University of Virginia Library



No Page Number

THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

JAMES L. CABELL, M. D., M. A., LL. D.,
Professor of Comparative Anatomy, Physiology, and Surgery.

Text-Books.—Dalton's Physiology; Wilson's Manual of Hygiene and Sanitary
Science, 4th ed., 1880; Ashurst's Surgery. For reference: Flint's Text-Book of Physiology,
Stephen Smith's Operative Surgery, Ranney on Surgical Diagnosis (2d ed.),
Green's Pathology.

JOHN STAIGE DAVIS, M. D., M. A,
Professor of Anatomy and Materia Medica.

Text-Books.—Wilson or Gray's Anatomy, and Farquharson's Materia Medica.

JAMES F. HARRISON, M. D.,
Professor of Medical Jurisprudence, Obstetrics, and Practice of Medicine.

Text-Books.—Taylor's Medical Jurisprudence (last edition), Playfair's with Roberts'
Midwifery (last edition), Roberts' Practice of Medicine (last edition), Hartshorne's Essentials.

J. W. MALLET, Ph. D., M. D., F. R. S.,
Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacy.

Text-Books.—Fowne's Chemistry and Parrish's Pharmacy.

WILLIAM B. TOWLES, M. D.,
Demonstrator of Anatomy.

The Medical Department of the University aims at thorough work in
its special province, to wit: the instruction of the student in the principles
of medicine, and his discipline in the modes of acquiring and applying
knowledge. Thus, whilst the only solid foundation of professional
attainments is laid, the mental faculties are expanded and strengthened
for that growth in knowledge, usefulness and distinction to which every
one who enlists in an honorable and responsible profession should aspire
The organization and arrangements by which these aims are successfully
accomplished may be briefly stated:


45

Page 45

ARRANGEMENT OF STUDIES.

The length of the session (nine months) renders it convenient and
eligible to distribute the subjects of instruction among a smaller number
of Professors than in the other medical schools of the United States,
whose sessions are only four or five months long. Thus, to one Professor
is assigned Physiology and Surgery; to another, Human Anatomy
and Materia Medica; to a third, Chemistry and Pharmacy; and to a
fourth, Medical Jurisprudence, Obstetrics, and the Practice of Medicine.
This distribution makes it practicable to bring the different subjects to
the attention of the student in their natural and successive order. The
arrangement of the lectures is such that he acquires a competent knowledge
of Anatomy, Physiology and Chemistry before he enters upon the
study of the principles and practice of Medicine and Surgery, which can
only be studied properly in the light shed upon them by the former.
The instructions in Materia Medica and Pharmacy are also given in due
relation to the progress of the student in chemistry.

LECTURES AND DAILY EXAMINATIONS.

Favored as the student is in the comprehensiveness, scientific basis
and order of his studies, he is not less favored by arrangements which
give ample time for the preparation of every lecture, and address motives
to him for such preparation. Each professor gives three regular lectures
a week, with occasional extra lectures, making the average weekly
aggregate not over fourteen, or a little more than two a day. The
student, therefore, is not over-burdened with lecture-room attendance.
He has time for study in his private room, to consult books, and compare
their teachings with the oral instructions of his Professor, and to digest
and systematise his acquisitions from both sources. The daily examinations
which precede every lecture supply the stimulus to regular and
active study, serve as summary reviews of what he has already heard or
read, and as correctives of any misconceptions he may have fallen into
in his hearing or reading. The daily examinations constitute a very
valuable part of the exercises of the Institution, and are taken into account
in determining the fitness of a student for graduation.

APPARATUS AND ILLUSTRATIONS.

The equipment of the Medical Department in apparatus, specimens
and drawings, is extensive and excellent. The collection of paintings


46

Page 46
for the illustration of the lectures on Anatomy, Physiology and Surgery,
several hundred in number, is unequalled by anything of the kind in the
United States, or perhaps abroad.

PRACTICAL ANATOMY AND DISSECTION.

The Department furnishes every facility for the study of practical
Anatomy that can be furnished in similar institutions elsewhere. Adequate
provision is made for the supply of subjects, and each student has
the opportunity, by actual dissection under the guidance of a Demonstrator
of Anatomy, of acquiring a practical knowledge of the structure
of the human body in all its parts.

DEGREES.

The degree of Doctor of Medicine is conferred upon such students as
prove their fitness for the same by rigid and searching examination. It
has ever been the policy of the Institution to make its honors testimonials
of merit, and not certificates of attendance on a prescribed
course of instruction.

LABORATORY COURSES FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS.

In addition to the usual course of Medical Lectures, two special
courses of instruction will be given by the Professor of Analytical Chemistry
to such Medical Students as may desire to pursue them:

1st, Sixteen lessons in the practical applications of Chemistry to
Medicine, (the detection of poisons, chemical and microsopic examination
of animal products, urine, blood, etc.)

2nd, Fourteen lessons in practical pharmaceutical manipulations.

Each of the above (optional) courses will be at a charge of $20 tuition
fee, and $5 for laboratory material consumed.