New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-02
coELECr OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
slATY-FOUR1U ANNUAL characterization
DRESS ~ CHARLTON T. LEwIS-ADfICE To
TIE DOCTORS AGAINST BEING PROFESSION

sIXTY-FoURTn ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT-hD
DRESS ~ CHARLTON T. LEwIS-ADyICE TO
TIE DOCTORS AGAINST BEING PROFESSION
ALLY MYSTERIOUS.
The Gath annual Commencement Of the Col
ese OF Physicians and Surgeons Icing the Medical De
Pnrtment OF Columbia College, was held at Seinwny
Hall last evening. Tho Hall flied with tho friends
OF the graduates aId OF the Institution. The platform
was occupied by the Faculty Of the Institution end
large number OF the physicians OF the Metropolis. The
degree NJ Doctor OF Medicine conferred by President
Delaneld on the IS ncmbers OF the Graduating Class
Prof Dalton then awarded tho first przo for graduating
theses TO T. hinncutt, A. b. ~ Massachusetts, for an
essay on Pulmonary Consumption, and te second prize
to John o. Roc Md of Pafchoguc L. y. for thesis on
the "Dynamlcs Of Life" Honorable mention was made
OF the following theses: COma-.ts Causes and Effect"
by Hugo knouciler; Plaster OF Paris as surgical
Dressing,"by 6. A. Van Wagenen "Bellaconne as n
Physiological Aniidote TO OPIUM" by NJ. ID. Mann
Crcssiye Muscular Atroply." by Il. C. Brandeis
Chartoh J. Lewis then delivered the address to tho
graduates. lie said that be addressed the nrwlycre
atcd physicians fl tho name Of the general pu'-the
outside harbarians no have never taken the oath OF
HlppOcrtcs. At IN risk OF saying foolish thing,
propose to that there ought to he such thing
high WALTON which stand-arvund the profession or
Medicine. 10 plead in behalf Of tho people ~ large who
want to 49, nearer 70 you and know more about your
business; ~ short 10 make some suggestions upon the
e1asRratons 81 The professional spirit in scientific med
icTne. For We think there Is tendency in your schools
u lar IA ont. IOu, gentlemen, are made physicians
to-day. and physician means student OF nature. 1t IS
great name, symbol OF MI tina. is successful and
glorious IN the history Of mind. But IA cOmprehen-
sye name. too; and medical practitioner who Is really
hysiIn, may be said, In the words OF Bacon TO have
taken ~ knowledge for MS province Ia ancient tines
the healing art rendered mysterious. and Al ell ~
m7do 10 keep It's learning apart from that Of the world
This policy did not always succeed but in spite OF It's
partial failure let canddy ask You whether radi-
ton has not preserved some traces Of IN the profession
To the guatcd mind OF outside observer IL seems
They ,-sut from the fact that your science made up
OF infinite details and that the close study OF detailed
tends b. crowd broad results ont Of the mnd
and oprOduce contempt for them This professional
rrticeucc is therefore natural and in iac unavoidable,
want "a show that II Is one OF those Limitations
OF yOur science which - 80 be struggled against not
naturl Isl. W. find him eager 70 tell us all De can
Of has trt. The foremost " these men stand
in popular lecturc,room.; gYng I'M, tne DtoLd
b. tho ONLY on which popular lecture i unheard OF
and WouIi be mOnstrOus IL is the least communicative,
aud least IN contact In the public opinion OF all me
medical knowledge abroad would Ice but to multiply
guaccry aud lead incompetent rashly to practice
on themselves and others that vague hafknOWledge
which il the wrist form OF ignOrancef i answer
That 81 Is ignorance that Is your obstacle
now; is ignorance that makes Ihe !uisar
mind qua he aud prctenders, and dstrust true
science: and your remedy 10 bo more ignorance To
cure ukuos, 10y excluding ght-o cure folly by shut
ting ont Ni>duiu d shining instance OF hOiso
practice. lLllcnter The same atmosphere 81 lr icS-
,ona eNcusiycncss surrounded ali learning, but It
u. nov lfs-rd away from most branches. The better
any srieuce know the public mind, the more that
mind cOuddcs iu TIE real matters ~ the science
n might assume 20 advise The humbie>t youth enter
ing on the struggle fDr livelihood by the healing art,
concluded the tp-skCr would say to him., select az
ONCE some subject of inquiry in your profession WLch
mterest' you, anu W'n Tue an iih @ iht 1d day
Make yourself specialist IN some thing, however SINAI
hut LINK specially on all sides Win tnc DlOadcr
At the CONCLUSION Of MI Lowiss address the vaedc
tory address pronounced by Edwin \. bOudrldGc'
\ NJ NJ D.. o. blushing, L. l., member Of the Grauu-