The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-09

The New York Medical College.
LECTURE BY PROFESSOR b. r, PEAsLEE, NJ. D.
On Wednesday evening, the 9th inst, an introduce
tory lecture delivered in the New York Medical
College in East Thirteenth street, by Professor Peas
lee, on the moral character of the medical profes
sion. The attendance was pretty fair, a considera-
bic proportion being ladies. The audience were en-
livened by band which played several pieces of
music.
The exercise was commenced by prayer, by the
Rev. DIR. Potter.
Professor PEAsLEE then addressed the audience.
He said that the word physician meant doctor, but
he was sorry to say there were several who styled
themselves doctors who had no right to that honor;
these were what he called quacks. quack pre-
scribes for the patient, but physician prescrbes
for the disease He then went on to show how much
confidence placed in physicians. They were con-
suited in cases where life was at stake In occupa-
tion was morality more needed than in that of ply
stefan. Without moral character medical man
could never prosper. A physician may be called
upon ut any moment, where his moral character will
be put to very test There is no situation in
this life where the moral character is more exposed
than in physician. There was no class of men in
this world who had higher moral character than
ply scians yet he did not intend to hide their faults
They had their frailties. He then told story
in which lady was taken very sick; she sent for her
physician; but he was lying drunk, and was incapa-
bic Of rendering her any medical assistance whatever
But this was only one case in thousand still it cast
stigma on the profession. He then stated why medi-
cal men should have high sense of honor. To them
were c0nfded secrets that were not even confded to
priests He then alluded to the high opinion of the
ancents in regard to medical men. Plny was said
to have had the highest regard for physicians The
practice Of medicine was only second in excellence
to that of preaching the Gospel He then alluded
to the Scriptures, showing the high regard Of the
holy men Of old for the medical profession One Of
dered by medical men were beyond all compensa-
ton. The physicians, as q class of men, were re-
markable for their generosity, tenderness of heart,
and charity. Indeed, most Of the hospitals were
founded by those who attended them gratuitously,
exposing their lives to numerous dangers The sa-
crfce Of life was very great in the ranks Of physi
sicans, and long was the list Of those young men,
and old practitioners ALSO who had been carried off
BY the typhus fever, in attending those who came
to the United States in state Of ilhealth. 1t was
with great deal of pleasure that he looked upon
the hospitals that were built for the benefit Of
Island and Wards Island particularly STILL after oil
the risks that medical men underwent, they were
the least requited Of all other professions. What
they wanted was not much; and It was such as they
could give-proper placesinwhch to educate students
He then alluded to the mutilated bodies Of Wards
Island, and said that more than i've hundred stu.
dents in this city had to suspend their studies on
account Of those transactions. But it was all done
for political purpose, and not for charitable one,
or for benefit to humanity. There was no body Of
men who stood more aleof from political movements
than physicians; but whenever any good or char
liable object was in question, they were never known
to stand back. They contributed largely to mis-
means alone that they lent helping bandit was
the great influence they possessed the heather
It had always been the policy of the American mis-
sionary. societies in China to procure medical
men to, teach the heather. because they
had such power over their untaught minds.
In the criminal calendar of France, there were
only two physicians implicated in crime from the
year 1929 to the year 1S47, while there were four
priests and notaries implicated annually. He then
adverted to the moral courage of the physician; he
was man who was constantly in attendance on
contagious diseases The actual risks Of his life was
greater than the soldier the field Of battle; and
yet how little he thanked for all his services The
bravery of medical men was proverbial. In battle
there were always surgeons killed while dressing the
%ounds of the dying. He then referred to several
battles in which great number of surgeons were
killed while in discharge of their duty. There
were no men, excepting clergymen, who were
so religiously inclined as members Of the me-
dcal profession. There were, it has been said,
some atheists among them but there were
fewer of them in this profession than any
other If lawyer was an atheist, he was not
easily detected but ply stefan at exposed.
The reformation in Germany was not begun by
pose 1t was commenced by German physician.
This fact he had from German friend of his.
There were no people SO badly paid in proportion
to the good they did. lit were not for the CRATE
full ackr owlcdgments Of their patients, they would
be very poor indeed. Few medical men acquired
competence by their profession; not ono in forty
ever acquired fortune by medical practice. He
then alluded to the medical colleges, and urged
upon parents the necessity of engaging for their
children moral teacher, and also exhorted teach
ers not to admit any but moral pupils into their
schools, as by doing it would lessen the evil in
great measure. DR.. P. concluded amidst loud
applause