Page:A History of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania.djvu/61

 In January, 1768, Dr. Kuhn returned from Europe, when he was at once appointed the Professor of Materia Medica and Botany in the College. These subjects had been taught by Dr. Morgan in connection with his course on the Theory and Practice of Physic; but the necessity of creating a distinct Professorship, appropriated to their consideration, was impressed upon the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Kuhn, from his training in the natural sciences, was regarded as its most fitting incumbent. The record thus refers to his election:—

“Dr. Kuhn having made application to be appointed Professor of Botany and Materia Medica in this College, declaring that he would do the utmost in his power to merit the honor, and the Trustees having ample assurance of his abilities to fill that Professorship, for which he is likewise particularly recommended by the Medical Trustees and Professors belonging to the College itself, did therefore unanimously appoint him, the said Dr. Kuhn, Professor of Botany and Materia Medica in this College, agreeably to his request.”

His first course was on Botany, in May, 1768, three months after his arrival from Europe. In the following year, on May 1st, we find that Dr. Kuhn’s course on the same branch was announced, but it appears in subsequent years to have been dropped.

Dr. Kuhn held the Chair of Materia Medica during twenty-one years, under the auspices of the College and University, until he assumed the Chair of Practice, as will be seen by the account hereafter given of the changes in the Medical Faculty.

The subject of fees in the College is one of some interest. With respect to the particular compensation for instruction we cannot find that there was any legislative action when the lectures were first inaugurated, and can only judge of the amount from the advertisements of the professors. The first regulation with respect to fees, more especially having reference to graduation, is found on the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of May 17, 1768, to wit:—

“The following Rules brought forward by the Medical Committee of Trustees and Professors were agreed to, viz:— “1. Such Medical Students as propose to be Candidates for Degrees, and likewise such other Medical Students as shall 5