On some relations of chemistry to medicine : address to the medical students at the opening of the winter session, University of Glasgow, Tuesday, October 30, 1877 / by John Ferguson.

  • John Ferguson
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On some relations of chemistry to medicine : address to the medical students at the opening of the winter session, University of Glasgow, Tuesday, October 30, 1877 / by John Ferguson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    with the material universe, the time allowed for acquiring merely an outline of the best established facts and laws is very short, and the opportunities, of which medical students might avail themselves, of acquiring direct familiarity with a larger number of substances than they do, are curtailed by their having more pressing calls upon their time and attention. Thus, unfortunately, their time has to be spent in what is called “ reading,” whereas if even a small proportion of the time could be otherwise applied, for example, to the examination of typical specimens, a much more real and profitable knowledge of the science might be acquired. From the pressure upon the curriculum, the student cannot well afford to carry his studies much beyond the elements, and take up those sections of chemistry in which at a more advanced stage he would find immediate professional interest. It thus too frequently happens that chemistry is dropped at the end of the second year, and what has been learned, often with great pains¬ taking, is allowed to fade out of mind. Jt would be of the greatest service to students, on the contrary, if they could persuade themselves to pursue the study of this science, on account of its bearings on their subsequent work, and even on their future professional skill. This, however, is not apparent at first sight, and in the desire to attain their end students are apt to neglect the means. What has a medical student the opportunity of learn¬ ing during his residence at the University?