New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-10-19
MR. rlyDERBIlTS GEyEBOrS GIFT.

u
We take sincere pleasure IN making the an
nounccmcnt that Mr.. William II. Vanderbilt
has given half Il million dollars as building
fund to the College of Physicians ana sur
ccons of the City of New York. This muniii-
cent gilt is not only All agreeable surprise 10
the institution which receives IT, but 1t Is also
a direct and permanent contribution To the ad-
vanccmcnt of medical science, ana IN the same
degree concerns the public health and the
general welfare.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons Is
the oldest medical school i'll the State ana
among the oldest in the country, having Decn
chartered in 1907, and its diploma is known
and respected throughout the world. But
although in the past ii has borne upon the roll
of its faculty and alumni many OF the most
eminent names of the medical proles'lon ana III
rcputc to-day stands second to none OIL It's
sister colleges in America, 1t i, nevertheless,
dependent for its existence wholly upon the
fees received from students, being possessed OF
10 endowment whatever. Its connection WITH
Columbia COLLEGE Is simply an alliance the
school being governed by ItS own Board OF
Trustees and receiving no support from the
treasury Of the college. Its building ana equip
mcnt are inadequate To the needs Of II progress
sivc institution for reasons which are Related 10
the advance Of medical science.
The teaching OF medicine differs from that of
some of the SISTER professions in that 1t includes
an education Of the senses rs well as 81 thc III
tcllcct 4 great school of theology or law re-
ouircs simply great thcooganS oi lawyers 10
cxpound, Il technical library for reference and
sufficient space to seat the classes. Medicine.
ON the other hand, has taken its place rs one of
the experimental and demonstrative sciences.
II deals with the structure chemistry and phvs-
les ol the living body, and its practice isthc APP
pication of chemistry and physic to the cure or
amcloraiono Of disease. Naturally, the teaching
of medicine must proceed upon the same lines
as that of other physical sciences, and, unlike
the student of theology or law. the medical
student must educate not only his intellect,
but his eyes and hands. in ample laboratories
of chemistry, of physiology, OF anatomy, OF
pathology. Of matcria mcdica-all equipped
with elaborate apparatus. Moreover he must
be taught torccognize disease III living subjects.
and for this spacious clinical accommodations
are Indispensable medical school, therefore.
rcnurcs far more than competent teachers and
commodous lecture rooms; it requires great
building and n costly plant.
10 secure this home and equipment for the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, which has
shown itself worthy of such an endowment by
an honorable record of thrce-quartcrs OF
century, Mr.. Vanderbilt has given this large
sum of money. II will provide for the future
in,urovcd means Of medical instruction ANA
hence n more competent body Of medical prac-
tllonrrs. aud II will secure 10 the community
girntpi knowledge and skill In the treatment
Of private patients, In the care Of the sick and
disabled In the hospitals, AMI IN the control ana
prevention uf disease IN every department Ui
public hygiene From all who are engaged IN
The study application ~ exposition ~ medical
silence, MI Nahdpibil's lbrial sft Ia SITE io
receive grateful acknowledgement ahd The
intelligent public which ipalisps how rlosrlt
q nolo profound ana accurate hnowle'lee III The
cause AMI cure ~ dlspasp 10 related ~ 'hh gen
eial comfort and prosperity will ieoee ~ the
execution oi his humane and enlightened pur-
pose,