Worthy President, Professors, Classmates, Ladies and Gentle men: Now that our collegiate course of medical instruction has ended, and the pleasant relationship that has so long existed between the Faculty of Bennett Medical College and this class is about to be broken, I have the honor, in behalf of the class, to offer the last parting words. To a person in my position, the statement is pregnant with the truth that "A large percentage of life's failures is due to attempts to do things for which we are not fitted;" yet it gives me pleasure to have the opportunity to express, not only my personal feelings, but the gratitude and heartfelt thanks of the entire class it is my privilege to represent, for the deep interest that has been constantly manifested by the highly esteemed Faculty of Bennett College, and for their untiring efforts for our advancement in the medical science and the healing art. An important part of any man's existence is his choice of profession or business, and upon that depends his future prosperity. That choice limits him in a general sense, but broadens his life in the special course determined upon, building and molding his physical, intellectual and moral character, according to the distinctive architecture of the vocation and his fitness for it; hence the necessity of determining this question wisely becomes apparent. Either of two considerations may influence the youth to select the medical profession as his special field of action: 1st. The unmanly thought that the learned professions are, in some degree, more respectable than others—a sentiment that lowers the dignity of an American, and renders its advocate unfit for the calling from the first. 2d. An inherent love for the profession, because of the nobility of soul and character necessary for its proper practice, and because of the many avenues of usefulness it opens to the qualified practitioner, which will enable him to secure the largest intellectual and moral growth, and the greatest degree of happiness to himself and to those around him. This consideration presupposes success before the youth places himself under the guidance of a preceptor, and from the intimate acquaintance attendant upon college life. I believe this forms the corner-stone of the education of each member of this class. When the young aspirant after medical knowledge reaches out beyond the fostering care of a preceptor, and embarks in a craft with which he is unacquainted, he is very uncertain what the experiment will result in. To these fledglings in science, medical institutions offer a harbor; each presenting its assumed special and superior advantages, bewildering the mind of the novitiate until he is as prone to accept the inducements of one as another; except as he is wisely guided by the superior knowledge and judgment of his preceptor, and his or her choice is often biased by the teachings received at some favorite college, in earlier days. So, from generation to generation, the influence of a medical institution is handed down to posterity, either for good or evil. Hence, the importance of broad principles, correct knowledge and an untiring search for truth, should become the groundwork of every school claiming the exalted prerogative of being adapted to the proper education of receptive minds to become physicians and surgeons-the highest and most responsible position one human being can sustain toward another, not excepting the clergyman. His duty is to administer to the spiritual wants of humanity, while the medical adviser is often required to fill the double duty of prescribing for both body and mind; for, to insure a correct diagnosis of disease, the physician must often come into the closest relationship with the mind of his patient. He must seek for the hidden causes of suffering, which frequently have their origin in some mental disturbance, obscure to the world, which must be divulged to the physician; consequently, the most sacred thoughts, hopes, fears, aspirations or apprehensions, are entrusted to his honor. His mind, therefore, should not only be well stored with useful knowledge, but he should possess a moral nature that is unimpeachable, for in his profession a thousand temptations beset his way, that never need encompass the steps of the clergyman. The harbor of Bennett College, on the coast of eclecticism, with its firm anchorage in the most thorough and comprehensive understanding of the science of medicine, in its advancement of to-day, and its sure protection against the unworthy strifes and storms of the different schools of medicine, received our experimental knowledge-seeking crafts. And we, as members of the class just graduated, feel it to be a great privilege and pleasure, to be able to publicly announce our satisfaction in having come under the instruction of gentlemen whose medical education has been of such a broad character as to pre-eminently qualify them to impart the most modern and liberal views entertained by the most thorough and progressive teachers of the past and of the present time. We have no disposition to assail any system of practice, or any course of medical instruction, but we are more than grateful that circumstances favored our introduction to Bennett Medical College, for we know if the principles inculcated here are carried out by the alumni, at no great distance in the future a radical improvement will be observed in the general health of every community that may receive the practice and teachings of her graduated students. A correct understanding of eclecticism will absolve the last statement from any charge of egotism. As eclectic medicine is often falsely represented by our opponents in the profession, we may properly outline our position here. Eclectic is derived from the Greek eklego, to select, and a class of ancient philosophers, who combined in a new system all that was good and true in all other systems, were the first to call themselves eclectics. They held the doctrines of Plato in high esteem, but did not hesitate to add any good and reasonable ideas found in the tenets of other doctrines. While the object aimed at was commendable, these eclectics degenerated into the sect called New Platonists, under Ammonius Saccas, who blended Christianity with his views, thereby corrupting the teachings of the New Testament. Since that time, the banner of electicism, bearing the words "Endless in the search of truth," has been borne aloft by zealous innovators, often at the cost of property, personal liberty, and sometimes of life; and scientific knowledge has been augmented thereby, and humanity has been blessed. The eclectic lamp, burning in the intellect of Galileo, penetrated the screen thrown over it by the tyranny of the Roman inquisition, when he said, "Notwithstanding, it does move." Although Dr. Morse demonstrated the great utility of his invention before the committee of Congress in 1838, the skepticism and ridicule to which it was subjected caused that body to refuse him the required assistance. His struggles during the next four years, in America, England and France, without financial aid, his only capital being that determination to secure the recognition of the truth he had discovered, cause us to class him as an eclectic in science. Innovation in medicine has been characterized by similar persecution. William Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood, a discovery so simple that we wonder that it was not made before, elicited only the most bitter condemnation. from the prominent philosophers and medical men of his time. The care and comprehensive thought Harvey exhibited in his search for truth, his modest but firm demonstration of his discovery, and the evident good that must result to humanity and the profession through the acquisition of so important a fact, should have prepossessed every one in favor of his theory. We do not claim Harvey as an avowed eclectic, yet he advocated and practiced those principles which, in their subsequent development, gave birth to the eclectic system of medicine. Although eklego means to select or choose, it is, like many other words, deficient in expression, failing to present clearly the many departments of the school of medicine it brings to our notice. Were eclectics content to simply choose the best from the discoveries of others, they would little deserve the attention of the intelligent audience here assembled. Eclecticism is effective to discover truth, to increase our knowledge of medicine, and to enhance the health and happiness of humanity. The advancement of medicine during the last half-century is without a precedent in history. We cannot properly offer an eulogium on our school, because of the great office it has served in this progress, but the science has felt it, many liberal opponents have acknowledged it, while others, denouncing our system, have not hesitated to profit by it and its discoveries. One author of the last class has said, "The eclectics are good practitioners, poor theorists." True it is, our theories are few, but our principles are as broad as the far-reaching laws of truth. We choose rationally and cautiously from all that lies in her broad area of light, in order that we may select the best of curative agents, and acquire a correct knowledge of their application when called upon to offer relief at the hour of suffering and imminent peril to human life. And when we reach the circle of darkness bounding that, we penetrate it fearlessly, and, as facts and usefulness are developed therein, the lamp of truth is strengthened, and the circle of darkness recedes. And thus we will continue to |