General introductory lecture : delivered in the Cincinnati College of Medicine & Surgery on Tuesday evening, November 1st, 1859 / by Thaddeus A. Reamy.

  • Reamy, T. A. (Thaddeus Asbury), 1829-1909.
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: General introductory lecture : delivered in the Cincinnati College of Medicine & Surgery on Tuesday evening, November 1st, 1859 / by Thaddeus A. Reamy. 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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    m votaries, the combined energies of mind and heart. The gaol of eminence and usefulness in the profession of medicine, is not ac- cessable by short and easy routes. Constant, patient and unremitting toil, mentally and physical- ly, is the only means by which progress is made at all. It is only by careful and scrutinizing observation made by minds educated to the highest possible degree of sagacity, that the paths leading to medical truth, can be discovered. And only by clear heads and steady nerves can they be followed. To none but those wdiose views have been rendered broad and liberal, their judgments clear and sound, by a system of close examination and thought, becoming familiar with each primary element constituting the great truths of medical science, could a knowledge of medicine be of service, were it possible, otherwise to obtain it. For so intimately are those elements connected to- gether, yet each playing separate parts, dependant nevertheless, upon eaeh other, that they must be known abstractly to him who would use them in harmony. But you may be ready to ask:— Have not the labors aud discoveries of the great and learned of our profession who have gone before, modified, simplified, ren- dered more easy and comprehensive, the mysteries of medical science £ Have they not established facts, that stand out as great lights I May we not therefore approach unto them without difficulty, and be correctly guided in the practice of medicine—without studying at such expense, the laws of the constellation, or the properties of the light radiated ? I answer, that in no department of the scientific world has re- search, and merit labor been more active and vigorous, many of the brightest sons of earth hare died martyrs to the cause. And in no department has toil been more richly rewar- ded, as w7e will clearly show, in the proper place. The great edifice of medical science is rapidly going up, a very large proportion of the best talent of the world is engaged in its architecture. But if you would engage as workmen on this tem- ple, and aid in its erection, you must thoroughly acquaint your- selves with the materials of which it is being constructed. If you would properly appreciate and apply the truths to which we