An introductory lecture delivered in the hall of the medical department of the St. Louis University, November 4th, 1845 / by M.L. Linton.

  • Linton, M. L. (Moses L.), 1808-1872.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory lecture delivered in the hall of the medical department of the St. Louis University, November 4th, 1845 / by M.L. Linton. 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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    [17] can estimate the benefits to science which have flowed directly from those ministering angels, the Sisters of Charity! Their devotion to the outcast and the suffering sons and daughters of men, is the mighty force, which has contributed more than all other causes to the building up of the Asylums and Hospitals of the world. They constitute the praetorian band of the Lazar houses of Christendom ; their eyes beam down night and day on the couches of misery; their hands perform the vast labor of love, by which poverty and pain are mitigated. They are the consecrated and omnipresent executive of the dictates, alike of the priest and the doctor, of religion and science. This is a simple state- ment of facts, and yet it seems a report from Utopia; a fancy sketch of philanthropy; to comprehend it and cease to wonder at it, we must de- scend to the deep spring of motive of which this beneficence is but the result—the fountain of heaven-born charity, purer and more potent than the waters of Bethesda, Siloa, or Helicon. Indeed Medical science is indebted to the ladies generally. The physician prescribes,—he gives directions, but this would avail nothing unless they were carried out. Who carry out the dictates of medical science? Our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters—the women. They are a standing army of philanthropists, ready to obey the bidding of the profession.—They glide into the sick chamber with noiseless step ; they gild the bitter pill and sweeten the nauseous drug; they reach the cool water to the parched lip; fan the fevered brow; prepare the delicate food for the returning appetite ; and cheer the sinking heart with the soft language of affection or sympathy; and what is remarkable they dont get sleepy as men do! In short, they do as much as the Doctors them- selves in the alleviation of human suffering, and then to cap the climax of their benificence, they attribute wonders to the physician's skill 5 and think them the greatest men on earth !! I would gladly if time permitted present to the members of the class some of the reasons and considerations, best calculated to stimulate them to exertion, and to support them in their arduous duties. This I can- not do now ; I will not speak of the laurels and the trump of fame; I will not hold up to your view the joy of gratified ambition or success- ful emulation. I will not attempt to dazzle and enchant you with the prospect of the « barbaric pearl and gold, the gorgeous East showers on her kings ; but I will call your attention to an inward joy that is worth them all; toe consciousness of duty performed, the consciousness that our time has been well spent; that we have done the best we could, buch a conscience is the soul's impenetrable shield, which no shaft of adverse fortune can pierce. He who possesses it cannot be truly miserable, though he may be unfortunate. This will protect the life core of bliss in the darkest and stormiest hour, and inspire him with feeling, god- like and triumphant. He may be cast down, and as it were buried by the press of circumstances, but his resurrection is certain, and glorious. A good conscience will keep alive and in power, the giant energies at