A charge delivered to the graduating class of the Columbian College, D.C., at the medical commencement, March 22d, 1827 / by Thomas Sewall.

  • Sewall, Thomas, 1786 or 1787-1845.
Date:
[1827?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A charge delivered to the graduating class of the Columbian College, D.C., at the medical commencement, March 22d, 1827 / by Thomas Sewall. 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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    k CHARGE DELIVERED TO THE GRADUATING CLASS THE COL.UMBIAX COLLEGE, D. C. AT THE MEDICAL COIYTIVIEIMCEMENT, March 22d,1827. BY THOMAS §EWALL, M. D., Professor of Anatomy and Physiology. itiik. Gentlemen:—In consequence of the absence of our venerable Pre sident, it has become my duty to address you upon the present occa- sion, on the subject of your moral deportment in future life; a duty which I cannot assume but with diffidence, as well from the delicacy of its nature, as from the responsibility which it involves.* This day, gentlemen, you cease to be the pupils of the Columbian College; but you assume a relation more important to you, and not less interesting to us, than that which you have sustained during the period of your studies. You are admitted to the high and responsible station of practitioners of medicine, welcomed to full fellowship, and invited to participate in its labors and benefits. You are about to receive from us the highest testimony of confidence which the profession can confer. We are then, gentlemen, to separate, and you are to be situated in different and perhaps in distant parts of our country. The profession you have chosen will place you in a commanding at- titude, and give you an influence in society far beyond the scene of your personal labors. The responsibility you assume is great and the duty arduous; to sustain them you will require not only an'accurate and extensive knowledge of the science of medicine, but you will need the light of moral principle to direct your steps in the various and of- ten perplexing circumstances in which you will be placed. And per- mit me, my young friends, before I place in your hands the parch- • Aprrre.thly to a statute of the Board of Trustees, it is made the duty of the Presi- dent of the College, at each Medical Commencement, to deliver a charge to the grad- uating class, upon the subject of their moral deportment, while the Dean of the M d- icul Factd'y is required to deliver an address upon the subject of their professional ct.nduct. It was in conformity with these regulations that the following address was given.