Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-07-11

On Monday occurred the Commencement
exercises Of the Medical department of the
University. at the College Street Church.
At , r. m. the President, the acting
Dean of the Medical Faculty-Prof. Collier,
the Dean Icing in Europe-the Chaplain of
the occasion, Rev. DR.. Cummings, and the
speaker, rrof. Howard. took their seats on
the platform, and the graduating class en-
tered the middle aisle
After prayer by the Chaplain, the Presi-
dent introduced the orator. who addressed
the audience as follows:
DR.. HowARD's ADDRESS.
In accordance with your request, as the
chosen representative of my colleagues,
come withmingied pleasure and sadness to
offer you word of parting and of cheer
Looking back upon the relations which we
have sustained. We cannot withhold our
thanks for tire lessons you have taught H.
for the energy and forbearance you have
exhibited. The thought Of parting must
have discovered to Us points of mutual at
tachment more than before we knew. In
such relations and in such a time as this
mere words of praise would mock our mean
ing. Looking sternly towards your future,
our well-wishing concerns your welfare
and so we would fain add words of help in
this our parting valediction.
In respect to the Importance of Your
calling opinions have been various Plato
considered the prosperity of doctors n sign
of the corruption of the times. There is
good deal of speculation as to the conse-
quences if all doctors were to die. Hector
BOethius, speaking of the Isles of the Or
kades, says the people live one hundred
years. On the other hand we find in history
much eulOgy concerning the value of med
icine and physicians. Apollo and Escula-
Plus were accounted gods. Not only 50.
but whereas Venus was worshipped at
Cyprus. Esculapius, being the father of |
medicine, had many temples, because of |
the ilimitable value of his art The es-
teen for medicine has been partly due to
the obscurity of the principles upon which |
1t was based. Now, resting upon a solid |
foundation, 1t is rising sOlemnly and slow, |
claiming homage. In enterprise, the medi /
cal profession is unsurpassed by any other,
the very shape of it having changed within |
the present generation. 1t is your good for
tune. gentlemen, to start in your profession
upon high level, and with unprecedented
advantages. Many of the questions answer
ed at your examination, put to physician
one hundred years ago, would have been in
soluble enigmas. Every day the microscope
and test-tube give answers to questions
which we have but lately learned to answer.
Ether and ehloroform are comparatively |
new inventions. These are but few of
the advantages of which you, to-day, take
possession. On becoming practitioners of
you assume new responsibilities,
new duties. From having been occupied
with medicine chiefly as science, you
will now devote yourselves more directly
to it as an art. The science of medicine
stitutes skill, no man can teach. As prac-
teal skill is essential to patronage, the in
centive to it will be ever present. In sci
entifc progress the incentive will be less
potent and less immediate. 1t is here |
wish to place q signal-post with - Dan
GER" upon it, He who lets his art get