THE MICROSCOPE. 151 



prominent practitioner in the southern tier of this state, who charac- 

 terized the leucocyte as a myth, and who undoubtedly believed, so 

 far as his practice was concerned, that all the rest of the revelations 

 of the microscope were of the same character. That this condition 

 of ignorance concerning the use of the microscope prevails to a 

 great extent among the medical fraternity of our country, I believe 

 few will question. That it is to be deplored, no thoughtful practi- 

 tioner will deny. 



How can it be otherwise, when it is possible to come across 

 prominent physicians, who, graduating from respectable colleges 

 within the last ten years, can say, that during their whole medical 

 course they never saw a microscope. J 



It would appear that the revelations already made by this won- 

 derful instrument, the progress in medical science credited to its 

 use, would have produced a different state of affairs. 



It will be generally conceded that the value of the microscope 

 is directly proportionate to the experience of the practitioner in its 

 use, and a knowledge of histology and pathology necessary to its 

 intelligent application in medicine. On this account the want of 

 early training in these branches unquestionably deters many of the 

 active practitioners of the day from giving any attention to these 

 subjects. In the midst of an active practice, it is quite improbable 

 that time will be found to take up a new occupation, and, as con- 

 sidered by many of the older physicians, one of questionable value. 



While many effective arguments may be deduced to account 

 for this lack of interest in scientific pursuits among the great mass 

 of the profession, we cannot disabuse our mind of the idea that our 

 medical colleges are responsible for it to a great extent. Professor 

 Chas. H. Stowell, in his work on " Microscopical Diagnosis," says : 

 " I hold the great majority of the medical colleges of this country 

 directly responsible for the lack of this love for scientific research. 

 They seek to please the student by prejudicing him against the 

 scientific investigation of disease, and the students become practi- 

 tioners before they are aware of their ignorance of matters that 

 should have been familiar to them during the term of their pupilage. 

 * * * But to the coming physician must we, as micros- 



% I have been criticised for uttering these remarks, as calculated to injure the profession in 

 the eyes of the laity. I have not yet in my brief experience known truthful statements to have 

 an ill effect, but rather the opposite. If they are overdrawn, I trust some interested friend may 

 demonstrate such to be the case. — [Author.] 



