174. UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



leading English physician of his time, a man of great culture — the first 

 collector of medical portraits. From him the young student received 

 a bit of advice which doubtless had its effect on his later work, for all 

 his practice showed a close obedience to his teaching. "I have done 

 little good," said Mead, "but have been most careful never to do any 

 harm." 



In September, 1728, Tronchin enrolled himself as a student of 

 medicine in Leyden, at that time perhaps the most famous medical 

 center in Europe. Albinus was teaching anatomy, and Boerhaave 

 held the chair of medicine, chemistry, and botany. Such was the zeal 

 and industry of Tronchin that in less than two years he received his 

 doctor's hood. 



Early in his course he had attracted the attention of Boerhaave by 

 his enthusiasm and the quickness with which he acted on a hint. 



Remarkably handsome as a youth, Tronchin was not a little of an 

 exquisite. Boerhaave remarked one day that the elegance of his hair,, 

 dressed according to the elaborate fashion of the day, must take a great 

 deal of time. This comment being told to Tronchin he at once had 

 his hair clipped short and won the deepened interest of his master, whose 

 favorite pupil he soon became. 



Settling in Amsterdam he rapidly became noted for his skill. A 

 graciousness of manner won him a clientele which his professional ability 

 enabled him to hold. Boerhaave was unstinted in his friendship and 

 regard, and soon, when consulted by patients from Amsterdam, would 

 say to them, " Go back home. You have in your own city another me." 



Tronchin's early success in Amsterdam was helped by his skill in 

 management of a very severe and fatal epidemic of colic — probably of 

 lead-poisoning. His experience in this disease led later to his choice of 

 subject for the only book he ever published. 



The early discouragements which the young physician meets were,, 

 however, not unknown to Tronchin. The petty and obstructive jeal- 

 ousies of today were not unknown then. It is not unconsoling, there- 

 fore, to read in a letter of encouragement which Van Swieten, the pro- 

 fessor of medicine at Leyden and later physician to Marie Theresa, 

 sends to Tronchin: "It is the misfortune attaching to our profession 



