Page:Transactions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia (ser 03 vol 05).djvu/39

Rh and honest, to do nothing merely for effect, to subordinate private interests to the welfare of the sick and to the dignity of their profession, and never to lose sight of its benevolent character, as that alone which properly requites its toils and privations, and renders it worthy of the love and pursuit of elevated minds. In a word, they were taught to be truthful, upright, and honorable men, who, animated by the spirit of real philanthropy, drew their inspiration from the inherent nobility of their calling, and not from the hope of pecuniary reward, for which many other occupations furnished greater inducement and opportunity. It was thus, as has been said, a nursery for good men and skilful physicians; and those of them who still linger among us, may, in their retrospect, think with pardonable pride, that it neither has been, nor is likely to be, surpassed in the quality and value of its productions.

If there was one lesson, more strongly than any other, impressed upon the minds of the pupils by their sagacious preceptor, it was that of a hopeful and intelligent reliance on the vis medicatrix naturæ. Instances illustrative of her wonderful recuperative power, were constantly held before them, and they were continually reminded that their proper function was to facilitate and assist, and not to disturb or thwart, her beneficent operations. Injudicious interference—the nimia diligentia medici—was especially deprecated, and many were the opportunities taken for the inculcation of the good old maxim, that in cases of doubt and difficulty, when they knew not what to do, it was better to do nothing. More, they were told, was to be learned from failure than from success, and they were consequently exhorted to the particular consideration and review of all adverse cases. In this cautious and conscientious school Dr. Wood had himself been