Page:Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (ser 03 vol 05).djvu/37

Rh confidence, and esteem, continued with unabated strength until it was dissolved by the death of Dr. Parrish, in 1840. The high professional reputation and winning personal qualities of that gentleman, attracted students from every quarter; and more time being required for the tuition of his constantly increasing class, than his other engagements would permit him to bestow, assistance became necessary. Recent graduates, among others, were accordingly invited to lecture on particular branches; and there almost insensibly grew up a private medical school, with its departments of surgery, medicine, anatomy, materia medica, and obstetrics. Dr. Parrish retained in his own hands the chairs of medicine and surgery; Dr. Richard Harlan had the charge of the anatomical theatre; Dr. Wood was the lecturer on materia medica and chemistry; and to Dr. Nathan Shoemaker was assigned the instruction in midwifery.

The school was established in no spirit of rivalry, but had its origin in the necessity of things; and, while entirely independent of any external influence, was preparatory and auxiliary to the University;—the sole object being the better training of young men for admission into that Institution. They were thus enabled to become more intimately acquainted with the elementary principles of their profession, and particularly with materia medica and anatomy—for which, as the ground-work, special arrangements were made—than they could otherwise have been. All this primary indoctrination is, of course, more thoroughly accomplished now; but it was not elsewhere so done in that early day. The school was fairly opened in 1820; and Dr. Wood informed the writer that the late Treasurer of the College, Dr. John Rodman Paul, was the first pupil whom he received under the new arrangement. It was an admirable association; the forerunner