The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-01

science-Physics-to medicine. These con-
sisted In the various physical instruments
furnished, and in the laws oflignt' neat, aud
electricity which it taught. iassing to the
biological sciences. he had something to say
OF the old "vital force" which Hunley
prorounces an dsyium tgnord,d'dt, and
also OF the germ theory OF disease; on
both which subjects light must come from
biology. He next adduced q better use Of
true scientific methods as perhaps the most
important lesson that medicine could learn
from other sciences. These methods, be
said, were far more valuable than any
scientific results could be, and while they
were the same for all the sciences, they
were specially difficult OF application in
medicine. The difficulties OF medicine as
science were then strongly exhibited and
also humorously illustrated by some eXpe-
riences OF the speaker with sea-sick man.
Amid these difficulties superstition and
quackery find room to come in and flour
ish. Some forms OF these received sharp
handling. In particular the speaker was
hard on mineral springs, Indian doctors,
and "Nature's own remedies" Remind
Ing the young graduates that the profess
sion on which they were entering was no
sinecure, and that the public tolerated no
hali-heartedness or lack OF consecration
in il, he concluded with, gome encour-
aging considerations based on the pro-
gress OF medicine, and on its true nobil-
ity. Reviewing the past, he showed that
even the absurd theories, disgusting
treatments, and ridiculous reasonings OF
earlier practice, while they may move our
pity, our indi gnatiOn may also give US en-
cOuragement in the fact that there was
some grain OF truth in all, and that these
garnered grains, sown in congenial soil,
are now bringing forth n rich harvest.
The advance OF the last fifty years
has been at least twice that OF the
previous fifty; but this only opens the
way for still greater advances in the future.
He warned the young physician not to be-
licve that all had been attained. and urged
that medicine must soon take higher
ground. IL must assume the offensive and
not content itself with curing disease. but
must precent 1t; nay, must even attack It
in its own haunts, and stamp it out. Mcdi-
cine should goforth, like another Hercules,
TO rid the world OF its mOnStrd hOrTendd,
and it should not cease its labOrs till such
scOurges as ycIlow-ieycr. cholera, and in
temperance were laid as trophies at the
feet OF science.
lie concluded witha warm eXhor;ation to
these graduates to show themselves worthy
of their calling. than which none could be
nObler, assuring them that they should
win abundant reward in emoldment, in AZ
fectiOn, and in the conscious performance
day by day OF deeds of charity, humanity,
and philanthropy.
ALL OVER.
At the close OF Mr.. Winston's address
the audience was dismissed with the bene-
diction by Rev. Mr.. Kerr.
The Medical College OF Virginia has
rarely, if ever, had a more prosperous
session than this last. 1t seems to have
received new life. Its faculty have had
much to contend with, but have worked
with zeal, courage, and an ability that
eXtortS credit from all who admire pluck.
The future must have good things in
store for them.