Morning journal and courier., 1890-06-25
MEDICAL EDUCATION.

Lecture By Professor Francis DelaAeld,
M. D.-A Noted New York Physician
as Basten Chapel.
Professor Francis Delafield, N. D., of the
College of Physicians and Surgeons of New
York city, delivered an address yesterday
afternoon at Battell chapel on the subject of
"Medical Education" The lecture was at-
tended by many doctors from this city and
Vicinity. Among the audience were DR.. M.
@. White, DR.. f. o. White, DR.. Lucy NJ.
Dreamer, DIR. Stetson, DIR. Carmalt, DR..
Lindsey. DIR. Mailhouss, DR.. Judson, Dr.
Hubbard, DIR. Nicol, DR.. Stearns of Hartford,
DR.. Louis Barnes of Oxford, DR.. Weloh of
Ansonia, DR.. Pierce and Dr.. e. w. Smith Of
Meriden, DR.. Shelton Of Shelton, DR.. Goodyear
of North Haven and many others.
The speaker, who was introduced by
President Dwight of Yale university, made
an address, features of which were as fol-
lows: 1.-THE present il a time in the nations
history when anyone who reaches any high
degree of efficiency must do 60 after an sx-
tremely thorough and exhaustive course of
preparation. Years ago the first railroads,
which were of single tracks, were construct
ed and manxged with difficulty. The study
of medicine at that time was attended with
| as many difficulties. In the early medical
colleges the students learned their profession
and learned well. Now there
colleges with short courses, and
colleges of strict graduation, and others of
easier and shorter courses. There are many
evidences of progress in this regard. If COM
munities wish to have good doctors they
must help to make them. Laboratories, hos
pitfalls, and similar aids must be maintained.
The best professors must be secured and men
must be obtained for instructors who require
large salaries. To this end endowments not
only of thousands but Of milliens are neces-
sary, as the state does not, as a rule, give
money to institutions of learning. The first
question We should ask regarding medical
school is, has 1t right to exist at all! Does
its dissecting room afford requisite facilitiesa
In other ways is IL such that the student may
obtain complete edueationa
What is the best that we can do to supply
the field with skilful physioiansl We do not
want men who have failed in other positions
We want men about twenty years of age who
will devote six years to the study of medi-
cine and nothing else. Students must stady
chemistry, physiology and anatomy. Each
of these is important and If they are not
learned at this time they are not learned at
all.
Chemists offer new drugs every year and
of these drugs the teacher OF materia mediea
must have complete knowledge, as his Te-
sponsibility is great.
Modern surgery is the branch in which the
greatest advancement has been made. With
the surgeon bis daily work Is easier than for
merIy, as many operations which were consid-
cred difficult are now so thoroughly under
stood that success is much more certain and
failures are happily of less frequent occur
renee. There is much to be learned by the
student of surgery. When we turn to med
icine the picture changes, as we are not quite
so sure about the effect of medicine, although
we know more about drugs. We can make
| the heart beat fast or slow. We can net
cure all diseases, but we can cure many dis
eased conditions; and we can prolong the
lives and make as comfortable as possible
| those patients who have diseases for which
there is no specific. We can regulate the
diet and mode of life Of such patients.
We are continually increasing our knowl-
edge of all diseases, but there are great
truths which yet await the discoverer. A
knowledge of the condition that disease has
caused the body is absolutely indispensable.
Those who decide to make q specially OF
diseases of the eye, ear or throat should de-
vote time to the more serious study of these
specialties after graduation. Students who
will study in hospitals will practise what they
have been taught to do, and will learn the
unwritten law.
Those who practice medicine are in noble
profession.
At the conclusion of the lecture President
Dwight announced these prizes:
The Campbell gold m edal to the member of the
graduating class obtaining the highest rank in ex
aminations during the entire course, awarded tc
william p: Baldwin, with honorable mention fol-
Harry b. Ferris.
The Reese prize for the best thesis, awarded to
Charles A. Tnttie, with honorable mention for Ed
Obstetrical prize for best examination in obstet
rlcs, awarded to Harry B. Ferris.
The degree OF M. d. was conferred upon William
p. Baldwin and Harry b. Ferris by President
dwight.