Page:A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America - John Morgan.djvu/79

 example is worthy of imitation, laid it down to himself, as an inviolable law, to divide his time between study and practice.

abilities and the love of a profession unite, there is the surest preface of success. But unhappy is the Physician, who has a soul turned to philosophical inquiries, who loves to search into the causes, and investigate the phœnomena of diseases; and yet is at the same time diverted from these useful researches, by other occupations to which he has an aversion. How disagreeable! how cruel a case is it to be forced, in compliance with custom, to stifle the tender feelings of humanity; to take the knife into his unsteady hand; and in spite of reluctant nature within him, to be obliged to perform some painful and tedious operation on the suffering patient! better consigned to one whose inclination, experience, and address, qualify him for the irksome, but needful task!

the other hand, a spirit of intrepidity and a particular turn of mind carry many beyond the horrors which get the better of others, Fired at the same time with a like love of humanity, and filled with desires of relieving the calamities to which external violence, and innumerable accidents both from within and from without subject our lot, they apply themselves with the most laudable zeal and assiduity, to improve that essential