1892.] 14(5 [Ruschenbergcr. 



didactic method of instructioa. For this reason he was confident that it 

 would be equally useful, though perhaps more dillicult to accomplish, in 

 teaching that to which materia medica is merely subservient. With special 

 reference to his intended system of instruction, he visited the most cele- 

 brated schools in Europe, and at u cost of many thousands of dollars, pur- 

 chased models, castings and drawings of many pathological specimens. 

 " These formedacabinetof morbid representations unique in this country, 

 and supplied material for a course of medical tuition which was as 

 instructive and satisfactory as it was interesting and novel."* 



Dr. "Wood was the lirst to teach the practice of medicine in a series of 

 "object lessons," by placing before his class models, casts, etc., appro- 

 priate to the illustration of each lecture. 



At the end of his holidaj'S in Europe, Dr. Leidy resumed his routine 

 work in the University. He was elected a Fellow of the College of Physi- 

 cians of Philadelphia, August, 1851. He seemed to be not much interested 

 in the pursuits of the Society; seldom attended its meetings, and was not 

 a contributor to its Tiansactions.f He was Secretary of the Committee on 

 Lectures, under the Miitter Trust, from January, 18G4, and kept a neat 

 record of its proceedings. In November, 1883, "on account of his scien- 

 tific achievements," the College exempted him from future payment of 

 annual contributions. 



He lectured on Physiology in the Medical Institute of Philadelphia in 

 the summer courses of 1851 and 1852. 



He was appointed in 1853 Pathologist to St. Joseph's Hospital, a purely 

 nominal position. 



Failing health had disabled Prof. Horner. "With approval of the Trus- 

 tees and the Medical Faculty of the University, Dr. Leidy, as his substi- 

 tute, delivered the course of lectures on Anatomy for 1852-53. 



Dr. Horner died March 13, 1853, and in May Dr. Leidy was elected 

 Professor of Anatomy, 



He was yet in the thirtieth year of his age. His educational opportuni- 

 ties and collateral advantages may have been less than those of his pre- 

 decessor and friend, but from the hour he resolved to be a teacher he 

 probably hoped some day to fill a Professor's Chair. The unremitting 

 exercise of his natural abilities, his ever eager quest of knowledge enabled 

 him to publish, prior to this time, many works which won for him praise 



* Memoir of George B. Wood, M.D., LL.D. By S. Littell, M.D. (read October 1, 187'J). 

 Transactions of tlie College of Physicians of Pliiladelpliia, Vol. xii, 1S81. 



t At a meeting of the College, May 5, 1886, he related that he had recently examined 

 three nematoid worms, found in the intestines of young cats, sent to him from Chicago, 

 and read a letter from Durango, Mexico, reporting the great prevalence of scorpions in 

 tliat district. He also exhibited " photographs of trichiufe in the Uesli of the pig." In 

 answer to a remarli by a Fellow of the College that it had been repeatedly stated in 

 Berlin that the trichinae had been found there in the pig, prior to tlie time when Dr. Leidy 

 announced his discovery of it, he said : " I believe mine was the first notice of the para- 

 site occurring in the pig." Transaciions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, third 

 series, Vol. viii, 1886, pp. 41-43. 



PROC. A.MEE. PHILOS. SOC. XXX. 138. S. PRIXTED APRIL 20, 1892. 



