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INTRODUCTORY LECTURE,
DELIVERED AT THE
OPENING OF THE SESSION
OF THE
MEDICAL COLLEGE OK S. CAROLINA,
ON THE
SECOND MONDAY IN NOVEMBER,
183 7,
BY THOMAS Y. SIMONS, M. D.
DEAN OF THE FACULTY;
PROFESSOR OF THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PHYSIC IN THE MEDICAL
COLLEGE OF 6. CAROLINA, EXTRAORDINARY MEMBER OF THE ROYAL
PHYSICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH, AND EX-PRESIDENT OF
THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF SOl'TH-CAROLINA.
PUBLISHED BY THE STUDENTS.
CHARLESTON:
PRINTED BY E. C. COUNCELL.
18 3 8
m ^^m omM^ym ymm.
Charleston, November 14th, 1837.
At a meeting of the Students of the Medical College of South Carolina,
convened this day,
On motion, Mr. Fourgeaud, of Charleston, was called to the Chair, and
Mr. J. F. Moreland, of Georgia, was requested to act as Secretary.
On motion of Mr. Lawrence L. Cohen, of Charleston, seconded by
Mr. J. Ashurst, of Georgia, the following resolutions were unanimously
adopted :
Resolved, That this meeting, having a high appreciation of the learning
and talents of Dr. Simons, as developed in his Introductory Lecture
before the Class of the Medical College of South Carohna, and anxious
to place it in a more enduring form, than our grateful remembrances will
enable us to do respectfully request a copy of the same for iJublication.
Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to carry the above
into effect.
The Chair then appointed the following gentlemen, to constitute the
Committee — Mr. Lawrence L. Cohen, of Charleston; Mr. Ashurst, of
Georgia, and Mr. D. F. Nardin, of Charleston.
On motion, the Chairman was added to the Committee.
The meeting then adjourned.
J. F. MORELAND, Secretary.
Charleston, November 15th, 1837.
Esteemed Sir,
The pleasing duty of conveying to you the proceedings of the above
meeting, has been delegated to us, and we avail ourselves of this
opportunity of expressing to you the renewed assurances of our individual
high consideration and respect.
Very sincerely.
Your obedient servants,
LAWRENCE L. COHEN, of Charleston.
J. ASHURST, of Georgia.
D. F. NAKDIN, of Charleston.
V. FOURGEAUD, of Charleston.
To Dr. THOMAS V. SIMONS,
Professor Theory and Prsctice of Medicine.
Charleston, November 21st, 1837.
Gentlemen,
I received your very kind note, witli tlio too flattering resolutions
of the Students of the Sledical College of South Carolina, whom you
represent. I postponed my reply so long as there was a conflict be-
tween my own feelings and your desire. I hesitated to publish, because
already, I have published, by request, several medical addresses, wherein
*here must necessarily be some identity of thought, although dift'erently
expressed, and different views have been taken ; and furthermore, as I
do not (and it is no aff'ectation of modesty,) believe it worthy of the honor.
But to dissent would be to disoblige, or appear ungrateful for the honor
conferred, I therefore acquiesce. There is one thing that has gratified
me, and it is that you have estimated in a proper light the catidid manner
In which I have addressed you. I did not wish to display learning, or
excite your admiration by an ornate and elaborate essay. I desifed alone
to give you a common sense address, to guide you in the path of medical
knowledge ; and if this has been accomplished, I am satisfied. I pray
you to accept for yourselves, and extend to the Students my thanks for
their good opinion, and my sincere wish for your and their future prospe-
rity and usefulness.
THOS. Y^ SIMONS.
To Messrs. Cohen, Ashurst,
Nardin, and Fourgeaud.
LECTURE
'CrENTLEMEN,
It become.^ my duty, at the opening of this session of
our College, and in accordance with the request of my
colleagues, to deliver an Introductory Lecture, explain-
ing and impressing upon you the importance of the
different branches of studies, which are comprised in a
medical education.
In the discharge of this trust, I must be explicit and
candid. I feel it incumbent upon me, therefore, to
state, in the commencement, abrupt as it may seem,
and startling as the fact may be, that many young
physicians come forward as practitioners, incompetent
to the discharge of the offices of their profession, from
a want of practical knowledge, the opportunities for
obtaining which they have neglected ; and so ignorant
of the sciences with which it is associated, as to render
it almost impossible for them hereafter to receive much
benefit either from observation or experience. Nay,
further, that many aspire more to the attainment of a
medical degree, than that acquisition of knowledge
which can alone make a degree valuable or useful. It
is, hence, a high sense of moral obligation on my part,
to prove to you the great importance, and to impress
upon you the necessity, as well as high moral obligation
on your parts, to obtain a proper knowledge of those
branches of medical studies which are necessary to form
an accomplished, useful, and good practical physician.
6
The study of medicine, like the other learned pro-
fessions, is entered upon, oftentimes, too lightly. From
false delicacy, or want of independence, or some other
cause, young gentlemen commencing any one of the
learned professions, are not always fully apprised, by
their preceptors, of the great difficulties which lay be-
fore them, of the important influence these professions
have upon communities, of their heavy responsibilities?
and the indispensable necessity to concentrate their
minds, and devote all their energies to the acquirement
of knowledge. How, many, if we look around, have
we not seen of incompetent physicians, lawyers, and
divines, who have not only wasted away their lives,
that in some other pursuit might have made them val-
uable members of society, but have thrown a dishonor
upon those important and noble avocations.
In addressing you, gentlemen, in the onset, thus
frankly, and speaking thus boldly the truth, which is
seldom welcome, or, at least, is not so enticing as the
honeyed tongue of flattery, it may be ascribed to undue
asperity, or an unreasonable expectation of the acquire-
ments of those who are to become candidates for a de-
gree in medicine. But this is not so. I believe that he
who is an instructor, is only a true friend when he points
out to youth the dangers which he has to encounter,
and prepares him to contend with them. Be this as it
may, I am aciuated alone by a conscientious conviction
of the solemn duty I have to discharge. I feel, as a
Professor, the highest moral obligation. I feel that my
duty to this Institution, and to the community at large,
demands of me to warn you against commencing the
study of a profession so highly responsible as the one in
which you are now about to be engaged, without a full
determination to use all your exertions, and take ad-
vantage of all the opportunities presented for medical
instruction.
I am further induced thus boldly to address you, from
the sincere regard I entertain for your future welfare,
and the deep interest I feel in the dignity, the honor,
and the usefulness of the medical profession. I wish it to
continue to be, what it always has been considered, a
learned profession, composed of men of intellectual at-
tainment, and high toned principles of virtue and honor,
and not a trade, the whole object of the pursuit of which
is the desire of gaining money, not reputation.
In the remarks which I have made, think not that I
mean to cast any reflection upon the medical character.
I am proud to say that we have many who do honor to
their profession, and who have elevated the medical
character of our country by their researches and wri-
tings, as well as by their professional skill. But it can-
not be disguised that their usefulness is too often
curtailed, and in some instances almost destroyed by
the unworthy and ignorant. That their high toned feel-
ings, their sense of the respect due to their profession,
their uncompromising adherence to the principles of
etiquette, founded upon the nicest principles of justice
and gentlemanly deportment — their spurning to obtain
professional business by any other means than what
their good name and reputation may command, often
cause them to be misunderstood and unappreciated by
the mass of a community. And hence we have found
in the biography of medical men, that great merit, in
many instances, has been comparatively neglected,
while the ignorant have obtained great patronage, "A
physician," says Dr. Johnson, " in a great city,
8
seems to oe the mere plaything of fortune ; his
degree of reputation is for the most part totally casual ;
those that employ him know not his excellence ; they
that reject him know not his deficience. By any
accurate observer, who had looked upon the transac-
tions of the medical world, for half a century, a very
curious book might be written on the fortunes of physi-
cians." These are the observations of one, distin-
guished as a moralist, who lived in a large metro-
poUs ; and no doubt embody much truth. But if
the scientific do not always become popular, they are
always respected in the circle in which they move, and
are most beloved where best knoAvn. They seek the
estimation and confidence of those who can justly ap-
preciate them, and value their reputation and their
character as above all price.
I have made these remarks, to convince all of you
that moral and intellectual worth is superior to all
the tinsil of mere popular eclat, and to warn the stu-
dent of genius and attainment, unaided by patronage
or friends, or family influence, who is slow in obtaining
public confidence, from falling into despair. It is true,
that, to use the beautiful allegory of the poet Gray —
" Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air."
Yet, perseverance and industry, associated with moral
excellence, will make the child of poverty rise above all
difliculties, and place him, ultimately, upon that eleva-
ted position, which, from his intellectual powers, he is
entitled to occupy. How many beautiful and sublime
evidonces have we of this in our free and glorious coun-
try ? How many d®es history tell us of in monarchical
"iind despotic governments? I could, gentlemen, accu-
mulate an immense mass of evidence, to impress upon
you the imperative necessity of your using every exer-
tion for the attainment of all the knowledge in your
power, to perform the duties of a physician. But in
conclusion of this part of our subject, I beg leave to say,
that the solemn responsibilities of those who are to
superintend the lives of their fellow beings, and correct
or ameliorate the diseases to which they are so often
painfully subjected — setting aside all worldly conside-
rations, as fame, honor, reputation, wealth, are suffi-
cient to urge every conscientious and honorable mind
to unwearied and untiring efforts to perform, faithfully,
his trust.
Having made these prefatory remarks, in which I
can only be influenced by a conscientious sense of
duty, and a sincere wish for your welfare and useful-
ness. I will now proceed, succinctly, to give you my
views of the importance of those branches of know-
ledge which are comprised in a medical education.
In former times, indeed, until a late period, and the
plan is still generally pursued, no individual presumed to
commence thestudy of anyone of the learned professions
without having a knowledge of the Greek and Latin
languages, and especially the latter. From the revival
of learning, until very nearly the termination of the
last century, the Latin language was the common me-
dium of communication among the learned throughout
the continent of Europe and America ; and hence, all
the princii)al works were written in that language.
However, to use a Latin phrase — " Tempora mutantur
et nos mutamur cumillis." The best authors now
write in their vernacular tongue, and although I would
10
be far from coinciding with those innovators, or reform-
ers who would be disposed to regard as useless the stu-
dy of these languages; the necessity of their knowledge
it must be admitted is considerably lessened, in conse-
quence of the best works of the ancient classics being
ably translated. There are others, perhaps, of more im-
portance — of these an attainment of the French and Ger-
man, in which are embodied in our more modern times
an immense mass of medical and scientific knowleage,
and which have not, in our system of general educa-
tion, commanded that attention which they ought to do,
are deserving of your particular attention and study.
The importance of a general knowledge at least, of
literature and science, is so self-evident, as to require
but little comment. It is not reasonable to suppose
that any one would devote himself to a pursuit profess-
edly learned — ignorant of so much of literature and
science, as would sustain the character and respectabili-
ty of his profession. It is evident that a physician
acquainted only with the art of medicine, (if I may be
allowed so to express myself,) unaided by the diffusive
light and influence of literature and science, is at best
a mere practitioner. If all physicians had been thus
ignorant, how could the profession have so progres-
sively advanced ? It would have been stationary, and
would have gone on age after age, as the inferior ani-
mals in their habits and pursuits, with neither altera-
tion nor improvement. In all countries where litera-
ture and science have been in a low condition, so has
been medicine, and it has been proportionally enlarged,
improved and elevated with these two branches of
knowledge.
11
The system of medical instruction which is adopted
in this College, in common with most others, is Anato-
my by Lectures, and Practical Demonstration ; Insti-
tutes of Medicine and Materia Medica ; Chemistry ;
Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children;
Surgery ; Theory and Practice of Medicine, and Clinics.
I shall, therefore, bring to 3'our view^ in a condensed
form, the respective importance of each — for it is our
desire to have you receive from us practical know-
ledge, that may be useful to you when you are thrown
upon your own resources — and to prepare you tho-
roughly in those elementary principles of medical at-
tainment, which you may afterwards enlarge upon,
with honor to yourselves, and usefulness to your fellow
beino^s.
The first subject of consideration is that of Anatomy,
or the structure of the human frame. I will not arrest
your attention with the interest which must be necessa-
rily excited in the study of the human frame, the most
perfect of all organizations, as an inducement to your
faithful devotion to its attainment — but will press upon
you its absolute necessity, if you expect to alleviate
the diseases to which it is perpetually liable from physi-
cal and moral exciting causes. What is the object of
Medicine and Surgery, but to ascertain the derange-
ments which exist in the organization, deviating from
from its healthy and natural function, with a view to
prescribe remedial agents? And how are you to accom-
plish this unless you understand that organization, the
relation of its parts, its peculiar offices, their relative
importance in carrying on the functions of life, and the
effect which the derangement of one organ may have
upon some, or all parts of the human system — which,
12
in all its details, and as a combined whole, exhihits ifie
most wonderful manifestation of divine wisdom and
power. The mere statement of the fact makes it self-
evident, without entering into useless and tedious il-
lustrations. We have abundant remedies, and the
savage, as well as the civilized, possess them — the ig-
norant, as well as the intelligent. There is not an old
nurse or a mountebank, who cannot give you a remedy
for every disease. But mark the distinction — the one
who understands the structure of the human frame, its
relations, and its functions, can approximate something-
to a certainty from a concatenation of evidences and
inference, drawn therefrom, of what parts are primarily
affected, and the effects upon other organs, and is thus
led to adopt upon inductive principles^ such remedial
agents as may prevent their producing the destruction of
life — the other is governed altogether by chance, and
is mechanical in all his practice. Among the an-
cients there was by certain sects a great deal of ridicu-
lous wrangling, as related to the utility of a knowledge
of Anatomy, but in our present time, when we feel the
immense influence of anatomical investigation and
physiological enquiry, and the valuable lights which
have been thrown upon the character of diseases by
pathological research, and the nice diagnosis which we
have been thus enabled to form of diseases — a doubt
of its value, as relates to medicine, cannot be for a mo-
ment seriously discussed. But if it is so important to
the physician, how much greater, if it be possible to be
gi eater, to the surgeon. Who can pretend to be a sur-
geon who does not understand Special Anatomy, by
which we mean the minute structure of the sys-
tem ^ How can you operate upon any portion of the
13
organization, if you tlo not know what arteries, or
nerves, or muscles, are there situated, unless with the
risk of the destruction of the life of the individual ?
The man who would venture to do so ought to be con-
sidered in the light of a murderer, ana I must be
excused for using so strong, but so justifiable a term.
But yet so important and essential, so indispensable as
the knowledge of Anatomy confessedly is, it is ama-
zing how much it has been neglected by many students,
and how suj)erficially studied. You have abundant op-
portunities here for the study and attainment of this
all-important branch of medical knowledge. From
the Professor of Anatomy great instruction will cer-
tainly be derived, but you must not depend on this
alone — you must go into the dissecting room, and
there by assiduous attention and practical study, you
will not only become familiarly acquainted with all the
component parts of the human frame, but likewise
learn the proper use of the knife, which will give you
confidence and skill in the performance of surgical
operations. It must be borne in mind, that the oppor-
tunities now afforded cannot, when you enter into prac-
tice be easily renewed — and believe me, without atten-
tion to this department, your labors for medical
attainment and distinction will be comparatively in
vain. Next to the study of Anatomy, is that of Phy-
siology — Anatomy is a knowledge of the structure of
organization — Physiology is a knowledge of the vital
functions of that organization, a beautiful and sublime
study, which, it is true, is not reduced to any thing like
positive precision, but yet approximating so far, (regu-
lated by inductive reasoning,) as to contribute im-
mensely to the illustration of medical knowledge.
14
Anatomy and Physiology form the basis of pathologi-
cal {ittainment.
It is impossible that you can have any idea of the
functions of the organization, unless you understand
that organization. Physiology, therefore, is based on a
knowledge of Anatomy. Nor can you understand the
morbid alterations either in function or structure,
constituting disease in its varied and oftentimes com-
plicated form, without a knowledge of Anatomy and
Physiology. Acquainted with these, you are in a con-
nected link with proper observation and inquiry, led to
pathological knowledge, and this is mainly to be ob-
tained by attending the hospitals, observing the phe-
nomena presented during the progress of disease, and
if death ensues, the condition of the organs as exhibited
by post mortem examinations. To facilitate your stu-
dies in this important branch of a medical education,
the Hospitals which are under the control of this Col-
lege, have been so arranged as to render them highly
useful — and here I may, perhaps, most properly urge
upon you what I must confess has been too often most
extraordinarily neglected, a proper attention at the
Hospitals — there you will receive a practical illustra-
tion of the principles taught at the Lectures — there you
will learn the means of investigating and ascertaining
disease — there you will obtain that instruction which
all the Lectures, however ably given, cannot alone af-
ford.
To depart from an institution with a mere theoretical
knowledge, without practical information, is not the
way to perform honestly and faithfully your duty, nor
calculated to insure to you confidence in a community,
nor success in practice. The Hospitals are opened to
lo
you free of all expense, and opjwrt unities of instruc-
tion will be afforded you in the daily visits of the re-
spectable physicians connected with those institutions,
and in Clinics, by the Professors of Medicine and
Surgery. We are desirous of juakingthese institutions
available as far as possible. The Infirmary connected
with this institution will likewise afford you additional
opportunities.
The study of Materia Medica, which forms a con-
necting link in a medical education, is an inquiry into
the character, property, and peculiar action of various
agents in the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdoms,
and their adaptation for correcting or obviating the
morbid derangements of the system.
The observation, research and experiments of ages,
have accumulated an immense mass of valuable medi-
cal agents, and the great point is to ascertain how these
should be properly applied, and their modus operandi.
Its importance you will, therefore, readily perceive —
and if you do not understand this, all your other know-
ledge will be practically of no avail.
We are next to bring to your view the science of
Chemistry, a branch of education regarded of so
much importance, as to be made a part of the system
of study in all I^iterary Institutions. The immense
contributions which Chemical investigations have made
to the arts and powers of civilized man — the sublime
philosophical principles which it unfolds and explains,
exhibiting to us the various constituent principles, and
their varied combinations, forming all those multiplied
masses constituting the Globe-^its intimate relation
with all departments of physical knowledge, are strong
and irresistible inducements to its study, by any one in
16
the slightest degree imbued with a love of philosophyj
But this is an incentive to every scholar and gentleman.
The knowledge of it to you is more imperative — •
Chemistry and Pharmacy are closely associated ; with-
out a knowledge of the former, you cannot understand
the latter — and without a knowledge of Pharmacy, you
will be ignorant of the projierties and character of some
of our most valuable medicines. Every physician in
the south has to keep his own medicines, and may be-
come an Apothecary — under such circumstances, a stu-
dy of Chemistr}^ is indispensable. There is one other
reason I will urge — -ours is a growing country, con-
stantly developing its immense resources, — a know-
ledge of Chemistry, Geology, and Mineralogy, will
be of great importance in making discoveries of the
different character of soils, minerals, and rocks, and
how they may be appropriated to useful purposes.
The properties of mineral springs, those everlasting
fountains of nature's restoratives, for many of the dis-
eases of mankind — and which in ancient, as well as
modern times, were, and are so much treasured, may
likewise thus be ascertained. It is strange that a
science presenting so many fascinations for the philo-
sophic mind, and opening so wide a field for practical
usefulness, should, among the students of our country
generally, excite so little attention — I could wish, and
do trust, it will soon be otherwise.
The next branch of medical education for our con-
sideration, is that of Obstetrics, and the Diseases of
Women and Children. Were I disposed to give Avay to
my feelings, I might ap])al you with a description of
the frightful effects which have been produced upon
the fairer portion of our race from ignorance and mal-
treatment. Not only have many valuable lives been sac-
rificed, but painful and loathsome diseases have ensued,
causing the lovely and unhappy individuals, to drag out