The San Francisco call., 1897-07-16
Hon. S. M. Shortridges'
Encouraging Words to
Medical Students.
Parting Advice Given to Newly
Made Doctors and
Dentists.
The College of Physicians and Sur
geons Holds It's First Com
mencement.

The medical and dental departments o.
the San Francisco College of Physicians
and Surgeons held their first commence
ment in Metropolitan Temple last even
ing. The hall was pret:ily decorated in
the National colors, and each of the can
didates wore bow of red, white and blue
ribbon.
The exercises were presided over by
Professor Joseph r. Laine.
The programme opened with an invoca'
ton by the venerable John a. Emery.
after which DR.. C. T. Buckley gave an in
terestine address on the Past, Present
)and Future of Medicine" which was IN
part as follows:
French philosopher once said that there
sre three requisites which go TO make gooo
doctor. He must have an eagles eye, hon
heart and a ladys hand. Will go further anc
say thatit is so desirable that he have lazy $
heart, for tenderness and sympathy are~among
the essentials of good doctor
The history OF medicine is a curious one and
dates back Tor centuries. 1t has been asserted
that the Egyptians knew something OF medl-
cine, but the only proof OF this is the preservA'
iion of bod les.
The Greeks alsomust have known something
of medicine, as Homer, in The Siege of Troy
speaks of the warriors going out in the field
and ministering to their wounded COM
DdnlOnS.
various diseases with great accuracy; but the
real practice of medicine seems TO have been
almost unknown. Rome in all her glory
seems to have known very little OF medicine,
as Horace scofing at the various professions
and sciences, never mentions the physician.
In the Biblical times there Is very little
touching the practice OF medicine mentioned
but after the lime of Christ more attention
seems 10 have been paid TO it, as the monks
were very skilItul in delicate surgical opera
tious. Harvey, when ne di> covered the circula-
- lv nigpnUprnd 20 m nadn
cal science and since that time knowledge in
this important line has made rapid strides,
ana the science of medicine is taking its pace
al the head OF all sciences.
Professor ]. P. Lame. NJ. D., president
OF the college. then presented diplomas to
the following:
Medical-Edmund Raoul Berges, william
James Caesar, Franklin Thomas Duncan
William Edwards. Pho; Harry Buckley
Fasig, Arch Coombs Hart, Ph.B., DDS. F.;
Charles E, Jones, A.B;, MD; Sophie B.
John Francis W mite, Francis Hofer Whitsitt.
Dentsl-Charles Abbot Emery. Don Eugene
Hswley, James Lewis Gowan, Harvey
Pierce Travers, Richard Montgomery White.
DR.. Laine made a short address to the
newly made doctors, in which he admon-
ished them to be tenn perate in their
habits, TO remember that their great
function was to treat the sick, whether
rich or poor, to add to the sum total of
human happiness by kind deeds and
charita bic i'm pulses, so tnat after they
have passed from this earth they may
still be remem bered for the kind deeds
they have done.
He was followed by the Hon. S. M.
Shortridge, who spoke in an interesting
manner of the doctors and dentists pro-
fession. He said:
There is no dogmatism in scientifc learning.
The doctors and dentists are more important
from 6 scientific stand point than any other
profession although the medical profession
has not received the public recognition to
which it is entitled. 1t is born of the weak
ness of the body, the sins and frailty OF the
human lie. In infancy, in young manhood d;
in the full strength and down into the shad-
ows to the moment the soul bursts its bounds
the physician, thoughtful, kind and tender, is
with US in Lille and in death. In the cottage
and palace, in the home of peace and on the
battlefield, everywhere where suffering is
the physician has been and given, if not life,
surcease of sorrow and pain.
The phys clans learning marks the clviliza-
ton from the beginning of the human race
until the present time, and the progress and
advancement of the profession has ever been
a little in advance of the age. Without the
skill of the medical man in twenty-five years
civilization would pull down her banner and
we would pass back into barbarism.
| cannot pay sufficient tribute 10 the good,
learned ana thoughtful men and women who
have devoted their lives to the alieviation of
suffering. No honor and no fame is too great
and lasting Tor the noble army that is march
ing under the banner of this profession.
Go forth, young men and women, you are
standing on the threshold of life OF useful
ness; 60 forth 10 cheer and lift up the fallen
and SICK and lame; TO plant life in the de-
spondent and despairing; go, and may men
and the world award you and may heaven
smile on you and bless you for your faithful
service in behalf of the moral body and i'm
mortal mind.
The exercises closed with a benediction
by Mr.. Emery.