A cursory view of the history of chemical science, and some of its more important uses to the physician : being an introductory to the course of lectures for the session 1837-8 / by Thomas D. Mitchell.

  • Mitchell, Thomas D. (Thomas Duché), 1791-1865.
Date:
1837
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A cursory view of the history of chemical science, and some of its more important uses to the physician : being an introductory to the course of lectures for the session 1837-8 / by Thomas D. Mitchell. 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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    If the spirits of the venerable men, who laid the foundations of medical science in the United States of America, might be permitted to revisit the land of their nativity, and to cast an admiring look for one moment over this large and respectable assembly, what think you would be their emotions? Doubtless they would call to mind the ear- ly effort of their youthful ardor in the cause of science, when but a few feint sparks could be collected together, the feeble glimmerings which were destined to glow and send out light and heat to every por- tion of the land. They would revert to the long forgotten days of gloom and discouragement, when the flickering taper seemed ready to go out in total darkness, and cover with the sable mantle of oblivi- ous night all their brightest prospects. How would the contrast cover them with amazement, to behold in the far wilderness, where but late- ly tho red man was lord and proprietor of all, this large assembly of young men, gathered from almost every section of our country, for the special purpose of gaining medical knowledge. How imposing, sublime and overpowering the spectacle! Their bosoms swelling with ecstatic joy, their fondest wishes more than gratified, their hap- piest anticipations outstripped in the exuberance of the reality, well might they wonder and gaze and wonder still at the onward immea- surable flights of science, as they retraced their way back to the dwel- ling place of departed spirits. Two thirds of a century have not yet elapsed since the first medi- cal school in America had even a nominal existence.* Of its trials, * The idea of establishing a medical school in Philadelphia had its origin with Dr. William Shippen and Dr. John Morgan. This was in the year 1T62. Those two gentlemen were the first duly appointed Professors in America In 1768, Dr Adam Kuhn and Dr. Thomas Bond were added to their number. The latter individual gave his introductory address in the Pennsylvania Hospital on the 3cI day of Decem- ber 1766, a copy of which may be seen in the fourth volume of the North American Medical and Surgical Journal. On the first day of August, 1769 the! organization of the school was completed, by the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Rush to the chair of rhemistry. The faculty then stood a3 follows: Dr. John Morgan, Professor of Theory and Practice. Dr. Thomas Bond, Professor of Clinical Medicine. Dr. Wm. Shippen, Professor of Anatomy. Surgery and Midwifery. Dr. Adam Kuhn, Professor of Materia Medica. Dr. Benjamin Rush, Professor of Chemistry. There are now not less than*hirly medical schools in actual operation in the Uni- ted States- and we have recently heard of several similar institutions, for which charters have been procured, and which will probably, for a season at any rate, have a local habitation and a name. The facts stated in this note, are gathered lroni.a pamphlet recently sent forth by the University of Pennsylvania. The author of the present address is named in that pamphlet as one of the graduates for 1812; but the residence and title of Thesis are omitted. This defect is general for the graduates ot that year, and arose from neglect of the Dean. The omissions in the present case should be filled with Pennsylvania, and Acidification and Combustion.