Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from An Introductory Discourse on Medical Education: Delivered to the Students of Geneva Medical College, October 1, 1844
On this occasion, I propose to call your attention to some of the mo tives which ought to govern you in the choice of' a profession; the nature of the preliminary education necessary to its successful proseou tion; some oi' the branches which the science embraces; and lastly, the spirit in which your studies should be conducted.
Gentlemen: it becomes you to scrutinize well your motives in enter ing upon the study of medicine, and see whether they are such as will stand the test of a candid examination. It will not do to delay this until you are fairly launched Upon professional life; for then it will be too late. It must be done now or not at all. Some young men, it is to be leared, enter upon the study of our profession with a very vague conception of the qualifications necessary, not only for success in life but for the satisfactory perlormance of the duties which it necessarily involves. They consequently soon become dissatisfied; they talk much of the drudgery, the degrading nature of the offices which they are called on to discharge; of the low estimation in which their calling is held by the public; of the paltry compensation they receive for their services; of the great prevalence of quackery; ol' the hardships they are called to endure: and, if they do not themselves turn quacks, or engage in some other kind of business, they go on grumbling all their days, making themselves and all around them. Unhappy; and all this happens in consequence of having made a wrong choice ofa profession.
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