The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-03-06
mEDuCAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA.
DR.. MANSIONS ADDRESS.
INTERESTING TO souTHERvPHrucIA

IEIERESIlNL 10 OUC1Hcl<' ~ LIZ Si-i-''''
The address of Dr.. o. T. Manson at the
Medical College commencement on Thurs
day night is worthy Of more extended no.
| tice than it received at cur hands yester-
day. We take occasion this morning to lay
an abstract of it before our readers, feeling
assured that many besides the yotaries of
lEsculapius will be interested in its perusal ::
PHYSICIANS, BUT STILL STUDENTS.
DR.. Manson addressed his hearers as his
"young friends, or, as he might now say,
brother physicians" Though no longer
students in name, he hoped they would con-
.inue to be students in fact; for diligent and
systematic study was still required of them,
not only to sustain respectable position
among their professional brethren, but also
to retain the knowledge they had already
acquired. For in this science, as in others,
we can never remain in fixed condition.
We must progress or retrograde; and this
science Is now advancing with such unpre-
cedented rapidity that il our studies are
discontinued We will soon be left far be-
hind.
THE SOUTH AND THE DISEASES OF THE SOUTH.
To the southern physician especially q
| vide field is open. He sees phases Of dis
ease almost practically unknown to the
best authors of Great Britain and Conti-
mental Europe, to whom we are chiefly in
debted for current literature bearing upon
the science. The diseases of the South de-
mand history, and it is incumbent on
YOU to furnish contributions for the work.
The notifications Of our climate on disease
in general have been imperfectly noticed,
and present an inviting subject for investi-
CATION. The same may be said OF those
arising from race. The peculiar phases Of
disease presented in the African; his
greater liability to be impressed by special
morbifc causes, and his comparative ex-
emption from the effect of others, deserve
further study.
In entering upon the study of the dis
esses peculiar to this climate the speaker
advised the young physicians to engage in
it in o methodical manner. Commence at
the commencement-begin with the study
of the earliest writer's on ancient medicine.
To the southern physician, the writings Of
Hippocrates and Galen are peculiarly Valu-
able. The first residing in Greece and the
second in Rome, they saw and described
the same diseases that prevail in the south
ern States. Hippocrates has been trans
lated into English Galen has not. Both
have been translated into the French lam
guage, which is almost key 70 the whole
temple of medicine. a knowledge of it
enables us to consult the works Of the
surgeons in Algiers,-who have carefully
studied the diseases OF that region, and
which are almost identical with ours-be-
sides enabling us to consult valuable works
on other subjects that have not been trans
lated. The contributions of Germany to
medical science, the works of the English
physicians in India, and brakes Diseases
of the Interior Valley Of North America,
were, in this connection, strongly com-
nendcd to the students. He also advised
them 10 devote certain number Of hours
each day to the study Of their science, re-
serving, of course, reasonable portion OF
time for other intellectual improvement.
DO NOT NEGLECT THE LADIES.
Above all, sold the Doctor, let some of
your time be passed in the society of the
gentler sex. This will not only be source
| of pleasure, but safeguard from many 8
danger. In woman's sympathy you will
| find an antidote for many o care, and IN
| her smile an incentive to worthy and noble
deeds. The home of lovely and pure wo-
men, radiant with their bright eyes, redo
lent with flowers, and enlivened By music
and song and innocent mirth, is charm
ed circle where an evil spirit hesitates to
eater, and is the nearest approach to Hea-
ven given to mortals TO ENJOY.
con woman, lovely woman
Nature made thee TO temper man. WeRad Deen
But brutes without you. Angels are painted
| To look like YOU This is all that we believe
| OF Heaven, amazing brightness, purity, ana
truth,
Eternal 10y and everlasting love-"
KIND WORDS FOR THE NEGRO.
The poor ye have always with you, and
| in the history Of our unfortunate section
| never 80 many az now. Emancipation has
| also thrown vast number Of the African
race upon the charity of the world. He
| could not believe that their calls for relief
would be neglected. They have great
many claims upon us. They have tolled
for the support Of our race for many gene
| rdtions. During the late unhappy civil war
they were generally faithful, and it was to
their labors that we were indebted during
that dark and troublous time for food for
ourselves, our wives, and children. They
still generally labor diligently, as proven by
the abundant crops Of the past year, which
you know were chiefly cultivated by them
They are still our people, and it is our duty
to befriend them and relieve their suffer
inps. Thousands of us have been tenderly
nurtured by them in cur childhood. BY
them our first trembling, infant steps were
guided, and securely as on mother
breast reposing, often have we slumberec
near their faithful hearts.
Let US not, then, resign to others the care
of this race, bound to US by 30 many tie;
and services and recollections; nor let III
in this day of light and Christianity be illeo
with less noble emotions than the heather
dramatist when he exclaimed, "Homo sum
ct h,tmani me nil alenun pu!o."
| vALEDICToRY.
After speaking at length of the many
amenities of his profession, aud most en-
Enthusiastically Of its pleasures and rewards
the Doctor in few words bade his friend
of the graduating class an affectionate fare
well. Though you part from us now, sait
he, do not believe that we shall forget yo'
or cease to feel the warmest interest in you
welfare. We shall expect to hear iron
you and of you, and We shall bo mistaken
if those tidings are not Of good report. W
have personal interest in your futur
career, for it remains for you to illustrat
: the value Of the instruction here received
and to reflect credit upon your college. W
will therefore hail your arrival OF distinc
tion with pride and pleasure. Resolve
| attain that distinction, and we feel assure
that with proper exertion you will-yo
must-succeed. Gentlemen, in the nam
| ~ rnnr alma mater IN the name of m