Introductory address in the Faculty of Medicine at University College : London, October, 1889 / by Rickman John Godlee.

  • Godlee, Rickman John, Sir, 1849-1925.
Date:
[1889]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Introductory address in the Faculty of Medicine at University College : London, October, 1889 / by Rickman John Godlee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    proudly conservative to attend them. Before that, the two demonstrators used to go once round between two and four in the afternoon, and, after that the dissecting room was given up to athletic sports : such as the long jump upon the boarded floor, or cricket with such bats and balls as the shelves provided. Well, of course, things are better now—if only they are not too good—too much demonstrating is apt to leave no room for individual enquiry. It no doubt raises the average capacity for passing examina- tions, but it tends to bring every one up (or down) to a dead level of mediocrity and to make the mere acquirement of a licence to practice appear to be the one thing needful. But taking it for granted that you are, as I said, much the same as we were, only rather more respectable, there are just two or three things which may be said, though I will promise they shall not be many, for a sermon with many headings is not likely to strike home to anybody. First as to work.—I am now addressing perhaps six of you—probably fewer—Do not attempt to read fourteen hours a day. It is the greatest possible mistake. It will lead to addling of the brains, to the acquirement of undigested and impractical knowledge and probably to failure in your examinations and in life. The maximum number of hours I