The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-29
Medical Department OF the New York Uni
verslty.

I1e nuInDer OF students VINO nave already ma
circulated in this fourishng institution, is greater
than it has ever been at the same date, and the
prospects of very large class is most attering.
Our reporter attended the Introductory lectures
Of the different Professors. 1t was our intention to
have published abstracts of them, but the great
press Of political and other news prevented from
doing so. We cannot, however, refrain from pub
fishing the following passage from the Introductory
lecture Of Professor Gross. Its views, in reference
TO New York, are most just, and will be responded
70 over the whole couRtry We may remark that
The removal of DR.. Gross to New York is a subject
on which we would congratulate fellow-cti-
zens. AS eminent and successful surgeon, he
has no superior; his reputation has not been con-
fined to the valley of the Mississippi, but, as the
author of the celebrated work Pathological Ana
tony, it is European we'll as American.
Professor Gross said -
In rising TO address you, l am oppressed by emo
tons Of no ordinary kind. Suddenly, and almost
as if by magic, find myself in vast city, stran-
ger in strange land, in the midst of halt million
OF human beings, few of whom have ever heard Of
my name, or canvassed my claims 10 the import
ant and responsible situation which has been con-
, ferTed upon me, unsolicited by the honorable
council Of an institution, which, though young
In years, has already attained enviable rauk
among The great schools of the country. The Oc-
cupant OF chair recently filled by one of the
surgeons OF the AM, as sucn,
the repository of a trust of the most momentous
character you will have no difficulty appre-
ciating the feelings to which | have just given
utterance Separated from devoted and long
cherished friends, whose bright faces and cor
dial grasp OF the hand bespoke The sincerity
of their affections, ana whose daily greetings
were wont 10 cheer me on in toe path of
duty aud OF labor; parted from kind, able, aud dis
tineuished colleagues, to whom was united by the
warmest and strongest ties of brotherhood; and,
finally, severed from al Institution which has annu-
ally, tor yt past, numbered arl, four hundred
pupils, and which stands az proud monument Of
Western enterprise creditabe alike to those wbe
founded H. ana TO those who have hitherto sustain
ed il; il is not surprising that shoad be oppressed
by seIse Of solitude, well calculate 10 pdralyze
my faculties, and to create doubts 10 my future
success. Nowhere, and under no circumstances,
have ever experienced such sense OF my insig-
niflcance, or been 80 fore bly, impressed with the
conviction, that man. considered by himself in his
individual capacity, is but atom in the scale Of
the great universe of mind nd matter.
But the darkest passage apparently in a mans
life is not always the darkest in reality. feethat
New York Is extending 10 me, this evening. cor
dial welcome, and manfesung desire Ia alleviate
the burden of my oppression. behold ~ my cot
leagues warm-hearted generous, and disti0g Iished
associates in whose counsel and whose friendship
can place confidence in the hour Of trial aud the
time of need; and behold ia the young gentlemen
Ground me, who have come hther 10 prosecute
their med cal studies, an earnest of the perpetuity
and success of the institution with which | have
linked my fortune and my fame. Whatever may be
night, affords ample guarantee of the good OPT
mon which II has acquired in the varioIs sections
of the United States and the British PROVINCES of
North America.
Finally, behold, if mistake not, on the part OF
the profession Of New York, the scene of my flu
ture labors, the same generous impulse that aui-
mates the rest of her citizens who assembled
around me on this aston. Distinguished through
out "the length of the land " for the refnemeat
and elegance Of their manners, their skill ply
sioians and surgeons their efforts IN promoting the
cause of medical science and medical education,
and, lastly for hospitality Of which few cities, at
home or abroad, can boast; they will not, am
sure, regard me as an intruder and alien, but as
a friend aud brother, who will he ever ready To
unite with them in furtherinr, AS fl 90 his humble
abilities may go, the great cause Of our profession,
which. In common, with themselves, he has so
much at heart, and 10 which he IL determined to
consecraie the remainder OF his life.
The city OF New York - Il world in itself IL ia
an immense field for medical practice aad medical
fame, and, am sure, that all who may choose to
enter II will receive hearty welcome from those
who are so nobly cultyating it. Engaged IN
one common cause, there is no necessity
for party feeling or party strife; ON the con-
trary, there isl every reason why we should
avoid all selishness, all hate, all passion; and
why We should endeavor, by individual and COM
bned effort, To give strength and symmetry TO the
great temple of medicine, which, founded by our
iorefaibers, is entitled, not only 10 the protection,
but TO the most liberal contributions Vt the present
generation Of physicians. Remembering that we
were born TO be useful, and not to be slothful aud
profession, let us press onward with zeal aud
energy in the high aud noble cause that Is before
us, end determine, each aud all OF Us, 10 live no,
fer ourselves alone, but for the honor Of our cali
ing ard the benefit OF Our race.
Iooh, tor moment, at this immense city, her
position, her means, and her opportunities. She il
the habitaon Of princes, Of wealth aud fashion,
Of intellect end education, Of the arts and sciences
In the splendor Of her private residences the may
nhce Of her public buildings, the equi ment of
her Libraries, the extent OF her commerce, AMI ths
munitcence of her merchants, she fac exc eds
Florence in the beet days Of her republic. It's
here, amidst this vast collection Of human beings,
IN this great temple Of nature and arr, that we
should strive 10 make New York what she IL des-
tined 10 be- IL che is not already the great centre Of
American medicine. Vast as our conceptions may
rise OF her future renown, as seat Of medical
science, they fall far short Of the reality, IL
she will prove but true 10 her interests, heI
talents, and her resources. From her geo.
graphical position, the number Of her in
habitants, the variety and excellencs of her
hospitals, almshouses and inhrmaries aud, iinslly
the character and enterprise of her physicians n1i
surgeons, IL requires no sagaciy TO foresee that
she is destined to become, at no distant day, the
Paris Of America. Thousands of ptimls viii an
nually flock 10 her medical schools from an nara
of the world, and her teachers WI thus become
the dispensers Of medical knowledge 10 the nations
Of the earth. Then, indeed, sh al she Ift mo her
head, and, in the eight Of good men, shall be called
great.
Is this picture surchergedl The merest glance
at the past Will show yos that IL is not. was
here that Bard wrote the first American treatise
obstetrics; that Jones penned the frat native
work on surgery; that Smith projected the first
medical journal that was ever pabshed; thai
Nissan achieved wonders in titholomy that Ho
sack inscribed his name upon the records of mis-
country, as one Of the hrst Of Amer can medical
philosophers that Post first secured the subcavial
artery that Mott first tied the innornnate arteryex-
cised the clavcle, and and aissrcuIated the lover
Jaw. such enterprises and such achievements,
with many others that might be referred TO, II
time permitted, reflect the greatest credit upoi
M ~ IL 0.n.a.
enttle New York 70 an enyiabIe rank amoar tn
cities Of the earth.
forbear TO speak OF those among whom my 10
~ CAST who are illustrating every department o
medical science, and daily adding sew lustre 10 tn
profession OF the metropolis of the Empire State
IN pathology end practice, anatomy, surgery, an