Facts concerning anatomical instruction in Philadelphia / by James Webster.

  • James Webster
Date:
[1832]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Facts concerning anatomical instruction in Philadelphia / by James Webster. 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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    field of science. Well, then, the session goes on, and at its termination the classess are not all supplied; this was the case in 1829-30. Before the session of 1830-31, I found it necessary to atsert my own rights, and the effect of the concessions made to me, rendered it necessary for Dr. Horner to put six in each class instead of four, thus deducting considerably from the amount of profit the student had a right to expect, without granting an equivalent. What, let me ask, has been the effect of the grievances which I have stated ? Of the gentlemen who have attempted to teach ana- tomy in this city, one, Dr. Drake, was compelled to yield to the difficulties thrown in his way; and I have already had occasion to allude to the particular instance of Dr. Morton. The spirit of monopoly, however, is not confined to this branch alone. I con- fidently appeal to the profession in this city, if I am not correct in the declaration that, by the system which is adopted, no man can look for success as a private teacher in any branch of medicine, unless he be either directly or indirectly connected with the Uni- versity ; the time has passed by when the offices of our most re- spectable physicians presented a goodly number of private pupils; the press from north to south, and from east to west, has teemed with condemnation of the system pursued; and if the University continues to bear with all its leaden Lethean weight upon the vitals of the profession, it will not be long ere its members arise in the majesty of their strength, and successfully plead for the enjoy- ment of equal rights and equal privileges. South Carolina, remote from the scene of action, has thus spoken, The university of Philadelphia, from its long standing, and high reputation, ranks the first among all the medical institutions of the United States. The professors of that institution, receiving so much honour and profit as they do, owe a heavy debt to their coun- try. Much is given them, and much is expected from them. They, therefore, must take no umbrage in our mentioning a practice which some of them have instituted, which we unhesitatingly declare to be derogatory to the dignity of professors, and which, if persevered in, will degrade that institution as much as it was elevated, under the fostering care and intellect of its earlier professors. The prac- tice we allude to, is forming what are called private classes, dis- connected with the college; for which a student has to pay a large sum of money to attend. We object to this procedure.