Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons - P and S Yearbook (New York, NY)

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS In colonial America formal medical education as we know it was nonexistent. The only means of obtaining training in the healing arts was via the apprentice system. The apprentice would care for his master's home, office, and perhaps his stable and in return would have access to his master's medical texts, if any, would be taught the preparation of prescriptions. bloodletting and other such effective treatments. and would be allowed to accompany his master on patient visits. There was no government regulation of physicians. On February 15, 1753 William Livingston's Independent Reflector addressed itself to t'The Use and Importance of the Practice of Physic: together with the Difficulty of the Sciences, and the Dismal Havock made by Quacks and Pretenders. He wrote, in part: No man is of greater Service or Detriment to Society than a Physician. If he is skillful, industrious and honest he is of unspeakable Benefit to Mankind: but if incapacity. idleness and Roguery are his characteristics. he is a curse to By Robert Kimball the community. The city of New York in 1760 passed the first colonial law requiring physicians to pass an examination of basic competency. but exempted those already in practice. It was into such a setting that the Medical School' of King's College was born in 1767. A group of six New York City physicians, all of whom had received medical degrees at universities in Europe, wrote to the Governors of King's College proposing the formation of a medical school and offering their services as professors. On August 14, 1767 the Governors passed a resolution creating such a school, with the six physicians who had initiated the proposal appointed to the faculty as follows: Dr. Samuel Clossy. Professor of Anatomyg Dr. Peter Middleton, Professor of Physiology and PatholOgYL Dr. John Jones, Professor of Chirurgeryg Dr. Samuel Bard, Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic: Dr. James Smith. Professor of Chemistry and the Materia Medica: and Dr. John V. B. Tennent. Professor of , .,, ,,,f, V -.. N, gg.- - --f r'f: -v-ds., - - - , ' Q-' 'ani-Si Ti: --Q '.ff5g 1 5r'Z': -, . f , 4a-.L-ev-we -ii N .,----- , -gil -4 ...x-5.-N .,' . V- - King's College circa 1760 18

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President P 8: S Club HS i r Mark A. Rautenberg President Class of 1984 O LeRoy E. Rabbani Can you believe it's been four years already! I've been told that We have a truly special class and I couldn't agree more. The warmth and camar- aderie We have shared in these four years, I feel has supported us through many trying times. Best ofluck to all in the future. To my classmates - Congratulations on finally making it! Never allow the path ahead to tarnish the basic personal qualities that have collectively made us the truly unique class: dedication, Warmth, sensitivity and camaraderie. Thank you for afford- ing me the privilege of working closely with each of you.

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Q g 1- -x ..'i :' I Y ' 7 5 V' ,bi . . ,ff 9 lf ,. ' ' 1 . -' ff I YQ-'ff ? .T 4-me . 'U-I ii-. I .ll I... ' 'I' .II E . 1. l i is 1-' 35 1 ,,-1 -0-5. 1-L ...A ' I , 1 ...,.4:. C College of Physicians and Surgeons. 1856 - 1887 Midwifery. Jones, Middleton. and Clossy were all established. respectable New York City physicians. Jones was the foremost surgeon in the province. Clossy already held the Chair of Natural Philosophy ta field which included anatomyl. and Middleton was a highly respected practitioner. The other three men were all recent medical graduates. Of the six. Samuel Bard had perhaps been best prepared for a teaching role. His father was Dr. John Bard who. in 1750, with the aforementioned Dr. Middleton. conducted the tirst instruction of anatomy through dissection in the colonies. Dr. Bard had originally come to New York City at the urging of Benjamin Franklin. and quickly came to be one of the most respected members of the medical profession. Samuel was apprenticed to his father for a time. then enrolled at Kings College where. in his spare time. he received lessons in Greek and Latin. In 1762. at the completion of his third year. Samuel sailed to Europe to attend Edinburgh. He was a diligent student. took private lessons in mathematics and drawing and. over one summer. compiled a botanical collection which won the annual botanical prize. It is apparent that during his stay at Edinburgh he discussed the need for a medical school in the colonies with other American students. including John Morgan. who went on to found the medical department of the College of Philadelphia in 1765. Samuel realized his education entailed considerable expense: but I hope I shall never repent it. and that it will some day be returned with interest. Bard's graduation thesis was a report of observations of the effects of opium on himself and his roommate. He concluded that opium was a sedative. not a stimulant. After receiving his M.D. in 1765. Samuel returned to New York to join practice with his father. A degree in Arts or satisfactory knowledge of Latin and natural philosophy was required for admission to the medical school. In order to receive a degree each student was required to have completed one course of lectures in each field and to have been enrolled for three years. although a three year apprenticeship would reduce this requirement to two years. At the completion of three years. the Bachelor of Medicine was conferred. Another year of study with the preparation and defense of a thesis was needed to acquire the M.D.. 19