On self-training by the medical student : the introductory lecture, delivered in University College at the commencement of the medical session, 1856-1857 / by E.A. Parkes.

  • Parkes, Edmund A. (Edmund Alexander), 1819-1876.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On self-training by the medical student : the introductory lecture, delivered in University College at the commencement of the medical session, 1856-1857 / by E.A. Parkes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    35/41 page 31
    For this sort of training the college life pos- sesses great advantages. It is a microcosm, in which is rehearsed some of the struggles, and the pageants of the larger world without. There is generous emulation, and competition; there is detracting envy and dislike; there are treacherous friends who reveal the weakness of their compa- nions, and generous rivals who conceal it; there is the proflgate section, who laugh at the dic- tates of morality; and the nobler class, who recognise and honour its claims. Among these influences, the mind of the student is formed, and it rests very much with himself, whether or not he emerges from them loving truth and honour, and actuated by high and noble motives in his dealings with others. In the pursuit of our profession there is another influence of some importance.— The trials and sufferings of which we are the wit- nesses develop in some minds to its highest degree the feeling of pity. In other persons again, the constant repetition of the same scenes blunts their susceptibility, and renders them al- most indifferent to suffering; while, among a third class, the perceptive and reasoning powers are so predominant, that sick men are looked upon rather in the light of machines exhibiting interesting phenomena, than as fellow-creatures suffering pain and dreading death.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3