Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-09-26

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right direction and if the effect has so fal
been con- paratively feeble, Is is because those
who should be the first to rally to its assis-
lance have, either from i'll founded preju-
dice, from supposed motives Of self-interest.
| or from well fomentad distrust, used all
their exertions to annul the benefits it Has
earnestly endeavored to confer.
The Medical College of Virginia, what
ever may be its faults or defects, can at
least boast of being on this point in ad-
vance both of predecessors and eotempera-
|ries. Its hospital has always been under
the same roof with the lecture room, and
the patients at all times subject to the cou-
slant obseryasien of its students, who NAV
not only attend the clinical lectures deliver
ed regularly as in other Institutions. but can
also observe and take notes on The cases
with tee" least possible expenditure of time
and ezertion. From the announcement of
the session of 1855 81 it may be seen that
not only have the feyers aud other COM
plants, usually met with in practice, found
place in its wards, but also others, rare
and interesting, together with many sub
jects for difficult and hazardous surgical OPP
eration3--as tumors, malignant and non
malignant. in various localities fractures
and dislocations of major and minor parts !,
aneurism, uterine affections periueal and
uretErai sections fcr structure operations
for stone, and exeisions OF the ma4iIi:c -
Indeed, the list of cases shows that while the
infirmary-is comparatively small, it affords
opportunities to the student, which, ifseal-
ously improved, are Intimately more value
BILE than those offered by any or all tue
schools which flourish and grow under tue
patronage of southern physicians. q
The fact is, although our medical brett
rem make clinical advantages the excuse fer
overlooking and neglecting their own insti-
buttons; although they really believe them
selves governed in their advice by coasci-
entious scruplcs very superficial exami-
nation of the subject will show them TO be
controlled by the most short sighted of all
policies, or in truth, by no policy whatever.
Educated themselves in Philadelphia, their
college attachments are more binding than
the State pride of which they SO willingly
boast. Apply their own arguments to their
own acts, and it is plain that Philadelphia
as ~anting IN the great hospital advantages
so desirable for the student. The clinical
facilities Of Philadelphia aro far surpassed
by those of New York, and yet it is rare 10
find them urging the claims of the great
Gotham, with its eight or ten large hospit-
ais, in every respect superior to any thiug
to be found in the old medical metropolis
If the number OF eases is regarded as the
controlling advantage. one hundred cases
viii Re found in the latter, for ten in tho
former ple@o. aIfnestacss, fysteta aaa taos
in the management of hospital cases are the
great desiderata, New York must always
hold the supremacy, Make the comparison
how you may, and Philadelphia falls into
the sliade. So that we must conclude that
the profession in this and other southern
States is governed in its selection by mere
ioco! attachments and forgets, while foster
ing The pleasures Of niciilory, the duty it
owes to its own institutions that Of supper
ting and aiding all exertions towards self
reliance and self-improvcment that of cul-
tiyating and forwarding all endeavors to de-
yelop home resources.
We have attempted to show that, with ali
the advantages it may claim, Philadelphia
is behind New York If this argument was
strong twelve months sirce, it is now irrefu-
table-since it is we'll known that Bookley
aims house, the great ornament OF the for
mer is in the hands Of clique notorionsly
opposed to the schools that its chief resi-
deut is the prince of renegade quacks, and
its wards are now equally closed on med-
cal professors and medical students
! Our deductions from all this are few and
simple Old land marks arc DESTROYED
We must establish new ones Richmond,
in climate and latitude in size and progress
offers advantages not to be found elsewhere
The Medical College Of Virginia may not
at present be all that we could wish; bnt
J its defects, OF whatever nature. can be easily
remedied, If the profession will unite in an
earnest endeavor to develop its advantages
and enlarge its resources, Upon this in.
portant subject we intend hereafter to speak
more in detail We have long lavished
our patronage and treasure ON foreign IN
situations, and neglected or despised tht
praiseworthy efforts of our own brethren
Let the friends of medical education in Vir.
GINA consult together let the resources o
the State, now divided and scattered be con,
solidated unite the medical department q
The University end the Mi}ic0t CoUeqe o
Virginia; prolong the period of study, ane
raise the standard of requirement; br.ns
together the scientific teacher and the ex
4perienced clinician under the same roof
and put under their control q free hospital
Are not these thing practical, reader! ar,
We talking utopian, Or rather have We no
Il a.