Odium medicum and other addresses / by Lewis Stephen Pilcher.

  • Lewis Stephen Pilcher
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Odium medicum and other addresses / by Lewis Stephen Pilcher. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    for another examination. When the time came the indul- gent Board of Examiners attributed his evident poor health to a too close application to study; he sustained his examination successfully, and in due time received his commission. His position, however, was enjoyed by him for only a brief period. The advance of his tuber- culosis was rapid, and within a year his remains were laid away in a New Jersey cemetery. Doubtless there are still others, perhaps many others, of that class who have entered into rest after years of abundant labors. It is a suggestive commentary upon the slight character of the bond which unites a medical class together, that, after its separation on commence- ment day, so little is known by its respective mem- bers of the after work and welfare of their col- leagues. Even the place of residence of many is un- known, and in the official publication of the University a question mark follows their names to denote this uncer- tainty as to their whereabouts. It is natural that during the earlier years of professional life one's mind should be almost exclusively occupied with the interests that are immediately personal to oneself. The strife for exist- ence, the great struggle out of which is to come the survival of the fittest, has first to be fought out. We are precipitated into it at once after leaving our seats on these benches. Very few of us find places ready prepared for us. We have to conquer them for ourselves, and always be ready to hold them against all comers. But as the years go by, and a lull in the contest occurs, we begin to think more of those who started out with us, and to wish to know how they too have fared. We have a clearer and more comprehensive view, too, of the nature of our common work, and of its effects upon the character of those devoted to it. We have a higher estimate of the