On the Clinical Side of Medical Education
Authors: W. H. Broadbent
Journal: BMJ (1890)

Lydgate, in that wonderful novel.He succeeded, not because of his "1 conviction that the medical profession as it might bewasthefinest in the world, presenting the most perfect interchange between science and art, offering the most direct alliance between intellectual conquest and the social good," but because " he cared not only for ' cases,' but for John and Elizabeth, especially Elizabeth."It was by no means uncommon to hear patients speak of one of the most successful physicians of our time in this way: " I don't think he is so very clever; indeed, I think he must be overrated; but he exactly understands my case.He takes a great interest in me."Some people thought this was only clever acting, almost dishonest.I disagree with them entirely.I believe it was simple genuine good nature-kindly feeling, a desire to be useful, a pleasure in doing good, such as most men feel and all may cultivate.Pray do this, all of you.You are not playing with cbess- men nor a Kriegspiel.You are influencing for good or for evil your own fellow-men, the men who make the nation, the men whose wounds you may heal, whose sufferings you may shorten, whose life you may prolong.And who can tell where the influ- ence for good of any one of you may reach?You drop a pebble into a smooth lake, and it disappears; but from that centre widening circles radiate, and, gently stirring the water-plants on the surface and the grass along the banks, give them renewed life and motion.So may all true work-at first, perhaps, thrown away, lost, or forgotten, or begun under difficulty-be continued with increasing effect and in wider circles, and the good not ended when the workman's own course is fiaished, and his efforts to make men healthier, happier, and better, have earned for him the esteem of his fellow-workmen.Then he may be able, after years of anxious toil, whether he has achieved or only deserved success, to say with truth, "I have fought the good fight."Thirteen years ago I spoke hopefully of the future.Those hopes have been more than justified.I spoke of the education of the men who were to practise medicine.I said we must so order our schemes of education that our students should have the ad- vantage of the highest culture to be obtained by an English gen- tleman.I could then only speak of the essentials of a chartered university as already existing in Manchester.Now the Victoria University has obtained its charter, and it must not fail in the race with Oxford, Cambridge, London, or any other university.They are strong competitors, but there is nothing so good for a man or an institution as the competition of strong worthy rivals.You will not beat them easily, but it will do you good to try.And to all associated with the Victoria University or Owens College let me say, in conclusion, that a review of your past augurs well for the future.The new session is opening with increasing numbers under happy auspices."The little that has been done seems nothing when we look forward and see how much we have yet to do " (Goethe).Learn and try to do it well." Not failure, but low aim, is crime" (Lowell).And believe me that upon your work, your knowledge, and your sympathy will largely depend your own happiness and that of all within your influence.Act in George Herbert's spirit: "Acquit thee bravely, play the man"- should we not say the gentleman?for " he is gentle wko does gentle deeds " (Chaucer)-and so acting be sure that- If thou do ill, the joy fades, not the pains; If well, the pain doth fade, the joy remains.