Lecture, introductory to a course on the principles and practice of surgery in the Jefferson Medical College : delivered November 1st, 1847 / by Thomas D. Mütter.

  • Mütter, Thomas D. (Thomas Dent), 1811-1859.
Date:
1847
    have reared for himself a reputation, " more lasting than brass, more brilliant than silver ?" If you would know what your powers are, you must try them. Industry is neces- sary to their development; and the faculties of the mind like those of the body, go on improving by cultivation. It is im- possible for you to form a right estimate of yourselves early in life, nor can you be rightly estimated by others. From this time forth, then, determine to devote an hour or two each day to the acquirement of knowledge apart from your mere professional studies. This diversity of occupation serves to keep all your mental faculties in wholesome exercise, and pre- vents narrow mindedness and prejudice by enlisting your sympathies in those around you. Be not afraid, as has been urged, of becoming too learned and refined for those with whom you will hereafter associate. Rest assured, that the more learned and -refined, the more elevated and dis- tinguished will be your position in every land, even in the midst of the wilderness or the rudest resort of mankind. Well has it been said, " that literature and science, far from injuring society, are the great instruments of ultimate refinement and exaltation, and should be universally cultivated. They lift the mind above ordinary life, give it respite from depressing cares, and awaken the consciousness of its efficacy with what is pure and noble. In their legitimate and highest efforts, they have the same tendency and aim with Christianity; that is, to spiritualize our nature. They carry the mind beyond and above the beaten, dusty, weary walks of ordinary life; they lift it into a purer element, and breathe into it a more pro- found and generous emotion. They reveal to us the loveli- ness of nature, bring back the freshness of early feelings, revive the relish of simple pleasures, keep unquenched the enthusiasm which warmed the spring time of our being, refine youthful love, strengthen our interest in human nature, expand our sympathies over all classes of society, knit us by new ties with universal being, and through the brightness of their prophetic visions, help faith to lay hold on the future life." But in thus urging you to the pursuit of science, it becomes my duty also to caution you as to the character of the works first taken up for investigation. No one can be
    ignorant of the fact that when once the thoughts of a man are committed to the world, through the medium of the press, no matter how pernicious or how destitute of morality they may be, they are utterly beyond his control; as well might he attempt to stay the whirlwind or arrest the unpoised ava- lanche. How great then is the responsibility of the author. " Words, indeed, are things,—a small drop of ink Falling like dew upon a thought—producing That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think : 'Tis strange, the shortest letter which man uses, Instead of speech, may form a lasting link Of ages. To what straits old Time reduces Frail man, when paper, e'en a rag like this Survives himself, his tomb, and all that's his !" Often is the destiny of an individual determined by the first book placed in his hands. Impetus is thus given to genius which obstacles cannot resist, or adversity impede. It is said that the poetic genius of Byron was first aroused by one of the amorous ditties of an inferior poet. Yes, a single line, a single thought, gave impetus and direction to that giant spirit! And oh, who can say, had but some other, some happier influence been received, Byron had been a different character, and that wing which soared so high, had shaken forth some other influ- ence than that of pestilence and death. Never, perhaps, did an individual display a more consummate knowledge of the tremen- dous power which an author can exert, than did Voltaire, when, with the malignity of a fiend, he boldly avowed his de- termination to "crush the wretch," and by his single arm to destroy the fair fabric of Christianity, erected, as he sneeringly said, by the " twelve poor fishermen of Galilee." By means of books and pamphlets he sent the poison of his sentiments through the length and breadth of the land; and in a few short years, his country wrote over her burial places: "death an eternal sleep." The sunlight of the Gospel was shut out, and the " Goddess of Reason," usurped the place of Jehovah! Who can contemplate without shuddering, the influence ex- erted upon our race by those giants in intellect, but pigmies in wisdom,—Paine, Volney, Hume, and La Place. The latter, when asked by Napoleon why he had not mentioned God in his system of the universe, replied, " because I could dispense
    with that hypothesis." Well may we exclaim: " Poor learn- ing, poor philosophy, that would destroy belief in an intelli- gent Providence, who directs, rules, and provides for the uni- verse. It may conceal its withering influences under tenets evoked from the misty depths of speculation, or clothed by poetry in hues of summer light, but it is after all a noxious principle. It shatters at once the basis of true religion, quenches the fires of living faith, interrupts the soul's com- munion with its God, and leaves it desolate, and tossed from doubt to doubt." How marked is the contrast between these authors, and those who, like the sacred scribes of old, were deeply imbued with the spirit of him, " who touched Isaiah's hallowed lips with fire," and like him consecrate every place of their sojourn. To such will ever be erected,— " Shrines, Such as time's keen tooth may never touch ; Cenotaphs, Which have no dread of the fierce flame, That wreck the solid world." In your literary studies, then, keep a steady course in the pathway of morality and virtue. I need not dwell upon the character of the studies strictly professional, to which your future time and attention will be chiefly directed here,—these will, on the proper occasion, be fully elucidated by those to whom the task has been allotted, and I shall therefore pass on to the consideration of some other requisites of the student of medicine. While a good physical conformation, and a fair preliminary education, are essential to every one who aims at the attain- ment of a high position in our science ; there are other agents of great consequence, and often even more efficient in securing professional success. 4th. A love for the profession itself, an ardent passion for its objects, a keen relish for its studies, and a high esti- mation of its elevated character, should be cultivated by all its votaries. It has been well observed by Edmund Burke, in his celebrated " Reflections upon the revolution in France," that " the degree of estimation in which any profession is held,
    becomes the standard of the estimation in which the professors hold themselves. As a natural consequence of this the indi- vidual prescribes to himself a course of conduct, and a general demeanour to answer the expectations which he is aware are entertained by others with regard to him." Now in no profes- sion does the principle apply with more force than in ours. Esteem it yourselves, love it for its own sake, and you will so act as inevitably to secure, not only competency and renown for yourself, but as shall also add lustre and dignity to your vocation. 5th. Again, habits of industry and labour are essential requisites for one who looks forward to professional success. " Every day is indeed a little life ; and our whole life but as a day repeated !" how important then does each moment of time become, how essential to success its cultivation. Many of us are too prone, like the camel, to lie down under our bur- then—to rest satisfied with the bare accomplishment of our duty, to trifle away our moments of existence, and become " Dull as the fat weed Which rots itself at ease on Lethe's shore !" But, my young friends, if we desire distinction, we should recollect that this world is no place of rest. It is not the place of rest, I repeat, but for effort, steady, continuous, undeviating effort. Our work is never done, and it is the day dream of ignorance to look forward to that as a happy time when we shall have nothing more to wish for, and nothing more to accomplish. Your first effort then should be to acquire a habit of study and occupation, and the task which in the beginning, was irksome and insipid, soon be- comes a " second nature /" The impulsiveness and impa- tience belonging to your time of life, naturally make the de- gree of exertion and industry requisite to your proper advance- ment any thing but a " labour of love." Indolence presents herself to us all in a thousand seducing forms ; Industry, on the other hand, is of a harsh and crabbed aspect. " The one seems to point to a smooth and flowery path, the other to a rugged and painful ascent; but around that seducing path lurks all the ill of life, and that toilsome ascent, at every step, opens
    wider and wider a broad and beautiful prospect, and leads eventually to those elevations to which the noble spirit aspires!" ^ Place no dependance on your own genius, even if you possess it. If you have great talents, industry will improve them ; if you have but moderate abilities, industry will supply their deficiency—nothing is denied to well directed labour ; no- thing is to be obtained without it." Let me then urge upon you the cultivation of a deep and ardent zeal in the prosecution of our noble profession. Its fount is ample ; its stream abun- dant ; its waters living ! Come then, one and all, and drink deeply. No timid votary who stands trembling on its brink, and fears to put forth his cup—no sluggish drone, with ener- gies so feeble, that even the sparkling element, as it leaps in joy on its onward course, fails to arouse his interest, need expect to slake the thirst for knowledge, which burns even in such as they. But oh, how refreshing, how glorious the gratifica- tion to him, who with bold heart, and bounding step, leaps at once into its midst. Energy is strengthened, zeal increased, healthful ambition excited, and success the most dazzling, speedily obtained ! Again I say, drink deeply. 6th. Steadiness of purpose, is also a most invaluable attribute in the surgical pupil. There is scarcely a quality which so much dignifies human nature as consistency of purpose. And how rarely is it met with. Most persons are naturally en- dowed with a want of resolution to complete any task under- taken, an instability of purpose, an inherent desire for change, long since denounced by the wisest and best of teachers. " Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel," is a maxim, that should be engraven on the heart of each one of you ; and rest assured that without a fixed determination to succeed, the goal of your hopes and your desires can never be attained. Diffi- culties will undoubtedly beset your path, obstacles apparently insurmountable will oppose your progress,—faint and weary, you may be ready to exclaim, " I must yield," but oh, let me beseech you,—let me beseech you, to pause ere you submit. Recollect, that in the attainment of all that we can consider worthy our efforts, such is invariably the case. Resolve then to adhere to your original purpose ; be not faint-hearted, or fickle; difficulties, like the visible horizon, will fade as you advance ; courage will take the place of despondency, and