The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-21

months Of that summer The fortunate studen,s verc
had had many opportunities OF appearing beior~ ths
classes previously, and he vas again honored BY
being asked by the Professors 20 deliver the Introductory
lecture on this occasion. He had endeavored 10 imposs
the task on some other worthy friend, but he
could not effect this he assumed II With a. gooa grace
ces and strangers who had left their homes Gar away 20
study here He had before maintained that the medical
art would make unequalled progress in America and u
could be that the da OF the fulalmen o, his
hopes had dawned both in medicine, surgery and ther
peutics They desired to prepare the ssasnts 20 ss 20
take fitting part in the rank OF medical progress and
enable them to repay the 81 the old World cor the
lights they had afforded them In former years. Daring
the evening he would notice few OF the important ~
pics which would engage their attention during the course
OF study for the season. In the Grecisn mythology Ph~
busthe only source-aaorded both light and LIE but IN
our day the progress 81 legitimate medical science
regarded ~ means OF dfusDg civilization aud ealisht
eminent Medicine possessed not only the attributes q
true science, but II divine art matter how csv
led at such assertion may be- The theory Of the deposit
ing in the living fluids OF the body Of tne seeds OF cons
certain positions with regard TO the existence Of endemic
and epidemic diseases. He would show that the main
tanning of sanitary cordons and quarantine rules were
not only oppressive but useless except FAR regarded
he mere isolation Of the sick. Chemistry had shown
hat life maintained in the body as in a chemical
laboratory, and that the action OF affinity and repuson
were always at work in repeng or absorbing into The
blood the seeds Of disease and thus contagon was either
s v b OF ne AMI pr
duced disease similar 10 that from which the virus
emanaed When 1t received fever was set up, and
it either exDgushed the dseaie the disease went
to progress until life was lost.
The Doctor illustrated this position by reference 10 the
opinions Of Iiebeg and Sir Gilbert Blame.
BY the discovery of Jenner, in 1885, they could CON-
prehend how specific virus, when modified Il capable
Of neutrazng similar poisonous agent In the system
Thus the virus Of small pox diluted by its pas
sage through the COW, and when so applied TO the human
system stayed the ravages OF one Of the ,st losth
some diseases which visited man. The Doctor
here went to enumerate the different diseases which
arise from specific causes, by the absorption Of morbid
such other causes Epidemcs existed when sanitary
precautions were neglected but were never contagious
but endemics may become The Professor proceeded
to explain the pathology and theory Of the spread OF
disease zymotic endemic and epidemic illustrating his
positions by reference to the sanitary statistics Of Eng
land and other countries He concluded by asserting
that such vstaons would be kept bay by the pas
sage of municipal laws for the removal OF local existing
causes in cities and their enforcement by medical board
appointed without reference to party politics.
lie finished his discourse amidst loud applause.
introductory Lecture at the College OF Ply
sicians ana Surgeons.
The Introductory lecture to the winter session Of the
above college, situate in Crosby street delivered last
past O'Clock audience of nearly six hundred per
had assembled in the lecture hail. great many
ladies present.
Reverend Professor Henry Professor Stevens
Dalton with number of the lecturers and trustees Of
the college, occupied seats on the platform.
Professor STEVENS made few remarks in the of
which he announced that the degree of Doctor OF Med
cine would be conferred number of young gentlemen
after which his friend Professor Dalton would address
the persons present
Reverend Doctor HENRY made prayer. Professor
Stevens then presented diplomas the following gentle
men:-Theodore Crane, Mark Van Wrinkle, Francis J.
Kean, Charles Carroll, Governeur Mather Smith,
John McEwen wetmore, and Cyrus Johns. He then
addressed them very eelingy and announced that this
was the last time he would appear in public President
of the College He about to return to the ranks
private member Of the profession after connection of
nearly half century with the institution, the Interests
Of which would be ever dear to him.
Professor JOHN DALTON tt en- came forward and well
coined the students TO the hail. The professors egarde
them with much interest," the kind Of spirit they w,ud
infuse into the profession would tend much either to
elevate depress it, Hence the period Of pupiiage
erted influence for good bad the character Of the
dignity Of the medical profession t, which all its
bers were SO warmly attached standing its druid
ss 81
from the renotest antiquity The Arabs preserved the
science when the night Of Gothic darkness fell En-
rope The study Of engaged the attention of the great
est minds, from Galen to Harvey and Hunter. II the
science Of medicine appears to have made little pro-
gress, it because it was so diffuse and 80 OK
tensve. The discovery of vaccination in medicine
and Of otherization in surgery late and new;
but the extent of their benefits could be estimated
unless they reft cted what they would do without
them Older discoyeres-sucb the circulation Of the
blood--were more familiarity known for they form
part OF inc popular instruction such has been the
gess Of disco, cries in the course OF the science which the
pupils had commenced to study.
The Doctor here entered into lengthy detail OF the
history of the modes of requirement of medical know
edge from the date of the erecting by the healed pa
tents Of the tablets Of Eculapius down to the order Of
study Of the present day. which includes under proper
heads chemistry, matera medical pathology, anatomy
and therapeutics -
The physician was par excellence student OF nature
and had his attention directed to the of the many
phenomena presented to him daily. Hence he should
be acquainted as matter Of necessity with chemistry
most essential to his perfect education Anatomy came
next in order teaching the student the and orma
ton Of the parts of the living frame, well Of their
components.
From this point the Doctor went treat of each of
the different heads of medical and surgical study direct
ing attention to the Importance proper Of
EACH and the directing of the combined agency OF the
whole to the OF disease He finished his discourse
amidst loud applause.