Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/533

 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY 507 Dr. Alexander Stewart Paterson I'^HE range of medical study is remarkably wide and varit^d, demandino- almost unique talent and persistence in its votaries. No profession is so prolific of specialists, for almost every organ of the human body, almost every phase of human weakness, contains its own history, whose unravelment demands a lifetime. Among the most interesting branches of medical science is the study of mental organism, where the investigator is brought face to face with the strange maladies arising from a disordered condition of mind. This special treatment of insanity in elaborate institutions set apart for the purpose is a feature of modern civilisation. It is conceded that mental disorders are generally more difficult to diagnose than bodily diseases, and their treatment is, therefore, more 'ague and circumstantial. Besides medical skill, keen perception, a sympathetic nature, long e.xpe- rience, and other qualities are rc(]uirc;d in the specialist to whom is entrusted the care and attention of the insane ; and in Dr. A. -S. Paterson, who, for nearly 30 years, has hvM such a post in South Australia, all these conditions were amply fulfilled. Ale.xander Stewart Paterson, M.I)., was born at Edinburgh, Hammer & Co. Photo Scotkuul, in November, 1833. After receiving some tuition at private [)reliminar- schools, the future medico entered the Edinburgh High .School, an institution which has numbered amongst its scholars some of the finest intellects in Britain. Dr. Paterson .spent six years in this academy, and in his eighteenth year was in the proud position of dux of the school, an honor secured in previous years by such celebrities as Lord Brougham and Sir Charles Aitchison (afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab). Obtaining the " Heriot " bursary, he went from the High .School to the lidinburgh University. Being then undecided as to the choice of a profession, he took the first year of the Arts Course, comprising Latin, Greek, and Mathematics, and carried off the medal awarded by the Professor of Humanity, being HI12