University of Virginia Library

ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND SURGERY.

Professor Cabell.—The course of lectures on Anatomy and Physiology
extending from 1st September to the 1st March, will comprise a description
of the situation, form, volume, relation, structure, intimate texture,
vital properties and functions of the various organs of the human body in
health, and of their alterations produced by disease. The following order
will be pursued:

Differences of organic and inorganic bodies.

General consideration of the elements of the human organization and of
the tissues which result from their varied combinations.

Classification of the tissues and organs.

Organic properties and forces.

Enumeration and classification of the functions.

General laws of abnormal formations—classification.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Cellular tissue and its varieties.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Osseous system in general, and the individual bones, &c.

Anatomy and Physiology Muscles—Splanchnic Viscera, and the associated organs—Arteries,
Veins, and Lymphatics—Nervous System, Skin and organs of the
Senses.

In the description of the distribution of the vascular system, all the
other organs will come under review as so many elements in a region
having important relations to each other and to the principal element, the
vessels, around which they are grouped. In this manner will be shewn not
only their mutual connexion, but their several and combined influence upon
the developement, progress and treatment of disease.

Artificial skeletons and separated bones are used in the demonstration of
the Osseous system, and for the other organs of the body careful dissections
will be made on fresh subjects with which the school is now abundantly
supplied. These demonstrations are further improved by the use of delicate
wax, and dried arterial and venous preparations, and of the splendid
coloured plates of Bourgery and Jacob, executed from new and careful dissections
by a distinguished Anatomist of Paris.

The different surgical operations will be performed upon the fresh subject,
embracing the general operations, as incisions, sutures, application
of ligatures, extirpation of tumours, amputations, &c—and those which
are peculiar to the different regions of the body, a capile ad calcem.

The course on the principles of Surgery will commence about the 1st
March, and will embrace a full description of the pathology, history, symptoms
and treatment of all those affections which are generally assigned to
this branch of practical medicine.

After a cursory examination of the distinction between Surgery and Medicine,
and of some of the most generally received classifications of surgical
diseases, the Professor will treat of those diseases and accidents which
may occur in any part of the body, and then of those which are peculiar
to certain regions. In the description of the diseases not immediately resulting
from external violence, it will be his aim to elucidate as far as they
are known the morbid changes which precede their full development; the
sympathetic affections of other organs: the value of the different physical
and rational signs in determining a differential diagnosis between this and
other diseases with which it may be confounded, and the general principles
which should regulate the practitioner in the application of his therapeutical
agents.

Books recommended: Meckle's General Physiological and Pathological
Anatomy. Andral's Pathological Anatomy. Vilpean's Surgical Anatomy.
S. Cooper's first lines of Surgery. S. Cooper's Surgical Dictionary.
Dunglison's Human Physiology.

The organization of the medical department of the University of Virginia
presents peculiarities not to be found in other Medical Schools in the
U. S., and which the experience of many years has shown to be admirably
calculated to fulfil the intention of its founders. It would be needless to detail
the circumstances by which the University has been enabled to secure
to Virginia and the South generally, all the benefits of a school so advantageously
organized, but it is deemed right, after so many years of successful
operation, that the public should be made acquainted with the great points
in which it differs from other medical institutions.

Before noticing these it may be stated that medical students are subjected
to all the general regulations and penalties for infractions of the laws governing
the other schools.

Every candidate for graduation is required to undergo a written examination
upon English, before a committee appointed by the Chairman of the
Faculty. Any person, however, of proper age and of approved moral conduct,
may offer as a candidate for graduation, and receive the degree of M.
D., without reference to the time of joining the school, provided he undergoes
in a satisfactory manner the various examinations prescribed by the
enactments.

At each meeting of the several classes, the students are subjected to a
full examination on the preceding lecture, thus enabling the professor
to ascertain their acquaintance with the subject and to explain such of
those points as may have been misunderstood.

Besides these daily examinations and those immediately necessary for
graduation, two public examinations of each class, are held each session,
to ascertain the relative standing of each student. These examinations are
conducted in writing before a committee, and the degree of merit of each
individual reported to his parent or guardian. The names of those who
have especially distinguished themselves being also published in one or
more of the papers of the State.

The examinations for graduation take place at different periods of the
session. This arrangement permits the student to prepare himself thoroughly
on each of the branches without the confusion of thought and fatigue
of mind incident to the method adopted in other medical institutions.
The separate examinations are on—Practice of Medicine; Obstetrics;
Medical Jurisprudence: Anatomy and Physiology; Surgery; Chemistry,
and Materia Medica, including Pharmacy. The time thus occupied
for each candidate is between three and four hours, when the answers are
satisfactory. A period six fold as long as that usually appropriated to this
purpose in other medical schools. By this system it must be evident that
the professors are always aware of the advance or deficiencies of students,
and also that a diploma is never granted to any one not fully qualified to receive
the honours of the doctorate.

The session continues for ten months without interruption, and but two
lectures, each an hour and a half long, are delivered on the same day.—
The instruction is thus gradually imparted to and profitably retained by
the student; nor can he ever experience the perplexity and fatigue of daily
encountering six or seven lectures, delivered in rapid succession, as always
happens elsewhere in consequence of the necessity of compressing all the
lectures within the space of three or four months.

Connected with the Medical School, is an Anatomical and Pathological
Museum, which has lately been enriched with important and rare specimens
selected at Paris by one of the professors. The medical student has the
use of the Public Library upon the same footing as academical students,
and may have ready access to most of the standard works in his profession.
An annual appropriation is allowed by the authorities of the University
for the purpose of securing subjects, and ample means for dissection, are
thus afforded to each student, at the trifling cost of five dollars.

Arrangements have been made, which, it is confidently expected, will
enable the professors to deliver clinical lectures at an Infirmary to be established
within the precincts.

The expenses for the session of upwards of ten months, commencing on
the first of September, and exclusive of books, stationary, clothing, pocket
money, dissecting fee, &c. are limited to $238.

This sum provides for board, including bed and other room furniture—
washing and attendance—fuel and candles—rent of a Dormitory—use of
the Library and public rooms, and fees to the Professors.