceived; you will stili often judge wrongly. You will be expected by many of your patrons to look into them and through them, as though they were glass, and to pronounce at once upon their malady, with as much certainty as though its na- ture were revealed by a supernatural power—and wo be to you if you confess your ignorance ; but you will find that this is often a much easier matter for old ladies and nurses, than for an honest and competent physician. Many cases are obvious, almost at a glance ; but others require that you return again and again, to their investigation. From what has been said, it may be inferred, that we admit most or all that is charged upon Medicine. We admit most certainly, for it is true, that there is much of uncertainty, much that is unsat- isfactory in Practical Medicine; but we assert that there is much that is not so, and that this is increasing from year to year. Many very disinterested persons have argued from this admission, which every honest physician will of course make, that therefore their own theories or vagaries must be true. In this manner every sys- tem of quackery is proved, and the public mind deceived. The true position and capabilities of legitimate Medicine are not under- stood. Because it cannot do all things, does it therefore follow that it can do nothing ? Because it is confessedly imperfect, does it therefore follow, that no part of it is true, and that all its facts and methods of investigation are wrong? No, Gentlemen, you need not fear. Let the world rail on till it learns better. You will find many a warm friend, many an ap- preciating patron — enough to encourage your heart and strengthen 14 your hands. You are in the right path. Legitimate Medicine is wide enough to include all truth ; for it is, in fact, the study of Na- ture. It necessarily excludes no mode of investigation, no reason- able method of practice. But it requires of you to be honorable, honest and competent. None who are so, need bo excluded from the honors or privileges which she confers. The regular, old-fashioned, time-honored Profession of Medicine, with its vast accumulation of facts, and the innumerable blessings conferred by it upon the world, is a broad and fertilizing river, hav- ing its source far back in the mountains, receiving in its onward course many tributaries, some clear and full, some dark and muddy; and some, especially near the point from which we view it, appa- rently sparkling and bright, but only dashing rivulets of foam. The stream is still somewhat turbid, but as it approaches the great ocean of truth, it becomes clearer. False fvcts, superstitions, the mystic speculations of the old philosophers, are quietly sinking to the bottom, while the transcendental gases of modern systemists, stirred for the most part from the depths beneath, are breaking in bubbles upon the surface, and vanishing in'to their true essence, thin air. *'" But you will bear in mind, Gentlemen, that a competent knowl- f edge pf Medicine does not come by intuition — does not attach itself to a degree. I have before hinted, that there is at present a great demnnd for professional reform. This demand is based upon, not the imperfections of our science, but of its votaries ; not so much that so little is positively known, as that so many who wear our title, are ignorant of that little. The reform called for, is not a radical change, but improvement; not t>o much new light, as the Lbeing illuminated by the light we have. - The great cause of the present estimation in which the profes- sion is held, is to be sought for, after all, in a great measure, within ourselves. How few of us, by constant study and careful obser- vation, keep ourselves theoretically and practically informed of what is doing by" others, for our improvement, and the benefit of our patients! How many physicians are content to travel on from year to year, in the same beaten path, neither receding or advanc- ing, never reading, seldom thinking ; with no books, no journals; shunning professional intercourse, and interested in little besides 15 the periodical collection of bills, which they have poorly earned ! How many young men, too, with such examples before them, enter upon the study of Medicine, wholly unprepared by previous study or mental discipline, to comprehend its mysteries, or observe or reason upon its facts,—wholly incompetent to apprehend either the nature or the vastness of the pursuit before them ! Let a thorough preliminary education be required; let physicians be men of gen- eral as well as professional intelligence; — in short, let them be refined, high-minded, educated gentlemen, in the best sense of the word, and they will always command respect, if not support. We have now many such. Let their number be increased a hundred fold, and our profession would rapidly advance in solid usefulness and public estimation. It is capable of accomplishing vastly more than it has yet attained, even if our knowledge should advance no further, and it is improving with more enduring certainty than «ver before. There is much in it to command our love and respect. It em- braces one of the highest, most benevolent and useful of human pursuits. Noble examples by hundreds, living and dead, are before • you, to stimulate your industry and excite your ambition. I hope and trust there are many before me, whose footsteps upon the sands of time shall remain so long, that the stone shall perpetuate their memorial for ever. I might dwell somewhat upon the self-devoted heroism, which disregards dangers, before which the stoutest warriors quail, and which constitutes a necessary element in the training and practice of every true physician ; of the scenes of suffering and wretched- ness of which he is the daily witness, and through which he movt« as the ministering angel; but time forbids. I see the noble McWilliams, steering with his own hands, the ill-fated steamer, through the death-dealing fens of the Niger, while all, officers and men, save one, and he at the engine, are dead or disabled. I read the record of another death, the fourth physician who has, during the present epidemic in New Orleans, fallen. I read almost daily of one, and another, and another, in New York, in Boston, in Baltimore, in Montreal, in Quebec, who have died victims to the faithful discharge of their duty. I see always, when the pestilence is walking in darkness and mowing down its hun- dreds and its thousands, the physician, calm and unappalled, at hie post, battling with all his might, a far more irresistible foe than any mere human enemy; aid I am proud to be an humble votary of a profession which has offered up, and is still ready to offer up, its most costly and cherished jewels, as sacrifices upon the altar of the public good. May you become, Gentlemen, worthy of the truly exalted Pro- fession towards which your efforts and ambition are directed.