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 ICOLUIGK OF PHYSICMKS AND SURCEONS.] 
 
 ,'^nv.rf -it-'yj*/' 
 
 STATE OFXEWTORK. 
 
( 105 ) 
 
 rO?.1i:STIC INTKLLTGENCE. 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 Of the Origin, Progress, and Present State of the 
 College of Phvsicians and Sdrgeons of the Univbr^ 
 81TV, New-York. 
 
 (With a View of the CoUcgir.) 
 
 The first attempt towards the formation of a medical 
 •cliool in the state of New- York was made in the year 1767, 
 during tiie administiation of His Excellency Sir Henrf 
 MooRE and Lieutenant Governor CadwalladerColden.* 
 Previous to this period, however, instruction had been af- 
 forded to the youth engaged in the study of medicine in New- 
 York, and the firstf essay in the United States, for the pur- 
 pose of imparting anatomical knowledge, was made by 
 Doctors John Bardji and Peter Middleton,§ two of the 
 
 * The name of Cadwalladet" Coldpn is memorable in the provincial anhals of* 
 this eountryj and, not the least so, from the many charters of incorporation 
 granted during his time for the establishment of literary and benevolent institd- 
 tions. Himself an ardent and successful cultivator of science, he seems to have 
 lost no opportunity for promoting its interests in the colonies. See Life of Golden, 
 in American Medical and Philosophical Register, vol. i. p. 297 — 306. 
 
 ■f- Hosack's Sketch of tile Origin and Progress of the Medical Schools of New- 
 York and Philadelphia, in Amer. Med. and Phil. Reg. vol. ii. p. 228. 
 
 \ Dr. John Bard was born in Burlington, in liew-Jersey, February^ 1716, and 
 died at his residence, Hyde Park, near Poughkcepsie, in 1799. He practised his 
 profession in the city of New-York with great honour, and the most distinguished 
 Success, for more than fifty years, and was the author of an interesting accoimt of 
 the malignaut pleurisy, whicli prevailed at liuDtinglon, Long-Island, in the year 
 1710, besides souie otlifi papers. Por further particulars, gee a Sketch of his Life 
 and Character, in the Amer. Med. and Phil. Reg. vol. i. p. 01— 07. 
 
 J Dr. Middleton was one of the very few medical men of this country, who, at 
 that early day, were distinguished equally fcr vaiious and profound learuing, aud 
 VOL. IV. O 
 
iOt) Hinluricat Skttcli of the 
 
 most distinguished practitioners of this city. In the follow- 
 year, 1768, the Medical School was organized, under the di- 
 rection and government of the College of the province, then 
 called King's College, and a body of professors appointed te 
 teach the several branches of medical science. 
 
 The learning and abilities united in the Medical School of 
 that day, were, in the highest degree, honourable to the in- 
 stitution with which they were connected. Dr. Samdel 
 Clossv* was chosen the Professor of Anatomy ; Dr. Johs" 
 Jo»^,f Professor of Surgery; Dr. Peter Miudletox, 
 Professor of Physiology and Path^dogy ; Dr. James 
 Smith,J Professor of Chemistry and Materia Medica ; Dr. 
 •John V. B. Texnest, Professor of Midwifery ; and Dr. 
 
 great proressional taleots. His Medical Ditcourse, or Historical Inquiry ioto the 
 aocieot and present state of Medicine, the substance of which wa? delivered at 
 opening the Medical School of New-York, published in 1769, ii an honourable tpe- 
 ciraen of his talents aod attainments. He also wrote a letter on the Croup, ad- 
 dressed to Dr. Richard Bayley, a copy of which may be seen in the Medical Re- 
 pository, vol. xiv. 
 
 * Dr. Samnel Clo.'jyhad, previous to his arrival in .\mericn, from Ireland, where 
 he was bom, attained a high degree of eminence in the medical profession, boUi as 
 a practitioner, and as the author of an interesting volume on Morbid Anatomy, en- 
 titled, " Observations on some of the Diseases of the Human Body ; chii -fly takes 
 from the Dissections of Morbid Bodies,'' published in Ix>ndon. 8vo, 1763. He was 
 aho a short time before chosen to the anatomical chair, t!ie professor of natural 
 philosophy in King's College. See the Life of Rev. Dr. Cooper, second President 
 of King's College, in the.\mer. Med. and Phil. Reg. vol. iii. p. 2)8 — 301. 
 
 t Dr. Jones was a native of the state of New -York, and bom at J-amaica, Lonj. 
 Island, in 1729. He commenced the study of medicine in Philadelphia, and com- 
 pleted his education in Europe, where he attended the lectures of Hunter, M'Ketr 
 zie, and Pott, of London, and M. Petit and M. Le Dran, of Paris. Hr was dc" 
 servedly considpred anablcteaclier, and extended his reputation by the publication 
 of a volume, entitled, " Plain Remarks on IVounds nnd Fractures,"'' which appear- 
 ed in 1775. He died in April, 17ilO, after a most ufcful and honourable life devoted 
 to the advancement of his profcsion. See an .\ccount of the Life of John Joncf, 
 M. D. in the Amer. Med. and Phil. Reg. vol iii. p. 32J-.333. 
 
 t The brother of William Smith, E?'). 'he hi'torian of Ncw-VorV Hf died ia 
 *.)Jecit7of^'ew.Y•rk, in 1812. 
 
k'ullegc of Physicians aud SurgeenSy Nerv-York. 107 
 
 SAMt:EL Bard,* Professor of the Theory and Prartice of 
 Physic. I lectures on these several branches of medicine 
 were regularly delivered by tlie above-mentioned gentlemen, 
 and the Degree of Doctor of Medicine conferred by the 
 College. I 
 
 About the same time, in consequence of a public address 
 delivered by Dr. Samuel Baud, at the medical graduation, 
 in 1769, a very important addition was made (o the means of 
 medical education then afforded by the establishment of the 
 New-York Hospital. The necessity and usefulness of a pub- 
 lic infirmary, to use the language of Dr. ]MiDDr-ETON,J 
 '* were so warmly and patiietically set forth in that memora- 
 ble discourse," that, upon the same day on which it was de- 
 livered, a subscription was commenced by His Excellency 
 Sir Henrv Moore, and the sum of eight hundred pounds 
 •terliug collected for that establishment. The corporation 
 of the city, animated by the same public spirit and active 
 benevolence, in a short time added three thousand pounds 
 sterling to the first subscription, when the united amount was 
 employed in layingthefoundationof that valuable institution, 
 now the pride of our city, and alike devoted to the purposes 
 of humanity and the promotion of medical science. § 
 
 The IMedical School of New-York, thus provided with 
 learned and able professors, promised to be productive of tlie 
 greatest advantages; but the revolutionary \Mr occasioned 
 a suspension of tlieir labours ; the professors and students 
 
 '* The prcFcnt President ofllie Colloge of Physicians and SiirzjMnH, New-Vorfc. 
 
 f In his valuable Retrospect of the Eightitentb Century, Dr. B^Br asserts, that 
 DO medical degrees had been conferred l)y the College previous totne revolutionary 
 war. Notwithst/tnding the Rpneral accuracy of Dr. Miller, lie, in thin ins^tanrc, 
 is mistaken. A copy of an Inaugural Dissertation ou the anthelniiiilic quality of 
 the Phastolus Zuratemis Sili'jua hirtuta, or Cow-Itch, for the Medical Doctorate 
 ia King's College, by Saniutl Kifsam, M. B. and published in May, 1771, may fce 
 icon in the library of tlie Ncw-Wrk yietoriral Society. 
 
 J Medical Discoui?c, p- €f. HosarV'sSkctc'h. 
 
I OS Tfiftnrical Skelch of the 
 
 ntvc scattered, the college converted by the encmj" into a 
 miiitarj hospital, and the immediate design of the whole ei- 
 tablishment frustrated. 
 
 After the peace of 1783, the former medical profcsson 
 being separated by accident or death, never as a body were 
 reinstated in their former situation in the College. In the 
 follouing year, exertions were made for the revival of the 
 Medical School of this city, and professorships created for 
 that purpose. The individuals, Iwwever, who were appoint' 
 cd, either declined giving instruction altogether, or gave but 
 imperfect courses, and the establishment consequently fell 
 io the ground. 
 
 King's College at the close of the war underwent con- 
 siderable alterations in its government, and received the 
 name of Columbia College. Willia.m Samuel JoHifsoN^, 
 Esq. L L. D. son of the first president, and a gentleman in 
 every respect qualified to the station, was calfed to preside 
 over it. The reputation of the College, as a school of arts, 
 soon became deservedly great, and the Board of Trustees, 
 under whose more immediate care it was placed, laudably 
 attempted, in the year 1792, again to connect a medical es- 
 tablishment with it; thus forming two faculties, a faculty of 
 arts and another of piiysic. At the head of the latter pre- 
 sided, for some time, Samuel Baro, 31. D. as Dean. 
 Among the rijbfessors wlio were apj>ointed to deliver lectures 
 on the different branches of medicine were several gentle- 
 men of acknowledged talents and professional merit, and it 
 was ardenll^hoped that the interests of science in general 
 would be Kiptly promoted by their labours, and the medi- 
 cal character of the state soon acquire a high and extensive 
 reputation. 
 
 The exertions of the Trustees of Columbia College in 
 thus annexing a Medical School to that institution, were cer- 
 tainly in the highest degree deserving commendation ; and 
 
Cottegc of Fltysuiana and SurgtoiiSy New- York. 10 J 
 
 though the beneficial effects resulting from them have been 
 but small and limited, and fallen far shortof what was at first 
 anticipated, yet it would be wanting in liberality to deny, 
 that some service bad been icudered the profession of me- 
 dicine by its establishment. It appears from tlie records of 
 Columbia Colle2;e, that since 1792, the lime when the medi- 
 cal faculty of tnat scliogl was organized, to the year Hill, 
 thiiti/fjur students have completed their courses of siudy, 
 and received the medical honours of that institution ! 
 
 For reasons too obvious to need n;ention i-n this place, t':e 
 Honourable the Regents of ihe TJniveraity of New-York, 
 in whom resides the exclusive power of instituting semina- 
 ries of learning, and of superintending the interests of lite- 
 rature and science throughout the state, determined in 1807 
 upon the establishment of a College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons. The power to exercise this authority had been 
 vested in them as early as 1791, by an act passed for that 
 special purpose.* That so many years elapsed before that 
 venerable body thought fit to form an institution to be exclu- 
 sively devoted to the cultivation of medical science, appears 
 to have risen from the existence of the Medical School at- 
 tached to Columbia College, which it was honed would have 
 superseded the necessity of another medical establishment. 
 Accordingly a charter for the purpose of establishing a Col- 
 lege of Physicians and Surgeons in the city of New- York 
 was granted, bearing date the 12th of March, 1807. 
 
 The establishment of the College of Physicians and Sur- 
 geons upon a broad foundation, under the patronage of the 
 Regents of the University, and its sanction by the legiala- 
 iure, were circumstances viewed with the greatest satisfac- 
 
 ' The title of the act is as follows: "An Act to onable the Resents of the 
 i .liveifity to establish a College of [')j/Hi>ia»is aad Surgeoui within lhi» state," 
 i^-ned the 24tU March, 1701. 
 
no ilislorkal Sketch of iht »^ 
 
 lion, and afforded just cause of congratulation to th« friendff 
 of science throughout the slate. That the high expecta- 
 tions wliich wove entertained of the !)encfits that would flow 
 to the comnmnily from its estaljlishment were well founded, 
 the history of the College during the few years it haa been in 
 operation presents the most conclusive evidence. 
 
 Agreeably to the provision niade by the Charter, the 
 College was organized on the first Tuesday, the 5th, of 
 May, 1807 ; when the following officers were elected : 
 
 Nicholas RoMAyNE, M. D. President. 
 Samuel L. Mitchill, M. 1). Vict President. 
 Archibald Brcce, M. D. Registrar. 
 Abraham Browkr, Physician, Treasurer. 
 
 CENSORS. 
 Edward Miller, 31. D. David Hosack, M. D. Alex- 
 akder Sheldon, William Livingston, William Jame« 
 IM'Neven', M. D. Henry A^an Solingen, M. D. Willia.m 
 Wheeler, J. D. Gillespie, J. E. R. Birch, James G. 
 Graham, Benjamin De Witt, M. D. Felix Pascalis^ 
 and Alexander Hosack, M. D. 
 
 Tlie following Professorships and Professors were conatr- 
 luled and appointed by the Regents of the University : 
 
 Practice of Physic, Edward Miller, M. D. 
 Chemistry, Samuel L. Mitchill, M. D. 
 Botany and Materia Mcdica, David Hosack, M. D. 
 InstitiUcs of J>/eJi(;i»e, Benjamin Df, Witt, M. D. 
 
 For the purpose of forming a complete system of instruc- 
 tion in the several branches of Medicine, the College deem- 
 ed it necessary to exercise the power, delegated to them by 
 charter, of appointing lecturers on those departments of 
 science which were unprovided with professors. They ac- 
 cordingly appointed Dr. Nicholas Romaysf and Dr. John 
 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New-Y^ork. 1 1 1 
 
 AuGUBTiNE Smith, Lecturers on Anntomy., Dr. BnNJAMi.v 
 De Witt, Lecturer on Chemistry,* Dr. David Horack, 
 
 Lecturer on Surgery and Midivifery, and Dr. Edward 
 Miller, Leclurcron Clinical Medicine. 
 
 In order to conduct with greater facility the various mi- 
 nute details of business in the College, a Si'natns Academi- 
 cxis was organized, consisting of the President, Vice Presi- 
 dent, Professors, Lecturers, Registrar, and Treasurer. 
 
 The College, thus provided with Professors and Lecturers 
 on all the branches of medical science, procured a comuio 
 dious building situated in Robinson-street, a central part of 
 the city, where apartments were fitted up for the accommo^ 
 dation both of the teachers and students. Some progress 
 was made in the formation of an Anatomical Museum, a Che- 
 mical Laboratory, and a Cabinet of Minerals. The Botanic 
 Garden founded by Dr. Hosack, the Professor of Botany 
 and Materia Medica, was also eminently calculated for the 
 purpose of instruction in those departments of knowledge 
 
 On the 7th of November following, the business of the 
 College commenced, and full and satisfactory courses of in« 
 struction were delivered on ail the branches of medicine, by 
 the united labours of the professors appointed by the Re- 
 gents of the University, and the Lecturers chosen by the 
 College. In addition to this, it is proper to mention, that the 
 Governors of the New- York Hospital made such arrange- 
 ments with the Professor of the Practice of Physic as en- 
 abled him to deliver a course of Clinical Jjectures in that 
 extensive charity ; and that Dr. M'Nevev, a member of the 
 College, and then one of tlie Physicians of the New-York 
 Alms House, gave to the students of medicine a course of 
 
 * In tUe absence of Dr. Mitchill,thr piofps«or of this hrancli,who liaJ to attend 
 (during that sesrion at tbc geueral governnieut as Seu.Uor of the United Statef 
 
Hi Historical Sketch of the 
 
 • 
 
 Clinical Instruction on the caHcs that occurred in that insti- 
 tution. Tlie industry w ith which the teachers of the New 
 School devoted themselves to their respective collegiate du- 
 ties was unremitted; and the ability ami succesR with which 
 they fulfilled the important stations assigned them was such, 
 that the legislature, at their next session, in November 1808, 
 made the liberal appropriation of twenty thousand dollars for 
 the benefit of the College. The whole number of students 
 who resorted to the institution the first year was fifty- 
 three. 
 
 The College being instituted on an extensive plan, and un 
 der the immediate superintendance of the Regents of the 
 University and the patronage of the state, the liberal grant 
 of the legislature enabled them to purchase a building, situ- 
 ated in Pearl-street, better accommodated for their purpose, 
 and to make such additions to the institution as might in- 
 crease the advantages of instruction in the various branches 
 of Medical Science. During the recess of the College, Dr. 
 Smith, formerly Lecturer, wasapprointed Professor o( Ana- 
 tomy asd Surgery, Dr. Mitchill, Professor of Natural 
 History, Dr. De AVitt, Professor of Chemiatry, Dr. IVI'Ne- 
 VEN, Professor of Obstetricks and the Diseases of Women and 
 Children, and the President, Professor of the Institutes of 
 Medicine. 
 
 The second session of the College commenced in Novem- 
 ber, 1808, and continued four months. The Lectures were 
 attended by seventy-two students, a greater number than bad 
 ever before resorted to a similar institution for medical in- 
 struction in this city. 
 
 The principal improvements made in the College the en- 
 suing year, related to the departments of Anatomy and Na- 
 tural History. The Anatomical Museum was considerably en- 
 larged by many valuable preparations, and the Cabinet of Na- 
 tural History and Mineralogy received many additions illus- 
 
Vollcireof Physicians oiitl l^urfreons, Ntiv-York. 113 
 
 Irativc of the geological coiislilulion and mineralogicul re- 
 sources of tiie United Slates. Dr. A. HiiucE was elected 
 the Professor of Muicrid Mcdiui and jMinerulogy. Lec- 
 tures were given on all the branches of medical science by 
 the several professors, and clinical practice at the Hospital 
 by Dr. iMillku. I^iie third session of the ('ollege was at- 
 tended by seventy-three students from different parts of 
 New- York, and from other states in the union. 
 
 The success of the College of Physicians and Surgeons 
 during the first three years of their establishment, exceeded 
 the most sanguine expectations, and gave the fullest evidence 
 of the numerous advantages which the city of New-York 
 possesses for a great medical school. Certain misunderstand- 
 ings, however, iiaving taken place between the president and 
 the professors, the rapid progress of the College in its im- 
 portance and usefulness received a temporary check, and its 
 brilliant prospects were for a season overcast. From a want 
 of unanimity among the protessors, lectures on only some of 
 the brandies of medicine were delivered, and the pupils con- 
 sequently were reduced to about one third tiie former num- 
 ber. 
 
 The Regents of the University, upon receiving informa- 
 tion of the dissensions which had arisen in the College, and 
 which it was feared would materially retard the advancement 
 of the institution, with the same h^udable zeal tor t!ie promo- 
 tion of medical science with which they had originally or- 
 ganized the establishment, immediately adopted measures for 
 ascertaining the cause of the mischief, and for the removal 
 of every impediment to its prosperity. A committee, con- 
 sisting of the honourable Chief Justice Kent, Judge Spen- 
 cer, and .fudge Smith, was appointed to inijiiire into the 
 nature of the misunderstanding, and to report upon the same- 
 The report was as follows : 
 
 roL. IV. r 
 
114 Jlistorical Slulch of the 
 
 At a meetin<r of the Rci^cnls of the Uniixrsih/, held jmrsvanl 
 
 to adjournment, in the Semite Cliamber, on the fust if Jpnl^ 
 
 1811 : 
 
 The commitlee to wliom was referre<i several papers relative to 
 the state of tlie College ol Physicians and Surgeons in the cily of 
 Neu-York, report, that uiiforlunale misunderslamlings have takeu 
 place between several professors of that inslitulion, which have al- 
 ready materially impeded its operations, and unless something ef- 
 fectual be done by the regents, it will become <legraded in the es- 
 timation of the public, and its uselulncbs will be inevitably de- 
 stioyed. 
 
 The committee have forborne to trace and bring to light the cou- 
 duct of individuals, because iu their opinion it would be both use- 
 less and invidious. 
 
 Propositions have been made to the committee to re-model the 
 institution, with a view of rendering its operation more simple, 
 and of introducing into it several of the Professors of the Medical 
 School in Columbia College, and other eminent and distinguished 
 individuals: this proposition has been viewed by the committee iu 
 the most favourable light, as it may extinguish the feuds existing 
 among the present Professors of the College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons, and as it will, in all probability, be the means of uniting 
 the two schools. 
 
 The latter appears an object of the fust importance, in as much 
 as it will assemble, in one institution, a splendi<l collection of me- 
 dical and surgical talents, and as it cannot fail to merit and re- 
 ceive the patronage and encourngement of the legislature. 
 
 It is unnecessary for the committee to attempt to display the im- 
 portant advantages to the state which a well organized Medical 
 School in the city of JVew-York must alTord ; its hospital, and the 
 subjects furnished by the state prison, without the violation of 
 law, present a field for the acquisition of medical and surgical 
 knowledge unrivalled in the United States, and it is only requisite 
 to establish an institution, under the fostering care of the legisla-' 
 ture, in which shall be united the best talente, and to secure these 
 advantages to the state. 
 
College of Phi/siriajis mid SurgeofuSy Ntw-y'ork. 115 
 
 Under these impressions, the committee beg leave to report au 
 alteration of the charter of the Colle^^e of Physicians and Sur- 
 geons, and to propose a new list of ofTicei-s and professors, wliicli 
 alteration is as follows, to wit: 
 
 Jiij the Rcircnfs of the University of tlie State of 
 New- York. 
 
 Whkueas wc have reserved to ourselves the right to alter and 
 modify our ordinances for establishing a College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons in New-York; llicrcforo, 
 
 Be it ordained. That all the corporate rights, privileges, powers, 
 and immunities granted by us to the said College of Physicians 
 and Surgeons, to the Trustees or Members thereof, and to the Sena- 
 tus Acadcmicus and Censors thereof, shall hereafter be exclusively 
 vested in, and exercised by the Trustees of the said College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons, to be appointed from time to time by ub 
 or our successors. And the said Trustees shall do and perform all 
 matters and things which the said College of Physicians and Sur- 
 geons, the Trustees or Members thereof, and the Senatus Academi- 
 cus and Censors thereof, are authorized and required to do and 
 perform. 
 
 Andhc itfurlhcr ordained, Tiiat the President, Vice President, 
 Professors, and Treasurer of the said College, for the time being, 
 and such other persons as we, or our successors, may hereafter ap- 
 point, shall be the Trustees of the said College, provided the 
 wliole number of the said trustees shall not, at any time, be more 
 tliaa twenty-five. 
 
 J/ul be it further ordained. That the President or Vice Presi- 
 dent ,or any three of the Trustees, shall have power, at any time, 
 to call a meeting of the said Trustees, by giving at least three 
 days previous notice of the time and place of holding said meet- 
 ing. And five of the said Trustees (of which the President, or in 
 his absence, the Vice President, shall be one) shall be a quorum for 
 the transaction of business. 
 
 And be it further ordained, That the Trustees and Members of 
 the said College, who are not constituted Trustees by this supple- 
 mentary ciiarter, shall be hereafter fellows or members thereof, antl 
 
1 1 G Hislo rira I l^rtch of tlie 
 
 that the Trustees shall liavo power to elect f«'llo\\s or members of 
 the flaia college, who bliall at all timez have the privilege of at- 
 tending all the public lectures and other courses of iDstnictioi), de- 
 livered bj the I'mfcsfors ill the said College; and who bliall also 
 have the privilege of visiting and in5[)ecUDg the Anatomical Mu- 
 seum, the Botanic Garden, the Cabinets of Mineralogy and Na- 
 tural llistor), and the Library of the said College, under such re- 
 gulations as the Trustees shall prescribe for that purpose. 
 
 And be it further ordained. That reserving to ouiv;lv<s and our 
 successors, Regents of the Uuivej-gily, tlie power of makirjg such 
 other grants or ordinances as may be necessary or useful for the 
 said College, we finally order, that this ordinance shall form part of 
 the charter of the said College of Thysicians and Surgeons in the 
 city of New- York. And we do hereby revoke aud annul such 
 parts of our previous grants and ordinances as are contrary to, or 
 inconsistent with, the present oidinancc.'' 
 
 The above extracts from the procecdiiig of the Regents 
 of the University, supersede the necessity of any reniarkH 
 on the subject to which they relate. The changes proposed 
 to be made both in the officers and in the government of the 
 College, were such as manifested equally a regard to 1 he- 
 rights of other establishmenis, and the solicitude of the 
 Regents for the welfare of that wliicli they had founded and 
 cherished. 
 
 Though their laudable designs were for a while, in a par- 
 tial degree, protracted, on account of the conduct of some 
 gentlemen, in relation to the professorshi{)S with which they 
 were honoured, yet such arrangements were adopted by 
 the Board of Trustees, now created according to the new 
 Charter, that tlie various courses of instruction delivered by 
 the professors formed a complete system of medical educa- 
 tion. 
 
 Upon the reorganization of tlie College, the following gen- 
 tlemen accepted the stations to which they were elected ort 
 
CoUee^c of Physicians and Surireons, Isav- York. 117 
 
 The Ist of April, 1811, by llje unanimous resolve of llif* 
 Honourable tlie Rc2;enls of the University: 
 
 Samuki, Bard, I\I. I). President. 
 
 Benjamin 1)k ^Vtrx, M. D. i ire Pri'<!Jrnf. 
 
 .loiiN AuGusTiNi; Smith, Pn'fessor nf Jiuilomy,Svr- 
 girt/, and Phi/siology. 
 
 David Hosac k, M. D. Professor of the Theory and 
 Practice of Phyair. and Clinical jMedicine. 
 
 William James M'Neven, M. D. Professor of Che- 
 mistry. 
 
 Samuel L. Mitchell, M. D. Professor of Natural 
 History. 
 
 John D. Jaques, Treasurer. 
 
 John W. Francis, Registrar. 
 J^uring the same session, other measures particularly cal- 
 eulated to advance the interests of the New School of Me- 
 tlicine were adopted. The Elgin Botanic Garden, founded 
 by Dr. IIosack, in the vicinity of this city, and which had 
 1)cen purchased by t!ie legislature for the purpose of pro- 
 moting medical science, was placed by them at the disposal 
 of the Regents. That honourabl*^ board committed to the 
 Trustees of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the 
 care of that extensive Botanical establisliment, to be devoted 
 lo the use of the College, for the laudable purpose contem- 
 plated by the legislature. By thia arrangement, tiie Botanic 
 Garden became an important addition to the State Medi- 
 cal School, and affords more ample means of instruction in a 
 highly interesting branch of education, thali are enjoyed iii 
 any otiier Medical Seminary in the United States,* The le- 
 
 • The Elgin Botanic Garden is situated about three miles froiii tlte city, ou- 
 the middle road between Bloomingdale and Kiogsbrulije. The ground, consist- 
 ine of tvientj' acr'^?, was purchased from tlio corporation of New-Vork, iti 
 1801, ay Dr. David IIosack, the founder of tiie estublishmrut. The view, froui 
 the meet elevated part, is varic;;atcd and extensive, and the sc>il itself of that d1' 
 
118 Jlisturicnl Sketch of ilu 
 
 gislalure also, during this seHsiun, made a furtlier giant of 
 five hundred dolhas per annum for the bfencBl of the College. 
 The College haviiii^ llius uiulerijone such material altera- 
 tions, and received such liberal aid from its founders and 
 jjatrons, a new list of oflScers being chosen, and its interniil 
 government, formerly placed with the Censors and f>enatus 
 AcadiMuicus, being now vested in a board of Trustees com- 
 posed of the President, Vice President, Professors, Treasurer, 
 and other members of the medical profession, elected le 
 the statio:i, iliiected its attention with increased zeal to the 
 immediate object of its establishment. 
 
 versificfl nature, as to he parfic.iilnrly adapted to the ciiltivation of a great variety^ 
 of vegetable prodiictio.-is. Immediately after the purchase, the proprietor liad 
 t!ie grounds cleared and arranged in a manner the best adapted to the different 
 kinds of vegetable, and planted agreeably to the rao?t approved stile of ornamen- 
 tal gardening. A conserva'ory for t!ie more iiardy green-house plants wa« also 
 built. As a primary object in tliis cstablislimenl was to eollect and cultivate tlie 
 uative plants of this country, especially such as possess medicinal propertie*, 
 lliere were in cultivation at the commencement of ISO."!, near Cftcen hundred species 
 of American plant?, b.'sidc a considerable number of rare and valuable exotics. 
 In 1806, important additions were made to the collection of plant? from varitHis 
 parts of Europe, and from the East and West Indies. A second building for their 
 jireservation was erected, and the found.-.tion for a third l.iid, which was completed 
 in the follo-.ving year. In the antunm of 1805 a Catalngue of the plants which had 
 been collected, and which amounted to nearly twotliou«;ind, was publijjied Since 
 that time, tlie Botanic Garden has been greatly improved. The building":, wbicb 
 are erected on the most recent plan adopted in institutions of this kind, consist of 
 three large and well constructed houses, exhibiting a frosit of one hundred and 
 eighty feet. The greater part of the ground is brought in a state of high cultiva- 
 tion, and divided into various compartnients, calculated for the instruction of the 
 student of Botany and Medicine, Tlie establishment is surrounded by a belt of 
 forest trees and shrubs, and these again are enclosed by a stone wall two and a 
 Lalf feet in thickness, and seven feet in heigiit. Upon the purth se of the estab- 
 lishment by the legislature, in !8I0, the founder of the garden published a »econd 
 edition, greally enlnged, of the Catalogue of Plants cultivated there, arranged iu 
 alpli.ibctical order, and embracing the generic and spcci6c name? of Linna>u<, the 
 synonyms of various authors, the popidar appellations by which tliey are known, 
 &c. For a intire minute accoiuit, sea a " Statetncnt of Facts relative to the eslab- 
 luhme^U tmd progress of the Elgin IManic Garden." Hortus Elgineniis. or a C'«- 
 titl»eue of the PI:mfs, Ac. second edition, published ia 18H. 
 
9olh(ri' of PJiysicidiiH and Siir^toiHf, New-Yorlc. 1 10 
 
 The services rendered llic College, by the lale incaHiires 
 adopted by the Regents ami Fjegislature, 30011 became appa- 
 rent. On the l.Olh of May, liill, the first Medical Com- 
 mencement in the iiistitiilion was held, and the degree of 
 Doctor in 3Iedicine granted to eight gentlemen, nlio had 
 previously nnd<;igoiic the necessary exaniinalioiis j)rcscribed 
 by its laws, and publicly defended their respective inaugu- 
 ral dissertations. This was a greater number of degrees in 
 medicine than was ever before granted at one time in this 
 city, since the establishment of a Medical School in New- 
 York. Tiie honours of the College were publicly conferred 
 by the President, Dr. Samuel Baud, In the presence of thtf 
 Chanceller and Regents of the University, the Trustees and 
 other ofliccrs of the institution. 
 
 Important additions were made this year to the Chemical 
 department of the College, the laboratory was rebuilt, and 
 the chemical lecture-room materially improved. The fifth 
 session of the College commenced on the first Monday of 
 November, 1811. The business of the College was opened 
 by an elegant and appropriate address from the president,'* 
 and the several professors entered with becoming spirit upon 
 the duties belonging to their respective departments. Tiie 
 course of Anatomy, Snrgeri/, and Physiology was delivered 
 by Professor John Augustine Smith ; Chemistry, both in 
 its relation to medicine and the arts, was taught by Profes- 
 ser M'Neven ; and the course of instruction on the Theory 
 and Practice of Physic and Clinical Metlirine, and on Mid- 
 ivijhy and the Diseases of Ji'omen and Children, by Profes- 
 sor HosACK. To this last mentioned branch, Professor 
 HosACK had, a short time previous, been appointed Lecturer 
 by the Board of Trustees. The several branches of JSalu- 
 
 * A copy of this excellent production, rlolivered by Dr. Biird, may b: seen in 
 live A^mer.Med. and Phil. Reg. vol. ii. p. 3(39—302. 
 
V2tt llistoriad Sketch of the 
 
 rill Hhlory were taught hy Professor Mitciiili, : the gco- 
 loj^lcal and mincraloglcal parts of the course were illustrated 
 hy the rich cabinet of fossils attached to the ColU'ge, and 
 the ilhistrations in iiotamj given at the Slate Botanic Garden. 
 Lectures on the Malcrla Medica were delivered by the 
 Vice President, Dr. De Witt. TJie exertions of the Pro- 
 fessors in their several branches of inslrnction were unre- 
 mitted, and deserving the highest commendation : the result 
 of their labours was highly advantageous and satisfactory to 
 their pupils. On the practice of physic alone, upwards of 
 one hundred lectures were given during the session by the 
 professor of that branrh. 
 
 At the commencement l:cld on t!ie firsl Tuesday in May 
 following, the time ap[(ointed, twenty gentlemen received 
 from the hands of the president the degree of Doctor in 
 Medicine, eleven of whom had been regular students of the 
 institution. 
 
 It is iiigiily gratifying to observe llie language iu which the 
 Regents of the University expressed themselves, when speak- 
 ing of the condition of the College at this time : 
 
 " They view (t^ajs tlie commiltee to whom was referred the bu- 
 siness of the College) willi satisfaction llic aiivanceincnt of the Col- 
 lege to a greater degree of prosperity than it has at any time here- 
 tofore enjoyed. The names of the students reported, as attending 
 the several classes, are eighty-four in number, which is a flattering 
 indication of the continued progress of this Medical School. The 
 President and Professors appear to have made great exertions to 
 promote it? welfare and perninnent success; and ilirjr zeal for the 
 cullivation of me»lica! science merits the approbalicn of the Re- 
 gents. 
 
 " The chemical and anatomical profrssorshi[is, as they are at- 
 tended with much expense to the incnnibtnts, deserve, iu the 
 opinion of your committee, some aid and support from the Regents ; 
 and ii is proposed that the annuity of five hundred dollais. lately 
 
CollefTc of Physicians and Surgeons, New-Y'ork. 121 
 
 granted by the Ic^islaiiirc for llie use of llie college, should be ap« 
 propriaied for lijis necessary and important object." 
 
 In their annual report to tlie legislature, dated on the 27th 
 of May, 1812, they also observe: 
 
 " The or«:;aiiization of the College of Physicians and Surgeons 
 lias been improved, and it now presents a fair prospect of speedily 
 rising to a state of usefulness and celebrity, such as may be justly 
 expected from tlic importance of the community in Mhichit is situa- 
 ted, and the government under whose auspices it has been erected. 
 
 " A gentleman universally acknowledged among the first in the 
 medical profession in America, has consented to be placed at the 
 head of it, and professors of the best talents have been procured to 
 deliver instruction in it." 
 
 The board of trustees of the College could not forbear to 
 tender to their professional brethren their congratulations 
 upon the successful establishment of the institution, and the 
 salutary effects which resulted from its re-organization. This 
 they did in their circular address of September, 1812, in 
 wliicli they briefly stated the flourishing condition of the Col- 
 lege, and, at tiie same time, announced the several courses of 
 Lectures intended to be delivered during the ensuing session. 
 
 The sixth session of tiie College commenced at the usual 
 time, in November, 1812, and complete courses of Lectures 
 on Anatomy f Surgery, and Physiology ; on the Theory diud 
 Practice of Physic and Clinical 3Iedicine ; on Obstetrics, 
 and the Diseases of JVomen 2im\ Children; and on Chemistry, 
 were delivered by the respective professors of these branches- 
 Arrangements having been made by the Professor of Natu- 
 ral History fur delivering instruction to his class at a differ- 
 ent season, the Lectures on Geology, Mineralogy, Botany, 
 and Zoology, were given by Professor Mitciiill in the ep' 
 
 VOL. IX. Ci 
 
1 22 nisloricul Sketch of Ih 
 
 suing spring. Sixty-one Lectures were «lclivcre(l bj th^ 
 Professor of Natural History on lliese brandies of education. 
 
 On the first Tuesday iti May, ICIIJ, f!ie degree of Doctor 
 in Medicine was conferred on five cantlidalcs, who liad com- 
 pleted their education in the College, and to whom tiie Re- 
 gents of tiie Universily had granted that honour. 
 
 The preceding sketcii contains a concise and faithful rela- 
 tion of the principal circumstances connected with the origin 
 and progress of the College of Physicians and burgeons of 
 New-York. It was considered unnecessary to ofTer a more 
 minute detail, as the public at large would feel little interest 
 in dwelling upon particulars of this kind ; and it was deemed 
 inexpedient to bring to light tiie transactions of individuals, 
 who, instigated by disappointed ambition, or envious of the con- 
 dition of the College, were not wanting in devising means to 
 destroy its prospects, or to add to the many difficulties una- 
 voidably connected with the organization of an institution of 
 this nature. It has always been observed, that establisliments 
 for the promotion of science, like other associated bodies, 
 have their intervals of languor as well as their periods of vi- 
 gour and activity. 
 
 The College, having successfully encountered the evils 
 which it had oiiginally to conleiid with, it is believed, 
 now stands on a foundation too (irm to be sliaken. Its 
 re-organization iu the year 1811, by the honourable the 
 Regents of the University, has proved as salutary in its ef- 
 fects as tiie most sanguine could have promised. Though 
 three years have not elapsed since that event, yet, so suc- 
 cessfully have the labours of the College been directed, tliat 
 those who have completed tiicir education under its care, and 
 have received its medical degrees, nearly equal, in point of 
 number, all w!io before that time had received tJje same 
 honour in this stale. The Inaugural Dissertations published 
 by the graduates of the University are also, for the most 
 
College of Physic inna and Surgeon.s, Nerv-York. 123 
 
 part, Iiiglily honourable to llic <alenls and acquirements of 
 their respective authors, :iii(l rcllert credit on the institution 
 Vvhcnce tlicy received ti.eir ethuation. 
 
 The present (loiirishine; condition of tlie state Medical 
 School cannot but be viewed with peculiar satisfaction by 
 every friend of science and Jiumanity ; and the Board of 
 Trustees, moreover, deeming themselves fully warranted on 
 account of the munificent patronage of the legislature, and 
 the laudable zeal of the Regents of the University, to au""- 
 ment tJie means of medical education afforded by the Col- 
 lege, have recently adopted measures for that purpose. In 
 pursuanceof tiiis object, tliey have appropriated a considerable 
 part of their funds to the purchase of ground as a permanent 
 situation for the College, and are engaged in coriipleting an 
 elegant and commodious edifice, in all respects commensurate 
 with the increasing character and impoitance of the institu- 
 tion. The Board of Trustees have made such arrangements 
 as will secure tlie ccmpletion of tlie work in due season, in 
 order that tiie several professors may enter upon their re- 
 spective duties at tlie usual time, the first Monday in Novem- 
 ber. Additional provision has lately been made to the anato- 
 mical and chemical departments of the College. It may also 
 be proper here to state, that, at the close of the last session 
 of the College, the Trustees appointed JoiiiV W. Francis, 
 M. I). Lecturer on the Iiislilutes of Medicine and the Male- 
 ria ISledicu. 
 
 When the advantages wliich New-York possesses for a 
 great medical establis.'inient are considered ; advantages, 
 arising from its natural siUialion; its extensive population, 
 now nearly equal to most of tlie capitals of Europe ; its large 
 and well endowed hospital and other public charities ; its 
 botanic garden; its well organized Medical College, and 
 the extensive system of education which it embraces; and 
 when it is further considered, that thcsc advantages are iur 
 
^24 Hiaturical Htkctch of thf 
 
 creased by the munificent patronage of llic slate, it is not too 
 much to say, that, in the means of instruction, the College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons is second to no similar institution in 
 the United States. 
 
 Officers, Sec. of the College of Physicians und Sir- 
 GEONs of the Uiiivirsitij of the State of New-Yorky liilli. 
 
 Samuel Bard, M. D. President. 
 Benjamin De Witt, M. D- Vice President. 
 
 John Augustine Smith, M. D. Professor of Anatomy, 
 Surgeri/y and Physiology. 
 
 David Hosack, M. D. Professor of the Theory und Prac- 
 tice of Physic and Clinical Medicine, and Lecturer on 
 Midwifery and the Diseases of Women and Children. 
 
 William James M'Neven, M. D. Professor of Chemistry. 
 
 Samuel L. Mitchill, M. D. Professor of Natural History. 
 
 John W. Francis, M. D. Lecturer on the bistitutes of Me- 
 dicine and the Materia Medica. 
 
 trustees. 
 Samuel Bard, John D. JAquEs, 
 
 Benjamin De Witt, Thomas Auuis Emmet, 
 
 John Augustine Smith, Joseph Bloodgood, 
 
 David Hosack, Andrew Hunt, 
 
 William James M'Neven, Andreav Morton, 
 Samuel L. Mitchill, Lyman Spalding, 
 
 Hugh AVilliamson. 
 
 John D. Ja^uep, Treasurer. 
 John "\y. Francis, Registrar 
 
i.'ullco'c of J^hi/siciojiK and Si(ri>;eo)is, New-York. 12.'i 
 
 {^vi,i. \iu'8 of Ihr Sf.vkkv I, Courses of liVxrvRF.a delivered 
 in the Colmof; (f ['uyskianh mnl S( hcro.n.s, jS'rv 
 York. 
 
 ,ANATO-MV, St'RCFr.V, AM) ntVSIOLOGY. 
 
 Tlic Lectures on AnaUnuij, Siirgerij, ami P/n/.s/o/og"?/, are 
 embraced in one course, and arc delivered by Professor 
 JoiiN Augustine Smith, M. D. The objects of Dr. 
 Smith's labours are, consequently, threefold ; to illustrate 
 the anatomy of the human body, to present such physiolo- 
 gical views of each part as necessarily arise from consider- 
 ing its peculiar nature and functions, and thence to make a 
 pointed application of this knowledge to the important du- 
 ties of the surgeon. Tliis latter object is always regarded by 
 the professor as one of primary consideration, and he, there- 
 fore, enters upon the duties belonging to his department, by 
 pointing out the value and necessity of a thorough knowledge 
 of the principles of surgery, the means by which that 
 science is to be acquired, and the mode in which it is to be 
 practised, both as it regards the surgeon himself, his fellow 
 practitioners, and tlie community at large. Tlie professor 
 next takes up the consideration of life, its essential prin- 
 ( iplc, as it has been called, and the plienomena by which it is 
 characterized, particularly in the different classes of animals 
 and vegetables. The laws which govern animate matter, and 
 the various opinions which have been entertained relative to 
 it, are stated and examined. Upon this subject, every argu- 
 nient is produced which tends to prove the existence of a 
 distinct vital principle. To tiiis naturally succeeds obser- 
 vations upon death, an examination into the character of 
 inorganic matter, or matter deprived of animation, the vari- 
 
 I 
 
12JJ Ilislorical Sketch ofihr 
 
 ous causes by wlii«;Ji tlealli is {»roilucc(l, antl the effects rc- 
 ■siiltiHg llierelVom. 
 
 As llie continuance of existence appears to depend more 
 injniediutely upon the circulation of the blood, tl>an upon 
 any other process of the animal economy, Professor Smith 
 next enters upon a consideration of the manner in which 
 tiiis fluid is formed, lie stales the several opinions which 
 have been maintained concerning it, and details its sensible 
 and chemical qualities as afTorded by the latest experiments. 
 The importance of this fluid is still further evinced, when 
 the professor points out its relation to secrelioji, and ex- 
 amines the various substances formed from it. 
 
 Doctor Smith next enters upon the consideration of ^oiif, 
 as one of the substances produced from the blood : its for- 
 mation and growth, its structure and peculiar character, are 
 related : the individual bones are then described, with their 
 connections and particular uses. After the bones, the 
 muscles are next demonstrated : their peculiar organization 
 is unfolded, and the nature of muscular motion explained 
 from the phenomena which it exhibits. "What is usually 
 denominated th.e vascular system, is then treated of: the 
 great importance of a thorough knowledge of tlie arte- 
 ries being universally admitted, the professor minutely il- 
 iusLiates the structure and course of the blood vessels. The 
 process of d'vreslion and assimilation (including the anato- 
 my of the chylopoidic and other viscera) is next taken up, 
 and this part of anatomical instruction concluded with a 
 view of the hjuijthalic and (tbsurbent systems. 
 
 Professor Smith next commences with a view of the or- 
 gans of sense ; having demonstrated the structure of the 
 brain according to the manner adopted by the English, he 
 proceeds to illustrate the anatomy of this organ agreeably 
 lothe improved method of the French. In his examination 
 of the nervous system, Doctor Smith endeavours, as far as 
 
College of Phfjsieians and Surgeons, Nen-Yorlc. 127 
 
 rune will perniit, to make iiis hearers acquainted with the 
 moat iinjjorlaiit facts which have been brought to hght from 
 the researches of j)!iilosoj)!icrs on this sul)ject. 
 
 In exjihjiiiiiig the struclurc aiul functions of every part of 
 the body, lo the advantages afforded by oral instruction are 
 added those wliich maybe derived from a large collection of 
 anatomical preparations and fiom dissections. The profes- 
 sor also frequently avails himself of the aid aftbrded by com- 
 parative anatomy, in order to illustrate particular subjects, 
 and occasionally has recourse to preserved specimens of 
 diseased parts for the purpose of more accurately unfolding 
 the changes effected by morbid action. 
 
 From what has been already said, it will be understood tliat 
 anatomy and physiology are intimately blended ; the latter 
 being deduced from tiie former. In like manner, the profes- 
 sor, while demonstrating the structure of a part, keeps con- 
 stantly in view its functions, the diseases to wliich it is liable, 
 and the operations and remedies they may require. 
 
 Correct anatomical knowledge being the basis of surgery, 
 the professor dwells willi minuteness upon those parts espe- 
 cially in which the skill of tlie surgeon is most required: 
 Thus the anatomy and structure of the part is first particu- 
 larly unfolded ; the nature and seat of the diseases to whick 
 it is exjiosed explained ; ample directions given for the 
 manlier of conducting the operation required; and the prin- 
 ciples of surgery still further exemplified by performing 
 the operation in the presence of the class upon the dead 
 body. The professor treats at length all those subjects 
 which claim the attention of the naval and military surgeon. 
 
 This course of Lectures commences on the first iMonday 
 of November, and continues d:tilt/ for four months. 
 
J;3J! Ihshrical Sketch 0/ the 
 
 THEORy AND rHACTICE OF PHT81C AXD CLINICAL MEDICINE^ 
 
 The Theorij aud Practice o^ Ph/sic and Clinical Mioi- 
 cine, are delivered in the same course of Lectures, by Da- 
 vid liosACK, M. D. the Professor of those brandies. 
 
 Introductory to the practical subjects which this course 
 embraces, and for the benefit of those pupils who may be 
 commencing, or may have recently entered upon the study 
 of medicine, Dr. IfosAcic commences by exhibiting a com- 
 pendious view of the structure of tlie human body ; more 
 especially directing the attention of his pupils to the various 
 functions it performs in a state of health, including those ap- 
 pertaining fo the mind as well as the body. 
 
 In this view, particular attention is given to those func- 
 tions which physiologists have denominated the natural func- 
 tions of the system. Under this head, the various excre- 
 tions, both as regards their influence in health, as well as the 
 changes they undergo by disease, receive that attentioa 
 which their importance demands. 
 
 Tiie causes of disease, whether inherent in the system, or 
 produced by the operation of external agents, are next enu- 
 merated. 
 
 The influence of climate, soil, food, sleep, cloathing, ex- 
 ercise, botJi mental and bodily, the passions of the mind, 
 the functions peculiar to the different sexes, the various 
 trades and occupations of life, in as far as they are either di- 
 rectly or indirectly the sources of disease, are severally no- 
 ticed in this part of the course : as the subject of climate 
 embraces circumstances equally interesting to the philoso- 
 pher and physician, particular attention is given to the in- 
 fluence which it exerts upon the bodily and intellectual 
 powers of man. In connection with this discussion, due re- 
 gard is also paid to the sensible and adventitious qualities of 
 
College of Physicidns and Surgeons, New-York, ISld 
 
 the atmosphere, and their agency in the production of en- 
 demic and epidemic disorders. Dr. IIosack next iiiquirel 
 how far the functions of the conalitution pofesess in Ihern* 
 Reives the power of removing diseasee, as aacribed to thcna 
 by most of the ancient and by some modern physicians ; and 
 concludes the preliminary part of the course with an outline 
 of tJjat preparatory knowledge whicii it is necessary for the 
 physician to possess wLeu lie appiuacLes the bedside of the 
 eick. H 
 
 He next proceeds to a description otthe various diseased 
 to which the iiuman frame is exposed, arranging the whole irt 
 sucli manner as he conceives best calculated to assist the 
 student in acquiring a knowledge of the characters of each> 
 the causes wiiich produce them, and the means to be employ-^ 
 ed for their prevention and cure. With this view, Dr* Hd" 
 BACK distributes diseases into the eight following classes : 
 
 1 . Fehres, (Fevers) embracing the various forma of 
 
 Intermitting, 
 Remitting, and 
 Continued Fevers. 
 
 2. Phlcginasic£i (Inflammationa) containing all diseases ot , 
 an inflammatory nature. 
 
 3. Cutane'i, (diseases of the skin) in which all the cutaDC- 
 dus diseases are arranged agreeably to the orders adopted by 
 Dr. VVillan. 
 
 4. Projluvid, (discharges) including all hemorrhages, afl 
 well as the morbid discharges which take place from the ex- 
 cretory organs of the system. 
 
 5. Supprcssioncs, (suppressions) or those diseases which 
 consist in a suppression or diminution of the natui^l evacua^ 
 lions. 
 
 6. Neuroses, (nervous diseases) embracing all those Whicli 
 more especially reside in the nervous system, including thf 
 various diseases of the mind aa well as those of the bodv. 
 
 TOfc. IT. H 
 
liSa Historical Sketch of the 
 
 7 Cacftexia, (vitiations) the diseases more peculiarif ari- 
 sing from a morbid condition of the fluids of the system ; 
 including those which ari^ie from their redundance either 
 general or partial, as the various forms of dropsy, and those 
 disorders which proceed from a vitiated state of the circu- 
 lating mass. 
 
 8. Locales, (local diseases) containing tumours, disloca- 
 tions, wounds, ulcers, and other diseases usually denominated 
 local. "^ ^ 
 
 Having p'ointed out the objects and advantages of thb no- 
 sological arrangement, the professor proceeds to delineate 
 the various diseases which it comprehends. 
 
 Tiie subject of fevers, which fall under the daily observa- 
 tion of every practitioner, and which derives peculiar im- 
 portance from the epidemics with which the United Statei 
 bave been visited since the year 1791, receives especial no- 
 tice in tliis course. 
 
 When describing the treatment of diseases, Dr. Hosack 
 not only minutely details the remedies to be prescribed, 
 their mode of operation, and the diflereut stages in which 
 . they are severally indicated, but the diet and regimen of the 
 sick, including all those circumstances which have an influ- 
 ence upon the character of diseases and which it is equally 
 the duty of the physician to direct, are also embraced i» 
 this course of Lectures^ 
 
 MIDWIFERy AND THE DISEASES OF WOMEN AKD CHILDREN. 
 
 This course, as taught in the College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons, not only embraces the delivery of women in child- 
 bed, but comprehends the diseases peculiar to pregnancy. 
 
 * For a view of the details of Dr. Hosack'a cla?siGcaUon, see the .Vmcr. Med. 
 and Phil. Reg. vol. ii. p. 270. Its advantages will, on a future occastOD, be pointed 
 out by the author iu a more eatcusive work on this subject. , 
 
College of PhyaicUms and fHiirgcons, Netv-York. 181 
 
 those attendant upon parturition, those which succeed to de- 
 livery connected withthe puerperal stale, and the diseases of 
 early infancy, especially those which occur durint; the month. 
 Tlic lectines on tljis important branch of medical education, 
 are also delivered (at a separate hour) by tlie Professor of the 
 TJieory and Practice of Physic. 
 
 Dr. HosACK commences this course with a description of 
 the bones of the pelvis, noticing their form, situation, di- 
 mensions, connexions with each other, and the other parts 
 of the body, including a comparative view of the dimen- 
 sions and structure of the head of the foetus ; at the same 
 time illustrating, by an extensive collection of preparations, 
 the various deformities of the pelvis, and their elTects upon 
 labour. He next proceeds to a description of the soft parts 
 connected with the pelvis, pointing out their structure, re- 
 lative sllualion, connexion, the changes which take place in 
 consequence of pregnancy, the vessels which supply them 
 and the nerves which are distributed upon them, necessary 
 to be known to the accoucheur. 
 
 Having described the anatomical structure both of the ex- 
 ternal and internal organs of generation, he notices their va- 
 rious functions, tlie diseases to which they are liable, and 
 the treatment they severally demand. The numerous dis- 
 eases connected with menstruation, are particularly treated 
 of in this part of the course. 
 
 The gravid uterus, dtibracing a view of the changes indu- 
 ced by impregnation ; the signs of conception ; the structure 
 and growth of the ovum ; the circulation of the foetus, and 
 that which takes place between the mother and child, comes 
 next under consideration. The changes produced in the 
 system by pregnancy, the diseases attendant upon it, and 
 their mode of treatment, including the premature expulsion 
 of the foetus, and the treatment of those accidents which arcj 
 frequently attendant upon abortion, are then fully detailed 
 
133 Historicnl Sketch of the 
 
 In the second part of the course, the premonitory sign* 
 of labour, tlie chiu)ges which lake jMace during the procesB 
 of parturition, and Die diseases it occasionally produces, are 
 next enumerated. 
 
 Tlie several stages and progress of a natural labour ; the 
 different classes of labours, tlie characteristic symptom! 
 of each, and their peculiar treatment, are then minutely de- 
 scribed and illustrated upon the machine. 
 
 The regimen, or management of women in child-bed, the 
 diseases which are frequently attendant upon, or succeed to 
 parturition, and the diseases of the new-boro infant, consti- 
 tute the third part of tlie course. 
 
 The pupils are then referred to the New-York Lying-in 
 Hospital, and the Lying-in Ward of the Aims-House, where 
 they enjoy abundant opj)ortunities of exemplifying, at the 
 bed-side, the principles they may have acquired. 
 
 The Lectures on the Theory and Practice of Physic are 
 delivered daily throughout the session, and those on Mid- 
 wifery, at a separate hour, three times a week. 
 
 CHEMISTRY. 
 
 The Course of Lectures on Chemistry is delivered by 
 Trofessor AVilliam James M'Neven, M. D. 
 
 Chemistry may be taug!it either by proceeding from tho 
 consideration of simple bodies to that of the combinations 
 which they form, or else by deducing analytically, from the 
 compound body, the more simple elements of which it coa9 
 Bists. Tiie former of those methods has been g-^nerally pre- 
 ferred from tlie time that so many simple substances were 
 developed by means of the modern imj)rovements in thi» 
 science. It is al^o the method followed by the professor of 
 this colleget 
 
College of Physicians and !9iirgeons, New-York. 135 
 
 If compound bodies be first preaenled to llie examination 
 of the learner, his progress is continually interrupted by iiid 
 ignorance of all tlieir coiistiliicnt principles, on which, how- 
 ever, their mutual action and phenomena depend. But such 
 of them as have not been decomposed are, according to the 
 just logic of chemistry, to be deemed elementary for tiie pre- 
 sent ; and, in the stage to which it is now advanced, a clear 
 and accurate demonstration of their properties necessarily 
 forms the basis of the science. By considering these pro- 
 perties, first separately, and next in combination, a know- 
 ledge is acquired of the most complicated phenomena, not 
 only with most facility and precision, but also with the ad- 
 vantage of having constantly in our view the effects of pro- 
 portion and temperature, those predominating agents of all 
 chemical changes. 
 
 Influenced, doubtless, by such considerations, the profes- 
 sor of chemistry first deems it 'proper to point out the ac* 
 tive powers impressed generally upon matter, and then dis- 
 criminates and exemplifies the nature of chemical action. 
 The laws of affinity are followed by those of repulsion, and 
 the forms of this power in electricity, galvanism, caloric, 
 light, receive all the consideration necessary for demonstrat-. 
 ing its most important phenomena during the production of 
 chemical combinations. 
 
 The most simple confineable substance, and at the same 
 time the most powerful chemical agent, comes next under 
 examination, and the student is made acquainted with oxygen. 
 Conformably to the mode adopted in this course, are first 
 shown the combinations of oxygen with simple inflammable 
 substances, the newly-discovered metals being selected for 
 the first examj)le. The metals have a primary interest for 
 the persons who chiefly frequent those lectures, and at the 
 s>ame time this subject connects the finest discoveries of the 
 Rjodcrni with the njost improved part of ancient chemistry. 
 
1 34 nistorical Sketch of the 
 
 But a principal motive with llic professor for the early intr«T 
 duction of this part of the matter of liis lectures, and the 
 adoption of Uiis arrangement, arises from its reserving a great 
 portion of the inlerest of pneumatic experiments to be dif- 
 fused over the remoter parts of his course, when, perhaps 
 the application of his auditors begins to slacken, and thej 
 have most need of being amused while they are instructed. 
 
 The consideration of the newly-discoveied nietah neces- 
 sarily brings on that of the alkalis and earths, but though it 
 is shown that these are metallic oxydes, yet since they have 
 strong peculiarilies, and are extremely active in their chemi- 
 cal agencies, it is thought advisable to preserve in some naea- 
 sure the ancient distinction, and consider ihem as a separate 
 order in their power of neutralizing acids, and forming saline 
 compounds. 
 
 Ammonia is connected with the metallic oxydes by con- 
 taining oxygen, and is strictly connected with the alkalis by 
 itS properties ; at tiie same time that, from the nature of 
 its compound base, it introduces the consideration of other 
 simple substances. These are nitrogen and hydrogen, of 
 which the examination naturally succeeds. 
 
 The union of oxygen with nitrogen forms atmospheric air, 
 of which the chemical and physical properties are now inves- 
 tigated. A varied proportion of the same elements pro- 
 duces other important combinations, sucli as the nitrous ox- 
 yde and the nitric acid. Sec. The constituent principles of 
 the metallic, alkaline, and earthy nitrates having been iii- 
 therto examined, the combinations themselves are at this pe- 
 riod easily understood. 
 
 The union of oxygen w^ith hydrogen forms water, and wa- 
 ter is again resolved into its elements by various processes 
 of nature and art. These important phenomena are de- 
 tailed ; the nature of congelation, fluidity, vaporization, and 
 latent heat is then fully developed. * 
 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New- York. ISO 
 
 The union of oxygen with c^rbone, sulphur, pliospho- 
 rus, ice. is productive of an highly important class of acids, 
 «iid these enter into an ecjiially ifnportaiit order of combina- 
 tions. Ti/ey now find their place in a connected series. 
 
 After those acids of well known composition are placed 
 the muriatic, tiie fluoric, and boracic acids, on the constitu- 
 tion of which tliere hang as yet some doubts and uncertainty. 
 But in all cases their combination with the substances alrea- 
 dy known is exiiibited to the student. 
 
 The chemical physiology of vegetables opens a different, 
 a new, and a very interesting field, as well to the philosophi- 
 cal chemist as to the student of medicine. In this, which 
 may be called tiie second part of the course, their proximate 
 principles and combinations are duly considered. 
 
 The examination of animal substances is reserved to the 
 latter part of these lectures. It takes up the varieties of 
 animal matter, their chemical properties and combinations: 
 It treats of those animal functions which may be illustrated 
 by chemistry, and it concludes with the spontaneous changes 
 which animal bodies undergo. 
 
 % 
 
 OF THE GENERAL AGENTS OF CHEMICAL ACTION. 
 
 Of Chemical Attraction, and the Laws of Chemical 
 Changes. 
 
 Of Repulsion. — Electrical repulsion and attraction, and 
 their relation to chemical changes ; galvanic repulsion and 
 attraction, and their relation to chemical changes ; calorific 
 repulsion ; temperature and tlie instruments for measuring 
 it ; expansion by caloric ; specific caloric of bodies ; quan- 
 tity of caloric evolved by combustion ; the motion and com- 
 munication of caloric; the temperature of the atmosphere. 
 
 Oj LiglU, and its operation in producing cheroical 
 thanjres. 
 
i 36 Historical Sketch of the 
 
 Of Oxygen, and its combination nith simple inftamma- 
 lie Lu(li(.<. — 1st. With the mftals that produce alkalis. 
 
 With Potassium. — Melliodd of obtaining potassium ; pro- 
 perties of potassium ; faydrat of potassa ; subcarbonate of po- 
 tassa ; methods of obtaining the hydrat and subcarbonate ; ex- 
 perimental proofs of the properties of potassium and polasia. 
 
 If'ith Sodivm. — Methods of obtaining sodium ; properties 
 of sodium ; pure soda ; hydrat of soda ; oxyde of sodium ; 
 ■ubcarbonate of soda and their properties. 
 
 2d. The combination of oxygen nilh the metals that pro^ 
 iuce alkaline earths. 
 
 Tf'ilh Barium. — Metlicds of obtaining barium ; baryta and 
 hydrat of baiyla; methods of obtaining hydrat of baryta; 
 •alts of baryta; bary tic mixtures. 
 
 U'ilh Calcium. — 3Ietliods of obtaining calcium ; proper- 
 ties of calcia and liydrat of calcia; causticliy ; preparation 
 of mortar and cements; calcareous mixtures. 
 
 With Magnesium.-^yieiiiod of obtaining magnesia ; pro- 
 perties of magnesia : salts of magnesia ; magnesian mixtuies. 
 
 With Aluminum. — Method of obtaining alumina ; proper- 
 ties of alumina; gems, pottery, porcelain, chinawail ; ala- 
 minoiis mixtures. 
 
 With Silicum. — 3Iethod of obtaining silica ; properties of 
 silica ; glass ; silicious misturei. 
 
 With Strontium. 
 
 With Zircaniunu 
 
 With Ittrium. 
 
 With Glncinum. 
 
 3d. Of tiie combinaiion of oxygen with the mdals thtU. 
 produce oxydes. 
 
 Oxyde of Manganese, gray, black. — Mineralogical history 
 of manganese ; analysis of the ores of manganese ; pqjper- 
 ties and uses of the oxyde of manganese ; method of ob- 
 taining manganeie. 
 
College of Phi/.ficians and burgeons, New-York. 137 
 
 Oxyde of Zinc^ co/a^nme.— Miueralogical history ortinc j 
 analysis of ores of zinc ; methods of obtaining zinc; proper- 
 ties and economic uses of zinc ; medicinal uses of the oxyde 
 and salts of zinc. 
 
 Oxjide of Tin, tinstone, wood-tin ore. — Mineralogical his- 
 tory of tin ; analysis of ores of tin ; method of obtaining 
 tin ; properties and economic uses of tin ; medicinal uses of 
 tin. 
 
 Oxyde of Iron ; magnetic iron stone, magnetical pyrileSf 
 loadstone, specular iron ore, hematites. — Mineralogical histo- 
 ry of iron ; sulphurets of iron ; carburets of iron ; argilla- 
 ceous ^ron ores ; analysis of ores of iron ; properties of iron ; 
 properties of steel ; method of converting iron into steel ; 
 economic uses of iron and steel ; medicinal uses aad prepara- 
 tions of iron. 
 
 Oxyde of Copper, mountain blue. — Mineralogical history 
 of copper ; analysis of ores of copper ; properties of cop- 
 per; economic uses of copper; medicinal preparations and 
 salts of copper. 
 
 Oxyde of Lead, red-lead ore. — Mineralogical history of 
 lead ; analysis of ores of lead ; method of obtaining lead ; 
 properties of lead ; medicinal preparations of lead. 
 
 Oxyde of Antimony, the gray ore. — Mineralogical history 
 of antimony ; analysis of ores of antimony ; properties of 
 antimony ; medicinal preparations of antimony. 
 
 Oxyde of Bismuth, bismuth ochre. — Mineralogical history 
 of bismuth ; analysis <ff ores of bismuth ; properties of bis- 
 muth ; medicinal preparations of bismuth. 
 
 Oxyde of Cobalt, black cobalt ojf . — Mineralogical histo- 
 ry of cobalt ; analysis of ores of cobalt ; properties of cobalt ; 
 «;conomIc uses of cobalt. 
 
 Oxyde of Mercury, native, — 3Iineralogical history of mer- 
 cury ; analysis of ores of mercury ; properties of mercury ; 
 
 TOL. IV. S 
 
138 Historical Sktlch of Iht 
 
 ned^mal preparations of mefcury ; method of detecting 
 mercurial poisons ; economic uses of mercury. 
 
 Oxyde of Silver, caUiform silver ore. — Mineralogical his- 
 tory of silver ; extraction of silver ; analysis of ores of sil- 
 TCr; properties of silver ; silvering; plating; method of se- 
 parating silver from copper; medicinal preparations of sil- 
 ver. 
 
 Gold. — Mineralogical history of gold; analysis of ores of 
 gold ; properties of gold ; gilding ; plating ; cupellation ; 
 medicinal preparations of gold. 
 
 Platina. — Mineralogical history of platina ; propertie* 
 and uses of platina; method of obtaining pure plating 
 
 Tellurium. — Mineralogical history of, &c. The same of 
 Nickel; Uranium; Osmium; Tungsten; Titanium; Co- 
 lumbium; Cerium; Palladium; Iridium; Rhodium. 
 
 4th. Of the combination of oxygen with the metals that 
 produce acids. 
 
 Oxyde of Arsenic^ native. — Mineralogical history of ar- 
 senic ; analysis of ores of arsenic ; proj)erties of arsenic ; 
 method of detecting arsenical poison ; medicinal preparations 
 of arsenic. 
 
 Oxyde of Chrome. — Mineralogical history of chrome ; 
 analysis of ores of chrome ; properties of chrome ; chro- 
 mates. 
 
 Molybdena, Src 
 
 Of Oxygen in combination with hydrogen and nitro- 
 gen. • 
 
 Ammonia. — Methods of obtaining ^monia; propertie* 
 of ammonia. 
 
 Of Oxyiren in combmation with nitrogen only. — Atmos- 
 pheric air; analysis of; its chemical and physical properties; 
 nitrous gas ; nitrous oxyde ; nitric acid ; eudiometry ; ni- 
 trates. 
 
Collefre of Physicians and Surgeens, New-York. 139 
 
 Of Oxygen niilh hydrotren only. — Water, Id the state of 
 ice ; in the fluid slate ; in the state of gas. 
 
 Of Oxyirm in combination with carbon. — Carbonic ox- 
 yde: carbonic acid ; carbonates. 
 
 Of Oxy^vn in combination with sulphur, — Sulphurous ox- 
 yde ; sulphurous acid ; sulphuric acid; sulphates; sulphites; 
 rulphurets ; sulphuric a- ther. 
 
 Of Oxygen in combination with phosphorus. — Phosplio- 
 rus acid ; phosphoric acid ; phosphates ; phosphites ; phoB- 
 phurets. 
 
 Of Hydrogen, and its combination with simple inflam- 
 mables. 
 
 Of Hydrogen in combination with carbon. — defiant gas ; 
 carburated hydrogen. 
 
 Of Hydrogen in combination xf'iih sulphur. — Sulphurated 
 hydrogen ; hydrosulphurets ; supersulphnrated hydrogen, 
 and its compounds. « 
 
 Of Hydrogen in combinatioQ* with phosphorus. — Phos- 
 phorated hydrogen gas. 
 
 Of Muriatic Acid. — Muriates ; met|Jic, alkaline, earthy. 
 
 Of Chlorine. — Hyperoxy muriates ; alkaline, earthy, bleach- 
 lug. 
 
 Of Fluoric Acid. — Fluates ; metallic, akaline, earthy. 
 
 Of Boracic Acid. — Borates; metallic, alkaline, earthy. 
 Of the Chemical Physiology of Vegetables, 
 
 Of Vegetation. — Germination; the food of plants ; mo- 
 tion of the sap ; functions of the leaves. 
 
 Of the proximate principles of Vegetables. — Of gum ; of 
 fecula ; sugar ; honey ; gluten ; gelatine ; caoutchouc ; bird- 
 lime ; wax ; fixed oil ; volatile oil ; camphor ; resin ; gum- 
 resin ; balsam ; extract. 
 
 Of Tannin. — Preparation of tannin ; combination of tannia 
 with gelatin ; — tanning ; — with alkalis ; with earths ; with 
 oxydes j with acids ; species of tannin. 
 
140 Historical SkiicJi of the 
 
 Of Gallic Acid. — Preparation of gallic acid ; propcrtici 
 of gallic acid ; gallates. 
 
 Of Pntssic Acid. — Preparation of prussic acid ; proper- 
 ties of prussic acid; prussiates. 
 
 Of Citric Acid. — Preparation of citric acid ; properties 
 of citrid acid ; citrates. 
 
 Of Malic Acid. — Preparation of malic acid ; properties 
 of malic acid ; malates. 
 
 Of Ox.alic Acid. — Preparation of oxalic acid ; properties 
 of oxalic acid ; oxalates. 
 
 Of Tartaric Acid. — Preparation of tartaric acid ; proper- 
 ties of tartaric acid ; tartrites. 
 
 Of Acetic Acid. — Preparation of acetic acid ; properties 
 of acetic acid ; medicated vinegars ; acetites ; acetic aether. 
 
 Of ike formation of Animal Substances, and of Animal 
 Products. — Of the blood; of the chyle ; of the Ijniph, sa- 
 liva, pancreatic and gast#ic fluids ; of the bile and biliary 
 calculi; of urine, urea, afid urinary calculi; of fibrin; of 
 skin, celular fibre, membrane, tendon, ligament, cartilage, 
 bone, and shell. 
 
 Of the Functions of Animals. — Of digestion ; of respira- 
 tion ; of assimilation ; of the decomposition of animal bodies. 
 
 The Lectures on Chemistry are delivered four times a 
 week throughout the session. 
 
 KATURAL HISTORY. 
 
 The subjects of this extensive course are divided by 
 Professor Mitchill into distinct heads, after the following 
 arrangement : He begins with the history of the earth, as a 
 planet or integrant portion of the universe. I. It is divided 
 into four parts : 1. Cosmogony, embracing the doctrines re- 
 lative to the origin of the world. 2. Geognosif, or the ac- 
 count of the changes it has undergone in the chaotic stale. 
 
College of Physkinns and Snr<feons, New-YorL'. I II 
 
 during the deluge, and aincc that event. Its constituent 
 jmrts viewed under five divisions ; (a) Primaeval, or sucii as 
 were formed at the creation, or deposited from chaos imme- 
 diately after, such as syenite, topaz rock, (jtiarlz-rock, pri:ni- 
 tive (lint, slate granite, gneiss, micaceous slalc, argillaceous 
 slate, serpentine, witli primitive lime-stone, gypsum, and 
 trapp. {()) Traiisifiont or such as were formed when a fur- 
 ther subsidence from the original medley of things took 
 place, of which, transitioa-lime-stone and trapp, gray wacke, 
 flinty slate, and transition gypsum, are examples : (c) Flat 
 or secondary, to wit, sand stone, low stratiGed lime-stone, 
 gypsum and trapp, rock-salt, chalk, and coal : (</) Alluvial, 
 formed more recently still by settlement from water, consti- 
 tuting the bottoms of valleys and level spaces between moun- 
 tains, as well as the chief constituents of widely extended 
 plains, (e) Volcanic, or the pro ^ucts of subterraneous fire, 
 comprehending lava, slag, ashes, scoriae, ^c. In this ar- 
 rangement, he follows the system of the distinguished Ger- 
 man, Professor Werner. He is a firm Neptunian, and ex- 
 amines at great length, the operation of water in giving con- 
 figuration of the globe. 3. Mineral ogical Chemistry, or an 
 explanation of the properties of matter, attractive and re- 
 pulsive, by which its different forms and modifications are 
 effected. 4. Physical Geography, or an account of the ac- 
 tual condition of the globe, as to land and water, mountain 
 and valley, continent and island, mine and surface. This 
 section of the course is denominated Geology. 
 
 II. The history of light, as the most copious of created 
 existences, and occupying the widest space in the universe. 
 It is considered as a body rendered fluid by means of heat ot 
 caloric, like other bodies, and like them, giving out its heat 
 on its decomposition. A review is given of the modern dis- 
 coveries by Bancroft, Herschell, Ritter, and AVolIaston, 
 rendering it necessary to enlarge and reform tjie doctrines 
 
 I 
 
1 42 Uhiorkal Hkdch of Iht 
 
 of Newton, and inclining bim to the lielief, that the sub- 
 beam consists of two ingredients, colour and mloric. 
 TIence is deduced a tJieory of colour and heat as evolved 
 from light by its decomposition, and iniparling to every thing 
 its proper hue and temperature. White is considered • 
 chemical, and black a mechanical assemblage of all colours ; 
 and Rnniford's considcnttions on the black clothing, furs and 
 skins of animals, and on the black coating of other bodies in 
 relation to heat, are exhibited to strengthen this argument. 
 The analogy between light and sound is traced, to show the 
 doctrine embraced by some, that impulse or vibration may 
 be of great efficacy in bringing about the phenomena of 
 light. This part of the course is termed Pliotolos^i/. 
 
 III. Heat is next considered, and its natural history at- 
 tempted. A great source of it is the sun-beam, or chemical 
 compound of colour and light. Another copious source of 
 it is the oxygenous fluid of tiie atmosphere, or phos-oxyge- 
 Bous gas as it ought to be called. If the sun-beam Ijecomes 
 associated with oxygen, it forms the compound, erroneously 
 called oxygenous air. It is really a solution of oxygen in 
 fluid light, and on the resolution of this compound into its 
 constituent parts, heat, light, oxygen and colour come forth. 
 After considering the mechanical and chemical tijeories of 
 fire, a preference is given to Pictet's arrangement of the facts 
 under four heads, to wit, the free, latent, specific, and fixed 
 forms of heat. Its effects are considered as producing con- 
 traction, expansion, liquidity, fluidity, fusion, and as the 
 great stimulus to vegetable and animal life. The plutonic 
 hypothesis is examined and rejected. This branch of the 
 course is called Pyruloffy. 
 
 IV. The history of water is the next subject of Profes- 
 sor Mitchill's discussion. It is the great agent in effecting 
 the changes the earth has undergone. The proofs arc sta- 
 ted of its having covered the moantaius, and of its separatioa 
 
College of Physicians and Sturgeons, Xew-Vork. 143 
 
 Croni the materials with which it was anciently blended, 
 forming thereby the stratification illustrated under the head of 
 Geology. Reasons for supposing the waters of the globq to 
 have undergone a diminution ; 1. In tlie formation of CTrys- 
 talline bodies ; 2. In the constitution of the atmosphere ; 3% 
 In the formation of plants ; and, 4. In the organization of 
 animals. By these processes, an immcnsily of the water 
 which existed at the flood is converted into solid forms, an4 
 a correspondent shrinkin?; of the ocean lias ensued. In these 
 natural and easy ways, is tjie problem solved, which the in- 
 genious Jamieson gives up in despair, that is, what has be- 
 come of the surplus water that once deludgcd the world ? 
 The primitive inundation having thus subsided, the question 
 is examined, whether the quantity of water is yet diminishing, 
 as some of the modern philosophers think ; considerations are 
 ofTered in favour of such a belief, in consequence whereof, 
 preparation is making for the final consummation of terresr 
 trial affairs by fire. Waters apparently rushed from the 
 south, according to Kirwan's doctrine. Questionable whe- 
 ther water can be decomposed as the fashionable chemists 
 think, and whether it is not an element, as the ancients and 
 Priestley contended. It is divisible into three historical 
 section. 1. Salt water, such as saline or briny fountains, 
 the ocean, the Mediterranean, Euxine, Caspian, and Judean 
 seas ; and the Nitrian and Mexican lakes. 2. Fresh water, 
 such as the fluid of rain, dew, snow, and hail ; spring or 
 fountain water ; river water, and the liquid of the great 
 American lakes, as well as of many more inland collections 
 of water. 3. IMineral water, such as the acidulous springs 
 of Ballstown, charged with carbonic acid ; the sulphureous 
 springs of Cliflon, in Ontario county, exhaling hepatic gas, 
 tnd deposing brimstone ; the thermous springs of Lebanon, 
 which are of a temperature fitting them for an exquisite bath; 
 tlie chalybeaite sprinjii of many places in our granite cou»« 
 
144 Tlislorical Sketch of the 
 
 try. These inquiries, with a multitude of explanations con- 
 cerning tides, currents, alhivions, and solutions, are distin- 
 guished hy tl;c title of Hj/drolnnry. 
 
 V. The globe having been thus viewed, as to its geologi- 
 cal structure, the effects wrought upon il by light, heat, and 
 colours, and lastly, in respect to the alterations it has sus- 
 tained by means of water, the next view taken of it relates 
 to its atmosphere. The idea of Lavoisier is here adopted, 
 that every thing which the heat of its surface can convert 
 to air or gas, makes a portion of the sphere of vapours en- 
 circling our planet. The views of Professor Mitchill, re- 
 lative to the atmosphere, with a theory of the winds, and an 
 abundance of other particulars, are summed up under the 
 name of Aerology. 
 
 VI. Mineralogy is the sixth division of the subject, and 
 comprehends the classification and particular description of 
 those substances that were mentioned in a general and com- 
 prehensive way, under the head of Geology. On account of 
 the very recent discoveries, which have enriched and en- 
 nobled science. Professor IMitchill has found himself obliged 
 ftb discard the quadruple arrangement of minerals, by Berg- 
 man, into earths, metals, salts, and inflanjmables. Although 
 this distribution had received the respectable sanction of 
 Cronsledt, Magellan, Kirwan, and the chief of the modern 
 worthies who have cultivated an acquaintance with fossils, 
 yet its incompatibility with the present state of facts and 
 observations render it absolutely improper to adhere to it 
 any longer. TJiat fourfold classification, was the most scien- 
 tific and luminous that had been thought of, and was well 
 worthy of the fond reception it met with. But it is now 
 time to change it for a better ; for one which is framed and 
 erected on the actual relations of minerals, as now under- 
 stood. The arrangement he proposes is grounded on his 
 swn views of this department of knowledge, and on the 
 
CoUe^eof Physicians and Surgeons, New-York. 14& 
 
 j)ene t rating; iliscoyeries of Professor Davy. Tlie promiiicuL 
 features of Micsc joint and concurring testimonies are, the 
 relations wliicii mineral, and especially metallic bodies, have 
 to Phluiyislon, and to Oxi/iren: (o which may be added, 
 their relations to Siiljjliin; to each other, and lo Acids. 
 
 1. Tiie first class comprehends minerals, as combined wilk 
 phlogiston, (or hydrogen.) Among these are the metals in 
 tJieir reduced aitdr, as it is Icrrjied ; that is, the one in which 
 they possess splendour, malleability, and ductility: sulphur, 
 in its ordinary condition ; coal, when affording flame as it 
 consumes ; phospliorus, when burning with blaze : among the 
 metals, it is projier to observe, that potash, soda, ammoniac, 
 lime, barytes, magnesia, alumina, and silex, are reckoned, as 
 well as the substances heretofore ranked as metals. 
 
 2. In the second class are contained minerals, as combin- 
 ed with oxygen. All metallic oxyds and acids are compre- 
 hended in this division ; such as those of lead, iron. Sec. as 
 commonly received, and likewise, the alkaline salts and 
 earths, argillaceous and siliceous earths, &.c. in their state* 
 wherein they commonly exist, making tl>e principal and solid 
 materials of the globe. Modern science has demonstrated 
 that these are chiefly metallic oxyds. The oxyds of car- 
 bone come under this head ; including all the modifications 
 of incombustible coal. 
 
 3. Minerals united to sulphur, make the third class; con- 
 stituting all manner of pyrital combinations ; all sulphur* 
 and sulphurets ; and iu short, every one of the nnmeroui 
 combinations, denominated Ores, by intervention of brim 
 stone. 
 
 4. Amalgams and Alloys form the fourth class of mineral 
 bodies. They comprehend all the mixtures of metallic sub- 
 stances with each other. Tlius glass is an alloy of two me- 
 tals, potash and Hint ; stone-ware an alloy of clay, flint, and 
 iron, under other modifications ; and the like applies to bricks, 
 
 XOh. IV, T 
 
146 Historical Sketch of the 
 
 tiles, and other mixtures, heretofore deemed earths, but now 
 siiown to be metals. All the alloys of the metals, as usually 
 understood, such as the mixtures of gold and silver, &,c. 
 with copper, mercury Nic. come under tiiis head, of course. 
 .'). Minerals, as related to acids, make a fifth class. Of 
 these, the acetates of lead and copper, forming the sacclia- 
 rum saturni, and verdigris of the sliops, are examples ; as 
 are also tlie sulphates of iron, zinc, lime, barytes, soda, pot- 
 ash, and in short the entire section of the salia acido-metal- 
 lica. 
 
 VII. Boianij is the next division of this course. It com- 
 prises all the vegetables which overspread the face of the 
 earth, under two great aspects. 1. Their history as indivi- 
 duals of the animated creation, including their origin from 
 seeds and germs, through the whole of their increase to their 
 inflorescence and fructification, and the formation of seeds 
 and germs again. This comprehends their anatomical, phy- 
 siological, pathological, and economical character and uses. 
 2. Their Classification ; which being explained according to 
 the Sexual or Linnaean arrangement, is too well understood 
 to be here enlarged upon. In his illustrations of this part of 
 the course, the professor avails himself of the advautages af- 
 forded by the State Botanic Garden. 
 
 VIII. In his Zoology, Professor JVIitchill follows tlie 
 plan of Cuvier, as explained and detailed by Dumeril. The 
 distribution of tiie animal race into the nine classes of Mam- 
 malia, birds, reptiles, fishes, molluscas, Crustacea, insectsi, 
 worms, and zoophytes, seemed preferable to any other, be- 
 cause it embraces both their anatomical structure and their 
 external characters. For, by thus seizing all the points of 
 resemblance wliich the outward form and inward organization 
 afford, animals of similar natures may be grouped together ; 
 while by noting all the circumstances of discriminatiorr^ 
 that external and internal marks present, the creatures of 
 dissimilar configuration and appearance may be kept asaoeki'. 
 
tloUegc of Physicians and Surgeons, New-York. I Ay 
 
 Xn this copious and fertile field of discussion, the human race 
 is considered. lie distributes the single species, man, as 
 descended from the first original pair, into six races: 1. The 
 Caucasian or European. 2. Hyperborean or Laplander. 
 .*}. The Mongol or Tartar. 4. Tije American ; that is, the 
 South American. .0. The Mahiy or Philippine ; and 6. The 
 Ethiopian or Negro. As to the Aborigines of North Ame- 
 rica, he considers them as composed chiefly of two races : 
 Ihe Hyperborean, No. 2. which came in by the route of 
 Greenland, and the arctic regions from the east : and of the 
 Tartar, No. 3. which entered by the way of Alaska, Trom 
 the west. And he supposes that tlie genuine American 
 form and feature, are only to be found in the souths 
 
 IX. The ninth and last division ef this course, is termed 
 limnology. As in the former sections, terrestrial objects 
 are treated of at great lengtli ; so in this, it is intended to ex- 
 hibit what is known of the Heavens. It is comprehended 
 Under three heads, to wit : 1. The history of the Coperni- 
 can system ; comprehending the sun, the planets, satellites, 
 asteroids, and comets : 2. An account of the sidereal sys- 
 tem, or of the fixed stars which constitute the celestial fir- 
 mament, of worlds innumerable, distributed through immea- 
 surable space, according to Herschell's researches : and, 3. 
 The way in which stars were, among the pastoral tribes of 
 Asia, parcelled into constellations ; and particularly how, for 
 the purpose of tracing and describing in a clearer manner 
 the sun's course along the ecliptic, the zodiac was invented. 
 Dr. MiTCHiLL concludes with the history of the twelve 
 signs ; and professes his endeavour to infuse in his dis- 
 courses, as much as he possibly can, of the spirit which ani- 
 mates the writings of Ray, Derham, Smellie, Fontenelle, 
 Pluche, and Saint Pierre. 
 
 The Lectures on Natural History, commence the be- 
 ginning of May, and are delirereil daily far nearly tliree 
 months. 
 
143 flisloyical Sketch offUr 
 
 CHARTER OF THE COLLEGE, 
 
 TV'hbbeas since the establislimeot of tlie Collecf op Phtsi- 
 fiiANs AND Surgeons, of this slate, by charter, dated March the 
 Iwelfil), one thonsanrl cijht luindred and seven, it has brfii found 
 necessary at several times to ahcr and ammd the said charier: 
 And whereas il lias now become expedient for the belter govern- 
 ment of the said Collcj^e to collect into one, the original and supple- 
 Dientaiy charters, and to amend the same so as to give greHter sta- 
 bility and respectability to that institution ; Therefore be it ordain- 
 ed, by virtue of the act, eiitilh d, " An Act to cnnble the Regent* 
 of the University to establish a College of Physicians an» 
 SouctEons within this state," passed the 24th of March, 1791, and 
 Ave do by these presents ordain, grant, and declare, Tfiat all such 
 persons named iu the original charier, who did, according to an 
 ordinance passed by us the Regents of the University of the state 
 of New-York on the 3d day of March, 1808, declare in writing, 
 (oh or before the first day of May, iu the year 1808,) their acccpl- 
 aoce of the appointment of member or trustee of the said College; 
 and that they would each of them, to the best of their abilities, en- 
 deavour to promote the usefulness of the said College, and faith- 
 fully execute the duties required of them respectively as membetv 
 or trustees of the said College, together v,i(h Smmtel Bard, Ben- 
 jamin De fVitl, John Augiistinc Smith, David Hosack, William 
 James M' IS even, Samuel L. Mitchell, John D. Jaques, Thomas 
 Addis Emmcl, Lt/man Spalding, Andrew Morton, Andrew Hunt, 
 and Joseph Blood^ood, be, and hereby are constituted a body cor- 
 porate and politic, iu fact and in name, by the name of the " Col- 
 lege of Physicians andSuugeons in the city of New- York."* 
 And that they and their successors shall have perpetual succession, 
 and by that name shall be iu law capable to sue and be sued, plead, 
 and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be 
 defended in all courts and places, and in all matters and cause* 
 Avhatsoever; and to purchase, take, hold, and enjoy, and have 
 lands, tenements and hereditaments, and real estate in fee simple 
 or for term of years, or lives, or any other manner whatsoever ; and 
 also good?, chattels, books, money and all other things of w hat na» 
 
College of Physicians and Sturgeons^ Neiv-Y'ork. 149 
 
 fure soever : Provided ahrm/s, tliat such estate, as well real as pcr- 
 «onaI, which the said College is and hereby are authorized to hold, 
 shall not exceed the sum of one hundred and filt) thousand tlol- 
 lars, current money of this state; and that the merahers or trustees 
 of the said Colle;;e shall have a common seal, and may alter and 
 renew the same at pleasure. And be it further ordained, {^ranted, 
 and declared, that Samuel Bard, Lcnjamin Dc H'iU, John Augus- 
 tine Smith, David Hoak, William James M'Ncvcn, Samuel L. 
 Mitchi.'l, John D. Jaques, Thomas Addis Emmet, Li/man Spatdingy 
 Andrew Morton, Andrew Hunt, and Joseph Bloodgood, and such 
 other persons as we or our successors may licreaftcr appoint, pro- 
 vided i\\Q whole number shall not at any time exceed tweutylive, 
 shall be trustees of the said College of Physicians and Sur- 
 geons, and that a majority of their whole number at any time re- 
 sident in the city of New- York, shall form a quorum for the trans- 
 action of business, and shall and may meet together on the first 
 Tuesday iu May, and on the first Tuesdays in August, Novem- 
 ber and February iu every year, and that on the days of these an- 
 niversary and quarterly meetings, but at no other time, the> , the 
 said trustees, may enact such by-laws, rules and regulations relative 
 to the affairs and property of the said College, and relative to the 
 duties of their president, vice-president, professors, treasurer, re- 
 gistrar, and other members as they, or a majority of them bo met at 
 such annual or quarterly meetings, may think fit and propei : Pro- 
 i>ided, that such by-laws, rules and regulations be not contrary to, 
 or inconsistent with the constitution and laws of this state or the 
 United Slates ; and such by-laws, rules, and regulations, having 
 first received our consent and approbation, and confirmation, shall 
 be and remain the by-law?, rules, and regulations by which the 
 said College shall be governed, and shall not be annulled, abro- 
 gated, or repealed but by and with the consent of the majority of 
 the trustees of the said College, and by ami with the approbation 
 of us the said Regents. And the Registrar of the said College 
 shall provide a book in which he shall make an entry of all the 
 resolutions and proceedings which may be had from time to time, 
 ■jijd also the anuuul reports relative to llni -:tate of Hie treasury. 
 
m 
 
 1 jO Historical Sketch of Uie 
 
 and all such ollior tiling's as a majoiity of ihc tmstccs of the Col- 
 lege assembled, sli:ill think proper; lo which any me mbcr of the 
 Coll(;ge may at any lime have recourse : and the same, together with 
 all books, papers, and reconls which may be in the hands of the 
 registrar, and be the propeily of the College, shall be delivered to 
 bis successor in office. And the treasurer of the said College stial 
 receive and be accountable for all monies which shall come iuto his 
 hands, and shall pay the same in such manner as may be directed 
 by a majority of the board of trustees, convened at their aoniver- 
 sary or quarterly meetings, and by a warrant for that purpose sign- 
 ed by the president or vice president. And he it htrdty Jurther 
 erdaineil, granted, and declared by us, that the trustees of the said 
 College shall, as far as ihey arc able at all times, provide suitable 
 apartments or lecturing rooms for all such professors a? shall here- 
 after be appointed by us in and for the said College, vhich Pro- 
 fessors shall have the stile and title of Professors of the University 
 of the state of IsTew-York, for the College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons : and that all the members of the said College shall be 
 privileged at all times to attend, inspect, and notice all lectures 
 or other modes of teaching by Professors in the said Colh^ge, ap- 
 pointed by us ; and that io case of the death, or resignation of any 
 professorship, or other vacancy in the said College, a majority of 
 the trustees, at any of their meetings, may appoint lecturers in any 
 branch of medicine, or of the sciences connected thercvrilh, until 
 such time as our pleasure be known respecting the same, or a pro- 
 fessor be appointed by us. And be it hereby further ordained^ 
 granted, and declared, that the board of trustees of the said Col- 
 lege, as well as the subordinate board of President and Professors, 
 shall carry and put into effect all our ordinances respecting the 
 said College, as well with respect to education as all other matters 
 and ihiugs, afid shall pay due attention to establishing and pre- 
 serving, for the use of the said College, an anatomical museum, 
 chemical apparatus, and botanical garden, and shall make an an- 
 nual report to us in writing, or to the Chancellor of the University, 
 in the month of January, in every year, respecting the luuds and 
 property of the said College, and all matters and things relative 
 
College of Physicums and Stire^eons, New-York. 151 
 
 to the said Collogc and the Sliidoiils and Proft^ssnrs llineof. And 
 he ii further ordained. That the President or VicoPrcsidrut, or in 
 the absence of both, the sonlor Professors, anrl any iluce of ihe 
 trustees, may at any time call a mrriinj; of the trustees of the said 
 College for the transaction of ordinary business, by givin"; id 
 ■ li ing, to each Iriistrc, who shall bo in the city of IV(;wYork, 
 J)i« e days notice of the time and place of holding the said meet- 
 ing; and that five of the said trustees so met, (of whicli the Presi- 
 dent, Vice-President, or senior Professor shall always he one,) shall 
 be a quorum. And be itjurthcr ordained. That Hamuel Bard, !M. D. 
 shitU be President of the said College; and that Benjamin De 
 rrV/f, M. D. shall be Vice President ; and \h^i John Au<i;itsline 
 Shirth^ M. D. shall be Professor of Anatomy, Surgery, and lMi>si- 
 ology ; and tliat David Hosack, M. D. shall be Professor of the 
 Tlieory and Practice of Physic and Clinical Mrdicine ; and 
 that William James M'Neven, M. D. shall be Professor of Chemis- 
 try ; and ihat Sa7nuel L. MitcUll, M. D. shall be Professor of Na- 
 tural History ; and that JohnD. Jaqves, shall be Treasurer; and 
 that Jo/t/i W. Francis, M. D. shall be Registrar of the said College, 
 and accordingly they are hereby respectively appointed to the 
 stations and offices as annexed to their names. And we do further 
 ordain, give, and grant to the said College, that we will constitute 
 and appoint no new Professorship in the said College, or abrogate 
 or annul any of the present Professorships, nor remove either of the 
 Professors of the said College now appointed or to be hereafter ap- 
 pointed, until notice shall have been given to the board of trus- 
 tees of such intended new appointment, or abrojjation, or to the per- 
 son intended to be removed, of such intended removal, at least one 
 month before such intention shall be carried it)to effect. And be 
 it further ordained, That it shall be the duly ol the President and 
 Professors of the University for the College of Physicians 
 AND Surgeons, at any ordinary meetings appointed for that ex- 
 press purpose, and of which meeting the trustees of the said Col- 
 lege shall have notice and may attend, to examine all candi<latC8 
 for the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the said College, and to 
 recommend from lime to lime such students as a majority of the 
 Ijtisices present shall deem qnalilicd and worthy to receive the 
 
I.jC JUstorical Skelchy ^-c. 
 
 degree of Doctor of .^Icdiciuc. And llic Regents do hereby f^yr 
 and prant to the said College, that they will lake into coiisii 
 tioii the propijety of giaatiiig diplomas, for conferring tlie <'i 
 of Doctor nf Medicine upoD such students as shall be so i< 
 mended, and to none other of the sludcois of the said C» I 
 Finally, Ji'e Jo ordavi, grant, and declare, that the said tui 
 fellows, and memtxirs of tlie College op Physicians and h' k- 
 GEONsin the city of New-York, and their successors forcv< r, ' 
 enjoy all the corporate rights, privileges, and ininmuiiies uhiti 
 liereby granted : And that the by-laws, ordinances, and regulatiuns 
 heretofore passed by us, and ordained, and which not having U-^a 
 repealed, and which are not repealed by this charier, but are imw 
 in force, shall continue to be the by laws, ordinances, and reg>ii:i 
 tions for the government of the said College, until they shal. •< 
 repealed, or new ones ordained, according to the tenor and t (ii- 
 nances of this charter ; and all other laws, ordinances, and regu) • 
 lions, and all former charters or supplementary charters grantee' by 
 us to the said College of Physicians and Sirgkons arehei- 1 f 
 repealed. 
 
 And be it further orfhiiud. That the members of ihe said ■- ! 
 lege, who arc not by this charier constituted trustees, shall be J'c- 
 lows, and that the trustees shall have power to elect fellow*- <.r 
 membei-s of the said College, who shall at all times have the pii' 1- 
 lege of attending all the public lectures and other coursc-s of :i 
 structiou delivered by the Professors in the said College, and v ho 
 shall also have the privilege of visiting and inspecting the anaic, 
 cal museum, the };oianic garden, the cabinets of mineralogy 
 natural h'story and the library of the said College, under si cU 
 regulations as the trustees shall prescribe for that purpose. 
 
 In tcsiimoiiy whereof, Ave have caused our common real 
 
 to be affixed to these presents, the fourth day of Juic. 
 
 in iho }ear of our Lord one ihousaud eight hundtcj 
 
 and twelve. 
 
 (Signed; DANIEL D. TOMPKINS 
 
 Chancellor of the University 
 Tr. BL00D(r00D, Secretary/. 
 
 
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