The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-10-23

the simple opening of the new home Of the
Affiliated Colleges as 1t marks the passing OF
the control of the medical department very
largely out of the hands OF the medical fac
ulty and into the hands Of the Regents, it is
but fitting that TO the Regents more particu-
larly should be directed these thoughts and
speculations, for with them Will largely rest
the responsibility for the future Of the medical
department. Shall II become center or learn
ing and thought. that from IL throughout
the world knowledge shall radlate in all dlrec-
lions, adding no small part 10 the world s
rate of progress and calling attention to the
fact that here the edge of the continent is
a State Institution of which all Americans may
wen be proud? Shall it do this and shall it
send out from its doors TO practice the art ana
science OF saving life and amelioratng pain
and sorrow men and women so well equipped
for their life work that AL men may eNult in
their ability and all the taxpayers OF the state
take credit and glory TO themselves IN the Iact
that IL is their doing which made medical
science feel the fresh young life blood or cali
fornIa? Shall the medical department do these
things. shall it lapse INTO lnnocuous desue-
tude, stagnate and simply continue TO exist
doing nothing either for ltselt. Tor science Ior
the people and the state that gave II so eA-
celIent an encouragement? When. as viii so
soon be the case. the Regents are the actual
governors OF the medical department then with
them Will lie the responsibility, and at their
door Will be laid either the laurel wreath OF
Fame or the obfurgations of the citizens who
have thrown away their money 49, ,
But. ii may be asked. OF what use VIII al
this be to the community? And the answer
to that question depends largely upon the
answer to the previous questions IN regard 10
the future Of this department. II improve
on the lips of the governors OF the university,
the Regents and the faculty, then the Dement'S
to the community will be immense Not alone
will II have a very strong effect upon the edu-
cational tone of the whole system OF the State,
not alone will il attract to the city and to the
State students and patients but IL viii have
a material effect upon the sanitary conditions OF
the city and the State. With advances in the
learning and the research and the diffusion OF
knowledge go advances in the line Of general
public improvement; with the spread of knowl-
edge and the higher tone Of professional stand
ing Will go Improvement in the sanitation and
condition Of the city. well as of the State.
In the laboratories can be done work that Will
be of unlimited value to the medical profess
sion and 10 the public through the medical
men Here will be bacteriolUgic and pathological
research laboratories doing work directly af-
feCting conditions OF health and disease. I'm
der the control Of the medical department of
the State University should be the conduction
of all post-mortem examinations in all cases
which may fall within the province of the law
courts; here should be conducted. by off,
cal Of the State University, all examinations
effecting the public health; here should be
the place where the medical practitioners Of the
State may come for certain knowledge and
information which their patients the people
OF the State. whose taxes have built and will
support this branch OF the university. will
profit by.
Situated these buildings are, here on the