Substance of an introductory lecture to a course upon the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye : comprising a comparison of the state of ophthalmic science in Germany and England : and a recommendation to introduce the German method of instruction into the British schools / by Robert Hamilton.

  • Hamilton, Robert, M.D.
Date:
[1842]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Substance of an introductory lecture to a course upon the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye : comprising a comparison of the state of ophthalmic science in Germany and England : and a recommendation to introduce the German method of instruction into the British schools / by Robert Hamilton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    plan fail, we are convinced this will result, not from the badness of the cause, nor from any defect in the importance and excellency of the scheme, but solely from the incompetency of him who un- dertakes it. Should it unfortunately be our lot to be disappoint- ed in our hopes, we believe it will be in a good cause ; and though success may not attend our labours, we doubt not that, under brighter auspices, and in abler hands, the object will one day be accomplished, it may be here, it may be elsewhere, to the joy and gratitude of many a thankful recipient of its benefits. Postscript.—Since these pages were printed the following im- portant particulars have been kindly brought under our notice. In the introduction to Dr Graves' valuable System of Clinical Medi- cine, published in 1843, a short account is given of the German system of clinical instruction, to which we beg attention ; and we are informed that Dr Graves introduced the system into the Meath Hospital, in Dublin, as far back as the year 1821. We must, however, request that the Doctor shall be himself heard. Eleven years experience enables me strongly to recommend the method of instruction pursued in Germany. Since my appointment to the Meath Hospital, I have had extensive opportunities of observ- ing its good effects. No session has elapsed without furnishing proofs in its favour. And again, in a postscript, dated 1842, he remarks, twenty-one years have elapsed since the preceding lec- ture was delivered in the Old Meath Hospital, and my subsequent experience has amply verified the opinion I therein expressed. (P. 10, 11.) Again, we have recently received a letter from a kind correspondent in London, who writes, It is intended, at the * * to give a full course of ophthalmology this spring, (1843.) Anatomy, physiology, optics, as applied to vision, general ant/ particular pathology, and the surgery of the organ, will be the sub- jects treated by the various officers. We shall adopt the plan of the external clinic, with the exception of not permitting (at present) the pupils to take charge of the patients. We think this would be attended with great difficulty here, where we cannot compel the necessary attendance and punctuality of pupils, or out-patients And once more, Mr Wilde has done us the flivour to state that during his course of lectures in Park-Street School, during the current spring, he purposes giving practical instruction in it after the Vienna method. All this, together with the interesting coin- cidence that Dr Bennett has, this session, commenced a course, after the fashion of the German clinic, in connection with the Edinburgh Royal Dispensary, bids fair, we trust, for the speedy introduction of that mode of teaching which is considered by so many as the most useful and the best. * * See additional information in a highly interesting Biography of Dr Graves in tJie Dublin University Magazine for Feb. 1042, p. 260. PRINTED BY JOHN BTAllK, EDINBURGH.