Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-05-14

from the laNmen, WHO look at the Cnar-
acter and standing of the college. II
they were to leave this college under
these circumstances, no other respecta-
bile college could afford to admit them
or would admit them. He hoped the
students would do nothing discreditablt
to themselves or the college. The com
munity is watching this matter. He
hoped each man would settle this ques
ton for himself, without regard to votes
of the whole body. He hoped each would
attend the lectures of the professor OF
surgery, in u good spirit. His position
was, under the circumstances, hare
enough one at best. Give him II fail
chance to show what he can do; ant
be assured that the trustees will not sui
fer this or any other department of the
University to lack competent instruction
Prof King, of the Medical Faculty added
Il few words.
PROF. KINGS REMARKS.
He said the students ought to join hin
in thanking President Buckham for his
kind, timely and good advice. He heartily
endorsed it. 1t is too late to consider the
origin of this difficulty. All now depends
on your action. The best thing you car
do is to hear the lectures of the professor OF
surgery. You say you have heard him in
clinics, Then it won't hurt you to hear hin
in the lecture room. You will thus place
yourselves right before the trustees and
the community. Suppose you absent
yourselves, will it do you any good You
will simply lose time and valuable instruc
ton. AS the oldest member of the medi
cal faculty in point of service and deeply
interested in the welfare of the students and
of the college, and speaking both for HIM
self and Prof. Grnnell, he hoped they
would hear the lectures of the professor OF
surgery, respectfully, steadily and con
tinuously. 1t they had voted to do other
wise he hoped they would reconsider their
action
President Buckham and Dr. King were
each greeted with applause, and were lis
tened to respectfully by the class but theil
wholesome advice was not regarded.
When Prof. Bingham delivered the
opening lecture of his course at = o'clock
p. m, the great mass of the students alb
scented themselves. The number present
did not exceed ten or twelve. \ number
of physicians and citizens, however, were
peresent, who partially filled the vacant
benches.
PROF. BGNGHAN's OPENING LECTURES.
Prof. Bingham occupied two successive
hours. In his opening lecture he remarked
upon the present condition of surgical
science, and the advances made in modern
times Owing to the higher standards of
medical education and the use of anUs-
thetics, many ordinary practitioners are
now able to perform operations which for
merry only the greatest surgeons under
took. surgery Is moving on in the march
of human gresS one Of its greatest
81 hps has been the introduction of anti
septic treatment. 10y which the morbiiic
germs are excluded or destroyed.
rms treatment allows operations to be
performed which not long ago were con
sldcred impossible Successful operations.
however are not the principal objects of
medical skill. 1t is Il higher triumph to
aid nature and to substitute natural res
toiatlon for surgical treatment. The edu-
cation we give aud receive should not be
too technical. Our profession is a noble
and attractive one, possessing the attrac-
tons of unending novelty, utility and
charity. In its practice we pass contluu-
ally among wonders and surprises. There
is always new truth to be gained, and
every new truth and fact should he util-
lzed for the good of mankind. Some may
acquire wealth, but wealth is not the
highest evidence of success. The highest
success Is to alleviate and lessen the sum
of human suffering and to make the tu-
ure OF the race happier and better than
its past
In Prof. Bingham's second lecture he
discussed the germ-theory of pyHmia or
anu III INFECTIOUS diseases
described the various forms of bacteria,
the chemical means of destroy
ing them, gave formula for autiseptic
exhibited ligatureS, drain
age-tubes and various absorbent and anti.
septic dressings and described the meth
DDS OF preparing, keeping and using them,
laying stress on the Importance OF cleauli-
ness and antiseptic precautions, especially
IN cities and communities where the germs
OF Injection are more abundant
Prof. Bingham illustrated his instruc-
ton by citing cases from his extensive
practice, and seemed to make an excellent
impression on ali appropriated hearers.
What the outcome of the affair will be
remains to be seen. Attendance on the
lectures being optional with the students,
the absence Of any one or more is not Il
case for discipline. If they choose to de
priVe themselves of instruction in surgery,
they of course cannot receive degrees. 1t
Is still hoped that the calmer and wiser
counsels addressed to them may prevail.