Valedictory address to the graduates of the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery : at the close of the summer session, June 24, 1852 / by Edward Mead.

  • Mead, Edward, 1819-1883.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Valedictory address to the graduates of the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery : at the close of the summer session, June 24, 1852 / by Edward Mead. 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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    therein taken. You will remember that on that occasion, the opinion' was expressed that there were three fundamental and essential qualifica- tions, without which none can lay claim to the title of physician, viz.: l6t. The possession of d^ power of intellect at least equal to the average of mankind. 2dly. The acquisition oi sl knowledge of Medical science, brought down to the period when the student merges into the practition- er, and 3dly. Sound moral principle. In support of the asseveration, it was argued that an analysis of these elementary conditions, would render at once apparent, the obvious truth, that if any one is wanting, just in that proportion, is the capacity for discharging the duties of the physician impaired. It was contended that mere intellectual endow- ment, diligence of application, tenacity of memory, or conscientiousness, taken singly, could never be relied upon. The co-operation of all is absolutely necessary to success. As far as the first condition is con- cerned, it is but reasonable that such a degree of mental capacity should be required, as would insure to the individual a fair chance of success, in any department of industry in which he might engage. The time has gone by, when the most talented of a family should be reserved for the profession of the law, and the least capable, with impunity palmed on the Clerical or Medical professions. The power of judgment which is necessarily called into exercise in a complicated case, demands that if a selection is made, he who is the most hberally endowed, should be assigned the post of Medical adviser. That close application is equally indispensible, will be apparent to any reasonable mind, upon the most superficial survey of the extent of the science. And when we consider that knowledge is power, none will deny that that power, when not directed by moral principle, will be dangerous in proportion to its extent. The man who seeks to enter the ranks of the Medical profession for the mere purpose of accumulating wealth, will never be a trust-worthy practitioner. A motive higher and nobler than that must operate upon his mind, in order to render his actions unexceptionable. Even if all these conditions have been complied with, in spirit, and to the letter, rendering the individual humanly speaking, a pattern of per- fection ; he is not thenceforth exempt from the vexations and disappoint- ments which belong to all departments of human enterprize. The road to fortune and fame, although opened widely for him, is not one unvar- ying gentle smooth acclivity, strewn with roses, begirt with elysian fields, the songs of birds ever and anon carolling in his ears—naught but smiles and cheers to greet him at each step of his progress! He has