University of Virginia catalogue

The session of the Medical Department continues through the full nine
months of the University session. This arrangement enables eight professors
and instructors to do thoroughly the work which is often allotted to a larger
number in institutions whose session is much shorter.

The importance of acquiring a knowledge of Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology,
before commencing the study of the more practical branches, is fully
recognized; and the course of study is so arranged that during the first half
session the instruction is in these important elementary branches. During the
same time the subjects of Medical Jurisprudence and Obstetrics, especially
the mechanical features of the latter branch, are studied by the class.

The courses and methods of instruction in the several Schools of the
Department are as follows:

SCHOOL OF GENERAL CHEMISTRY.

Professor Mallet.

In this School the students are taught Chemical Physics and the principles
of Chemistry; and their attention is directed whenever an occasion presents
itself, to the application of chemical principles to the practice of Medicine,
Therapeutics, Toxicology and Sanitary Science.

Text-book.—Fownes's Chemistry. For reference: Charles's Physiological and Pathological
Chemistry; Wormley's Micro-Chemistry of Poisons.

SCHOOL OF ANATOMY AND MATERIA MEDICA.

Professor Towles.

Anatomy.—The instruction in Descriptive, Surgical, and Topographical
Anatomy is given by didactic lectures combined with the course
of Practical Anatomy as taught in the Dissecting Hall. The endeavor throughout
is to render the teaching as completely practical as possible; scarcely a
statement is made that is not illustrated by its exhibition, either on actual
dissection or on the preparation of a dissection, the effort being to convey
knowledge in the so-called natural method, that is by mental imagery formed
by repeated observations of nature. This is accomplished by exhibiting to
the student and requiring him to handle the dissected parts and preparations
made therefrom. The equipment of the School for this purpose is most
ample; and in addition to the numerous preparations and dissections, there
are models and anatomical paintings representing the greater part of the
anatomy of the body.

For the course in Practical Anatomy, dissecting material obtained under
the permissive law of the State, is abundantly supplied without cost to the
student. Each medical student, however many sessions he may have
attended, is required to dissect under the constant and careful supervision of
the Demonstrator. Attendance in the dissecting-room is compulsory, a
strict record being kept in the case of each student. Besides the oral examination
which precedes each lecture, and the other examinations to be mentioned
hereafter, each student is required to stand seven practical examinations,
one upon osteology, four upon different parts of the muscular system,
one on the viscera, and one on the vessels and nerves. These examinations
are oral and private, each student being examined alone. They consist of
the identification of the truths of anatomy on the bones, the cadaver, and
the dissected cadaver, and are thus a perfect test of the student's acquaintance
with the gross structure of the human body.

Materia Medica and Therapeutics.—The lectures on Materia
Medica occur in the latter half of the session, after the student has obtained
the knowledge of the primary branches prerequisite to the proper understanding
of the subject. Particular stress is laid upon physiological action
and rational therapeutical application of drugs. The physical properties of
drugs are taught by requiring the student to learn them from specimens,
a complete collection being provided, which contains specimens both of
all the crude drugs and of all their preparations, which have been dealt with
in the lectures.

Text-books.—Bruce's Materia Medica and Therapeutics; United States Pharmacopœia, or
Index of Materia Medica. The student should provide himself, if possible, with specimens
of all the bones.

SCHOOL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND SURGERY.

Adjunct Professor Barringer.

In Physiology the course is introduced by a series of outline lectures
on Histology, before the consideration of Physiology proper is begun. The
entire work of the School is designed with especial reference to its practical
bearings on the subsequent study of Pathology and Therapeutics. The
lectures on Embryology are not given until students are well advanced in
Anatomy, and can, therefore, more fully appreciate their bearings. In the
elucidation of these subjects, the large collection of plates belonging to the
Department is supplemented by original preparations and models.

In the Physiological Laboratory the students in sections of twelve
are given daily instruction for four months in practical Histology and Pathology
in addition to the lecture course. Each student is thus able during the
session to become familiar with the usual histological and pathological forms
as well as the ordinary working of the microscope, section-cutting, staining, &c.

Text-books.—Landois's Physiology, Shafer's Histology, Wilson's Manual of Hygiene.

In Surgery the first aim is to ground the student thoroughly in the
principles and technique of modern aseptic surgical procedure. Especial
attention is then given to the causation and pathology of the various surgical
affections. All amputations and ligations are shown upon the cadaver, and
the lectures are illustrated by numerous paintings and morbid specimens.
The application of splints, bandages, and apparatus for different fractures
is taught to the class in sections by the Clinical Instructor.

Text-books.—Ashhurst's Surgery, Ziegler's Pathology, Heath's Minor Surgery and Bandaging.

SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, OBSTETRICS AND MEDICAL
JURISPRUDENCE.

Professor Dabney.

In Medical Jurisprudence the student is instructed in the principles
of the science, and is taught how to apply these principles when he is
summoned as a witness in a court of law.

In Obstetrics instruction is given by lectures, and the mechanical
principles involved in the study are explained and illustrated by the use of
suitable preparations and models. The student is drilled in this part of the
subject during the early part of the course, and attention is subsequently
called to the diseases and accidents incident to pregnancy and the puerperal
state. Each student is also taught practically the various manipulations, both
manual and instrumental.

In Practice of Medicine especial attention is given to the principles
of the subject, the aim being to instruct the students as thoroughly as
possible in the causation of diseases and the morbid changes which occur in
the different tissues. The lectures are illustrated by morbid specimens, both
coarse and microscopic, and each student has the opportunity of examining
the specimens for himself. Each student furthermore is taught the method
of making a physical examination of a patient, and is required to learn, by
actual examination, under the supervision of the Professor, the normal
appearances and sounds in the different regions of the body and over the
different organs.

Classes have also been established in Practical Microscopy. Attendance
is optional, but the desire to make good use of the opportunity thus
offered seems to be general. Each student is taught practically how to use
the microscope, to cut and stain sections of tissues, to examine urine and
blood, etc. In addition to a knowledge of microscopic manipulation thus
obtained, it is found that students can get a far clearer idea of morbid anatomy
and pathology in this way.

Text-books.—Reese's Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology; Playfair's Midwifery (last
edition); Strümpell's Practice of Medicine; Page's Physical Diagnosis; Green's Pathology;
Lewer's Diseases of Women.

CLINICAL INSTRUCTION.

A Free Dispensary and Hospital are now in operation near the University,
in which the students are taught the methods of examining patients
and the changes which occur in the normal functions of the body as a result
of disease. In recognition of the impossibility of giving practical instruction
by the ordinary clinical lectures, the class is divided into sections, so that
each student may have the opportunity of examining patients for himself,
under the guidance of the Professor. In addition to the patients who come
to the Dispensary, others who are too sick to attend are visited at their homes.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.

The instruction is given by systematic lectures, daily oral and periodical
written examinations, with associated practical work in Anatomy, Histology,
and Pathology.

The daily oral examinations on the subject of the previous lecture are of
great value in stimulating the student to regular and systematic habits of
study, and furnishing the Professor an opportunity of discovering and removing
the difficulties met with by the student. The Intermediate written examinations

demand frequent and careful reviews, and familiarize the class with
the form of the Final or graduating examinations, which are also in writing
and of a rigorous character.

Besides these examinations, there is a general oral review at the close of
the session on all the different branches on which the student has graduated
during either that session or some preceding one; this is intended to test the
permanent acquisition of such general knowledge as every practitioner of
medicine should possess. This oral review has been found serviceable also
in preparing students more thoroughly for the State examinations in Virginia,
and the other States which hold such examinations, as well as for entrance
into the Medical Corps of the Army and Navy and the Marine Hospital.

EXPENSES.

The necessary expenses of a student in the Medical Department are, for
the session of nine months, as follows:

Tuition (including fee for dissection)	$110
Matriculation	25
Infirmary Fee	7
Dormitory rent (two in a room)	15
Fuel and lights (two in a room)	12
Washing	14
Board at $13 a Month	117
Total necessary expenses (board at $13)	300
Payable on entrance	205

The sum payable on entrance includes a contingent deposit of $10, which
is credited in final settlement, and hence forms no part of the necessary expenses.
This deposit is assessed for any damage to property, violation of
Library rules, and so on, which the student himself may commit.

To the above total must be added the cost of books, stationery, and dissecting
instruments, about $45 for the entire course, and the cost of a degree,
which, if taken, is $15. The books purchased will be of permanent
value to the student as a part of his professional library.

The board at $13 is plain, but wholesome and abundant. Better board
can be had at $18 a month. At $18 the total necessary expenses will be $345,
of which $210 is payable on entrance.

For the entire course, if taken in one year, the necessary expenses, including
books, will be $345 to $390, according to the price paid for board, with
the addition of $15 for the degree, if the degree is taken.

PREPARATORY COURSE FOR STUDENTS OF
MEDICINE.

Graduation in Medicine, as in the other departments of the University of
Virginia, does not depend upon the time which has been spent in the study
of Medicine, but upon the preparation of the student as indicated by rigid
written examinations which he is required to pass. It is possible, therefore,
for a well-prepared and laborious student to graduate in one session, and
examples are not wanting where such graduates have attained conspicuous
success in professional life. But the severe and protracted labor necessary
for this purpose is attended with evils of which the Medical
Faculty is fully conscious. And while the regular course is complete
as far as professional studies are concerned, it leaves the student
without the benefit of certain scientific studies, which furnish an admirable
preparation for and enlargement of the strictly professional course.
Students are therefore advised to devote two sessions to the work; and for
the benefit of those who can afford the time to pursue them special courses
in Biology and Physics have been arranged with particular regard to the training
needed for Medical studies.

This first year of preparatory work will comprehend:

1. The course in General Chemistry attended by all medical students.

2. A special course in Physics.

3. A special course in Biology and Comparative Anatomy.

4. The course in Anatomy required of all medical students.

The expenses of the student in this course will be the same as for a regular
student of medicine, except for tuition, which will be $40 to Virginians and
$90 to others.

Those who are graduated in this preparatory course will attend for the
second session.

1. The regular courses in Physiology and Surgery.

2. The regular courses in Medical Jurisprudence, Obstetrics and Practice of
Medicine.

3. The course in Materia Medica.

4. The regular course in Practical Anatomy.

The expenses of a student in the second year course will be the same as for
a regular student of medicine, except for tuition, which will be $85.

DEGREE.

The Degree of Doctor of Medicine is conferred on one who has passed
examination in all the prescribed subjects of instruction in the Schools of the
Medical Department. A candidate who in a previous session has been graduated
in Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, or Medical Jurisprudence, is not required
to stand the written examination in these subjects anew for his degree.

University of Virginia Library

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

COURSES OF STUDY IN GENERAL.