New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-30
THE LECTURE.

LADIES AND UENTLEMEN: Ill dcCOIudnCo Will
time honored custom have assembled this evening
to naugurate annual Of instruction in the
Medical Department OF the University OF NewYork,
and to extend sincere welcome to these who have de-
cidod 10 study the healing art.
The Medical Department Of the University OF new
York was first permanently established quarter Oh
century ago In the building No go broadway It's Fac
uty WAS composed OF men OF distinguished aDnty anu
the names Valentine Mott, Martyr Paine, Granville
g. PatIson John Revere Cunning 8. Bedford and John
William Draper only dear to the older alumni OF
the College, hOnored and respected both at home
and abroad With such corps Of instructors the new
school position the leading institu-
tons OF the land, 1t repaid the confidence OF the
profession by becoming the ardent advocate Of improve
anepts IN medical instructions and by establishing series
OF cinques which the were treated gratuitousy
before the class the first TO render the enormous
medical resources Of NewYork available for the pur-
poses Of medical education so rapid was the growth OF
the new school that within few years OF Its foundation
its annual graduating classes numbered from 12S to $50
members and stimulated by the that had at
tended their efforts the Faeulty determined to erect
more commodous building which should meet the an
nualy Increasing demand. They therefore sold the
Broadway and began the erection OF an ed
fee in Foureentht which was the most perfect OF lts
Kind containing less than three large lecture balls
each of which from 500 to 600 persons large and
small diSsectng rooms practical chemical laboratories,
museums and clinical bedrooms for patients who had
undergone severe operations.
THREE PROFESSORS AND A HOLE IN FOURTEENTH-ST.
The construction of such building required time, and
contractor promised should be ready for the open
tng OF the Fall course but the "plaus O. mice and
men aft gang aglee" unable to fulfill his promise;
trouble with the wOrkmen, strikes interfered with
all building operations, and there complete STOP
page In the work in progress on the college edhce AT
the time changes occurred in the Faculty Some
died. resigned and the recently nOurshng nsu-
nd utafa IFS
rejoieed the discontinue of their rival and
city medical journal only truly described the college
consisting Of three professors and hole in Four
feminist BY the indOmiabe energy Of the remaining
members OF the Faculty all these difficulties were sur
mounted. The vacant Professorshps were filed The
hole in POureen-St occupied by the finest medical
edce in the world, and the introductory lecture was
given the appsnted day. but to a greatly reduced
class for the unfinished state Of the building coupled
with the Misrepresentation Of enemies, had induced
large proportion Of the students TO transfer their allie
glance elsewhere and were required TO regain the
ground At last the tide Of prosperity was at
the food hundreds OF young men crowded the lecture
halls and everything promised that the efforts OF past
years would their reward. But these prospects
were not destined TO meet their realization, for
civil war suddenly invaded the land, and IN
single day the University College lost nearly 200
students who returned their homes TO prepare for the
coming conflict. Though thus terribly wounded, the
College continued its course OF instruction and the
Faculty cOntended manully with adversely. AT last,
peace declared and the horizon began to brighten
the future gave promise OF renewed prosperity, I'm
provements made in the course OF lectures and
the professors did all that laid 10 their 70 meet the
Increased wants OF the times. Prosperity approached
but her coquettsh advances had scarcely commenced
when suddenly terrible fire swept away single
night the accumulated treasures Of years Invaluable
museums. drawings, preparations aud apparatus OF
every description disappeared and In the morning the
outside world nothing Of the College but toterng
walls and the traditional hole In Fourteenth-st
The first notification the majority of the members OF
the Faculty received Of the catastrophe was the appear
ance OF the usual sensational headings in the city papers
OF the following morning The great majority OF men
would succumbed at to this adverse fortune
but this was not the with the Faculty. they deter
mined that phenxke the College should arise from its
ashes and regain its former prosperity In evidence OF
their eatnestnoss at once taken 10 obtain
temporary quarters and scarcely hours had elapsed
from the first firing OF the building before notice was
erected on the stating that the Spring course OF
lectures would be continued without interruption in the
large hall OF the Demilt Dspensary While rendering
honor the professors who thus met this apparently
fatal blow cannot recall praseworhy conduct
81 the students then connected with the College, Of
whom deserted II in It's hour OF trial, but without
exception attended the It continued In the
new quarters Encouraged by this faithful allegiance
measures were taken TO obtain moro commodOus
Accommodations for the Winter session. and finally suit
able rooms were leased in the New-York Hospital.
These were speedily fitted up and 1.-THE members Of the
faculty commenced anew the collection Of museums and
apparatus required for instruction brief sooErn at
the hospital suced to restore the energies OF the In
sttuon, aud 1t is again sodly established In the
present edice which, though 1t may not be as imposing
IN appearance other buildings, is devoted en-
trely the legitimate purposes Of the College, and the
very modesty Of its exterior indicative Of its internal
THE COURSE FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS.
This gentlemen the history of the fortunes and mis-
of the University College, 1t true it might
have tinted with anecdotes Of those who have been
connected with 1t In the capacity of instructors and
pupils might have related Of the racy sayings
OF Mott, PattisOn and Bedford i might have told
thrilling OF the dissecng and OF chemical
operations might even have described my own
perences when first appeared as private pupil be-
fore my honored colleague, William A. Darling who
then demonstrators OF anatomy, and TO whom am in
debted for thorough knowledge Of the sphenoid bone
and also a couple Of versined lines which have al
ways enabled reooect the names and positions OF
the carpa bones but these matters consume ume and
we must pass to the consideration OF the work
you have to accomplish and present some views regard
ing the manner In which your studies should be ar
ranged their relations 70 each other and especially Of
the relation Of the department OF chemistry 70 the rest
student Of medicine Is expected 10 studyHat least
three gears during OF which he Is TO attend no less
than distinct Of lectures These with the
necessary reading, attendance clinics, hospitals and
private cassos and the duty TO be performed in the dis
secting ROOM constitute task that may we'll appal the
most vigorous mind. Yet by proper arrangement Of
the course OF study the difficulties vanish and person
OF ordinary intelecs IN the allotted time obtain
very fair knowledge Of the essential facts in each de-
partu,ent The seven divisions Of medicine which the
student expected master surgery obstetrics med
iclne materia medica, philosophy anatomy and chem
istry order In which they have been mentioned