The new departure in medical teaching : a lecture delivered at the beginning of the course on pathology and practice in the University of Michigan, October 1st, 1877 / by A.B. Palmer.

  • Alonzo Benjamin Palmer
Date:
[1877]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The new departure in medical teaching : a lecture delivered at the beginning of the course on pathology and practice in the University of Michigan, October 1st, 1877 / by A.B. Palmer. 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.

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    There can be no doubt that we have a faster way of doing things in this country than in Europe—have greater adaptability, and we can probably accomplish more in a given time in studying medicine than the average European. Our methods are differ- ent. We have a way of seizing upon the more essential things —are more practical—and hence the body of American physi- cians will compare favorably as practical men with any others. But still our students go out from our Medical Colleges with far less theoretical and scientific knowledge than our brethren across the water. Our deficiencies are made up after leaving college, in some cases, by the reading of more books and journals than foreign practicioners read, but that reading is mostly of what is called practical matter; while with the masses of the profession solid scientific attainments are never reached. The sharp, shrewd Yankee doctor, manages the common cases of dis- ease very well—often with much skill—but still, when thrown out of his routine by obscure or unusual cases, he may be sadly at sea without the rudder of profound science, and is often drifted far away from the right course. The accumulation of scientific knowledge is not like the ac- quisition and practice of a mere trade. Time and study are re- quired to obtain the foundation of facts upon which high skill is built. A sharp Yankee may pick up a trade—may hit upon a lucky mechanical invention; but he cannot thus “ pick up” the learn- ing of the profession of medicine. Learning has no royal road, and is not obtained by any artful trick or lucky hit. I repeat, it requires time and study. There is not so much differ- ence between an American and an Englishman or a German, that the latter should require three or four times as much time and study as the former to obtain the same amount of knowledge. In fact, in accumulating profound, minute and ex- act knowledge, the German especially, is the American’s supe- rior. The practical application of that knowledge is another thing; and in this practical application consists the American’s advantage. Give the American the thorough study and training of the Englishman or the German, and he will outstrip him in the race for professional excellence and success.
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