University of Virginia Library

FOURTH YEAR.

Theory and Practice of Medicine.—The same plan is followed in the
clinical work as that already described for the third year, each of the two
sections of the class devoting itself for half the year to the medical service
in the wards of the hospital. Full histories are taken of every case,
thorough examinations made, and management indicated by the students
of each division. The records thus obtained are kept up by the student
assigned to the case, which he is expected to follow until its discharge.
The accuracy and completeness with which this is done constitutes a large
element in the determination of fitness for graduation.

The subjects treated with the approximate division of time between
them are as follows:

Nervous Diseases and Insanity.Three lectures and recitations
weekly supplemented by clinical work during the fall term.
In this course
is given also instruction in electro-therapeutics. Dr. Davis.

Pediatrics.Three lectures and recitations weekly supplemented by
clinical work during the winter term.
This course of lectures is intended
to point out in a brief way how disease is modified by childhood and to
indicate how the difficulties of diagnosis and treatment due to early age


18

Page 18
may best be encountered. The principles of infant feeding are emphasized
and the student is taught how to prepare the food. Instruction in the
practical details of the subject is given by the work at the dispensary
and in the wards of the hospital. Dr. Davis and Dr. Rea.

Dermatology.—A brief course of lectures is given on this subject
embodying a consideration of the commoner disease met with in medical
practice. After a brief review of the anatomic and histologic structure
and of the physiology of the skin, the diseases most commonly met with
are discussed.

The clinical material available at the University Dispensary is utilized
to the best advantage to give the students a practical working knowledge
of the diagnosis and treatment of affections of the skin. Dr. Davis and
Dr. Rea.

Case Teaching, Medical Ethics and Economics, and Insurance
Examinations.
Two hours weekly during the spring term. Dr. Davis.

Therapeutics.Two lectures weekly during the fall and winter terms,
with five hours weekly of ward rounds for one-half the session.

The treatment of internal diseases is discussed in a systematic course
of lectures and practically demonstrated in the wards of the hospital.
Especial attention is given to the clinical side of the teaching of this
subject, the student being required to suggest treatment for cases assigned
to him and to follow closely and make a record of the results of the
therapeutic agents employed throughout the course of the disease.

The course includes a discussion of the preparation of food for the
sick; demonstrations of the preparation of stupes, plasters, and poultices;
and the methods of giving therapeutic baths, electrical treatment, massage,
and other therapeutic measures. Dr. Flippin.

Surgery and Gynecology.Two hours weekly of surgical clinic
throughout the session; three hours weekly of ward classes, supplemented
by clinical work in the wards and operating room for one-half the session
with each of the two sections of the class.

Instruction in Surgery is carried on by clinics and beside demonstrations
in the hospital. In the wards the students are assigned cases,
whose histories they must take, make complete physical and clinical
examinations, urine analyses, blood examinations, etc. In the ward
rounds the diagnosis, operative and other treatment, post-operative care
of the cases, complication, prognosis, etc., are discussed in detail. A large
variety of cases is available, and the close contact of the students with
their cases and with the routine of hospital management offer many of
the opportunities that an internship affords.


19

Page 19

In the operating rooms the students, in small groups, take part in the
operations, thus acquiring familiarity with technique, anesthetization, etc.
Those of the class who are not assisting, witness the operations, whose
important features are demonstrated to them.

In gynecology the students have the same general work as in surgery,
consisting of the examination and recording the cases in the public wards,
attendance on ward rounds, at which the cases are discussed, and observation
and assistance in the operating rooms. Dr. Watts and Dr. Goodwin.

In addition to the above course, required of all students, the following
elective course is offered in the Department of Surgery.

Surgical Pathology.Two hours weekly during one-half of the year.
The work in this course comprises lectures upon the pathology of surgical
lesions, with especial emphasis upon the clinical diagnosis of tumors and
inflammations, the examination of microscopic sections, and the study of
fresh tissues in the gross, obtained from the operating room. The purpose
of the course is to supplement the general courses in pathology and
surgery, and to acquaint the student with the appearance of fresh
pathological material from surgical cases. Dr. Goodwin.

Obstetrics.—The student attends, under the guidance of an instructor,
the labour cases in the hospital, is required to prepare the history of
patients, and to follow up the cases through the puerperium. Instruction
is also given in the care of the new born. In addition the student has
the opportunity of attending patients in the out-patient department and
each student is expected to attend at least six cases of labour. Dr. Macon.

Forensic Medicine.One lecture weekly during one term of the fourth
year.
Dr. Waddell.

Diseases of the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat.Two lectures weekly
from the beginning of the session to the first of March, supplemented by
regular clinics twice weekly throughout the year and clinical lectures to
sections of the class as suitable cases occur.

No attempt is made to train specialists, but every effort is made to
render the class familiar with such common diseases of the eye, ear,
nose, and throat as the general practitioner meets in his daily work. To
this end the class is divided into small sections and each student is taught
the methods of examination and the use of the ophthalmoscope, head-mirror,
and of the laryngeal and post-nasal mirrors. In the clinics each
patient is assigned to a student who must take the history and keep the
record of that patient; the case is then demonstrated by the professor in
charge, and, if possible, each student makes his own examination under the
personal supervision of the attending physician. Clinical cases are
abundant, and during the year the student sees and handles practically all
the common diseases of the eye, ear, and upper respiratory tract.


20

Page 20

At the operations in the hospital only as many students are allowed
to be present as can really see and appreciate what is being done.

Valuable work is also given in the dissecting room, where the technic
of operative work is shown in a way that can not be employed with the
living patient. Students do this work as far as possible for themselves.
especially in tracheotomy and intubation of the larynx.

Finally the attempt is made so to ground the student in the anatomy,
physiology, general pathology, and in methods of examination and treatment
that he may diagnose and treat intelligently many of the cases that
can not afford to go to a perhaps distant specialist; that he may treat
successfully that large class of emergency cases that first come to the
general practitioner and in which immediate treatment is imperative;
and, lastly, that he may recognize and intelligently refer those cases that
need the services of one specially trained to this branch of work.
Dr. Hedges and Dr. Compton.

Hygiene.Three hours weekly throughout the year.

The course begins with a historical sketch of the development of
preventive medicine, including short biographical sketches of the pioneers
of Hygiene. With this introduction the story of the natural history of
contagious and infectious diseases, modes of propagation and methods of
prevention engage the attention of the student. With this preparation,
the chemical and bacteriological contamination of food, water, air, and
soil is made an important study. Instruction is also begun in the proper
location and construction of habitations, hospitals, schoolhouses, etc., with
special reference to the modern methods of heating, ventilating, and
draining. Notice is taken of the special relations involved in military and
naval hygiene. Dr. Lambeth.