University of Virginia Library

VI.—MEDICINE.

PROFESSOR HOWARD.

In this school are taught Medical Jurisprudence, Obstetrics, the
Principles and the Practice of Medicine. To allow the medical
student time to attain proficiency in Anatomy and Physiology,
Chemistry and Materia Medica, before he is required to apply
these branches in the study of the Principles and the Practice of
Medicine, the course is opened with Medical Jurisprudence, which
is followed by Obstetrics, and both are completed before the Principles
or the Practice of Medicine are entered upon.

MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE.

The lectures on this branch show the aid which legislation and
the administration of the laws derive from medicine, and consist
chiefly of the application of the principles of medical science to
the elucidation and administration of the laws, and the legal decisions
in cases of insanity, every variety of mental impairment,
crime, &c. , &c. , Text-Books—the Professor's Outlines, and
Beck or Taylor.

OBSTETRICS.

The lectures on this branch comprehend an account of all
labors, natural, preternatural, and instrumental; the professional
assistance to be afforded in each, the treatment of a female before,
during, and after delivery, and the diseases of infancy. The
lectures are amply illustrated by specimens and plates; and all
manual evolutions, and the application of instruments, are demonstrated
on the improved phantome of Hebermehl. The students
also practice manual and instrumental delivery on the manikin.
Text-Book—the last edition of Meigs' Midwifery.

THE PRINCIPLES OF MEDICINE.

The Principles of Medicine, as taught in this school, comprise
General Pathology, and a brief view of General Therapeutics;
also Etiology, Nosology, Semeiology, Diagnosis, and Prognosis.
The nature and division of causes are first considered, which introduces
the student to their effects—disease. Pathology proper
is next considered under the two forms, Functional and Structural
diseases. Functional diseases, being composed of elements, ultimate
and proximate, are analyzed into their constituent parts, and
the elements considered separately before they are contemplated
in combination. Structural diseases, being rarely confined to one
anatomical element, cannot be strictly distinguished into ultimate
and proximate elements, and are therefore arranged under the
three heads: increased, diminished, and perverted nutrition. After
the student thoroughly understands the nature of the causes of
diseases, their divisions, modes of operation; and the resulting
effects upon function and structure in the ultimate and proximate
elements of disease, a general view is given of the influences that
can be brought to remove or counteract their elements. And the
course on the Principles is then concluded by the consideration of
nosology, semeiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and the different modes
of death. Text-Books—Wood's General Pathology, and General
Therapeutics.

PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, OR SPECIAL PATHOLOGY AND SPECIAL
THERAPEUTICS.

As the most natural and practically useful arrangement, all
local diseases are classified and treated of according to their locality,
or the organ or set of organs which they affect; whilst general
diseases are arranged altogether pathologically. Much attention
is given to Physical Diagnosis. Pathological Anatomy occupies a
conspicuous place in the course, and is illustrated by Carswell's
large and splendid colored plates, and, when practicable, by specimens.
Text-Book—Wood's Practice of Medicine, last edition.