60 Proceedings of Tn(]i<nia Academy of Science. 



In addition to what the above rides specify, the Department of Phar- 

 macy has nnderta]<en the task of filling, free of charge, the prescriptions 

 written for the stndents by the ITniversity physician. This is for the pur- 

 pose of giving tlie students in Pliarmacy some practical experience in filling 

 prescriptions. This work is, of course, done under the careful suj^ervisiou 

 of an experienced Pharmacist. 



Some points in the above rules need some explanation. It will he noted 

 in rule 1 that all resident studciits are required to pay the fee, whicli means 

 that the instructional staff and other employees of the University are not 

 entitled to the service. In regard to rule 2, it will be seen that the Univers- 

 ity physician is not required to give treatments. This applies especially to 

 treatments requiring the training of a specialist, for example, eye, ear, nose 

 and throat work and genito-urinary work. However, in tliese cases, 

 advice is given as to where proper treatment may be received. In regard to 

 rules 3 and 7, it has been found by practical experience that it is better that 

 the hospitals notify the University physician daily of the admission of 

 students for the past twenty-four hours. The allowance of $1.50 per day 

 covers the necessary expenses in a private ward. If any student desires 

 more expensive surroundings he may have them at his own expense. Rules 

 4 and 5 are self-explanatory. It will be noted in rule 6 that the care of in- 

 juries due to athletics, whether they be caused by inter-collegiate or inter- 

 class games, is not a part of the University physician's duties. Such in- 

 juries are taken care of by the Athletic Association which has a surgeon 

 of its own, and whose duties bear no relationship to those of the University 

 physician. The last part of rule 6 is in reference to such chronic conditions 

 as tuberculosis and chronic heart and kidney troubles, and e.specially to 

 venereal diseases. Of course, we know that these latter exist, but it has 

 never been felt that the University life was endangered by them. 



The medical adviser in this organiaztion is a licensed physician, who de- 

 votes an average of three hours a day to the dispensary work, in addition 

 to which he exercises supervision OA'er the admissions to the hospitals. The 

 variety of the experiences given in the dispensary may be seen in the 

 appended list of diseases, which also includes the number of times those 

 diseases api^eared for diagnosis. 



It is, of course, impossible to make any more than an estimate of the 

 value of this health service to the student liody. It certainly would seem to 

 be worth cosiderably more than its cost to the students. During 1909, 

 1910 and 1911 the average number of students in the hospitals during the 

 school years averaged about 75, During 1911'. 191:! and 1914 the average 

 number dropped to below GO, even with a slightly greater attendance at the 

 University, Since this time the ho.spital attendance increased to 185 during 

 the last school year, 1919 and 1920. This increased inimher is due to three 

 factors. First, that the attendance at the University was 75 per cent 

 greater than in 1910. Second, to the fact that the students took greater 

 advantage of the opportunity afforded for hospital treatment, and. third, 

 to the epidemic of influenza. The second fact is attributed in part to the 

 experiences of the students with medical and hospital work during the war. 

 During last year there were only three deaths among the resident stud- 

 ents, two following mastoiditis and one appendicitis. Our experience with 

 contagious diseases has been very satisfactory. Last year there were: 



