A lecture introductory to the course of materia medica and general therapeutics, in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia : delivered October 10, 1855 / by Robert M. Huston.

  • Huston, Robert M. (Robert Mendenhall), 1795-1864.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture introductory to the course of materia medica and general therapeutics, in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia : delivered October 10, 1855 / by Robert M. Huston. 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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    a fine specimen of the old English gentleman. Stout and healthly, gay, but not garrulous, he has all the buoyancy of youth without its frivolity. I was glad to-hear from him that he had just completed another part of the great work upon which he has so long been en- gaged, and that now comparatively little more remains to be ac- complished. As a Spaniard would say, May he live a thousand years! The next thing to be done was to visit some of the large hospitals, and principal physicians, and institutions of the place, and to see and hear what was to be learned in the line of our profession. St. Bartholomew's Hospital, besides being one of the oldest, is one of the most extensive hospitals in London. The number prescribed for in the course of a year is very nearly 100,000, the cases being of the varied character that present themselves in a general hospital of a large city, united to a general dispensary. Indeed, the hospitals and infirmaries of the large British towns appear to be very com- monly of that mixed character; while the cases that are suitable for inmates of a hospital are accommodated, those who are not able to walk thither, or find it convenient to be attended at their own residences, are not declined. The extensive endowment of St. Bartholomew's Hospital enables the officers to extend such facilities to the crowds that apply for relief; whilst the high character of those who compose the medical staff at all times secures to the In- stitution a liberal share of applicants. I saw nothing peculiar to note at St. Bartholomew's, except an extensive laboratory, where they prepare many of their own medicines, as tinctures, infusions, &c. The wards, bedding, &c, were very clean and neat, and re- markably free from hospital odours, notwithstanding there did not appear to be any special arrangement for ventilation, and there were many cases that had recently undergone surgical operations. The same good management seemed to prevail, indeed, at the British hospitals generally. The hospital medical staff at St. Bartholomew's is composed of Drs. Hue, Roupell, and Burrows, assisted by Drs. Farre, Jeaffre- son, Black, Baly, and Kirkes. The surgeons are Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Lloyd, with Messrs. Skey, Wormald, Paget, M'Whinnie and Coote as assistants, and Dr. West as Physician Accoucheur. I was particularly struck with King's College Hospital, which, although not one of the largest in London, is especially to be com- mended for the cleanliness of its wards, as it certainly is distinguished