44 3TOTBS 



NOTE 4. 



The science of medicine is prosecuted with distinguished success in this tuuu 

 try j and the contributions which it has received from its cultivators in different 

 parts of the United States are numerous and highly important. To enter into 

 a detail of those circumstances which modify the character of the diseases of 

 America, and to state the different methods of treatment which appears to be 

 indicated upon the difference of type in our disorders when compared with 

 diseases of the like nature prevailing in other latitudes, would lead to an 

 extent of remark altogether beyond the limits prescribed on this occasion. The 

 present note is intended to embrace only some of the leading circumstances con - 

 nected with the origin, progress, and present condition of medical science in this 

 state. 



The first essay made in the United States for the purpose of imparting ana- 

 tomical knowledge by means of dissection, was made in New-York, by doctors 

 'John Bard and Peter Middletou, two of the most distinguished practitioner; 

 of this city. The first attempt towards the promotion of a medical school in the 

 state of New-York was made in the year 1767, during the administration of si.- 

 Henry Moore and lieutenant governor Golden. In the following year the med- 

 ical school was organized, under the direction and government of the college 

 of the province, then called King's College, and a body of able profesors ap- 

 pointed to teach the several branches of medical science. Among the profes- 

 tors we find Samuel Bard, Peter Middleton, and Samuel Clossey, names famil 

 iarly known to those acquainted with the medical annals of North America. 

 Jn 1769, in consequence of a public address delivered by dr. Samuel Bard, a 

 very important addition was made to the means of medical education then af- 

 ibrded, by the establishment of the New-York Hospital. The great advantages 

 which the medical school of New-York thus possessed were, however, but ot 

 temporary duration : the revolutionary war occasioned a suspension of the salu- 

 tary labours of the professors connected with the school ; the teachers and stu 

 dents were scattered, and the college converted by the enemy into a military 

 Uospital. After the peace of 1783 the former medical professors were never v 

 us a body, reinstated in the situation in the college ; they having been separated 

 Cither by accident or death. An attempt to revive the medical school in th e 

 following year proving ineffectual, the design was relinquished until 1792. 

 In this year, Columbia College was made to embrace two faculties : a faculty 

 of arts, and another of physic ; over the former presided William Samuel John- 

 son, LL. D., a gentleman in every respect qualified to the station ; at the heat! 

 of the latter continued, for some time, the learned and distinguished SamucS 



