Letter to the Right Hon. the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town-Council of Edinburgh, in regard to the Chair of Pathology in the University of Edinburgh / by James Syme.

  • James Syme
Date:
1837
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letter to the Right Hon. the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town-Council of Edinburgh, in regard to the Chair of Pathology in the University of Edinburgh / by James Syme. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    fees. The Medical Professors therefore, while, in common with the inhabitants of Edinburgh, they wish well for the prosperity of the University, and do so not the less sincerely, because their own character and estimation are intimately as¬ sociated with the opinion which is entertained of it by the pub¬ lic, at the same time feel a pecuniary interest in the prosperity of the institution. And I am sure that the Patrons, after in¬ viting gentlemen to come from distant parts of the country, where they were established in practice, and surrounded with all the attractions of a long established and friendly circle of acquaintances, to occupy chairs in the University, on the faith that, in the absence of any endowment or adequate salary, they should derive for the maintenance of themselves and families, in circumstances suited to the honourable office bestowed upon them, the emoluments attached to their respective depart¬ ments without curtailment or interference,—will never ques¬ tion the fairness of pecuniary considerations entering into the calculation of the Professors. But it is fortunate that the pecuniary interests of the Professors, and the prosperity of the University are inseparably connected ; and that, conse¬ quently, however unworthy it may seem to our adversaries, for professional men, to let their 6t petty interests,” that is to say, the provision for their support, at all occupy their thoughts or influence their conduct, no harm can accrue to the public, since, whatever increases the number of students attending the University, must benefit both parties. The Medical Professors believe, on the present occasion, that imperative attendance on a course of General Pathology not only deters students from graduating in this University, but sours and dissatisfies those who do commit themselves to our guidance. They believe that, if this load were removed, the number of students would be increased, and the whole business of the School go on more comfortably. In anticipation of such an obvious explanation of our con¬ duct, it has been alleged that the Professors are not able to see into the distance, and discover any remote good for them-
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