New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-08
NEEDS OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
DIR. LOOMS SPEAKS ON WHAT Should BE
DONE IN THIS CITY.
| HIS ADDRESS AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE
ACADEMY OF MEDIcINE-PRosPEcTs TOR
PREsIDENT's sPEEnH.

ACADEMY OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TOE
NEW BUILDING-THE RETIRING
PRESIDENTS SPEECH
At the meeting of the New-York Academy OF
Medicine last night, DR.. Alfred L. LOOMS who
was elected at the meeting last week, was
inaugurated president, for four years, to stcceed
DR.. A. Jacob, who has held that Office during
the last four years. 1t was the regular MEETING
night of the academy and the reports o. the
several committees were first read. The retiring
president then read communication from Mrs.
James Bowden presenting the Academy with
bust of Dr. Alexander II. Stevens, who wal one
OF the early presidents of the Academy, and WHO
died in 1869 DR.. Loomis's resignation as
member of the Board Of Trustees was then read
and Drs Laurence johnson and ]. f. Jaivrin
were nominated one of whom viii be elected
at the next meeting, to fill the vacancy
ADDRESS OF THE RETIRING president.
The retiring president read his annual
address. He reviewed the work that
had been accomplished during the four 7ears
in which he had been president. and also revived
the vast strides which the science of medicn and
surgery has made during the last twenty years
He spoke feelingly Of the nineteen members d the
Academy who have died during his tern OF
Office among the nineteen being DR.. Agnew. he
expressed the hope that the work of the special de
partments would be vigorously carried on, and made
a number of recommendations for future work.
He congratulated the Fellows of the Academy on
the fact that the time was near when they and
their valuable library would be housed in q new
building, more commodious, comfortable and safe
than the present home OF the Academy lie
thanked the members for the cordial support hey
had given his administration. and said thai he
felt highly honored in having the privilege OF
introducing as his successor man who was kn0wn
throughout the country for his scientific kn'wl-
edge and literary ability. and was sure to make
his influence felt in consequence Of his great f'rce
OF character
Dr. Loomis delivered an able and eioQuent ad-
dress on the necessity Of raising the standard of
medicine in New-Yorls. His line of argument vas
as follows:
desire this evening TO speak you of The Present.
Needs Of Scientific Medicine In this city, and through
you to the noble and broad minded men and women
whose hands and hearts in every enterprise nat
tends TO make city the centre OF material power,
ant, science literature and human charity.
IL were perhaps more fitting on such an occaion
as this TO Indulge In mutual congratulations, raher
than In criticisms to recall battles won, storms Nat
past, and 20 speak Of the Frightening skies nat
overarch our present successes but 70 those Who
battle for science the time for congratulations cones
only when there are no new problems 10 he solved,
no more wrongs 70 be rghted no faults that may be
corrected, no needs that may De supplied, no rev
fields that may be explored, where faithful worlers
may perform greater achievements than have ben
reached In the past-surely ono who reads With
Intelligent insight the lessons Of the past quartet OF
century, and who realizes the necessities Of scientific
workers In every department OF human knowledge. can
fail 10 be impressed with Tho conviction that higher
and broader culture needed In those who entenng
bese fields Of labor, and in no one Is this more ap
been great advances In this respect during the past
Is stli far below what II should be IS equally apparent
THE REMEDY IN THE HANDS OF THE PRO
FESsIoN.
The remedy for this is somewhat difoult to reach
certainly the entrance examinations to colleges
which have been proposed do not solve the problem.
It seems almost ridiculous that few questions IN
mathematics, the elements Of physics and the rId-
ments Of language less difficult and less comprehensive
even than those required for entrance into our
academic colleges, can DO a satisfactory criterion Of
candidates fitness 10 commence the study Of medicine
It is to be remembered that quarter of century has
wholly changed the relations OF human knowledge and
that the natural sciences have become the chief factors
relied upon authority and tradition "a now rapidly
seeking Tor Us basis me nauirh licences M edsM
students, OF all others, should have special education
IN these sciences So long special training Is not
required as the important part Of the preparation for
entering upon the study OF medicine. 80 long WIZ the
instruction In medical colleges DO incomplete and
unsatisfactory Defects IN early training can not DO
mental eQupOise keenness q perception; analytical
aeumen and intellectual power Of differentiation BE-
tween fact and fancy cannot be developed after the
mind has become dwarfed during It's years Of plastic
growth. To make cultured physicians our colleges
en lies moro I'm the hands OF tho profession than IN
the colleges-when the profession shan realize their
responsibility IN this matter and shall refuse 10 SEND
o medical colleges advise TO enter upon the study
Of medicine men devoid Of natural talents. mental
be furnished with material capable OF receiving the
instruction which they have TO give
THE FIRST DEMAND OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
In England and on the continent the higher gen.
cral culture Of the profession has 50 influenced The
mass Of medical men that no uneducated man thinks
Of studying medicine. This Is the first demand which
medical science makes OF US, that sense Of per
sonal responsibility be more keen and with a courage
born Of conviction and strengthened by the nobility Of
our calling, we hesitate not 30 say when occasion
permits, You not fitted 10 be physician, choose
some other path OF life.H When stand ready a.
body 10 answer this demand, then and not until
then, VIII II be possible for our colleges TO do that
high grade VI scientific work which Is Justly demanded
Of them. For while are justly proud, and have
ample reason 10 congratulate ourselves on the many
alvanoemcnts that have been made both In graduate
and post graduate instruction in city during the
pest twenty years, and while We are fully abreast
II not I'm advance OF sister cities IN thf matter
still far from meeting tho demand Of scientific
medicine. To fully answer Us demands the teaching
bodies I'm our colleges must be placed on a higher
plane-they must be separated from the financial
interests OF the colleges vacancies I'm the corps Of In
strlct0fs must Dc filed by fair competition, thus
stimulating the younger members Of Che profession
who desire 10 make teaching their life work 10 pre-
pare themselves By study and training TO M vacancies
In our faculties as they shall occur The clrricula
q our colleges must be so extended and mbdivided
that only VIII larger number Of instructors be
needed aud longer sessions required but what Is Of
far greater Importance, that those who teach may by
personal and familiar contact gain such intimate
knowledge OF each student and firm control Of his
mental processes VIII enable them 10 become
teachers In good old Latin sensetG be educators
and not simply Instructors pouring out their daily
dole OF wisdom into upreceptvc ears.
FACILITIES THAT MUST DE INCREASED.
All the facilities for laboratory work, original 10
Search pathological study, clinical observation and
bedside instruction must be systematzcd and largely
increased. In fact medical colleges must be
turned into workshops Of scientific medoIne-with
skilled master woIlsmen I'm every department TO guide
30 lead and necessary to goad the young apprentice
through hls daily round OF labor, unt perfected no
shall go forth fully prepared TO take an honorable
place among the masters of the land Not only