Page:A History of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania.djvu/38

 arrived from Dr. John Fothergill seven cases, which contain a parcel of Anatomical drawings, which the Dr. informed him, when in London, he intended as a present to the Pennsylvania Hospital, but that he has not received any letter or invoice of them, nor any further directions but what the Doctor verbally gave him, and that he concludes his constant engagements prevented his writing per the ship. But by a letter from him to James Pemberton, dated 4th mo. (April) last, he therein signifies in general his intentions of sending this Present to the Hospital, and the uses he proposes thereby. Of it the following is an abstract:—

“I distributed the books thou wast pleased to send me as desired, but they came perhaps at an unlucky juncture. Money is much wanted here for numerous purposes, and men part with fifty pounds with reluctance, when they know that a little more would purchase them a hundred; the Hospital, however, must subsist itself as well as possible till better times. I propose to send, by Dr. Shippen, a present to it of some intrinsic value, tho’ not probably of immediate benefit. I need not tell thee that the knowledge of Anatomy is of exceeding great use to practitioners in Physic and Surgery, and that the means of procuring subjects with you are not easy; some pretty accurate anatomical drawings, about half as big as the life, have fallen into my hands, which I propose to send to your Hospital to be under the cape of the Physicians, and to be by some of them explained to the students and pupils who may attend the Hospital. In the want of real subjects these will have their use, and I have recommended it to Dr. Shippen to give a Course of Anatomical Lectures to such as may attend. He is very well qualified for the subject, and will soon be followed by an able assistant, Dr. Morgan, both of whom, I apprehend, will not only be useful to the Province in their employments, but if suitably countenanced by the Legislature, will be able to erect a School of Physic amongst you, that may draw students from various parts of America and the West Indies, and at least furnish them with a better idea of the rudiments of their Profession, than they have at present the means of acquiring on your side of the water.

“Should the Managers of the Hospital think proper, I could