Address delivered in King's College, London, at the distribution of prizes on October 2, 1883 / by Henry W. Acland.

  • Acland, Henry W. (Henry Wentworth), 1815-1900
Date:
1883
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Address delivered in King's College, London, at the distribution of prizes on October 2, 1883 / by Henry W. Acland. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which touches every well-constituted mind with sin- gular force. In many vocations in life a certain self-interest, aiming at success, is the mainspring. Though this success depends generally, and ought always to depend, upon the right performance of duty undertaken, whether in profession or in trade, still self-interest is and will be a chief motive. But in the life of a Student of Medicine this is not, or at least need not be, the case. There is no corner of human nature which he may not one day or other be destined to explore. He may perchance be fitted intellectually for the study of some one of the Sciences with which Medicine is connected, and may be devoted to it. His progress, in that case, is watched with interest only in reference to the Science in question. Competent observers note how much he adds to the mere knowledge of fact or of law in the world ; and they estimate him accordingly. But in reference to the practical work of his future profession, men take measure of his whole character, as fitted by sympathy and singleness of purpose, as well as by scientific knowledge, to relieve the varied sufferings and sorrows of afflicted humanity. What therefore is to be the true aim of those who seek to influence the medical education of the future should be made clear. Is it to fit average men exclusively or chiefly for amassing knowledge ; or is it to make them fit to relieve the sick and the