NOTES AND 



Surgeons, at this period, the venerable Samuel Bard, M. D. Was 

 appointed president ; material alterations were made in several of the profes 

 nor.Nhing., and important changes were effected as to the internal government oi 

 the institution. The Elgin Botanic Garden, founded by dr. Hosack, and lately 

 pOFchascd by the state, was now committed to the college by the regents, fop 

 the laudable purpose of promoting medical science; the legislature also during 

 f his year made a further grant of five hundred dollars per annum for the benefit 

 tyf the college. About this time power was granted the college to confer de- 

 grees in medicine, 



In noticing the condition of the college in 181-2, the regents of the university 

 a their report to the legislature, observe, " The organization of the College of 

 Physicians and Surgeons has been improved, and it now presents a fair prospect 

 sf speedily rising to a stale of usefulness and celebrity, such as may be justly 

 fexpected from the importance of the community in which it is situated, and the- 

 government under whose auspices it has been erected. A gentleman universally 

 acknowledged among the first in the medical profession in America, has con- 

 sented to be placed at the head of it, and professors of the best talents have 

 fceew procured to deliver instruction in it." 



The importance of the services rendered the college by the late measures of 

 the regents and the legislature soon became apparent. On the 15th of May ^ 

 1811, liie first medical commencement in the institution was held, and the de- 

 gree of doctor of medicine granted to eight students who had previously under- 

 gone the necessary examinations prescribed by its laws, and publicly defended 

 their respective inaugural dissertations. Th;s was a greater number of degrees' 

 in medicine than was ever before granted at one time in this city. Since that 

 thae twenty-seven gentlemen have received the honours of the medical doctorate 

 ;m this college; all of whom had received their education there. Of the wholf 

 number of graduates seven have published their inaugural dissertations, 



In oi der most effectually to augment still further the means of medical edu- 

 cation afforded by the college, the board of trustees, in May, 1813, appropriated 

 at considerable part of their funds to; the purchase of ground as a permanent situ- 

 ation for the college, and completed the elegant and commodious building which 

 they DOW occupy in Barclay street. The anatomical, the chymical, the natural 

 history, and other departments of the college, which had, at different times been 

 enlarged, were also most materially improved and enriched. 



Id September, 1813, one of the most important and desirable events took 

 place which has ever been recorded in our medical annals ; the consolidation of 

 the two medical schools of this city into one great establishment for the promo- 

 tion of medicine. In their address of the above date the College of Physician? 

 *r^ Surgeons state that a union has been hono.urably entered into betwe?T 



