On the study of medicine : the introductory address at Surgeons' Hall, session 1855-6 / by John Struthers.

  • John Struthers
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the study of medicine : the introductory address at Surgeons' Hall, session 1855-6 / by John Struthers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    consultation/’ says the biographer, was foreseen by those who knew the parties. Dr Alison counselled Dr Reid to begin lecturing; and that he might be legally qualified to become his rival, the professor, in due time, proposed him as a candidate for the fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians.” Few men would have given advice under the circumstances, and still fewer would have asked it; but you see there are people in the world who give unselfish advice. Dr Alison’s relation to the profession and his professional brethren, I would place particularly before your notice as an example. Although possessing too much individuality of char¬ acter to permit of his being influenced by its conventionalities, he has always taken a lively part in its true interests and been influential in promoting these. I have heard it said he did not take sufficient interest in its affairs, but this is precisely what I have admired in him, because the “ affairs” in question are best let alone for the true interest of all; for, intending to throw oil on the troubled waters, you will find you have only succeeded in adding fuel to the fire. Those who take part in these dis¬ putes and belong to wffiat is called a party, are sure of two things; they will have some partisans, and they will have some enemies ; whether they have any true admirers and friends, will depend, not on the side they take, but on their own personal and pro¬ fessional character. We may say of Dr Alison that the profes¬ sion and the public could claim him as their joint property; that he has set us the example of living in a region far above that of party, and yet, and thereby, serving the true interests of the profession ; and his life has taught us, in this respect, that large truth, that we shall best benefit our profession and our brethren, not by protesting and crusading against their real or supposed faults and errors, but by each of us, in his own sphere, setting the example. I would refer also to his care of the good name of his profes¬ sional brethren and colleagues, and may do so appropriately, by