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THE PAST, PEESENT, AND FUTURE

OF THB

FACULTY OF MEDICINE OF M'GILL UNIVRSITY.

An Introductory Lecture delivered at the opening of the Session of 1866-67^

BY ARCHIBALD HALL, M.D., Bdin., L.R.O.S.B., ^ ^ !»

Professor of Midwifery and the Diseases of Women and Children, HcOill Univer*
sity ; Honorary Fellow of the Obstetric Society of London ; Associate of tber
College of Physicians of Philadelphia, &c., Ac, &c.

Gentlemen, — ^The delivery of the introductory lecture to a course,
marks, in a most incontestable manner, the lapse of time, and reminds
me that this is the thirty-first year since this annual duty has devolved
upon me. During this long period of time, in which Dr. Campbell, our
present esteemed Dean of Faculty, and myself, have been associated —
what changes have taken place in it I Not one of the early founders of
this School now remains. They have all gone to the " mountains of
myrrh, and the hills of frankincense, until the day breaks, and the
shadows flee away;" but "though dead, they yet speak," and in un-
mistakable language they tell us to be diligent while " our dmf^ lasts.
Such thoughts impel me to deviate from my customary plan of lecture,
and to devote this one to a sketch of the Past, the Present, and the Future
of our Faculty ; and I trust that the narrative may prove of some
interest.

It feels strange to review scenes long passed away, bespeaking, as it
does, the mu'^^ability of al) sublunary affairs. But if there is one point
more than another which is most forcibly proclaimed, it is the unswerv-
ing fidelity of the early founders of this School of Medicine to their self-
imposed task — one undertaken with the merest shadow of remuneration,
and which has now culminated in the fact that their work has prospered
in a remarkable degree j and that this School is undoubtedly the first one in

British America, and its lectures may unquestionably vie with those of
Great Britain, while I believe them superior to those of most, if not all,
of the Colleges of the United States. I speak this with no sentiment of
egotism. I but repeat what is now a trite remark. But now to our
task.

In the year 1813, died one of the merchant princes of this city, the Hon.
Jas. McGill, bequeathing for the endowment of a University or College,
to retain perpetually his name, the property known as Bumside, con-
sisting of a dwelling and appurtenances thereon erected, with adjacent
land to the extent of about forty-six acres, This property was valued at
the time at £5000 ; but over and above this bequest he also left the sum
of £10,000 in money, intended apparently for the endowment of Profes-
sorships. There were two stipulations in the will : the one that the resi-
duary legatee, Francis Desrivieres, should enjoy the whole for a limited
time ; and, secondly, that unless the University was put in operation within
ten years, the whole bequest sLould revert to the residuary legatee. It
is now necessary to remark that in the year 1801 a Provincial statute or-
ganized " The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning," but
the Institution was not constituted until the year 1819. The trustees
under the will now demanded the bequest from the legatee for the pur-
pose of handing it over to the Royal Institution, an application which was
refused by him — the refusal ending in a protracted law suit, which was
not terminated until after the lapse of some sixteen or seventeen years.
In the meanwhile, the Royal Institution applied to His Majesty George
the Fourth for a Royal Charter, which was granted in the second year
of his reign, 1821, and thus established the University with full powers.
In this connection, I should observe that it was the intention of His
Majesty George the Third to have established two Universities in this
Province — one at Quebec, and the other in this city; and that Mr.
McGill merely contemplated in his noble bequest the endowment of a
college in the latter. This intention appears never to have been carried
out in Lower Canada, although by the persevering energy of the vener-
able Bishop of Toronto, the University of ^ ronto became established
in the Upper Province, and most richly endowed with Crown lands.
Such Wtid the intention of His Majesty, however ; ard the intention
was also to have endowed these in a similar manner ; but, as already
observed, from what cause soever, it was never realized, thus furnishing
another example of the truthfulness of the Scottish poet's observation,
that—

" The be&j laid schemes of mice and men
Gang aft aglee."

We have now to consider bnother oiroumstanoe which exerted n
marked influence on this School, and, in truth, mainly contributed to its
establishment. I now allude to the erection of the Montreal General
Hospital. In the first annual report of that Institutii q, I find the fol-
lowing:—" In the year 1819, from the increase in the population of this
town, the Hotel Dieu Nunnery was found to be inadequate to the recep-
tion of the indigent sick ; an inconvenience further augmented by the
great influx of emigrants from the United Kingdom, some of them
labouring under fevers of a contagious nature, and other diseases, that
were not admissible into that hospital." Accordingly that year a sub-
scription was taken up for hiring a house to serve as an hospital • and
the report further says ; " That though this was only on a small scale,
the good effected by it was, after one year's trial, so evident, that it was
deemed an object highly desirable to erect a building, which might give
permanency to the establishment." Accordingly ground was purchased,
subscriptions were opened to raise the sum of £2200, the estimated cost
of the building, and in January, 1821, a special committee, appomted
for the purpose, entered into contract for the erection of the edifice now
known as the Montreal General Hospital. Like most other large build-
ings, the actual cost of its erection exceeded the estimate by the large
amount of nearly £1500, but it was finished for the reception of patients
in the year 1822 ; and that there must have existed an urgent necessity
for its erection, is proved from the fact, that between May, 1822, and
May, 1823, 421 indoor, and 397 outdoor patients received medical
assistance from its officers. The medical gentlemen who thus early gave
their services were Drs. Robertson, Caldwell, Holmes, Loedel, Stephen-
son, and Lyons.

With an hospital at their command, in which clinical instruction might
be afforded, the thought wr ' now conceived to establish a school of medi-
cine in connection with it ; and the following extracts from the early
"Minutes of meeting " of the Faculty will prove the best introduction to
what follows. On October 20th, 1822, a meeting of the medical officers
of the hospital was held, consisting of " W. Robertson, W. Caldwell,
A. F. Holmes, J. Stephenson, and H. P. Loedel, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the expediency of establishing a medical
flchool in this city," in which it was unanimously resolved " that the con-
siderations which seemed to warrant so desirable an object should be drawn
out and laid before the next meeting of the Board, to be held on the 27th
of the same month, and that Drs. Stephenson and Holmes be appointed a
committee for the said purpose." Such then was the actual commence-
ment of this School of Medicine ; and t imagine that it will prove a

matter of no little curiosity to see upon what reasons thdr conduct was
subsequently based, a fact in which not themselves alone were imme-
diately concerned, as far as we may gleam from the subsequent proceed-
ings, but one in which other eminent individuals of this city were at the
time intimately interested, doubtless from the influence which it might
exert upon their own children at the time. At a meeting of the same
Board, held on October 27th, 1822, the same officers present, the sub-
joined resolutions were adopted : —

" The medical officers appointed by the President and Directors of the
Montreal General Hospital having seen the great difficulties which the
student in medicine in this country has to encounter before he acquires
a complete knowledge of his profession ; knowing the great inconvenience
resulting to many from the necessity at present existing of spending
several years in a foreign country to complete a regular medical educa-
tion, and being convinced of the advantages which would result from the
establishment of a Medical School in this country, have met to consider
of the possibility of founding such an institution in this city. After due
deliberation, they conceive that the following considerations warranted
an endeavour to promote so desirable an object :

" Ist. There can be but one opinion concerning the utility and neces-
sity of a School of Medicine in this Province, seeing that the condition of
Medicine in many parts sufficiently attests the want of opportunities of
medical instruction. Such an Institution will tend very much to remove
this growing evil, by the facility it will aflford of acquiring medical
knowledge.

" 2nd. There can be little doubt that students from different parts of
this Province, as well as from Upper Canada, and probably from the
adjoining States, would eagerly profit by the opportunities thus afforded
of acquiring a sound medical education. Those who might not intend
to pursue their studies at a foreign University would be enabled to obtain
an adequate knowledge of all the useful branches of medicine, while
those who, after attending this Institution, might wish to enjoy the
advantages of study in other countries, would be better able to benefit
by them.

" 3rd. They consider that the Montreal General Hospital is an Insti
tution which much favours the establishment of a School of Medicine in
this city. It affords the student a facility of acquiring a practical
knowledge of physic never before enjoyed in this Province, an advantage
which will be greatly enhanced by the establishment of lectures on the
different branches of the profession.

" 4th. If such a plan should be carried into effect, a pecuniary benefit

wuld result to the funds of the Hospital, highly advantageous in their
present state.

" 5th. They are further encouraged to attempt the formation of a
medical seminary, when they reflect that the Medical School of Edin-
burgh, the basis of which they would adopt for the p-esent Institution,
now justly considered the first in Europe, is of comparatively recent
formation, it being little more than one hundred years since medical
lectures were first delivered in that city. And the early history of the
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh is not dissimilar to that of the Montreal
General Hospital. '

" 6th. In the event of the establishment of a Classical and Philosophi-
cal Seminary in this city, the two institutions would be materially
benefitted.

" 7th. To ensure the success and permanence of such an institution it
would be highly desirable that the persons composing it should be asso-
ciated by Royal Charter or act of incorporation.

" 8th, and lastly. Should such a desirable object be attained, the fol-
lowing gentlemen, iu furtherance thereof, have agreed to deliver lectures
*i the several branches of the profession :

Anatomy and Physiology, Dr. Stephenson. ,

Chemistry and Pharmacy, , Dr. Holmes.

Practice of Physic, -.Dr. Caldwell.

Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children,... Dr. Robertson. •

Materia Medica, Dr. Loedel

Botany, Dr. Holmes.

Surgery, Dr. Stephenson.

" It was finally resolved that the foregoing resolutions and opinions be
forwarded to His Excellency Lord Dalhousie (then Governor in Chief)
for his consideration."

On the 30th November, 1822, a letter was received from His Excel-
lency, through his secretary, Mr. Cochrane, approving, among other
matters, " of the scheme proposed by the medical officers of the
Montreal General Hospital for connecting with that establishment a
medical school for giving a course of lectures in the different branches of
medical science." The letter further remarks that *' His Excellency
will readily give his support to this desirable object, and will do all in
his power to assist the endeavours of the medical gentlemen who have
<some forward in so liberal a manner."

On the 4th February, 1823, at a meeting of the gentlemen aforesaid,
it was resolved to issue an advertisement, to be published in the princi-

pal Upper and Lower Canada newspapers, announcing the organization
of the " Montreal Medical Institution," and the intended delivery of a
course of lectures during the subsequent winter. I will read you the
advertisement, which, before publication, was sent to the Governor-in-
Chief for his approval, which was cordially granted, and which was the
first public announcement of a course of medical lectures in this Pro-
vince : —

"MONTREAL MEDICAL INSTITUTION.

" The medical ofiScers of the Montreal General Hospital having seen
the great difficulties which the student of medicine in Canada has to
encounter before ha can acquire a competent knowledge of his profession ;
knowing the inconvenience resulting to many from the necessity at pre-
sent existing of spending several years in a foreign country to complete
a regular medical education ; considering that the recent establishment of
the Montreal General Hospital affords the student a facility of acquiring
a practical knowledge of physic never before enjoyed in this Province, and
that this advantage will be greatly enhanced by delivering courses of lec-
tures on the diflFerent branches of the profession, held a meeting to con-
sider the practicability of founding a medical school in this city.

" The circumstances which rendered the success of such an institution
probable, and the measures intended to be adopted for carrying the same
into effect, having been submitted to His Excellency the Governor-in-
Chief, he was pleased to signify his entire approbation of the plan.

" It is therefore resolved to deliver lectures on the following branches
of the profession, to commence on the second week of November next
ensuing :

Anatomy and Physiology, J. Stephenson, M.D.

Chemistry and Pharmacy, A. F. Holmes, M.D.

Practice of Physic, .W.Caldwell, M.D.

Midwifery and Diseases of Women & Children,. W. Robertson, Esq.

Materia Medica, < H. P. Loedel, Esq.

Surgery, , J. Sttsphenson, M.D.

" In the course of the summer, 1824 :

Botany, A. F. Holmes, M.D.

" Montreal, February 4th, 1823."

We thus observe, that in its origin, from its very con^mencement, this
school was literally established under vice-regal auspices. The earliest
session, however, of which I can trace a record, was that of the year fol-
lowing, viz., 1824-25 ; and had in attendance but twenty-five students,
ft number which scarcely augmented for years. This fact was anything.

-.^

but flattering or encouraging; but the indomitable perseverance thus
early displayed, under most discouraging circumstances, speaks most
highly in praise of these early founders of the school. Like in our
days, so in those, they were met with an opposition, in the establishment of
a French Canadian school. There can be no question but that an opposi-
tion in any walk of life, or in any enterprise, may prove not only healthv hM.
useful, and especially if based upon generous principles; but in this case the
motives, so far as we are permitted to judge, would appear to have been very
much the reverse, as it was based upon a national peculiarity, that of dif-
ference of language. Looking at the subject now, in its broadest point
of view, and considering the peculiar circumstances in which every one
practising in Lower Canada is placed, a knowledge of the French lan-
guage appears to me as indispensable to an English student, as that of
the English is to a French one. The law of 1847 demands a knowledge
of both languages on the part of every student. To say the least, it is
but the educational accomplishment of every gentleman ; and to base an
opposition upon such a pretext, is but a paltry excuse for a more hidden
reason. The effect, however, was not advantageous to either party.
The Institution became weakened, while the French School acquired no
increase of strength. The Institution, however, despite of all obstacles,
<* pursued the even tenor of its way ;" and in 1828, to prevent the lapse
of the bequest to the residuary legatee, and as it was found impossible
to fill up the chairs in the several faculties of Law, Arts and Divinity,
the Montreal Medical Institution became the Faculty of Medicine of the
McGill University, a position which it has ever since held. During the
few years which had now elapsed, the only change of moment was the re-
tirement of Dr. Loedel from the chair of Materia Medica (in fact, he never
discharged its duties), and the substitution of Dr. Lyons in his place.
The tickets of the lecturers were acknowledged in Edinburgh, but at the
ratio of two courses for one of that University ; and as in those days it
was a customary practice for every young man whose parents could afford
it to complete his studies in some European school, and this chiefly the
Edinburgh one, a high tribute was thus awarded to the labours of the
lecturers. From this period, however, the tickets were accepted at

par.

In the year 1843 was founded the University Lying-in Hospital, the
domestic control of which was placed under a Committee of Ladies who
kindly undertook the supervision, while the professional duties were
discharged by the Faculty of Medicine of the University, the Professor
of Midwifery being the attending Physician, there to exemplify by
practice the principles inculcated in his classroom. This Institution

iiJI^MKii 1 niiiii^ii|>ji;v-i^.'

has been very suooessful, and has effected a vast amount of good by the
relief of an immense amount of suffering and distress, whiob, except for
its existence must have been encountered. Originally intended for
married women, its advantages have been extended to others. Last year
128 patients were admitted and partook of its advantages, while, since its
establishment, upwards of 3000 patients have availed themselves of them.
All that we want now is a new and proper edifice, erected upon prin-
ciples recognized as imperative in the construction of all Hospitals,
based upon the better acknowledged rules of Hygiene of the present
day; and, when this takes place, which I trust will bo in the course of
another year or two, we shall hear less of the incursions of puerperal
diseases, which have been unfortunately too frequent in the rooms of the
private dwelling, which for years pabt has represented its " local habi-
tation."

Tae origin of our library, now a very fine one, and containing up-
wards of 4000 volumes, deserves a passing notice. It was founded by a
resolution of the members of the Medical Institution on the 27th August,

1823, and is the property of the members of the school collectively, who,
by agreement, debarred themselves from all '>apability of personally
alienating their right or interest in it. To exhibit the judicious fore-
sight and care of the founders of the school, I will transcribe the rules
by which they bound themselves, the fruits of which we are now reaping.
They are few in number, but concise : —

" 1. The library is exclusively the property of the members of the
Institution collectively.

"2. No member can transfer his share in the library.

" 3. The library cannot be dissolved without the unanimous coasent
of the members.

"4. Any member of the Institution dying or resigning his situation,
loses all right as proprietor of the library.

" 5. Any person becoming a member of the Institution, becomes like-
wise a proprietor of the library, with rights equal to those of an original
proprietor, provided he pay to. the treasurer one-half of the amount of
subscription paid by the original proprietors ; and

" Lastly. Should the Medical Institution be dissolved, the library
shall still remain, unless dissolved by unanimous consent. In case of the
dissolution of the Institution, it may be lawful for the proprietors to
admit a greater number of proprietors, and uew-model the library."

And finally, at a meeting of the members, held on the 6th October,

1824, the minutes furnish the following information in regard to the
Institution and the Library : That each member should pay to the

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treasurer the sum of £7 10s, for contingent expenses; that each memher
pay annually to the library the sum of £2 lOs. ; that students pay a fee
of 10s. ; and that the profession in the town be notified of the existence
of a Library, and that every member of it may avail himself of its advan-
tages by paying the annual fee of £1 Is. At present no fee is demanded
from the student, and its exclusive sources of maintenance and enlarge-
ment are the matriculation and graduation fees. I have only to say that
the Library yr&a the late Dr. Holmes' especial care and pleasure, and its
present condition is mainly, if not entirely, due to the self-denying exer-
tions of that most estimable friend and colleague.

In 1828 I began the study of medicine, and at the session of 1831-32
. I was a student of three years' standing. The latter year was a memor-
able one for Canada, and especially for the city of Montreal. The popu-
lation of this town was that year 30,000, when the epidemic of Asiatic
cholera broke out, and carried off in less than three months 3000 of the
inhabitants. During that memorable summer, both students and physi-
cians, all worked hard both by night and by day. During the day, in
conjunction with a fellow student of the name of Logic, the first gra-
duate of this University in 1833, I had charge of and attended the
Cholera sheds, two long wooden buildings at Point St. Charles, while we
alternately slept every week at Dr. Robertson's house to do his night work,
as he was so hard w^ough^ " a professional duty during the day, that
he was glad to seek and obtaxu j^s much repose at night as possible. I
never can forget the still quietude of the town, when called out during
the night to vibxt for the doctor some new and unfortunate case. Nothing
broke the calm bcrenity of the summer night, while walking or riding
through the streets, except the occasional clatter of the feet of some man
running for professional aid, or the pitiful cry of another labouring under
the disease, and calling for assistance. The arduous duty of that sum-
mer proved too much for the constitution of Dr. Caldwell, and I heard
in Edinburgh, to which place I had gone that autumn to complete my
studies, of his decease from typhus or typhoid fever. Dr. Racey, a
young physician, filled up the vacancy ; but his connection with the
Faculty ceased in 1836, when he returned to Quebec, his native place,
and Dr. Campbell r^nd myself were associated with some alteration of the
chairs — the former lecturing on Surgery, and myself on Materia Medica,
doing, in fact, that session Dr. Holmes' duty, so /ar as that branch was
concerned. Repeated alterations have taken place in the composition of the
Faculty since that period of time, the object of them all having been the
gradual extension of the curriculum, with a proportionate augmentation
of the staff, so that fi-om the original five who composed it, the number h^s

:i ^

now increased to nine or ten, the object of this increase having been to
develop more thoroughly each branch of medical study, and to harmonize
the system of instruction here more intimately with that of the schools
in Great Britain.

The next important circumstance connected with the College was its
formal opening in lb43, and a pamphlet now before me contains the
address of Dr. Bethune, Principal, on the occasion. The organization of
the College appears now to have been completed, with the exception of
the Faculty of Law. Among other matters, he observed that " a Pro-
fessorship has been established in the Faculty of Medicine, with a com-
petent number of lectureships in its various branches, and the Governors
entertain a strong hope of being enabled shortly to establish a professorship
in the Faculty of Law. In the Arts, professorships of Classical Litera-
ture, and of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, have been established ;
and to all these appointments have been made, with the exception of
Mathematics and Natural Philosophy." A professorship was also estab-
lished in Divinity, which gave rise to a vast deal of acrimonious discus-
sion, and was one, among other causes, which led to an amendment of
the charter in 1852, with the abolition of the Divinity chair. These
are matters, however, with which we have nothing to do. I will only, in
conclusion of this division of our subject, say that, with the exception of
some three years, at the time of the rebellion in 1837, the sessions of our
faculty have been regularly held. Commencing in 1825 with twenty-five
students, it was not until the year 1844 that the number became increased
to fifty. Since then its numbers have steadily progressed, and the matricu-
lation register of this year exhibits the large number of 181, while the
number of graduates settled over the Province, and in foreign countries,
some of whom are practising with distinguished success, is upwards of
400. I need not say that the success which attended our efforts created
great opposition. I have already alluded to the French School of Medi-
cine, established simultaneously with the foundation of this School, and
which continued in operation for many years, but it was succeeded, if I
remember rightly, after a temporary suspension, by the present one,
rhich was founded in 1843, and incorporated by an Act of the
Provincial Parliament in 1845. This was succeeded by the Incorpora-
tion of the St. Lawrence School of Medicine in 1851 ; but the latter, in
the course of a few years, was discontinued, from the want of support,
and soon " paled its ineffiectual fire."

The last subject which I desire to notice in regard to the past history
of our Faculty is the relative position of this School of Medicine and the
French School of Medicine ; and I am the more anxious to notice it, as

the facts connected with it have been a good deal misrepresented. I
must notice the restless activity of the members of the French School,
who regularly every session of the Legislature, since its Incorporation in
1845, had applied for the power of granting diplomas, a measure which,
in the interests of the Profession, we felt it our duty to oppose — as ex-
perience has universally demonstrated this fact, that, in accordance with
the number of Institutions possessing the power of granting degrees or
diplomas, so has the profession degenerated ; while another very power-
ful argument against the delegation of any such power consisted in the
fi. jt that the same privilege could not have been justly withheld from
every other school of medicine existing and to exist. In order to put
an end to the wrangling, which was continually going on, in the year
1847 an alliance was entered into between the two Schools, by which the
School of Medicine became virtually the French Department of the
Faculty of Medicine of McGill College. The terms of the agreement
were embodied in a paper, copies of which were mutually interchanged j
and I will take the liberty of quoting certain portions of it.

The third clause states " that the students of the School of Medicine
shall be entitled to become candidates for graduation at McGill College,
fulfilling only the requirements necessary to bring them within the class
of students of the University, which are, iirst, matriculation during one
session, and, second, during that session, having taken out any two of the
six-months courses required by the curriculum, which together form an
annus medicus.

The fourth clause states that " the examination of the stuuents of the
School of Medicine for the degree shall be conducted by the Lecturers in
that School, but shall be held within the College, and in the presence of
the Medical Faculty, and generally be in accordance with the statutes of
the Medical Faculty.

" Fifth. The students of the School of Medicine thus obtaining^the
privilege of becoming candidates for the Degree, the School of Medicine
will cease to grant certificates of qualification."

[I should here remark, parenthetically, that the School was in the
habit of going through the farce of examining such students as presented
themselves to the Lecturers, granting them a regular Diploma, pocketmg
a fee for it, and this without the slightest legal authority.]

The sixth, seventh and eighth clauses relate to the mutual enjoyment
or use of the respective libraries ; that the class fees should be the same
in both Schools; and that the graduation fees accruing from their
students should be paid over to the School of Medicine, for the sole use
of its library.

During the three years m which thia arrangement was in operation,
fourteen of the students of the School of Medicine availed themselves of
its advantages — advantages superior to any which it could have ob-
tained from the Legislature. In 1850 the Members of the School vir-
tually annulled the agreement with the Faculty in again renewing their
agitation for an alteration of their Act of Incorporation, so as to ennble
them to issue cortifi()ates of qualitication. On the 26th August, 1850,
at a meeting of the Faculty, the following minute will at once explain the
proceedings : — " The question of the late proceedings of the School of
Medicine, as regards their attempt to procure an alteration of their Act
of Incorporation, by which the agreement between it and. the Medical
Faculty was virtually annulled, was then considered ; and the Secretary
was directed to write to the Secretary of the School of Medicine, inform-
ing him that, in consequence of the School having virtually withdrawn
from their engagement, especially in reference to their granting a certifi-
cate, the Faculty will no longer continue to them the privilege of examin-
ing their students seeking graduation, nor of receiving the graduation
fee as formerly ; hut that no abridgment of the privileges of the students
will take placed Upon the strength of this resolution, whatever the Lec-
turers of that School may say, the student enjoys the same privilege now
that he had before the breach of faith took place. All that was done by
us was to withdraw from an alliance with parties who could keep no faith
with us ; but as it would have been unjust to punish the students for
what was no act of their commission, their relationship with the Univer-
sity has been ever since maintained by the Faculty, although not one
since 1850 has taken advantage of this opportunity, doubtless from some
misconception or misrepresentation, one of which actually occurs in the
answer of Dr. Meilleur in the " Report of the Special Committee on the
Laws relative to the practice of Physic, Surgery and Midwifery in Lower
Catiada," dated October, 1852. Dr. Meilleur's report concludes with
*' an extract from the registers of the Montreal School of Medicine and
Surgery." I will merely quote as much as suits my present object and
to save time : — " A certain number (fourteen) were examined by the
Professors of the said School, and the rest by those of McGill College''
(not one was examined by any Lecturer of the College, although one, and
sometimes two of them were present, and who were usually indifferent to
the proceedings), " in pursuance of an arrangement entered into between
the School and MoGill College, but which arrangement was broken by
McGill College, since the request made in 1851 to the Legislature by the
School of Medicine and Surgery, in order to obtain the right of granting
to its pupils a certifcate which the Provincial Board woidd be bo^md

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evei

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to receive without requiring the posseator to tubmit to further examuia-
tion." This extract from the register of the school was signed by Drs.
Munro and Boyer, and is a thorough condemnation ; but it told only a
part «/" the truth, by no means the whole truth; and I feel assured that
if the ,tudentB of that school only knew the privileges to which they are
even now entitled, quite a number during the last sixteen years would
have availed themseK .. -«*' ♦hem. Such then, gentlemen, is the last relation-
ship of the Medical Faculty to the Sohool of Medicine, a school which
has now effected an affiliation with Viotorl" College. For what
purpose ? To obtain for its students a collegiate L'^nour, one which
they could have obtained at any time from our own University at a less
expense than by a visit to Cobourg. s ■ .

Such, gentlemen, is a sketch of the past history of the faculty of
Medicine of this University. It is chequered at the best, and exhibits a
protracted struggle in favour of the Profession, with whose best interests
it has been always identified. The present class, as well as those of pre-
ceding years, attests in the most marked manner that its labours are
appreciated. As Professors, the present members of the Faculty pretend
to nothing more than a faithful delineation of those branches of medical
science which have been severally committed to their trust ; and if our
College has enjoyed a name second to that of none in British America,
or even on this Continent, it is simply attributable to the fact, that its
Professors have done their duty — a fact moreover demonstrated by the
numbers presept this day.

But what shall I say of the present and future of the Faculty ? No
change whatever has been made in the curriculum for the degree, except
as regards the classical attainments of the candidates for it. This again
is a move in the right direction : one which I have long wished to see.
There can be no doubt of the truth of the saying, that the more highly
educated a young man is before commencing the study of Medicine, the
better prepared his mind will be to profit by the lectures. Of this there
can be no doubt. The General Council of Medical Education and
Registration of Great Britain required a few years ago a severe test
on the part of a candidate, and the Upper Canada Act, passed during
the last session of the Legislature, has adopted very nearly the
same scheme. To these we have been compelled to conform. Among
the requirements is a knowledge of the Greek language. I must
confess that none can compare with this one in beauty or sublimity. Its
study is most seductive ; and when I remark that by far the greater por-
tion of our medical terms are Anglicised compounds from its words, its
impbrtance to an educated physician can scarcely bo overrated. In fact^.

. t

a single word derived from the Greek language will be found to be more
expressive, and to convey to the educated mind ideas which no word in
the English language would be adequate to effect, and which a whole
sentence would be required sometimes to convey. No, gentlemen, if
there is any truth in the old quotation —

" A little learning is a dangerous thing ;
Diink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."

The Graduates of this University must not be inferior in mental cul-
ture to those of any other University. In this, as in other matters
" nulli secundus" must be as it has ever been, our motto ; and although,
it may seem difficult to acquire that primary educational knowledge
which is now demanded, and however much its utility may be doubted,
this would never be questioned by a scholar, that a perusal of some of
the old authors is in reality in leisure moments a source of extreme and
unalloyed pleasure.

And now another quotation from the same admired poet most aptly
expresses the ideas which I have been attempting to convey :

" Be Horn' r's works your study and delight ;

•*: j.'^'h' Rea ' them by day, and meditate by night. "f *''

,.:;.,i ')<^ I Theii ^ form your judgment, thence your maxims bring, ■r. '-^

,-..,.. And I ethe Muses upwards to their spring. ., ' •■<-;;■

^ ; . Still with itself compared, his text peruse, , , ' . ... ,^^

And let your comment be the Mantuan Muse."

Time now warns me to be brief. What shall I say of the future?
Judging from the past, a splendid future lies before this Faculty ; but to
secure it, everything depends upon the present. If we are true to our
duties, the future can be easily foreshadowed — one of unwavering suc-
cess ; but if recreant, then the opposite condition must follow. But
let me trust that the same energy will be exhibited in the future as in
the past ; and that in subsequent years, when we are gathered to our
fathers, our young men may point to this City, as we do now to Edin-
burgh, and pronounce it, as well from its edifices as from its educational
establishments, — the modern Athens of Canada. " So mote it be."

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