STATE OF NEW YORK.

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Prof. Dowling spoke as follows:

Mr. President-Ladies and Gentlemen. I hold in my hand what purports to be a copy of the Transactions of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York, for the year 1878. For the first time-two days ago I took up this book for careful perusal, and as I read. my blood boiled with indignation. It is what I find printed in this volume of transactions which has prompted me to rise to a question of privilege. I regret that I was not present at the last annual meeting of the State Medical Society.

I regret, and can but express surprise, that in a great Medical Society like this, there was not a person present who would venture to offer a protest against the one-sided intemperate speeches made in advocating certain perfectly proper resolutions offered by my friend of years gone by, my friend of to-day, Dr Watson.

I say proper resolutions-undoubtedly intended so to be. But if my friend had carefully considered those resolutions before presenting them-if he had known that those resolutions would have opened the gates for a tirade of abuse, upon an institution whose trustees and faculty have been and are endeavoring to do their whole duty by those whose medical education has been intrusted to their care; their whole duty by the Homœopathic profession of the State of New York; their whole duty by the profession of the entire countryI say if he had considered this he would, as the friend of right, as the friend of Prof. Carmichael, have worded these resolutions something like this-(Resolution as passed was read.)

Resolved, That this Society appoint a committee to enquire into the truth of certain statements reflecting upon the honor of the Trustees and Faculty of the N. Y. Hom. Med. College. Statements to the effect that Dr. Carmichael has been through feelings of personal malice on the part of certain members of the faculty, removed from his position as teacher of anatomy in said College. Said Committee to report at the next meeting.

No objection could have been offered, and the society would have been saved the disgrace of having printed in bold type in its annual transactions, speeches intemperate in tone, untruthful in substance. Speeches containing statements, which if true, would brand all connected with that college with shame.

Now, Mr. President and members of this society, I wish it distinctly understood that in the remarks I shall make, I am actuated by no feelings of malice-no feel ings of anger towards any one-but must confess sorrow and mortification, that in so large a body the N. Y. Hom. Med. College-the Dean of that college had not a single friend ready to enter a protest, in the absence of every member of the faculty, against unproven statements, calculated to disgrace that faculty; that Dean, in the estimation of all who should hear, read, and believe those statements. Probably all present are not familiar with the workings of the New York College.

Nearly ten years ago, owing to certain supposed irregularities owing to misunderstandings-and a lack of harmony between the members of the faculty, the Board of Trustees who have the power to appoint and remove incumbents of the various chairs, in virtue of their authority, declared all the chairs in the college vacant and proceeded to reorganize the faculty. Among others an invitation was extended to Dr. Carmichael, who was tendered by the Board of Trustees the chair of anatomy in the new faculty. A letter was received in reply from Dr. Carmichael, declining the offer, and stating as his reason for declining, that the N. Y. Hom, Med College as reorganized, had no le

The existing college was ignored. A quarrel was opened which was not, however, entered into by our faculty. Susprise has been expressed that any but friendly feelings should exist towards so renowned a professor. These acts of his certainly could hardly be expected to engender the most friendly feelings towards him.

Prof. McDonald was appointed to the chair of anatomy, and filled the position for two years. At the end of that time, desiring to devote his attention to gynæcology, he resigned the anatomy professorship, and was appointed by the Trustees, Professor of Gynecology. The chair of anatomy was now vacant, and two years had elapsed (time has a tendency to heal breaches); again Dr. Carmichael was approached on the subject of lecturing in our college. We offered him the position of lecturer on anatomy with the title of professor, agreeing to give him should he accept, $500 for his winter's service. He was not appointed to a full professorship. At that time it was not considered best to so appoint him.

Up to this time not a single member of the governing faculty had received a dollar for his services. Professor McDonald, for filling the same position, had received nothing; and until the last three years not a man of us had received any compensation for our services. Although I, as Professor, Registrar and Dean, have given ten years of labor to that institution, all I have received in the way of compensation is $450, and this divided into three annual installments of one hundred and fifty dollars each.

We paid Dr. Carmichæl five hundred dollars a term for two or three years. He then complained that his compensation was too small. It was too small, but all. we could afford to pay-and' just five hundred dollars more than any of us were receiving. Up to three years ago the only teachers who received compensation for their services were the lecturers on anatomy, physiology and chemistry. These chairs being difficult to fill with competent men we were obliged to employ lecturers on a salary to fill them, each receiving the same amount.

At this time, in compliance with Dr. Carmichael's request, we raised his salary to nine hundred dollars, for the term. He agreeing to superintend the practical anatomy room. He continued for two years to receive this amount annually, notwithstanding the fact that no member of the governing faculty had received a dollar. I mention these facts in regard to these paid lecturers to show you their relationship to the college. They were engaged each year. At the end of the college session-their engagement-their term of service expired. We changed our lecturer on physiology. Fault was found with our teacher of chemistry, and we declined reëngaging him and sent to Washington for the present incumbent of that chair.

will read.

tees received another petition which was signed by those most deeply interested-signed by the students themselves, all of them. I hold it in my hand, and will read it to you.

We the undersigned Junior students of the N. Y. Hom. Med. College having heard that a petition was in circulation asking the Trustees of the college to remove Prof. Doughty from his position as Prof. of Anatomy, and reinstate Dr. J. A. Carmichael, the former incumbent of the chair; feeling that we are the most directly interested, do hereby make the following statements:

1st. Many of us have listened to an entire course by Prof. Carmichael and the present course of Prof. Doughty, and would respectfully say, that although as a class we had no fault to find with Prof. Carmichael as a lecturer, we are perfectly satisfied with Prof. Doughty, who in our humble opinion is the equal, if not the superior of Prof. Carmichael as a teacher of anatomy.

2d. Prof. Doughty has so endeared himself to the class by his energy, his regularity in lecture hours, his kind, amiable and gentlemanly deportment, that a change would be a great disappointment to us.

3d. Prof Doughty has gone over more ground than Prof. Carmichael in the same length of time, and has impressed the matters considered as thoroughly upon our minds, and bids fair to complete the course on anat omy before the close of the session. The course of last session, although thorough as far as it went, was not completed by the close of the college term.

4th. In our opinion the interests of the college have been considered and advanced, by the change which the Trustees and faculty have seen fit to make in the administration of the chair of anatomy. We would therefore humbly petition the Trustees to retain Prof. Doughty as Professor of Anatomy in the N. Y. Hom. Med. College. This was signed by between seventy and eighty Junior students.

I ask which petition should have been listened to, Mr. President? I could make a similar explanation with regard to the so-called removal of Dr. Varona. We had no fault to find with him as a lecturer. He gave perfect satisfaction as far as his lectures were concerned; but residing in Brooklyn, the distance and obstructions owing to ice in the river were so great that the course was an irregular one. But notwithstanding this the same position was tendered him-that of lecturer on Histology. He declined, unless he could be appointed to the position held by Dr. Allan, his predecessor. The faculty, owing partially to the reasons just given for the broken course, did not feel justified in recommending his appointment to the Board of Trustees. Consequently, his connection with the college ended, and Prof. Bacon, in addition to his lectures on physiology, gave an excellent course on histology.

So much for this intemperate speech of my friend, Dr. Wildes. I give him the credit of being led away from duty-from discretion rather-by his friendsnip for Dr. Carmichael. I do not complain of this, but fee! that the proper course would have been to honestly investigate both sides.

In answer to the remarks made by the Secretary of this society (Dr. Alfred K. Hills,) I would say, we have three classes of teachers in our college. First:-The governing faculty, limited to ten; second, lecturers with the title of professors, and third, special lecturers. The chairs of anatomy, physiology and chemistry, are at present and have been for some years past, filled by lecturers with the title of professor. Now, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I come to the speech of Dr. Carmichael, which may be found printed in full in the volume of transactions I hold in my hand.

esy that he attended some of the meetings of the faculty. And I too, can but express surprise that it was 'very much to his surprise" that he received a notice that his services were no longer required; for although I did speak of his course of lectures as a brilliant course," he must have known that his financial demands-while we were struggling and receiving nothing for our services-had anything but a tendency to endear him to the faculty. He must have known that on account of these demands a change was talked of a year previous. He must have known that the position he held was not that of a full professor (Professor Bradford, Secretary of the faculty who was present, here stated that Dr. Carmichael was aware of that fact, for he so distinctly stated in the letter notifying him of his appointment.) The position he occupied in our corps of teachers was the reason why something besides death, something besides specific charges, put it into our power, by and with the approval of the Board of Trustees, to make a change in this particular department.

If we had no reason for the change the deportment of Prof. Carmichael since his connection with the college ceased has been such as to convince every member of the faculty that no mistake had been made in the course we pursued with regard to the chair of anatomy. I entertain no malice towards Dr. Carmichæl but must acknowledge no special fondness for him ever, but recognized his ability and treated him as I try to treat every one, courteously. I had hoped he would be present to day and deeply regret his absence--for I wanted him to hear what I had to say in reference to the unwise and untruthful statements made at the last annual meeting of this society.

say his course since, has convinced us that no mistake was made. We parted in my office after the interview when he claims I spoke of his "brilliant course of lectures" to all appearances friends. A few days subsequently, as I was driving through 5th Ave. I met Dr. Carmichael, and as is my custom under such circumstances I politely lifted my hat and bowed. He looked at me as if he had been insulted and accompanied that look by no mark of recognition. Poor me. I was not alone in my misfortune for this same treatment was experienced by other members of the faculty. All this I can excuse on the ground of his belief that he had been wronged-if such was his belief. Both he and Dr. Wildes seem to think it strange that so small a matter as a desire for harmony should influence our action. A desire to preserve harmony in a faculty no ground for change?— I am surprised. Suppose we were at enmity with each other and on every occasion when we assembled would squabble as is not uncommon at political meetings, would our college prosper? would our influence over the young men intrusted to our care be salutary? NoOur perfect harmony--the few changes in our faculty since the reorganization of our college is one of the secrets of our success. We shall preserve harmony in our corps of instructors. Without it would come disaster and ruin.

Eight years ago, our class numbered 50 students. To day we have 153 matriculates. This prosperity is owing to honest and hard work and a lack of disturbing elements in our faculty. A correspondence appears in these transactions. Particular stress is laid upon the fact that I, as Dean, stated that personally, I had no complaint to make of the mode and manner in which he (Dr. Carmichael) had discharged his duties. I made no complaint, nor had I ever spoken even unkindly of him. Instead of this being ground for illfeeling towards me, it strikes me it should have elevated me in his estimation.

hours each day of the week, with the exception of Sundays, on those hard benches which seemed to grow harder as they grew smoother from wear? Do we remember how we were obliged to study at night? Do we remember how we dreaded those final examinations? I have vivid recollections of it all.

A wise father in the management of his children tries to carry himself back to the time when he was a boy. Let us remember our student days.

Is the medical student of to-day different from the medical student of years gone by? Is the average amount of mental capacity greater? Is the average amount of physical endurance greater? I do not believe it is. And yet the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Medicine have more than doubled in the past twenty years. Look at the physiology, the anatomy, the chemistry, and the works on practice, materia-medica, and surgery of twenty years ago, and compare them with the works on the same subjects of to-day.

Why, gentlemen, I will say to you as I said to the members of the American Institute of Homœopathy last June-while speaking on this subject. If the requirements of thirty-twenty-yes, fifteen years ago-for our degree-had been as great as they now are, I fear but few of us would have been seated around this room to-day as members of the Homeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York.

What is required, is more time for study, lengthened terms, a greater number of years. By congressional action, make it five; yes, seven years. But do not crowd these boys too hard, we have pushed them as far as we dared. Elevate the standard, but lengthen the period of study-by national law--which is the only way it can be accomplished.

When I look at the haggard faces of some of our students, at the close of the term, my heart is filled with pity for them.

I trust, Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, that never again will this society, or any of its members, be influenced in their judgment, in their action, by hearsay evidence. As far as the New York Homœopathic Medical College is concerned, I pray you investigate fairly for yourselves; no obstructions will be placed in your way, but every opportunity will be offered, that you may form a just and unbiased opinion as to the capacity, the honesty of its teachers and Board of Trustees.

I have nothing further to say, except in closing, to refer briefly to the allusion which was made in the meeting of one year ago to a "College Ring," which had for its object the controlling of certain institutions and societies, for the benefit of individual members of that ring.

I am on my honor, and in the presence of you all, I most positively assert that I know nothing of the existence of such a ring, or clique, as it has been termed by some. I have attended, with few exceptions, all the faculty meetings since the reorganization of the college. Never at one of these meetings, or at the meetings of the New York Medical Club, have State or County medical matters been considered. We simply attend to the legiti mate business connected with our institution, and have endeavored in the past, and shall endeavor in the future, faithfully and honestly to advance the interests of the young men whose education has been intrusted to our care, the interests of the profession throughout the entire land, the interests of Homœopathy.

sors-Why not be honest and announce them for what they are? The profession has a right to enquire into these doings, and some means should be employed to remedy such a defect.

Dr. Wildes in reply, said Prof. Carmichæl stated distinctly to several of us on the authority of one of the Trustees that this meeting of the Trustees was called at Dr. Dowling's house. The Trustees were surprised when this question was sprung upon them, and protested against his removal, but that Dr. Dowling struck the table, and insisted vehemently he must be removed. Dr. Dowling asks "why was no answer received to the petition" which was so numerously signed by the profession, and presented to the Trustees, requesting the reinstatement of Prof. Carmichael? I will answer That petition was headed by the name of Dr. E. E. Marcy, an old and honored member of the profession. and to whom the answer would naturally be addressed, About the time this petition was presented Dr. Marcy was appointed one of the Censors of the College, and here the matter ended. This appointment may have been an incidental circumstance, but it looks like a stroke of policy. Dr. Dowling referred also to the Varona matter. I have not now in my possession a letter from Dr. Dowling to Dr. Varona, which I did have last year, therefore I cannot speak by the card. But I felt then, and I feel now that the action of the College authorities was any. thing but creditable to them, although I am not able to give my reasons in detail without the data upon which my opinion is founded,

As an offset to Dr. Dowling's statement that the faculty which seems to be the appointing power are doing their best for the College, I would ask has it always filled the vacant chairs with the best talent available?

Dr. A. S. Couch, offered the following resolution. which was adopted:

Resolved, That this society has listened with satisfaction to the statement of Prof. Dowling in the matter of Dr. Carmichael vs. the N. Y. Hom. Med. Coll. and is satisfied that it has heretofore acted too hastily and inconsiderately in legislating upon matters of personal. grievance and individual opinion.

I can but thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for the attention you have given me. I regret the circumstances which necessitated this long speech, but feel that it was due the New York Homœopathic Medical College, which I represent I feel that it was due you.