An introductory lecture, intended as a recommendation to a more careful investigation of the constitutional origin of local diseases, on principles deduced from the opinions of Hunter and Abernethy : delivered at the Finsbury Dispensary / by George Macilwain.

Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory lecture, intended as a recommendation to a more careful investigation of the constitutional origin of local diseases, on principles deduced from the opinions of Hunter and Abernethy : delivered at the Finsbury Dispensary / by George Macilwain. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    once heard Mr. Lawrence justly observe, the surest source of excellence. You will not, how- ever, Gentlemen, in the practice of a dispensary, discover those powerful impulses which operate else- where. Dispensary practice, abstractedly considered, presents few of those rewards, either of fame or for- tune, which are calculated to excite the zeal and ani- mate the industry of the hospital surgeon—none of those comforts, which at least diminish labour, if they do not relieve responsibility. Your operations, instead of being performed in roomy, light, airy, and otherwise well adapted theatres, with '' all appliances and means to boot, must be frequently performed in the crowded, dark, ill-ventilated abode of filth, poverty, and wretchedness ; and (your own instruments ex- cepted) with such other conveniences as an extempo- raneous ingenuity can often but imperfectly supply. But even here again there are some advantages. Dis- pensary practice will shew you many a page in the book of nature, unfolded nowhere besides. The locali- ties of disease, and the habits of patients are nowhere so well seen as in their homes ; and the same may be said of the influence of physical suffering in the de- velopment of moral character. The view presented to you of the misery of disease, with poverty and its afflicting complications, will awaken your sympathies with the wretched, and teach you thankfulness fbi the health which you may enjoy. Naturally, thus exalting your ideas of the usefulness of your profession, it will, I should hope, inspire you with additional zeal in its study. Dispensary practice may teach you