Geneva Medical College Commencement
This occasion passed off as gloriously, that we hardly know where to begin or what to say in our description of it. The weather was most favorable, and the sun shone down and its rays played in the morning, as if revelling in the breath of the summer air.
At half past 10 o’clock, the procession formed in front of the Medical College, and preceded by a Band of Native Indians who discoursed most charming music, proceeding to the Literary College, where it was joined by the Faculty and Students; from thence it march to the Presbyterian Church, where the exercises were of a most interesting and even thrilling character. The building is a spacious one, and was filled to overflowing, so much so that even in our capacity as reporter, it was a long time before we were enabled to obtain a seat. A large proportion of the audience was composed of ladies – and it was indeed a beautiful scene to see the sparkling eyes and smiling countenances, with whispering lips and the rustling of dresses.
The exercises were commenced with a prayer by President Hale, followed by music by the choir, which, without flattery, we must confess fairly wrought upon us with a magic spell. The President then addressed a few brief but very appropriate remarks to the Class – for which he proceeded to confer the degree of M.D. upon the Graduates. Altho’ the Class was not as large as usual, without any disrespect to former graduates, we have been informed that it has been one of the best classes that ever bowed for a diploma. We give the names and thesis below.
It was an interesting sight to see young men about to launch upon the trials and struggles of life, receiving a simple parchment, which from the responsibilities it incurs must cut them off from the instruction of teachers, and the solicitude of those who have ever guarded them with a watchful eye. But there was one feature connected with this part of the exercises which rendered them touching in the extreme. We have reference to the conferring of the degree of M.D. upon the already famed ELIZABETH BLACKWELL. To say that she is pretty, would be a declaration for which she would not thank us. To write that she was homely, would be an insult to any woman. She is good-looking – a face that wins favorably upon you; affable in her manner she pleases you; intelligent and witty, she amuses you; amiable and confiding, she wins upon you. As her name was called, she passed easily and gracefully upon the stage. It was a scene for a painter. A lady – alone! – Braving the prejudices existing against her sex – the observed of a teeming and intelligent audience – the first in the annals of the world to receive at the hands of the Faculty a medical diploma! The President, as he extended it to her, bowed – as only woman can she returned the salutation. A silence deep as death pervaded the assembly – we saw a tear gathering in many eyes – Her bosom heaved, almost too full for utterance. But many an ear hung listening on her lips and we heard the heartfelt and impulsive reply – “I thank you, sir! With the aid of the Most High, it shall be the constant effort of my life to shed honor on this diploma.” This proved too much for the audience, and quick as thought the building run with applause. Thank? ELIZABETH BLACWELL, the world cannot thank thee too much! God speed thee in thy work of mercy and as an angel spirit to cherish and to sooth, mayst though bend over the couch of the sick and the dying!
The choir again struck up; and then the address to the Graduating Class was delivered by Dr. Lee, Professor of Materia Medica. The Professor has a voice peculiarly fitted for a large audience, which enables him to speak very distinctly, and without much apparent effort. Although we might differ from him in regard to some sentiments, the address as a whole was an admirable one. Plain and practical, yet sometimes colored with a heavy hue of fancy – and musical with the ring of the bell of the jester. He appealed to the class on behalf of themselves – the duty they owed their relations, the profession and the public. He strongly impressed upon them the obligations of morality, and particularly temperance. He feelingly spoke of the manner and disposition with which the physician should approach the bedside of the sick; and belabored with most scathing sarcasm the impositions of quackery. We were much amused with the repetition of the ancient oath, generally attributed to Hyprocrites – quaint, beautiful, and we know not why not applicable to the profession at the present day. Nigh the close of the address, he beautifully and touchingly alluded to the doctress, (by the way, we should have added ess to the MD above) Miss BLACKWELL; and as an illustration of the feeling of the audience, his remarks were responded to with applause.
Another anthem by the choir- the benediction – and the exercises were closed. Thus has passed away another Medical Commencement. As year after year we attend these exercises the thought impresses itself upon us, how many of these messengers are sent out with healing on their wings! Although we all have our influence, and duties to perform, there are no responsibilities to our fellow men so weighty as those of the medical practitioner. As an instrument in the hand of Providence, life is entrusted to his protection – and from ignorance or knowledge, negligence or care, with swelling joy or deep-writhing sorrow, must he meet his final account.
Austin Aarron Barrows, Oneida- The Circulatory System
Elizabeth Blackwell, Philadelphia – Ship Fever
John Waterman Briggs, Kalamazoo, Mich – Vis Medicatrix Naturae
Harvey Brown – Chemung – Syphilis
Reuben P Brown – Bradford, Pa – Bronchitis
Elisaph Dorchester, Ontario – Diagnosis
Isaac Balfour Earl – Onondaga – Catarrh
George White Field, Ontario – Vis Medicatirx Naturae
John Ransom Hamill, Onondaga – Intermittent Fever
Peter Robert House, Steuben, – The Blood
James Matteson, Chemung – Masturbation
Hiram Wadsworth Olin, St. Marion, Ill. – Pathology of Intermittent Fever
Joshua Bradley Purchase, Livingston – Diagnosis of Pregnancy
Andrew Griffen Riley, Orleans – Empiricism
De Los White Rupert, Ontario – Phthisis Pulmonalis
Job Sayre Stevens, Ontario – Chorea
Samuel Weed, Wayne – The Vaccine Disease
William Henry Worth, Ontario – The Skin
Henry Eacker Zielley, Steuben – Pathology of Age