of Edinburgh, Session 1870 - 71 . 273 
that he resolved to abandon anatomy, and confine his teachings to 
surgery. 
In 1829 he bad as many as 250 pupils attending his surgical 
lectures, a success the more remarkable, considering that Liston, 
Lizars, and Turner, were rival lecturers. This well-attended class 
he kept up for several years. 
Syme had been most anxious to get on the surgical staff of the 
Royal Infirmary. But Liston was one of the surgeons ; and the 
managers knowing the animosity which existed between him and 
Mr Syme, felt that by admitting both into their institution, there 
would be every probability of dispeace. They refused Syme’s ap¬ 
plication. He therefore resolved to set up a rival institution, and 
took Minto House, with 15 rooms in it. These he converted into 
wards. He also formed an out-patient department. This was a 
still bolder exploit than any before ventured on, but it was re¬ 
warded with complete success. On the very first day that the 
new hospital was opened several patients sought admission, and in 
the next two days as many as ten young medical men applied for 
the house surgeoncy, though £100 was required as a fee. The 
report for the first year tells of 265 in-door cases, 1900 out-door 
cases, and 95 operations. For four years this new institution was 
carried on, with unvarying success, vieing with the old established 
Royal Infirmary in the number and importance of its operations, 
and presenting a striking proof of what could be done by one 
young man, not only unsupported by local influence, but overcom¬ 
ing local and social influence arrayed against him, by dint of 
indomitable zeal, natural talents, and great professional knowledge. 
Syme’s seminary for instruction in Clinical Surgery, was re¬ 
cognised by the College of Surgeons in London, as qualified to give 
instruction for medical students. The Edinburgh College of Sur¬ 
geons refused to recognise the new hospital, but agreed to recognise 
a course of lectures on Clinical Surgery, if Syme chose to give 
them, on the condition, however, that the pupils attending these 
lectures did not exceed 40 in number, and that they paid the same 
fees as were received by Mr Russell, the Professor of Clinical Sur¬ 
gery in the University. To these terms Syme acceded; and by 
his admirable lectures soon laid the foundation of subsequent 
brilliant reputation as a clinical teacher. 
