An introductory discourse on medical education : delivered to the students of Geneva Medical College, October 1, 1844 / by Charles A. Lee.

  • Lee, Charles A. (Charles Alfred), 1801-1872.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory discourse on medical education : delivered to the students of Geneva Medical College, October 1, 1844 / by Charles A. Lee. 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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    ledge of the principles of hydraulics is necessary to enable us to under- stand the laws which regulate the motions of the different fluids, circula- ting as they do in the system through tubes of different diameters. No one, at any rate, can deny that the eye is an admirable optical instrument, and that the phenomena of vision cannot be well explained without a knowledge of the principles of optics. Nor is it less clear that as the body is surrounded by atmospheric air, which is subject to great chan- ges, both as regards its temperature, moisture, gravity, &c, some know- ledge of pneumatics is very desirable to the medical man. Other simi- lar examples might be given, showing the importance of an acquain- tance with the different branches of natural philosophy to those engaged in prosecuting medical studies, but as our time will not allow further discussion on this head, I pass on to other topics. Too much importance can scarcely be attached to the study of anato- my; a science now universally regarded as constituting the foundation of medicine ; teaching, a3 it does, the material structure or organization ol living beings, and involving a knowledge of all the conditions which combine to complete the structure, and conformation of animated bodies. I need not say then that too much attention can not be paid to this demonstrative branch of our science; one which, apart from its eminent utility, appeals to your observing faculties, now the most active of all, while it pleases that fondness for certainty, which elsewhere someiimes seeks for gratification in vain. Physiology will be taught, as it always ought to be, in connection with anatomical structure. How natural, when learning the structure of an organ, to inquire into it3 mode of action, its uses: to separate them would be like studying the different parts of a watch, or the mechanism of a steam engine apart from the uses to which the different pieces are subservient. Surgery, like physiology, finds its solid foundation only in anatomy: and its principles, which are few and simple, and easy to be comprehen- ded, have a most important and intimate relation with those of medicine. Your success as physicians will very much depend upon a full and ac- curate knowledge of the principles and practice of surgery. It is fortu- nate for science and for humanity that surgery and medicine have not, in our country as in Great Britain, ever been separated. It has never been the fashion with us to divide man, and assign one half to the ser- geon and the other to the physician; our schools of medicine have not been satisfied with teaching one half of the science, and you must cross the Atlantic to find the man who would rest contented with knowing half of his profession. With us specialities have never been in favor, for it needs no argument to prove that the eye and the ear are parts of a man, the lungs and the heart have something to do with the