Page:Memoir of George McClellan MD.djvu/18

 His mind was eminently practical, and furnished with an extraordinary fund of knowledge in his favourite pursuit; and, as a lecturer, he displayed that same vivacity of manner which has characterized him through life, and he became an attraction to medical students. His attentive class consequently became very soon so numerous as to require for their accommodation a larger room.

Thus began a life of public usefulness, which continued unceasingly for more than twenty-eight years, the labours of which admit of the following classification: viz.—First, his surgical operations, which surpassed those of his cotemporariescontemporaries [sic] in number, novelty, and boldness. Second, his efforts with the legislature and with Jefferson and Pennsylvania Colleges, to establish medical departments in Philadelphia. Third, his public and private clinical, anatomical, and surgical instructions in the office and in two medical schools. Fourth, his authorship as a Journalist, and a Writer on the principles and practice of surgery.

The amount of these labours cannot be estimated nor fully appreciated. It implies, however, a most assiduous and humane exercise, and, to a considerable extent, improvement, of the healing art. This inference being proven, George McClellan becomes a historical medical character. He shines brightly on the page of medical history, an honour to his family, his native state, his almæ matres, our city, and we proudly own him as the Founder of our School.

We demand for the founder of our school, the late Doctor George McClellan, a place, honourable, perpetual among those who, by their worthy deeds, have become historical medical characters; and will attempt to show his claim to this high place by what he has been as a surgeon, a medical instructor, and founder of