Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-24
Boston Letter.

The centennial anniversary OF the founda-
ton Of the Harvard Medical School, which
dates from Oct 7th, 1888, was appropriately
observed last Wednesday, in connection with
the dedication of the recently completed
building for the school on the corner of
Boyls,on and Exeter streets. The school
had outgrown its former quarters, and was
also in need of fire proof building to pre-
serve its large and valuable collection known
as the Warren Museum of Anatomy. That
this condition OF the school was duly appre-
ciated by its friends, is shown by the fact
that they contributed the funds with which
this substantial and commodious edifce was
erected at cost of nearly three hundred
thousand dollars. The building covers
space OF % feet by 80 feet and is four
stories in height, having Hat roof. The
edifice is built of brick trimmed with red
sandstone and terra-cotta. Upon panels of
the latter are engraved the names of men
great in the annals OF medicine which are
placed in the facade. The building is con-
plete in all the arrangements Tor heating
and ventilating II properly, and is also
furnished with every means for the
study of medicine in all its branches
The school began its work in the old Holden
chapel in Cambridge, a century ago, "a al
ready stated 1t was the result of a course
of lectures delivered in Boston before the
Boston Medical Society by Dir. j ohm Warren
brother of Gen Joseph Warren of Revo-
lutionary fame. The school was removed to
Boston i'll 1910, to secure the greater advan-
tages to be be found in a large city for prac-
teal study Here it has remained changing its
location from time to time, until now perma-
nently established in this spacious and cle-
giant structure. The school began with three
professors and handful of students while
now its board of instructors number fifty or
more. and an average of two hundred and
fifty students. Its standard is the highest in
the country. Ii is a subject for profound
gratitude TO the early founders. that this
school was ever begun, and that its growth
and success have been so marked To the pres
ent time. That il has all these wears 40
greatly blessed that portion of the human
race to be found within this Republic. Il
has been houored by having had among its
professors such men as DIR. Oliver Wendell
Holmes and DIR. Bigelow, the latter having
filled the chair of surgery tor thirty-three years
and who now retires with title of Professor
Emeritus. The leading feature of the occa
sion was the address by DR.. Holmes who
succeeded DIR. Warren in lSi1 a. professor
OF anatomy and physiology and which chair
he retained until about a wear ago. One
thought in particular in this admirable ad-
dress should impress itself upon ever, reader
OF 1t, and would that it might be freely circu-
lated at the present time. Ii is this, in the
authors own words: Let us remember
amid the false and foolish stories to which
We are forced 90 listen, that for every lifeless
body dissected at Harvard Medical School,
hundreds, il not thousands, have been saved
pNtrpma nish and
mature death, rs a result of that dissection"
And may there not be some truth in the state
ment that of the many lifeless forms thus
used, some have been the means of cnntribu-
ting more blessings upon the living while
dead, than they did during most of the time
while alive? This address of Dr. HOLMES
contained all those qualities of excellence
and wit, that have eudeared his name to all
who ever heard him speak. OF read his works
The meeting of the creditors of +. Shaw
Bros. on Thursda, last, at which time the
report of their committee was submitted
brought out in greater clesrness than before,
the exact condition of that firms affairs The
firm reported at the creditors meeting held
on Aug. 18th, that their total liabilities were
over seven millions of dollars, while their
assets amounted to more than five millions
The present report sdows the liabilities to
be about five million dollars. and the total
assets are three million dollars. making the
net deficit nearly million and half Ii
the entire estate could be settled at once in a
harmonious and judicious way the creditors
would realize at least 60 per cent. But in
stead OF this it looks as though they would
get less; for there are over a hundred suits
pending against the failed firm, although but
few of the one hundred and for,y-f five banks
who are by far the heaviest losers, have en-
tered upon any such proceedings 1t is now
shown that the Shaws have endeavored to
protect themselves by transcribing their Can
ada property and in other ways. And vet,
TINS report does not show, it is thought. that
there was any intentional criminaltv or mis-
application of funds. Ii now confirms how
ever, what was declared a, the time of the
failure that, 1.-The Shaws tried to do too much
business. The report as a whole. is not so
satisfactory as was wished for and expected
AsHMoNI.
Boston, Oct. goth, 1883.