The address delivered at the opening of the session, 1854-55, in the theatre of the medical school of Guy's Hospital / by John Birkett.

  • Birkett, John, 1815-1904.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The address delivered at the opening of the session, 1854-55, in the theatre of the medical school of Guy's Hospital / by John Birkett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    be attained by the same determination of purpose, the same rectitude of conduct, and the same industry which they have evinced in the prosecution of an honourable career. To the younger of my listeners, I would say that the presence here to-day of many gentlemen, once young as themselves, but now occupying a high social position, is a guarantee to them that every exertion on their part will be sure to meet its just reward; and to us, as teachers, it is a satisfactory proof that the instruction their seniors received here was of such a character as to induce many of them to place their sons in the same school and under the same instructors whence they derived their preliminary knowledge. In the name of the teachers of the Medical School of Guy's Hospital, I offer those gentlemen our acknowledgments, and assure them that the confidence thus reposed is as deeply appreciated by us as it is by them practically manifested. The object, then, of this Address appears to be, to interest those of my auditory more especially who now for the first time, perhaps, occupy the benches of an anatomical theatre; to endeavour to incite them to pursue the right course; to encourage others to follow the path they have selected; and to deter a few from con- tinuing in the error of their way; in order that all may attain an honourable and distinguished position in the profession they have selected to follow. To impress strongly upon the mind of the medical student the exalted duty of his calling, and to lead his thoughts to the con- templation of the objects and the intellectual and moral influence of the study and practice of Medical Science, will then form the subject-matter of this Address; and although I know I am not competent to do it full justice, 1 rely upon your forbearance, your courtesy and kindness. A young man having reached a certain age feels an impulse arise within him to prepare for the duties of the social position in which he finds himself placed. It may be his taste inclines in one direction, whilst necessity compels him to take the opposite course. He sees, however, at last the necessity of devoting him- self to some occupation in order to provide for his daily wants. This is a high and important office; it deserves his utmost attention; it includes some of his most sacred duties, both to himself, his kindred and his country; and although, in performing this task, he is only influenced by a regard to his own interest or by his necessities, yet it is an employment which renders him