Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-06-04


certain condition of the human stomach,
and he was to do this practically in the
dissecting room. There was a dispute as
to the propriety Of some Of the late DR..
Marshall Halls teachings, with reference
to the division of the nervous system, and
the Professor was to settle the dispute,
scalpel in hand. The division of DR.. Hall,
permit me to say, arranges the nervous
system into three section--the cerebral, or
sentient voluntary, the true spinal, ex-
citemotor, and the ganglionic or nutrient,
or sectory.
The Professor is one of the most skillful
of lecturers, and "a precise and handsome
demonstrator. His devotion to the anato-
matical branches Of medical science
amounts to monomania. The patience
with which he will work round, and elabor-
ate the smallest preparation for his cabinet,
is spider like.
Connected with the mooted questions
concerning the stomach, were others which
it is unnecessary for me to describe; but
they made it imperative that the body, to
be dissected, should be that of a male adult
somewhat aged.
The night arrived We were all in our
dissecting room apparel. The body'entire-
ly nude and completely covered with a
cloth as is the custom, lay upon the table,
and we impatiently awaited the Professors s
arrival.
The conduct Of students in the dissec-
ting room is not, as presume the most of
your readers know from the many able
medical sketches you have published par
ticularly dignifed. In fact, it is Gin view
of the sad proofs of our wrctched helpless
ness and mortality, spread around frivo-
lous, disgusting, and utterly at variance
with the scene, and the legitimate purposes
of the assemblage. Rude jests, profanity,
the intemperate use Of ardent spirits, pipe
smoking, etc., are practiced and INDUCED
in by by all, or nearly all. On this night
we were in the widest spirits, and when,
soon after the hour appointed, the Profess
sor entered, he found us engaged in a
most animated series of laughs, at the
spectacle of lighted cigar stuck between
the lips of half dissected negro.
The Professor appeared to be as joyful
as the students. He regaled us with
several anecdotes more pointed than polite,
but calculated to inspire the heartiest
mirth. | perceived that he was in his best
mood. There he he was, perfect picture
of the man of science, unbending, for the
moment, from the dignities of his station,
so as to insure feeling of ease to those
who had cOngregated to receive his in
structions. And ease, in the presence of
the preceptor, let me tell you, is very
serviceable to pupil.
at is astonishing" he said, as he pre-
pared himself for the business of the night,
show soon We got to b, familiar with the
relics of mortality. Habit is everything.
The first time was introduced to the dis
secting room, | was compelled to bite a
piece of human flesh, that being consider
ed, among my companions, a rite of initia-
ton that could not be omitted. | vowed
mentally that | would never enter such
revolving place again but in three months
l was the most reckless of the members of
all classes. Now / handle the dead as if
they were bales of cotton. Disease in
every shape face without fear Spectacles
of the most appalling character pass By
me, leaving no impression worth mention
ing. And this, gentlemen" said he, rails
ing his voice and approaching the table
whereon lay the subject, this "faculty of
conquering our weaknesses is what makes
us valuable as physicians. Nerve that
young gentlemen, is our greatest aid in
difficult practice. Learn to suppress every
approach to nervousness-school your
selves to view the severest sufferings with
adamantine 6rmness-never betray the
slightest fear and, with hard study to back
you, there can be nothing to retard your
progress in the noblest of all the learned
professions"
Here he made the usual signs to the
janitor, and the official partiality removed
the cloth from the subject-the Professor
standing, then, with his back towards the
table.
"Our first business" he resumed, sis
with the stomach"
We gathered around him full of anxious
expectation.
"You will pay particular attention to
me, " he continued, bearing the scalpel,