Medical College of Virginia - X Ray Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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■x s College History HE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA, as it now stands, is the result of the amalgamation of the two medical schools existing in Richmond prior to 1913, the Medical College of Virginia and the University College of Medicine, and the further amalgamation of the North Carolina Medical College with this. The history of the present college necessarily includes those of its three parts, and in brief we present them here: The Medical College of Virginia was established in 1 837, under a most liberal State charter. Its first quarters was the Union Hotel, at Nineteenth and Main Streets. In 1845 the building on Marshall and College Streets was completed; this building standing to-day as one of the most beautiful examples of Egyptian architecture in the country. When the war between the States came on, this was the only medical college within the borders of the Confederacy which kept open its lecture halls. Two sessions of six months each were conducted to furnish the men, who, with practi- cally no drugs except those captured from the enemy, and with even less hospital equipment, were to minister to the wounds and illness of the ragged boys in gray, and to the hordes of their prisoners. After the war, the college fought with the rest of the South through the horrors of readjustment, and by the faithfulness of Faculty and Alumni kept up its march of progress. The University College of Medicine was founded in 1 892. Under the policy of the college for more liberal and extensive medical education, the school grew rapidly. It had no State appropriation and the funds necessary for its maintenance were largely met by the liberality of the Faculty. In January, 1910, the building was burned to the ground, together with its equipment, museum and several invaluable personal collections of members of its Faculty. But fire could not burn the enthusiasm of its supporters, and lectures were immediately continue d in nearby halls, and in the laboratories of the Medical College of Virginia, which were most kindly offered. Plans for rebuilding were soon made, and owing to the tireless work of the President, the Faculty and Board

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? of Directors, a building was started on the site of the old. As a result, one of the best buildings for medical training in the South now stands there. In the spring of 1913, with practically no warning, it was announced that arti- cles of amalgamation had been signed by the Boards of the two colleges. Neither one was to lose its identity, but both were to give of their best to the formation of the new. Both Faculties resigned, and from them a new one was chosen, while on the Board of Directors equal representation was secured. And so began a new chapter in our history. Two years are past now, and a manly recognition in the breasts of all true worth in another has assured a spirit of harmony and a resolu- tion for united effort in evolving an institution that shall meet the needs of our Southland. The North Carolina Medical Cellege had its inception in an institution organized in 1889 at Davidson, under the name of the Davidson School of Medicine. In 1892 clinical teaching was begun at college and the name, North Carolina Medical College, adopted. A class was graduated in 1892 and in each subsequent year. In 1907 all classes were moved to Charlotte, where the school was maintained until 1914, when, realizing the advantages accruing to both schools by a union of resources and of efforts, amalgamation was effected. The North Carolina men have proven capable, congenial students and the spirit of loyalty which now inspires all connected with the institution augurs well for prosperity and achievement in the future.