The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-19
THE METROPOLITAN MEDICAL COLLEGES.
Lecture OF Professor w. IL. Van Buren,
Mt the University.


York University to large number of the medical proies
and the public generally, by Professor W, H. Van
Buren,, 1t intended Introductory to the ensuing
winter course. He commenced by stating that read in
Puarch that of the famous schools of philosophers Of
ancient Greece required of the ncophyes who sought adj
mission into their ranks amongst other preparatory eNer
cses TO spend certain period III The study of the lives
aud characters Of their distinguished dead, TO the end
that becoming familiar with their achievements, and the
means by which they were attained, spirit OF emulation
would be thus aroused TO initiate their example and rival
their iustrous deeds. He said he recognized SO much
of sound, practical wisdom in this rule of
the Alhenan philosophers that he venturei TO practise
upon them this evening and to invite them to take ram
BILE with him backwards into the astcentuy and perhaps
little further in order that might inform ourselves
10 what Of men some Of those whose names
we ind engraven on the pillars and tablets which
ment every side the Temple Of Medicine, on whose
portico we stand, and the interior Of which he
about TO penetrate As devotees of the medical science
he hoped they would not shrink from spending hour
so the company Of the dead They friends and
our best teachers--t was from them, in way
other that the physician learned his most valuable lessons
After making few more remarks (Which We shall omit,
being uninerestng TO the general reader) he continued
by saying that Antonio Scarpa, anatoinlst surgeon,
teacher and author, was pupil Of Moreagni colem'
porary and friend Of the Hunters England Desaults,
Bchat and Frero Come France Of Richter aud Brock
el in Germany and born in Italy in the year lI47.
HIS father was merchant of means and he had the good
fortune TO have for uncle dgnary Of the church,
who took charge, Of his education After a thorough
academic course he commenced the study OF at Iadua
STILL thanks 10 yelasus, the foremost of the Italian
schools. The great Morgagni at this period the first
OF the age occupied the chair OF veasus and
engaged in putting to the browning work of his
hfe-his famous treatise De Redebus causis Morborumn
scarla through the influence OF his uncle had the
COED fortune to become his private pupil and intimate
frend-that far boy of eighteen and
Of fourscore be intimate in friendship, for Morgagni
in his Soth year He had lost his eyesight and
apa became his reader and private secretary Scientific
works and lett OF consultation constantly received
by the great physician from all parts of Europe: these
were read TO Morgagni by his pupil and his Judgments
criticisms and opinions dcaed and recorded This rela
ionshp continued until the death Of Morgagni, which
took place at the end Of three years. from apopexy he
said TO have died in the OF his favorte pupil II is
not easy conceive the immense profit to be derived
from such association as this by young gifted
with the genius Of Scarpa. 1t is so for rapid
and unthoughtfu youth be brought into intimate
and liable intercourse with slowly moving cautious
and thoughtful age Yet this instance his pupil undoub
eddy derived ncaculable advantage from the RICH ripe
old age OF Morgagni The old mans long life had been
passed in the continuous study of anatomy and patholo
gy Literally thousands of cases of fatal disease closely
watched at the hospital bedside and afterwards carefully
dssected in order to reach the and of the
disease accurately recorded in the great work of life
the revision of which for the press bis young pupil
assisted Is 1t wonderful that this pupil placed his own
next to his master in thelbrian succession of TIA
han teachers Of medicine. During his pupilage Scarpa
noted for the ability and skill OF his dssections, and
this reputation secured for him. shortly after receiving
OF the Italian duchy whose people have Just dethroned
direct descendant OF the Duke Francis, by whom Scar
pa made professor Of anatomy the University OF
Modena in the twenty fifth year of his age The young
professor industrious and devoted student and
the first published results Of hs abors were researches
into the anatomy and physiology OF the organ of hear
ing, containing extensive series of dissections
Of the lower animals. Scarpa was as skiful in
he use Of the pence, as OF the scapel
and hence find all of his anatomical! and surgical writ
ings illustrated by admirably executed drawings This
useful and graceful accomplishment contributed not IT.
tln Ia lp az He tbep
give brief hisotry OF his fortunes and
historical facts connected with Scarpaon his travelling
practice and experience his living in the spring Of 1871
London following the lectures of Poll and Aanson of the
brothers William aud John Hunter of Cruickshank and
Shedon--what constellation Of talent How such
a man as Scarpa have learned from John Hunter who
then constructing that vast cocction-since the
der Of the Notwithstanding human anatomy by prepa-
ratons drawn from every part OF the animal kngdom
seeming to possess the faculty peculiar to genius of nspr
ous enthusiasm in the pursuit Of science by which he
himself was animated. dc said that from Cruckshank he
learned the art Of making mercurchal injections
Of the lymphatics set Of organs first dscov
cred by an Italian, Eustacheus, and in regard
to which the grea, monograph Of the Italian
anators Muscagn is still the highest authority About
the close Of Revolutionary war, dnd him in Italy
occupying and elevated position and about 10 enter
upon the most brilliant part o. M. career ne referred
the University Of Pavia-one of the largest and most
celebrated Of the Italian schools of medicine his extra
ordinary powers oflecturng drawing immense numbers Of
students citizens and strangers to hear him. and other
interesting facts too numerous TO mention among which
brought together dgesed and sysematZed all that
known several particular subjects connected with
medicine and anatomy and announced doctrines and
precepts Of practice, which, carried out by
his pupils and SUCCESSORS have caused the Of
aneursm to occupy the most brilliant page of modernism
gerry. In 1905. they say Cooper the great English
surgeon operated for the first time for carotid aneursm
o disease up this time universally regarded fatal
Ramsden in 1906 tied the subcaran artery at the root OF
the neck for oxary aneursr. but the effort
cessfu and it was reserved for New York surgeon,
Wright Post save the first human life by this ope
ration: but the New World took the lead of the Old,
and New York surgeon extended his adventurous hand
to the Interior Of the body reached the great nno
and the primitive lilac arteries, noble efforts
aneursrD by carrying out the doctrines Of Scarpa
and Hunter shall always regard as one of the privi
human being who cured by lgature Of
the great lilac artery. He is one Of nine or
in various parts world by surgeons OF skill and
courage who in this operation followed the lead of yalen
tine Mott He went on 70 state that more recent efforts
have proved that aneursm may be cured by systematic
compression, remedy abandoned except adj
junct and palliative and this resource of modem
surgery undoubtedly the best adapted to certain class
OF cases but 1t will supersede the lgatre the
principal and most reliable remedy for the disease. He
again referred scarpa, his literary career the marked
attention paid to him by dignitares Of church and tae
the high posis Of honor he filled, and finally his death,
which took place in 1882, in his eighty third year.
able, after so rapid and imperfect a sketch
Of his life and actions, to attempt an esti-
what he had learned well from what he had stated
OF him. be should Judge that although he did not possess
eler the orancy or originality OF Jonn Hunter or Bl-
chat bis greatest coemporaries yet that he exered more
immediate and extensive Influence upon medical and
ecal science than either After some very elaborate
marks ancient and modern medical ghts,n he
cluded by saying in the study of the various types Of
nasmatc Affections Of yellow fever, and other epidemic
diseases, especially in our newly occupied territories
what boundiess field is presented for observation and
investigation. have thus far gentlemen, carried you
back through the domains Of predecessors In order
that might learn the means by which they have
enlarged and improved our beloved science. We
have also taken a hasty and imperfect glance
Of the momentous future, in which so much
remains yet to be accomplished for the good Of mankind
Let endeavo to profit by their example, and to emulate
their good works.
Lives of great men all remind us,
We make our lives sublime.
And departing leave behind uE,
Footprints in the sand OF time
The lecture listened 10 with marked attention by
all present, with exception Some unknown iuiivi-
dual wishing TO make himself conspicuous, commenced
grooming and yawning with grunt, until he politely
requested leave. The professor greeted with re-
poate1 annlause during the delivery of bis Lecture