Address delivered to the graduating class of the Indiana Medical College : at the public commencement, Feb. 18, 1847 / by M. L. Knapp.

  • Knapp, M. L. (Moses L.), 1799-1879.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Address delivered to the graduating class of the Indiana Medical College : at the public commencement, Feb. 18, 1847 / by M. L. Knapp. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    like this, you will preserve the habits and relish of students; nay, you will do more, you will stir up within yourselves an exalted ambition for the attainment of the first rank of excellence in the profession. The modern languages should claim your attention. There is much medical literature in the French and German, and in many towns in the West, a knowledge of these is quite neceessry at the bed side; whilst the present attitude of our National affairs in relation to Mexico, and acquisition of provinces where the Spanish is spoken, render a knowl- edge of this language of some importance, certainly, as a contingency. The natural sciences, too, should be further practically pursued.— They can be cultivated, without interfering with other objects, to the ex- tent of affording the most rational delights, even in your business rides. Recollect that, method is the soul of science. Methodize your op- portunities, therefore, of bringing the objects of nature under review, by the helps and treatises your libraries should afford, and, soon, you will have erected beautiful superstructures of knowledge, on the foundations you have already laid. It is a good plan to choose one branch of your profession, according to taste, and to cultivate it more assiduously, and attain extraordinary skill in this department, letting no opportunity pass unimproved for se- curing specimens illustrative of it. So, also, in the natural sciences. Take some high example for your model, in this respect, John Hunter, in comparative anatomy, for instance. His leisure hours and his spare money were devoted to it, all the rare animals obtained for the prose- cution of his researches, and when he was not in funds, which some- times happened, for his means were short at best, he would borrow. Pray George, said he, one day, to a friend, have you any money in your pocket ? His friend replied in the affirmative. Have you five guineas ? because, if you have and will lend it me, you shall go halves. Halves in what, inquired his friend. Why halves in a magnifi- cent tiger, that is now dying in Castle Street. The money was lent and the tiger purchased. Begin this good work at once. The private collections of a life- time, have, in some instances, been truly astonishing, and have sold for thousands of pounds. Economize time—never be idle—suffer no one to lounge in your office—go and see a patient to get rid of a bore —or, if this will not do, go to sleep over him. It is a most useful practice, and one sanctioned by the highest au-