176 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



in the Academy or University of Geneva, which was shortly afterward 

 suppressed by the Council because of lack of funds. The Academy 

 had long wanted to re-establish their foundation, but had been blocked 

 by the Faculty of Medicine, who, controlling the election of physicians, 

 and supervising that of the surgeons and apothecaries, were jealous 

 of any rival creation in the Academy. 



On February 24, 1755, the Senate of the Academy proposed formally 

 to the Council to re-establish the professorship of medicine in favor 

 of Tronchin, adding as a clinching argument that "there would be no 

 question of salary for a man who had voluntarily left such position and 

 refused such advantageous offers." At the same session the Council 

 acceded to the request of the Academy, and unanimously bestowed on 

 Tronchin the title, rank, and honors of honorary professor of medicine. 

 The corporation of the city, "The Worshipful Company," hastened to 

 make Tronchin a member of the Assembly. 



All this being done without the knowledge of the Faculty, they 

 therefore declined to elect the new professor to the Corps of Medicine, 

 and repeatedly postponed all actions necessary to securing him a place 

 to lecture by voting every place proposed by Tronchin's supporters as 

 "unfit for so great a man." It finally took the official action of the 

 Council of State to bring the Faculty to terms. 



When once established in Geneva, Tronchin's fame spread rapidly, 

 and soon patients flocked to him from all over Europe. Two things, 

 besides his skill, contributed to his reputation: his friendship with 

 Voltaire, and his successful inoculation for smallpox of the children 

 of the Duke of Orleans. 



Voltaire took up his residence in Geneva the same year that Tronchin 

 returned. He became the most devoted and enthusiastic admirer of 

 his physician, though he followed his medical advice only when he chose, 

 a trait not wholly unknown today. The nervous old hypochondriac 

 was always meddling in local politics and getting himself into serious 

 difficulties with the authorities, from which Tronchin, who was already 

 in a position of influence, time and again extricated him by personal 

 appeal to the government officials. Voltaire, who always had a serious 

 illness ready for such occasions, secluded himself in his room till the 



