fl-_a_ki tfl—WHjfMi' UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WASHINGTON, D. C. SPO 16—67244-1 ■nf. .a'-j^T* H.« ^iMt w^.il"^ SHORT VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE and RESPECTABILITY OF THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. Read before the Philadelphia Medical Society, on the jth of February, r8oo. PURSUANT TO APPOINTMENT. By JOHN REDMAN COXF. .IT. £. An Honorary Member 01' the iou^;. ,,_ HILADELPHIA: x£ ' .• J Printed for MAT HE IT CARET, No. nfc,—~ Market-ftrcer. February, —1800. Philadelphia, February 8th, i8oo« In meeting of the Medical Society of Philadelphia; m Refolved, That a Committee be appointed to wait on Dr. Coxe9 with the thanks of this Society, for his eloquent and interefling Oration ; and that a Copy be requefled for immediate publication. Extratt from the Minutes ; NATHANIEL CHAPMAN, Sec. To the Members of the Medical Society* Gentlemen, IN allowing this Oration to be made public, I am actuated more, from a wifli to comply with your requeft, than from any idea, that it is dcferving of this high mark of your efteem. Many pieces of compofition, may anfwer well enough for the hafty manner, in which they generally are recited ; but which, however, are by no means proper to be committed to the prefs: becaufe their faults are thus render- ed permanent; which, in the farmer inftance, were generally forgotten as foon as made public. As ( iv ) As various writers have exprefsly treated on many of the fubjetts contained in the following pages; it is obvious, that it is not to be regarded as altogether new; and hence, another reafon for not deliringto acquiefce in ameafure, which was by no means anticipated. I however, offer thefe pages to your pro- tection, under a full conviction, that the above confiderations will induce you to overlook the many errors they contain. I am, Gentlemen, with refpeft and efteem, your much obliged friend & fellow-member, JOHN REDMAN COXE. Philadelphia, Feb. i6tb, 1800. gfcjjg^-----_—----L . , "' ».siC5 A SHORT VIEW, efc, Gentlemen, JL HE unexpected honour you have conferred upon me, in appointing me to deliver your annual oration, could not fail of being highly grateful to my feelings, and would na- turally impel me to the ftrongeft acknowledg- ments, for this diftinguifhed mark of your ap- probation and efteem. But, whilft I avow thcfe feelings which your conduit has awakened; per- mit me alfo to fay, I cannot contemplate this refpe&ed affembly without regret, when I con- fider how many gentlemen, better qualified to do juftice to the appointment, are now before me. I can, however, confidently aflert, that there is no one prefent, whofe wifhes for the profperity of our inftitution exceed my own. Its prefent flourilhing ftate, cannot fail of giving pleafure to all who have its welfare at heart ; whilft the induftry and application of its mem- bers, are the fureft pledges of its continuation and increafe. The ( « ) The difficulty of chufing a fubjecl for an oration, did not occur, at the time of my accept- ance of the charge committed to me. Had I been equally fenlible of it then, as I am at pre- fent ; nothing weuld have induced me to ac- cede to your wifhes, but a thorough convic- tion, that each member owes it to our fociety, to comply with every refolve in which he may- be concerned, to the extent of his abilities. This difficulty in the choice of a fubjeft, arifes from the necefllty of its being general in its na- ture ; and yet, at the fame time, fo connected with thefcience of Medicine, as to render it in lome meafure tributary thereto. From this caufe it moftly happens, that a deficiency of matter is made up by a luxuriance of ftyle, and fertility of imagination ; which, although they do not tend to the inftrudtion of the au- dience; yet they gratify the mind, by affording a temporary amufement. Under this impreffi- on, and without expecting to add much, either to your inftrurftion or amufement; I muft beg your indulgence, whilft I take a fhort view, of the importance and refpeclability of the Science of Medicine, as demonftrated by the extent of its refearches; and by the univer- fal homage which has ever been paid to it, by all ranks and conditions of men ; even by thofc who, in health, affedl; to ridicule and defpife it. This ( 1 ) This ridicule, the offspring generally of little minds, although highly unjuft and illiberal, we are not to be furprifed at, when we confider, how great an opening is given to. it by the un- fortunate difputes and diffentions of the Facul- ty themfelves. The interefts of the profeflion are loft, in the difgraceful employment of perfonal invedtive, or of malicious and flanderous hints. The errors of individuals are rancoroufly ren- dered confpicuous to the public eye ; and this is often done without any attention to the voice of truth. The unkind conftru£Hons, and ill- timed remarks, of fellow-pra&itioiiers, cannot fail of being a great fource of that degrading light in which Medicine is often held by man- kind. Thefe unhappy jealoufies and animofities, frequently prove of the worft confequences to patients. We have feen them carried to their higheft pitch amongft ourfelves; and, I fear with the moft fatal ilfue to our fellow citizens: for, as thefe quarrels do not ftop here, but extend themfelves to the public; a diverfity of opinion prevails, which ultimately undermines all con- fidence in the profeflion ; and prevents any ap- plication for advice, until that period has elap- fed, in which alone, the powers of medicine might have proved efficacious. By this difunion, phylicians lofe the advantages arifing from mu- tual communication, and from the confidence which is acquired in their opinions, by the con- currence ( 8 ) currence of each other. Opinions, however, unfortunately, are not regarded according to their intrinfic merit; but according to the per- fon from whom they proceed ; and propofals, delivered with opennefs, are often whifpered abroad, and mifreprefented to the public, with- out any regard to honour and fecrefy. Thcfe quarrels, fometimes ending in appeals to the public, tend ftill further to heighten the animof- ity, and widen the breach ; and generally in- jure the contending parties, by making them objects of ridicule to the world : Added to this, they difcredit the profeffion, and expofe the whole Faculty to contempt. They alfo may be regarded as one powerful caufe of the intro- duction of emperics ; who diminifh the practice of the regular phyfician. When fo little re- fpedVfor each other, appears to exift amongft members of the fame profeffion ; it is fcarcely a fubject of wonder, if the public mould alfo diveft themfelves of it; unacquainted as they are, with the many difficulties attendant upon the practice of phyfic. In all ages, much wit has been difplayed upon our profeffion : A flight attention, hqwever, will fhew, that the ridicule has been employed againft phyficians, rather than againft the art itfelf. Va- rious mean and unworthy arts have been em- ployed to raife importance, by perfons impelled by ( 9 ) by hcceflity, excited by vanity, or anxious to conceal their confcious ignorance. An affectation of profound knowledge, or of myftcry in every thing relative to the profeffion ; an air of confi- dence in their own fkill and abilities ; or a folemn and ftately demeanour ; are fome of the arts, which have been ufed to give celebrity to per- fons, who could not otherwife have attained it. Such are the arts, which have not efcaped the penetration of the more judicious ; nor eluded the fhafts of ridicule and humour. Hence, in moft dramatic exhibitions, in which the phyfician is introduced, he is treated as a pedant and a fool. But it is evident, that here, the manners of par- ticular perfons are aimed at; not the profeffion itfelf; which, from time immemorial, has been regarded as one of the moft ufeful and beneficial to mankind. The great Hippocrates has told us, that " The art of Phyfic is the moft excellent of all " arts ;" and has alfo obferved, " that it is the " bufinefs of a phyfician to make new difcove- " ries in fcience, or to perfect fuch as are al- " ready made ; rather than to fpend his time in " cenfuring or depreciating others."* This diftate, the refult of wifdom, juftice, and expe- rience, the moft illiberal of the profeffion will B not * Hippocrat. deArte, ( io ) not attempt to controvert. The difTentions of phyficians are, indeed, the greateft objection which is made to the profeffion of phyfic ; and maybe regarded as the foundation of every other objection. It is that which the illuftrious Bacon advances; and even Hippocrates himfelf, who fays, " When phyficians are fo much at variance " amongft themfelves,about the method of treat- " ing acute difeafes, that the fame method fhall " be highly extolled by one, and run down by " others ; phyfic itfelf, muft of neceffity fall into " contempt amongft the vulgar ; who will con- " elude from thence, that phyficians themfelves " have no certain method to purfue, or that " there is no fuch art as that of Medicine."* This objection has been thus anfwered by the fame great man ; " That this very difa- *' greement is a proof of the reality of the art; " for if there was no fuch thing as an Art of " Medicine, no fyftem of precepts, or rule of " practice for the artift to be directed by ; " there would not be good and bad phyficians, " as there are now, but all of them would be " alike ignorant and unfkilful; and the cure of " the fick would depend upon chance alone. " But as long as phyfic remains an art, fo long " will one artift continue to excel another " as well in the goodnefs of his hand as head."f But, * Hippocrat. de Ratione Vittus in Morb. acutii, t Hippocrat. de prifea Medicina. ( " ) But, in truth, the utility of Medicine has never been ferioufly denied ; for every perfon who fuffers pain or ficknefs, will gratefully ac- knowledge, (in words, at leaft, which coft no- thing) the ufefulnefs of an art from which he obtains relief. Life, when oppreffed with difeafe, is but a compound of woes. Health adds delight to every enjoyment ; and, as the end of medical fcience is to reftore and preferve health, every perfon is concerned in its improvement. Me- dicine is as important in its objeCt, as it is diffi- cult in its attainment.—It is extenfive in its refearches ; and prefuppofes an acquaintance with many other fciences : and it demands of thofe who engage in its purfuit, an enlarged and benevolent mind. A defire of knowledge, and a fpirit of enquiry, are natural to man. Thefe, therefore, fhould be directed to worthy objects. And what can be more fo, than the ftudy and prefervation of that moft fimple, yet moft compound and fur- prifing work of an Omnipotent Creator! Or, what can tend more effectually to raife our thoughts, to the Divine Author of its exiftence ! In a fubfequent part of this Oration, I (hall attempt to demonftrate, ftill further, the utili- ty ( I» ) ty of the fcience of Medicine, by a fhort view of fome of thofe virtues, which the practice of phyfic either does, or ought to infpire, in the breaft of every member of the profeffion. •If we take a view of the antiquity of the fcience of Medicine, it would neceffarily appear, to have been coeval with the origin of man ; or at lcaft, with the period of his expulfion from that ftate of felicity, which he is reprefented to have enjoyed in the garden of Eden. For, as by the Curfe, which was inflicted on our firft parents at the Fall, they were doomed to feel the arrows of af- fliction, and the infirmities of human nature ; from that period, attempts muft have been made for the cure of difeafes, and the relief of acci- dents, which devolved upon them by fuch a curfe. Thefe rude, but well-meant attempts of each perfon, to relieve the diftrefs of his neighbour, muft however have ceafed, when ibme were fuppofed to have acquired greater fkill than others : to thefe of courfe, the fick would apply for affiftance;—and this, infaCt, we muft efteem as the origin of the art: A know- ledge of a few fimples, probably formed its ut- moft extent. I have faid above, that the fci- ence; of Medicine muft have necejjarily been co» eval with the origin of man :—I fhould rather have faid, that thofe fundamental principles, on which ( «3 ) which the fcience is founded, exifted at that early period of the world, in as full force as at prefent. We only excel our anceftors by the developement of faCts; and by a judicious e;xdufion of principles, founded in error, and in the belief of preternatural agents and caufes; which exifted only in the heated imaginations of their authors and their followers. Succeeding generations, it is to be hoped, will improve upon the prefent; until the higheft degree of know- ledge fhall be acquired, which is compatible with the imperfeCt ftate in which we live. Medicine feemjs to have attained to greater perfection, amongft the Greeks than amongft any other nation of antiquity ; if we may judge from thofe writings which have come to hand. We are not, however, abfolutely to draw fuch a conclufion ; as, from the great difficulty at that period, of tranfmitting knowledge to pofterity, or even of diffuiing it amongft cotemporaries ; from the want of fome method of rendering that knowledge permanent; which, fortunately we poflefs in the art of printing ; when alfo we recolIeCt, that a great portion of ancient know- ledge was, by the ufe of hieroglyphics, almoft entirely confined in the hands of their priefts; we may be allowed to fuppofe that Greece alone did not bear away the palm of fcience. This fuppofition is ftrengthened by the probability that ( u ) that the Greeks derived their literary and fcicn- tific knowledge from the Egyptians ; and that they only extended it by the aid of letters.* Be this however as it may, the Greeks certainly have the merit of having conveyed to the na- tions of Europe, the rudiments of Medicine, and of every other art or fcience, at that time known—" Hippocrates, who has been called " the great father of Phyfic, is the firft, whofe " writings have been tranfmitted to the prefent " day ; and we cannot withhold our efteem " from him, whether we confider the morality " and liberality of his works, or his numerous " and acute obfervations, together with the " great order in which they are conveyed. But" (adds Dr. Denman) " if there be any progref- " five power in the human mind, if there be " any advantage obtained in the practice of Me- " dicine, by the knowledge of the circulation u of the blood ; or of a more correCt anatomy " and phyfiology at large ; by the application " of chemiftry ; by a more copious Materia " Medica ; by the records of experience, or by " many collateral arts which Medicine calls in " to its aid, we may be allowed to fay, that " Hippocrates * Before the invention of letters, mankind may be faid to have been perpetually in their infancy ; as the arts of one age or coun- try generally died with their inventors. Botanic Garden; note on Papjra, ( *5 ) " Hippocrates ought not to be confidered as the " guide of phyficians at the prefent time, or as u having limited the perfection or extent of " the art; but as an illuftrious fpecimen of an- " cient medical knowledge and practice : And if " this obfervation holds good with refpeCt to " Hippocrates, it will have more force when " applied to all his tranfcribers and commen- " tators."* Of the dignity of the profeffion of Phyfic, I fhall fay but little. It has ftood the teft of time ; and cannot receive any addition from my praife. It has always ranked amongft the moft liberal of the profeffions ; and on the juft- eft grounds. To excel in it, requires a larger compafs of knowledge than is neceffary in any other fcience. Mathematics, natural hiftory and philofophy, are nearly allied to it : whilft the extenfive ftudies of anatomy, chemiftry and botany, are its immediate branches. A knowledge of the dead and living languages, is by many thbnght indifpenfable : and to this we may add, that knowledge of the world, of men and manners, which are highly ufeful to the medical character ; and which is naturally acquired, from an extenfive intercourfe with all * Introduction to Midwifery, ( 16 ) all ranks of people. Medicine, notwithftanding the extent of knowledge which it prefuppofes, is a fcience, concerning which every one under- takes to reafon moft, and yet of which they pof- fefs the leaft information. Who, that has not made mathematics his ftudy, will prefume to argue on the abftrufe and difficult calculations of algebra ? Yet the more difficult and abftrufe fcience of Medicine is apparently obtained by intuition ; as a previous education feems unne- ceffary to qualify a perfon to embrace it at once, in its fulleft extent! The fcience of Medicine is an ample field for the exercife and difplay of genius. No profeffion requires a more comprehenfive mind. In the other learned profeffions, certain laws and fta- tutes exift, to which every queftion muft be re- ferred, and by which it muft be determined ;— a fteady application, and a good memory, are here the chief requifites. Little room is left for the difplay of genius, where invention can- not add, nor judgment improve ; becaufe ef- tablifhed laws, whether right or wrong, muft be fubmitted to. In Medicine, where no ef- tablifhed laws exift, the cafe is different—Eve- ry man muft reft on his own judgment ; and it is his bufinefs to make a felection of facts, from thofe theories with which his memory has been loaded in the courfe of a liberal education. To effeCt ( '7 ) effect this, the prejudices of youth are to be overcome. This will prove a tafk of the great- eft difficulty ; as much candor and patience are effential, to diveft our minds of what, in general, takes fuch forcible poffeffion. Were I here to take a view of the many vir- tues, which the profeffion of Phyfic enforces on its adherents, I fhould extend this piece far be- yond the ufual limits, and encroach too greatly on that time, upon which, I fear, you already think I have too much trefpaffed. I fhall there- fore detain you but a few minutes on this part of my fubjeCt. An extenfive field is prefented by Medicine, for the exercife of humanity. The numerous opportunities of relieving diftrefs, which a phy- fician enjoys, muft, to a benevolent mind, be one of its greateft pleafures. The Faculty have often; been reproached with hardnefs of heart; occafioned, it is faid, by being fo converfant with human mifery. I moft firmly believe this charge to be unjuft ; not only from an acquaint- ance with many members of the profeffion, whofe enlarged and philanthropic minds are exerted in the daily purfuits of benevolence and virtue; but alfo from the writings of the moft celebrated phyficians of all ages; which are, of themfelves, fufficient to exonerate their authors from fuch C a re- ( is ) a reproach. Who, after reading the works of Sydenham, of Haller, Boerhaave, and others ; will be hardy enough to charge them with fuch a failing ? A failing, indeed, one of the greateft of which a phyfician can be guilty ! Humanity may in fad be regarded, as the greateft moral qualification of a medical man. It is the ori- ginal foundation of the profeffion ; aCted upon, long before it was regarded as a diftinCt fci- ence. Doubtlefs, there are many unworthy members of our profeffion, (as is the cafe with every other) to whom fuch a charge will ap- ply.—The lofs, however, of one of the greateft incitements for the relief of the fick, is the proper punifhment it brings with it.—Habit, it is true, may infure a command of temper, which may bemiftaken for infenfibility ; but too great a fliare of fenfibility, often renders a phyfician incapable of that fteadinefs and vigor of action, on which perhaps the life of his patient may greatly depend. Men of the moft companionate tempers, by daily viewing fcenes of diftrefs, ac- quire a firmnefs of mind, which is abfolutely requifite in the practice of Phyfic. They can feel both pity and compaflion, without allowing themfelves to be enervated and unmanned. Thofe who are callous to every fentiment of humanity, affeCt, to treat this fympathy with ridicule ; by reprefenting it, either as hypocrify, or as a proof of a weak mind. There can be no doubt that it may ( '9 ) may be, and often is affumed : But it is eafily feen through. Real fympathy, will not permit a phyfician to aCt differently, to perfons in dif- ferent ranks of life. It is even more careful of mewing itfelf towards thofe in better circum- ftances; left an unworthy conftruCtion fhould be put upon it. It is equally unfounded, to fup- pofe a compaffionate and feeling heart, to be the effeCt of a weak mind. Univerfal experience proves the reverfe of the propofition ; and that rough and bluftering manners, are more gene- rally concomitants of a weak underftanding; and frequently are affumed to conceal from the world thofe very infirmities which their poffef- fors blame in others. Humanity is that fenfibility of heart, which makes us feel for the diflreffes of our fellow- creatures ; and of confequence, incites us moft powerfully to their relief. Sympathy produces attention te an hundred circumftances, which may tend to relieve a patient; an attention, be- yond the power of wealth to purchafe. It en- gages the confidence and affeCtion of a patient; which often is of the utmoft confequence to his recovery. A patient feels the approach of a phyfician who poffeffes a compaffionate heart, a foftnefs of manners, and, what Shakefpear has emphatically called, " the milk of human kind- nefs," like that of an angel miniftring to his re- lief: ( SO ) lief : Whilft the vifit of a man of harfli and brutal manners, makes his heart fink, as at the prefence of one who is about to pronounce his fentence of death. Charity, the offspring of Humanity, is ano- ther important virtue, ftrongly enforced upon its votaries, by the fcience of Medicine. The phyfician, more than any other defcription of men, is moft converfant with mifery and af- fliction. Happy the man who improves from this view of fuffering humanity!—True Charity does not limit her bounty to one clafs or defcrip- tion of men ; She regards the whole human race as relatives ; and the world as her abode. At the bedfide of poverty and ficknefs, fhe is moft at home ; and here, her claims are ftrong- eft upon the profeffion of Phyfic: From,fuch a claim, none of its votaries are exempt. They here poffefs the power of ftripping death of half his terrors ; and of fmoothing the avenues to a- nother world. How high enrolled above the common clafs of men, does the great, the illus- trious Howard appear, when vifiting the gloo- my manfions of difeafe and death ; and, like a guardian angel, fnatching from deftruCtion the miferable wretch, whofe feeble lamp of life, fcar~e glimmered in its focket; or, when refto- ring to the careffes of an affeCHonate family, a haplefs parent, whofe* anxious care and fteady induftry C 21 ) induftry, could not avert the iron hands of ruth- lefs poverty ! Let us view this extraordinary man, (who lived not for himfelf, but for man- kind) with aCtive benevolence, expofing him- felf to the moft contagious difeafes ; unappalled by the rapid ftrides of death ; cheering, by his affability and mildnefs, the bed of ficknefs or diftrefs ; and, like a good Samaritan, adminif- tring the balm which fhould ameliorate the fuf- ferings of the afflicted ! Let us view him ranging through the earth, to offer his devotions at the fhrine of humanity ; and ultimately fnatched from an admiring world, by that inexorable tyrant, whofe regions he had fo often fuccef- fully inyaded ; to be a companion of thofe hea- venly beings, whofe aCtiqns he had ftrove to imitate in his terreftrial abode. Where, in that anxious, awful moment of expiring life, was the fympathifing friend, to affuage the agony of corporeal fufferings, or clofe the eye-lids of this dying faint. Alas ! no friend was there ! Of the numbers, to whom he had fo often min- iftered, not one was prefent, to receive his par- ting breath. That God, however, in whofe fervice he clofed his well-fpent life, did not for- fake him in the hour of diftrefs, when the mind's eye is fixed upon " that undifcovered coun- try, from whofe bourne no traveller returns." The pleafing retrofpeCt of a well-fpent life, upheld him in the conflict, and enabled him to raife ( ** ) raife his hopes with confidence to heaven, whofe gates were wide extended to receive him. I am certain you will pardon me, for occupy- ing a few moments of your time, in reading the following beautiful lines, on this illuftrious character ; from the fublime and harmonious pen of Dr. Darwin. SO when contagion, with mephitic breath, And wither'd famine urged the work of death ; Marfeilles' good Bifhop, London's generous Mayor, With food and faithi with medicine and with prayer, Rais'd the weak head, and flayed the parting figh j Cr with new life relumed the fwimming eye. —-And now, Philanthrophy ! thy rays divine Dart round the globe, from Zembla to the Line; O'er each dark prifon plays the cheering light, Like northern luftres o'er the vault of night. From realm to realm, with crofs or crefcent crown'd 3 Where'er mankind and mifery are found; O'er burning fands, deep waves, or wilds of fnow, Thy Howard, journeying, feeks the houfe of woe, Down many a winding ftep, to dungeons dank, Where anguifh, wails aloud, and fetters clank ; To caves beftrew'd with many a mouldering bone, And ceils, whofe echoes only learn to groan; Where no kind bars a whifpering friend difclofe, No fun-beam enters, and no zephyr blows, He treads, inemulous of fame or wealth, Profufe of toil, and prodigal of health: With foft affuafive eloquence expands, Power's rigid heart, and opes his clinching hands j Leads ftern-ey'd juftice to the dark domains, If not to fever, to relax the chains. Or ( *3 ) Or guides awaken'd mercy through the gloom, And (hews the prifon, filter to the tomb! Gives to her babes the felf-devoted wife, To her fond hufband liberty and life! —The fpirits of the good, who bend from high, Wide o'er thefe earthly fcenes their partial eye, When firft array'd in virtue's pureit robe, They faw her Howard traverfing the globe ; Saw round his brows her fun4ike glory blaze, In arrowy circles of unwearied rays; Miftook a mortal for an angel-gueft, And alk'd, what feraph-foot the earth impreft ?— —Onward he moves! Difeafe and death retire, And murmuring demons hate him—and admire." Loves of the Plants, Cant. 2d. 1. 433, and feq. Patience next to the above mentioned vir- tues, is of the greateft neceffity to the medical man. It might, indeed, in fome points of view, be regarded as a branch of humanity. The ne- ceffity for the exercife of this virtue, arifes from many and various fourccs. I have already noticed a very confiderable one, in the diffen- tions of the Faculty, and the illiberality, which fometimes prevails amongft them. I fhall there- fore here, only mention that, arifing from the conduCt of patients themfelves ; together, with the contradictions and difappointments, to which, in the courfe of his practice, the phyfi- cian is fubjefted. The laft, more frequently a- rifes, from too great ftriCtnefs in his directions ; which, if not abfolutely effential to the wel- fare ( U ) fare of the patient, had better be avoided ; as the almoft invariable non-compliance with them, neceffarily leads to a concealment of fuch a de- viation. Hence, he is ignorant of the true ftate of the fick; and afcribes to the difeafe, what is probably owing to irregularity in diet; or at- tributes effeCts to medicines, which were daily thrown into the fire, or out of a window. A phyfician fhould certainly be abfolute in his go- vernment over his patients : To this, however, few will fubmit; and indeed, a phyfician has no juft title of complaint, if his advice is not fol- lowed ; as he has no right to prevent any one from going out of the world in his own way, Thofe afflicted with nervous difeafes, contri- bute not a little, to call forth the patience of a phyfician. Though their fears are groundlefs, for the moft part ; yet their fufferings arc real; and hence, to treat them with negleCt, or indif- ference, is equally cruel and abfurd. The dif- orders of the mind demand the tendereft fym- pathy ; and the greateft fkill is required to avoid negleCt and ridicule on the one hand ; and too anxious a folicitude on the other. As you muft all be fenfible how much the characters of individuals, as well as the peace and happinefs of families; may fomctimes de- pend upon the exercife of the virtues of difcre- tion ( *5 ) tion, honor and fecrecy ; I fhall not enlarge up- on their neceffity to a phyfician. From his pro- feffion, many opportunities muft occur, of knowing the private tranfaCtions, and characters of families—He views mankind under the moft difadvantageous circumftances : OpprefTed by pain and ficknefs ; leading to peevifhnefs, and impatience ; in place of their ufual cheerfulnefs and vigor of mind. Temperance andfobriety, are effential to the character of the medical man. You will at once accede to the propofition, on my merely ftat- ing it. Judgment, difcernment, and every re- quifite qualification to the phyfician ; are totally incompatible with a want of thefe virtues. The high importance of medical fcienc^ is obvious, not merely from what has been faia* ; but alfo, from confidering its improvement as in fome degree dependant, on the progrefs of all the other numerous arts and fciences. From thefe, it borrows many lights ; and acquires new aid by their augmentation. " The fcience of Medicine is fo extenfive; and " fo limited are our faculties, in attempting to u explore thereceffes of nature; that ourknow- " ledge on this fubjeCt muft ever be exceedingly " confined. Perfection in this fcience is not to D " be ( 26 ) " be hoped for ; the labour of ages will enlarge " our ftock of knowledge; but we fhall be forced " to confefs, that perfection is yet far from our " reach. Improvement is, however, undoubtedly " in our power. Induftry and abilities will never " wantfubjeCts for employment; nor fail to re- " ward thofe who exert them."* Inournew,and almoft unexplored country ; very much remains to do, in every department of knowledge. The ample volume of the works of nature is open to our view, and each votary to fcience, is loudly invited, to a participation of the luxu- riant banquet, which its pages afford. Your induftry, and perfeverance, Gentlemen, will go far to raife our country, to an equal eminence with the moft favoured parts of the globe. New and certain avenues to the temples of honor and of fame, will here be lighted up, by the radiant torch of truth : Let me hope, that many whom I now addrefs ; are deftined to attain an eminence, as great as Newton, Bacon, Boyle, and all thofe other illuftrious cha- racters, who rank fo high in the annals of fci- ence. It is a fubjeCt pf regret, that the knowledge of medical fcience, is fo diffufed, through vaft numbers of volumes, and in different languages as * Medical and Chirurgical Review'; ( ^7 ) as to preclude a complete view of all its im- provements, except it be acquired at a great expence, and with great labour. In Europe indeed, this is in a great meafure obviated, by the numerous periodical publications, of the higheft importance; which monthly, nay week- ly, and almoft daily iflue from the prefs. Such works are peculiarly acceptable to perfons en- gaged in extenfive practice ; or who are remote from the centre of publication. As yet, our country has been backward in adding to the general ftock, by fimilar attempts. One laud- able example has been fet, and the important work is ft ill continued with undiminifhed ar- dour ; and I truft will add, not only to the re- putation, but alfo to the emolument of its pro- prietors,* Permit me, Gentlemen, to extend for a few minutes, this view of a fubjeCt fo highly inter- efting to us, as fellow-members of the fame in- ftitution. How grateful muft be the recollec- tion of its rapid iuereafe ! Scarcely have ten years elapfed, fince it firft fprung-.into exiftence, by the active and well-directed endeavours of a few individuals ; and already do we reckon a- mongft its members, moft of the refpectable and eminent of the profeffion, throughout the United ... •"' * States, * The Medical Repofitory of New-York. ( *$ ) States. By its junction alfo with the American Medical Society; it has added the refpeftability of that inftitution, to the youthful vigour which animates itfelf. I confidently truft, that the zeal which has heretofore been evinced in the advancement of its reputation ; will ftill exift, to carry it yet further on the road to perfection ; when you are fettled in your profeffional purfuits at a dif- tance from us. I muft remind you, Gentlemen, that the ob- jects of this fociety, are more extenfive, than I believe is generally imagined. We are not to be limited to the reception, or difcuffion, of medical faCts or papers. We muft confider, that the republic of Medicine, which extends its influence throughout the univerfe ; and of which, we are fellow-members; has a juft claim upon our ex- ertions. The publication of TranfaCtions and Memoirs, is, if I miflake not, an important part of the intentions of this inftitution.The carrying into execution this importantmeafure, (in which unfortunately, we have been too neglectful) will evince to the world that fcience is not confined to the fliores of Europe. Hitherto, our exer- tions have been very limited. Let us now endea- vour to render ourfclves confpicuous, as a lite- rary and fcientific Body. Let each member think that ( 29 ) that on his individual exertions, depends the honour of the whole; and we foon fhall fee it rife to an unexampled pitch of celebrity and reputation. Each member has it in his power to enrich the fbciety, by favouring it with ac- curate details, of faCts and obfervations; toge- ther with the hiftories of difeafes, remarkable either in themfelves or treatment; with diffec- tions of fuch morbid bodies as may come under their notice ; and the remarks and inferences, occafioned thereby. A judicious feleCtion from thefe, for publication, could not fail of foon ren- dering us known, abroad and at home. Such a work would doubtlefsmeet with a ready recep- tion ; efpecially, as each member would wrfnto poffefs a publication, in the honor of which he found himfelf fo clofely interefted, I truft I am not fingular, in thus wifhing to ad- vance the reputation of our hitherto flourifhing Body. How honourable fuch a ftep would be, I fhall not paufe to determine. I fincerely hope, due attention will be given to a fubjeCt, from which we may anticipate fuch beneficial effeCls. We want only thofe materials, of which each member is poffeffed ; to ereCt a ftruCture, whofe duration fhall extend to the end of time ; and whofe beneficial influence, fhall pervade the univerfe. The •*4 ( 3° ) The Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh, which now ranks high as a fcientific inftitution ; arofe from a beginning, fmall as our own. Its cele- brity may in part be afcribed to having purfued to a certain degree, the meafure above recom- mended ; by publifliing a judicious feleCtionof the moft meritorious thefes, which havevmade their appearance in that Univerfity. And fhall an in- ftitution, founded under the aufpices of afchool, where a candidate for medical honors, dare not publifh any thing, which ftrikes at the doctrines there promulgated : Shall, I repeat it, fuch an inftitution furpafs our own ? where, under the extended wings of our beloved Alma Mater; freedom of opinion in Medical fcience, is not only tolerated, but even encouraged ! Moft of the experimental thefes here made public, I will venture to affert, are not furpaffed, either in merit or information, by thofe which are brought forward in the trans-Atlantic feminaries. A felection of the moft meritorious, for pub- lication, under your aufpices, would not only ex- tend the credit of our fociety ; but would alfo , tend to double the diligence of the ftudents ; by the pleafing expeCtation^of fuch honourable at- tention being paid to their inveftigations. Gen- tlemen, who come to purfue their medical ftu- dies in this place ; will be afhamed to leave it, without having it in their power to fay, they are members of fo'valuable an inftitution; whilft the ( 3' ) the difficulty of obtaining a memberfhip; will make them exert all their diligence and applica- tion, t^attain a feat fo honorable to themfelves. My wifh to fee our fociety on a footing, equally eminent with fimilar inftitutions of Europe ; in- duces me trefpafs on your time, by recommend- ing fuch objects to your attention, as to me ap- pear beft calculated, to promote fo defirable an end. Seminaries of learning, like governments, have their rife; their acme; their decline, and fall. The fchools of Italy gave place to thofe of Holland, and they in turn have been eclipfcd by the fuperior brilliancy of the Scottifh fchools. In the death of a Cullen, and the retirement of a Black, a fhock has been fuftained by the me- dical fchool of Edinburgh ; from which, it will not foon recover. I may be allowed to hope, that the time is not far diftant ; when the god- defs Hygeia, in conjunction with the genius of Philofophy, fhall extend the fame of our medical fchools ; and, continuing to illumine our Pro- feffors, with the unerring torch of truth and wifdom; fhall render America the grand empo- rium of fcience, and the arts ; from which the never-cloying ftreams of knowledge fhall pro- ceed ; to augment the mafs of human happinefs; and to communicate their cheering influence to every quarter of the globe. To ( 3= ) To extend ftill further, the reputation of our fociety ; allow me to call to your ferious confi- deration, the propriety, of eftablifhing a Library. To expatiate on its utility, is unneceffary ; as you muft all be convinced of it.—It is true, the Medical ftudents who refort to this place, poffefs extraordinary advantages, in having accefs to the excellent library belonging to the Pennfyl- vania Hofpital ; and to the public library of our city.—But, as I conceive the augmentation of the means of information, is the fureft mode of increafing, and extending fcience ; I anxiouf- ly truft, that fuch a meafure will not be long ne- glected. The medical inftitution* which I have already noticed ; derives not a little of its cele- brity, from the extenfive library which it pof- feffes. Such praife-worthy examples, will doubtlefs meet with that regard, to which they are fo juftly entitled. It may be objeCted, that the eftablifhment of a library requires confider- able time and expence. From thefe very caufes there is no time like the prefent, for carrying it into effect ; as we fhall the fooner have to boaft of its exiftence. By fmall beginnings, great ends are frequently accomplifhed. We cannot walk before we creep,; neither can we, without a commencement, hope to attain, what each of you will admit, is highly to be wifhed * The Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. ( 53 ) wifhed for. I am certain that all of you feel difpofed, as much as is in your power, to add to the reputation of an inftitution, from which, I doubt not, you have derived both pleafure and inftruction : In no way can this be more likely to occur, than by increafing its fources of infor- mation and improvement. Let me urge you then, Gentlemen, to carry into effect, a mea- fure long contemplated ; that you may be ena- bled to fay, Our Library was inftituted, under your immediate exertions: and, I hope it will rapidly increafe; as a teftimony of your zeal and defire, of promoting the interefts of fcience and humanity. I have thus, Gentlemen, brought to a con- clufion, thofe pages, which I have prepared in compliance with your appointment. If they have failed in affording you either inftruCtion or amufement; I truft you will neverthelefs re- ceive them with indulgence, in confideration of your having made fo bad an election.----. With every wifh for your uninterrupted health and profperity; I now bid you an affectionate adieu. THE END. wz 1200 CO '£'■ S&M Ik* w-" |*"v 81 j -:s'/'i:"; H&if; ■ ; :'■ i'1^ »' Bg Mw."X .■■... fe3_8 "<_im