The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-10-08
MEDICAL. COLLEGE OF sOUTH CARO-
lima,

MEDICAL. COLLEGE OF SOUTH CAHo-
lima,
We have Tor some time had it i'll contemplation 10
publish a series of sketches giving brief account
Of The history of the several collegiate institutions
OF this State, and should DO glad if our friends III
the interior would assist us toward the accomplish
ment OF this design by sending US such nforma-
lion relative to the subject, as they may have at
their command. In pursrance.of TINS plan we
proceed to-day TO give en- optome ct the history OF
tho
MEDICAL. COLLEGE OF rHE STAri- os SOUTH cAHo
LIMA.
In the colonial period of our history our profes-
sionsl men were educated abroad, enjoying tine
training and sometimes receiving the honorH Oh
English Universities This was more especially
the case with our medical men, whoperhaps pront-
ed more by these advantages than did the me1n-
hars of other professions in that they usually, by
correspondence with tLa;: European preceptors,
kept abreast OF all that now useful or interest,"
ing in the several branches of medical science.
With the independence of the United States ean,e
also desire TO establish and patronize home IN
st:tutlons, and Philadelphia became the sect OF
medical learning for this country. All who desired
TO establish and maintain position for ths sm-
selves, however still continued to seek practlcai
knowledge at the cliniques Of the Surgical Hospital
in London, ov of the Hotel Dieu at Paris.
In 1894 the physicians of Charleston formed q
State Medical Society for the purpose o. advancing
medical inquiry, and the study OF the diseases pc
culiar 70 our climate. This body being composed
Of gentlemen of recognized talent who were al the
same time ambitious of seeing their profession
sustained the high position which they knew 1t
deserved, used every effort to stimulate research
among physicians. In order better to advance
this object, proposition was made IN lo22 by Dr.
T. G. PRIoIEAU to establish Medical School in
Charleston. Although his suggestion was siren
uously urged before the Medica! Society, it was s
lowed TO remain dormant until 1923, when DR.. s.
Fl. DICKSON brought the subject again beforc the
State; this time successfully. committee OF three
members from the society we're appointed to con-
slider and report upon the proposed institution.
This committee consisted of Drs JOSEPH JOHNSON,
T. G.. PR1oLEAU and JAMES MoULTRIE, and it is TO
the industry, energy and unwearied assiduity Of
these gentlemen, that we are indebted for this
useful institution.
Tho first appeal of this Committee was TO the
Trustees of the Charleston College, asking for the
privilege Of establishing, under their charter,
| Medical Department, which request after much
discussion was declined not being deemed ez-
pedent Not discouraged by this refusal, their CT.
forts we're redoubled and at their urgent solicita-
ton the Medical Society memoriall1ed the Legisla-
ture of the State to amend their charter and ALL
| thorize them to found a college. This memorial
met with mos unexpected ana strong opposition
in the Legislature. The South Carolina College
considered it usurpation Of their prerogatives
| and through their president, DR.. COOPER, arrayed
the up-country against tho lower, in opposition to
this measure, and had il not been for the zeal
with which SAMUEL. PRIoIEAU Esq, urged the
petition OF the memorialists, and the able support
of the Charleston delegation, the application
would have been lost.
With their amended charter, the Socie.. pro
coded to organize School OF Medicine, and in
March, 1924, elected the following corps of Pro-
fessors: Drs. J. N. CAMPBELL to tho Chair OF
Anatomy $. FL DICKSON to that Of Practice OF
Medicine, Fl. Il. FROST Materia Medica r and E..
RAvENEL Chemistry STEPHEN ELLIOTT, LID,
Botany and Natural History.
| AT the first meeting OF the newly elected Facu-
| ty, Professor PRIoLEAU was appointed Dean,
and Immediately commenced the work of prepara-
tion for their approaching session. DR.. CAMPBELL
resigned from the Faculty before the opening Of
their first course OF lectures, and DR.. J. E. HoL-
BROOK was elected to fill the vacancy i'll Anatomy.
The Faculty obtained from the City Council lot
or land in Queen street, upon which they erected
appropriate buildings. and in November, 1924
commenced their first course OF lectures to class
of upwards of fifty students. III March, 1926, ivc
OF the class applied for graduation. and, sitter be-
ing examined, received their diplomas.
The College became decidedly popular, and sfsr
4 few years it was found necessary To enlarge the
building, to accommodate the Increasing number
OF students which attended the Course. The City
Council appreciated tho advantage accruing to the
city iiom the number OF young men attracted by
| the Medical School, and libea ally enlarged their
grant land, and appropriated from the city treasu
ry $4,000 to aid the Faculty in the construction OF
suitable library. In return for this generous do
nation the Faculty bound themselves III perpetui-
ty to supply professional attendance. 90 thu city
hospitals free of charge
| In passing we would throw out the Quary
whether it would moi be economy to tho city: in
these days Of municipal impecuniosity, TO looi,
into its ancient relations with the Faculty al the
Medical College and keep it up to Its obrga-
tions. By so doing, the city would obtain the best
medical attendance for the sick under its charge,
and save the expense of paving physicians, as
they. now do. Econom: ana re:renchncnt should
be the order of the DAY,
the State also about that period appropriated
$4,000 to all i'll the construction of the College
building, etc., and with these appropriations the
Faculty erected the building nov used BY them
corner Franklin and Quccn-stree.s
In 1881 '32 difficulty arose between ;ns tacui,'
and the Medical Society, whicl. eyensuatod in an
open rupture and separation Of the two bodies
The Society claimed aud obtained legal possession
Of the building and apparatus. and the Facuit!
were deposed. The professors beng thus de
pr,vel Of what they considered the prodnct o
the.r individual toll. applied fol a separate rd III
dependent chartci Pfo?esso; PRioIgAu prepare
and presented the memorial On ihe part ol s''
Faculty The char;cr VAS gian:=1 y t;e iegis
| iatrre Board OF Trustees vas nomusiei, aIt
I the old Faculty resumed their places ana thc
| work except that Dr. RANsEY a. Professor o