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Our expectations for this department are gradually being realized, and 
it is with a feeling of personal pride that I am able to make the state- 
ment that this hospital is today presenting to the students of the medical 
colleges of Indiana a course of lectures—didactic and clinical—concerning 
the diseases of the mind and nhervous system, their cause, pathology and 
treatment, unsurpassed by any educational institution in this country. 
We believe that yeu who are at all conversant with the facts, recog- 
nize the many serious obstacles to be overcome in inaugurating and prose- 
cuting work of a scientific character in public institutions. 
In the very nature of things there must be many plans, and many de 
feats, and in the end, when the decisive battle is waged, you may achieve 
one victory. 
It is the hope that this may be the final outcome of our effort wherein 
we find the sustaining strength to carry the burden. 
It is fortunate indeed that we cannot peer into the future and expose 
to view all the keen anxieties and bitter disappointments which are to 
be our portion in connection with prospective work. 
The building was erected in 1895, and the equipment was installed in 
1896. 
The dedicatory exercises were held under the auspices of the Marion 
County Medical Society on December 18, 1896. At this meeting a paper 
on “The Evolution of the Physiology and Pathology of the Brain and 
Spinal Cord” was read by Prof. Ludwig Hektoen, M. D., of the Rush Med- 
ical College. 
Prior to the appointment of a resident pathologist the hospital staff 
utilized the facilities of this department in making such examinations as 
occasions demanded. They also performed autopsies. 
The first attempt to systematize and direct the work was outlined in 
the following notice: 
“The laboratory work for the staff of the hospital will begin April 
1, 1898. 
“The department is now ready for making examinations of material 
for diagnostic purposes. 
“Each member of the staff should possess a copy of Stirling’s Histol- 
ogy, several dozen glass slides and covers. 
“The study will be from ten to twelve in the forenoon, each member to 
be in the laboratory every other day. 
“Attendance upon this course is obligatory. 
