Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-23
EVENING STAR.
lREPORTKD FOR rHR STAR
SYNOPSIS OF PROF. GRAFTON TYLER,s
INTRODUCTORY LECTURE.


lege at the Washington Infrmarv, on
Monday euening, October p, 1856.
The Professor spoke of the Importance Of
nrst principles being best, and of starting right
| in any pursuit. That without a proper diree-
tion being given to the mind at frst. any
amount OF diligence would prove unavailing
and Improbable. 1t is the province of medi-
cal instruction to present an eclectic system.
to teach the present state of science and of art
In manner calculated to fit the mind for &C.
eurate, observation, an enlarged generaliza
ton and sound induction, freed from the
| bane Of hypothesis and the bewild srmepts uf
| superstition. Thus to find out the truth and
secure progress in knowledge is the purpose
which brings US together for another lecture
period.
| He welcomed them here Lot only from the
promptings Of his own heart, but in the name
OF science and of humanity. They had come
to enter upon great work, both as regards
Its intrinsic comprehension and ends cf exalted
| benefcerce.
| 1t is no sordid motive that brings vet aries to
the temple Of Esculapius. The tortures of
disease give out no syren songs to allure. The
pangs OF bodily suffering, the anguish or mis-
cry OF mental disorder, invite not companion
snip except from those who, stirred by the
boldest phylanthropy, rise up in the majesty
! Of nobler nature and make their own hap
piness in ministering to the wants of their suf
fering fellow men. -.
The Importance Of proper preliminary ed
| ucati0n was then dwelt upon, and the stand
ard which should be required fully discussed
The requirements in this country, in this re-
spect, was far below that of Europe. The
subject had engaged the attention Of various
| committees appointed at the succeeding ses-
sons of the American Medical AssociatioS-
OF whom agreed that it was greatly to be la
mented that so many enter upon the study of
| medicine without proper mental training suf-
| hclent native endowment, or adequate attain
| mcnts. From the reports alluded to, the pre-
fesSion generally were. anxious for the estab-
| nshment OF some uniform standard by the
| recommendation of this National Medical Con-
gress. Opinions in regard to what this stand
ard ought to be, differed greatly, both as to
| the kind and extent of preparation. As there
| Is no means of enforcing the adoption of views
above the circumstances Of the times and our
peculiar social and political system-not that
| which was really best should be sought, but
that which was best attaiuable under these
| clrcumstances-aot what should be DONE If
| practicable, but what is best to be done
10 hx an exact standard Cf requirement, with
out regard to capacity, is difficult. He Ger
| tainly would advise the best attainments that
the circumstances of each individual would
admit. just as preliminary studies have been
liberal and extended, and faithfully AMI coy
4 ASNIy DIOSSCuIcu; VIII tie 1acllIty Tor the
| student here. His mind should already have
been disciplined in habits of investigation.
thought, and sound reasoning. He earnestly
| recommended the imports nee of n classic al ed
ucation as calculated TO discipline and de-
velOpe the faculties of the mini.
He would not discourage any who have not
had liberal advantages in this respect Far
from him 10 throw impediments to the prog
| ress OF any ambitious young man Seeking
1 the OrOfeg 81 nediciDa in sp;s of a
advantages argues n degree of seIf-reliance
and tone Of character which commends such
to his sy mpathics, and makes him their friend.
lhese difficulties often awaken a spirit Of per
severance which enables such to outstriu
their more favored contemporaries Arm
strong, one of the most distinguished praeti-
| TONERS Of London, was ignorant of the ancieux
classics; and with like seeming disabilities
John Hunter entered upon the study Of medi-
ene-yet he acquired the name of Father of
British Surgery, and filed the measure Of hu-
man greatness.
The importance of anatomy as the basis Of a
| medical education was then considered at
length, and clearly and fOrcibly illustrated
| Neither students or practitioners of medicine
are sufficiently impressed with this fact, being
III general satisfied with q very limited knowl-
edge OF the complex organism whose derange-
| hents IL Is the purpose of their daily business
| TO correct. If there be an error connected
with the study Of medicine fatally delusive,
| this Is one Of them. A natural aversion TO its
prosecution, prejudice and superstition, added
| ID the real amount of continued diligence and
attention, combine ID encourage TO a super
fetal knowledge, rather than the efforts indis-
pensable to thorough acquaintance with IT,
| he showed that anatomy was the only part
| OF the study of medicine which has an inde-
pendent existence. Without it, surgery could
have no existence-skili and excellence in it
being always In proportion to the accompany.
! ing acquaintance with anatomical relations,
and the minute details of organization. Ply
| siology could not even be suggested TO the
MIND without an acquaintance with it. The
functions, uses, and vital relations of parts
| being only thought Of in connection with the
| study of the organism itself. A knowledge of
the natural and healthful conditions of the or
gans and topics being essential TO the detection
and appreciation of morbid changes, it follows
that pathology is only learned where there is
| previous knowledge of anatomy and physi-
ology: Obstetrics, therapeutics, and the prac-
| tice OF medicine are too inseparable from il.
After showing how the chemist, toe; labOrs
| to find out new elements in the combat with
| disease under the direction of physiological
studies, and explaining at considerable length
the intimate relation Of each department of
medicine to anatomy: r'.i
Take it away, he said, and every other
branch is merged in obscurity and darkness.
Let the names of the fathers of medicine.
even OF Hippocrates, cL0sSum ct UeRera6sk
ROmen, be forgotten; Let the lights which for
two thousand years have burned brightly in
the temple of Esculapius be extinguished,
and all the inscriptions of its immortal tablets
be obliterated forever, but leave US this foun-
dation, and we viii build a new temple, and
rear 1T in such lofty and ample proportions,
leach stone fitly laid to stand to its fastness,j
that the intellectual world may gather within
it-sending forth preeepts inscribed by truth,
sanctioned by wisdom, sanctifed by expe
rlence, and hallOwed by all the ennobling and
endearing sensiments of benefcence and yir.
tue. Science will adorn il, while she rejoices
In alleviating the pains of suffering millions;
and medicine will vindicate herself in the ex-
actness and stability of her purposes, the eff
cheney OF her power, and the unveiled bright
ness OF her glory. The necessity of embracing
the opportunities now afforded for the prosscu-
ton of study was urged, lest, after leaving the
halls OF this university, the conviction NAV
cone too late to repair their neglect and abuse
The study cf medicine should be practically
taught and the student personally exercised
IN observation and manipulation in every a,
partment. It was unfOrt inate and gre ,tIy 4,