The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-03-30

practice medicine or surgery to see what ad-
vantages they may derive from pursuing their
studies in this city; and it lie of no less conse
quence to those who anticipate falling into the
doctors hands, that they know how accurately
their medical advisers have fitted themselves
for the responsibilities which they have as
suned. Without institutipg invidious compa-
risons, then, let Us briefly notice some OF the
facilities which are afforded the medical stu
dent by the institutions for instructing in that
science in New York
In point of plumbers the medical schools q
this city exceed those OF Philadelphia There
are at present three colleges in New York,
each holding it's exercises in q beautiful a1d
convenient edifoe, and possessing all the ap-
pointments aud furniture which charact erize
a well organized institution. Oae of these
has just closed its winter session-whiah was
attended by above three hundred stuasnts-by
sending forth to the world more than one hun
dred duly qualified physicians and surgeons
The lectures of the others have been attended
by two hundred and fifty, and one hundred
and fifty students, respectively, and these last
named have graduated from forty to fifty
students each.
Compare this success with the condition of
these colleges in past years. Thirty yeare
since only one Of them existed. At an earlier
date some three or four medical schools were
striving for the supremacy. and, as We have
been informed, at one commencement each
graduated but three or four, and the validity
Of their diplomas was called into question.
The instructors, also, who minister to the
pupils in these institutions, are, without ex
ception, men eminent in their calling-nlsn
who know, from a long, and, in many in
stances, dearly bought experience, the accu-
racy and the value Of the theories which they
advance, and who can demonstrate the pro.
priety Of the principles which they inculcate.
Few Of them possess reputation confined TO
their own city, but most are widely known in
Europe az we'll as America, and their perfec-
tons in theoretical and triumphs in practical
name and fame as enduring IS the science
which they profess. Some of the most impor-
tant principles in the treatment Of disease,
and the most daring and successful feats il
surgery, have had their origin or resuscitation
in the medical faculty of New York.
But among the facilities which the metropo
lis affords the student, there is none more i'm.
port ant than that Of clinical instruction. The
Information which is to be obtained from OBJ
servations at the bedside of the invalid is Of
more value in impressing the mind Of the
student with the principles which he should
be familiar than we ordinarily conceive. In
this respect the sspirant to medical fame who
pursues his studies in New York, enjoys more
and greater advantages thaa the disciple in any
other city in the country. The numerous public
institutions which are maintained by the State
and the city are almost necessarily open to
him, and exhibit greater variety Of diseases
and injuries than can be found elsewhere in the
world, London and Paris hardly excepted. IL
the Emigrant Hospital on Wards Island there
are annually treated number of patients near
~ equal to one fourth the population Of Bos-
ton and in that institution, with those on
RaDdall's and Blackwell's Islands, the number
of patients very nearly equals one-seventh of
the entire population Of Philadelphia Aside
from these immense establishments, there are
several in the heart. almost, Of the city of New
York, where numerous individuals without
means are received and cared for in the most
skilful and successful manner.
In addition to the opportunities afforded for
observation, the student in this city has almost
unequalled facilities for gaining experience by
engaging in practice. Probably not fewer
than 10000 invalids were under treatment.
aside from those admitted into the hospitals,
during the year 1855. Onc-thiId, at least, OF
these, if not the total half, were individuals
whose circumstances in life prohibited their
employing regular physician, and many u
them preferring to entrust themselves to mau
whose medical education was but partially
completed, to drugging themselves with no:
truns and patent medicines, afforded students
the opportunity to bring their own ability al
ingenuity into action-an advantage by no
meals to be deEpised.
The various medical societies ia this city. If
which there are several, afford the stuie4t
an opportunity for intercourse with his elders
in the profession, which cannot fail to be o.
exceeding value 10 him. The DISCUSSIONS
which are continually being carried on-for
doctors do disagTee-are always developing
new theories and eliminating new principles.
The supposed ipordinately expensive rates
of living, and the greatly exaggerated temptt.
tiors to vice and dissipation ia New York,
have always been bugbears in the eyes of
anxious parents who have sons to educate for
the medical profession. We do not hesitate to
say that, with any degree of economy how
ever slight, a young man can live in New York
for as little money (and live we'll, too as il
any city in the Union. As to vice, it unfortu.
nately exists everywhere--in the little towns
in back counties. as we'll as iu the metropolis
and the probability is, that rather more Of II