The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-10-31
New York Medical College.

rs.
On Monday evening, Doctor Greene, Of Clinton
Place, delivered the irst Introductory lecture of
the course which is 10 be gwen during the ensuing
evenings of this week, at The new Medical College,
IN Thirteenth street, 10 very crowded audience.
lie pre- faced IL, by saying that eveuts like the acts
of individuals nations, have their Interest, III,
or intense, according to the circumstances or re-
suits with which they may be allied. The falling
Of an apple, or the hfing of lid by the expanding
steam at boiling vessel, are occurrences uniul-
portant in themselves, and yet the observance of
those common and neutral phenomena by reiec-
tive minds, led TO the discovery OF principle and
power, which have filled the world with astonish-
ment, and revouonized the atfairs Of its inhabi-
tsnts.
The laying of corner stone and the completion
Of stately edlfices, puslic aud private, the oc
curreLcts OF every duy in ths!city OF citiesevens
which neither receive nor deserve the especial IN
terest or ottt ntion OF the community around them
Yet, a corner stone has recently been laid, and
its superstructure has but received its GROWING
tuTret, and noble ediiice has been completed-aa
event which may be connected, aye, and which
must be allied TO some extent, with the deep
est and the dearest interests of mankind Within
the halls of this institution which henceforth is 10
be dedicated To instruction in medical science,
doctrines will be taught and principles will be
circulated, on which may hang the issues OF
health or disease, of life or death, to May. Car
ned out in practice, by its futaEe graduates these
principles OF good will be- the means Of conveying
JOY and gladness into many family, or, IT bane-
ful, SURFING and sorrow. Upoa the governors Ct
this institution, who have been appointed 10 watch
over its interests, rests the responsibility, through
it's professors, for The results the community, of
the doctrines here taught; and, gentlemen, IL is
no ordinary responsibility. This noble ediice,
solid though II may be as the rock on which IL
stands, Is nevertheless not imperrhabe. Time
will crunble its walls, or it may be changed Tor
other purposes, or removed by the hand OF man;
but, ere this shall occur, principles in the honest
inquiry after truth may here be Discovered that
be incucated that, for good or evil, shall leave
their imRess ON future generations illed, through
the Kindness OF the trustees, to aid my colleagues
ia imparting instructions to those who may seek
for medical knowledge In these halls, Il would be
act Of justice, before entering upon the duties
assigned 10 me to day, by your corporate body
and the community who are necessarily Interested
in the results 10 which have alluded, brief ex-
position OF the course Of study by us deemed neces-
sary TO ensure a thorough, safe, and practical me-
deal education. Ii would, indeed, be Interest,"
ing and nj this time an appropriate task TO enter
fully on this important inqury-an inquiry inyov-
ing problem not yet solved, namely, the best
and most appropriate method for educating young
men for the profession OF medicine. But having
other subjects TO bring before you, shall leave this
duty for one more competent TO the task. Unset
lied the professional mind at this time ~, We
can say with truth, that we are not more firmly
persuaded Of anything than of the importance
OF such inquiry made largely, literally, aud
strictly, by man al once deep, truthful, know
iup, and clear; and we trust that, ere long, some
strong man from our ranks will be found who,
thoroughly comprehending his subject, will be
~
profitable disqnisons this question in our Jour
nals academies, and medical associations. With
regard TO the views entertained by the faculty OF
the New York Medical College, on this subject,
may be permitted TO say that Ia this resolve they
are united end determined, namely ito teach,
earnestly and faithfully, wh.tever Is necessary for
the accomplishment OF a complete medical AID
surgical education"
la the requirement Of med knowledge. and in
the practice Of our profession, there difficulties
and dscoursgemcnts in which the ssudeat and the
community both interested and II has occurred
TO me that cannot better occupy the time allotted
me this evening, than in considering some OF the
most prominent obstacles OF the present day, which
serve to oppose the progress Of medical science,
and Ia confne To med,ocrity the course OF the
young practitioner. And Is there one OF your
number, students ia medicine, who will be salts
tied with bare mediccrty In his profession, one who
will be content with merely thai amount OF medical
knowIsdge that the Law rcquircsl Could be-
heve thar there Is among those whom now have
the honor to addrese, single individual who has
formed that low estimate OF the value ct bis pro-
fssion, that he rs not prepared 10 cultivate, to the
utmost extent Of his ability, the science OF his
choice, 10 sAch oae would say, turn back from
our fruitess pursuit. The object that you SEEK
with such an estimate OF its value, Is 10 you higher
than heaven you cannot attain to IL. But no
gentleman. IN the recent progress IN rational nedi-
cines, in the late discoveries ungolded through
chemistry, statistics, and the microscope discov-
cries, mott Of which have been made by the
younger members OF our profession. we have an
earnest Of n-tter things and IL The faculty Of tue
New York Medical College shall fail TO- awaken in
their STUDENTS noble enthusiasm for their proies-
zion, " they cannot, By their teachings and ex.
ample. inspirc them with habits OF patient and
enduring investigation. better that the predi ,ton
volunteered by one If its enemies be fulfilled
that II and the INSTRUCTION Of tsprofessors, should
iipurd TO address the audience, and concluded
very able lecture, which occ ,Pied nearly al hour
and hall IN lie delivery.