An introductory lecture : at the opening of the thirtieth session of the Medical College of Ohio, delivered at the request of the faculty, November 5, 1849 / by Daniel Drake.
- Daniel Drake
- Date:
- 1849
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: An introductory lecture : at the opening of the thirtieth session of the Medical College of Ohio, delivered at the request of the faculty, November 5, 1849 / by Daniel Drake. 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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![such a itate of society, and for performing an honorable part in a thousand works of learning, science, charity, and patriotism. I must recur to the discourse for a different purpose, but one of equal inter' Literature and science are not the same; but a physician should acquire both, and the cultivation of the former ought to precede that of the latter. It is, however, a mortifying fact, that in the United States, and especially west of the mountains young men designed for the medical profession arc in general destitute of this prepara- tion in literature, so essentia] to their future acquisitions in science. Commencing the latter while ignorant of the former, their progress is comparatively slew and imperfect; and they learn, when too late, that a magnificent edifice cannot be erected on a narrow and badly-constructed foundation. No young man should commence the study of medical science until he is at least sixteen years of Bge ; and unless the preceding time have been devoted to the acquisition of language and the rudiments of general knowledge, be will neither possess that learning, nor those disciplined habits of application,tb essential to a successful prosecution of medical studies. While the standard of literary and professional excellence necessarily participated in the general imperfection which attended the institutions of our new country, this want of preparation in those who undertook the study of medicine w.is less striking, and had to be excused, from being unavoidable. The opportunities for prosecuting a better course of preliminary studies have b . even in the western Btates, and no young man should hereafter be encouraged to become a Btudenl id* medicine, who has not prepared himself in a man- ner corresponding with the vast extent, and inherent dignity of that science. This pre- paration should not consist merely in a detai lied knowledge of bis own language. lie should ascend to its ancient sources, and drink deeply at its pure and original fountains. If the principles of medical science, which arc now taught, be not t!i I pre- vailed in Greece and Koine, they are partly expressed in the language of those learned and polished nations ; and to be thoroughly understood, the words in which they are conveyed must themselves be made an object of study. So deeply impressed are the Faculty of this institution with the neglect of these studies, and the importance of them to the advancement and elevation of the profe- that they have offered an annual prize medal for the best inaugural thesis in the Latin language ; and hope by this measure to excite among the students of the west an emu- lation for excellence in classical literalu Since those words were spoken, one generation has been buried and another has risen;—the age of the pioneers has passed away;—the ax has conquered the forest;—infant villages, overshadowed by native trees, have grown into towns, with shadetrees from distant lands:—towns have expanded into cities, which abound in the luxuries of every climate;—new institutions of elementary learning have, from year to year, come into existence, and abounding opportunities have been brought to the door of every young man who aspires to the study of medicine ; and yet, T am sorry to know, that the prepar- atory learning of the pupils of the West, is now scarcely superior to what it then was. All else has displayed progress — this alone shows no improve- ment. Young gentleman, a defect so degrading to our noble profession, should not be permitted to continue : and I most earnestly and affectionatel}-, call upon you, now while you are in the springtime of life, to devote to the cultivation of letters, a portion of every day, from the time you leave the college. All that I propose — all that is necessary — lies entirely within](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21115813_0013.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
