Temple University School of Medicine - Skull Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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■dent was notified that all his deductions had been correct. Our course in Clinical Immunology was introduced by Dr. Kolmer with the words, '‘Gentlemen, I wish to teach you that the following is the truth, and it is the truth which I would have you prattice. The lectures in this course treated of the use ol all the important methods and agents used in the diagnosis, prevention and therapy of infectious diseases. Dr. kolmer’s pack of cards was the master of our destinies during those days, and the poor unfortunates who occupied the front row shook in their boots before the professor’s withering lire. Parasitology took us on a Cook’s tour of many strange and wondrous lands. We went to India to study Leishmania donovani, to China to pursue the Shistosoma japonicum, to the South Pacific in search of the plasmodium. Despite stool examinations, the study of Parasitology proved most fascinating, especially so. since we had the benefit of Dr. Gault’s vast experience and knowledge. He not only stimulated our interest in the course, but his inimitable sense of humor spurred us to new heights of parasitologic effort. This was the substance of mu studies of the living agents of disease and out enjoyment of the study of these subjects is a tribute to the splendid men in this department. 25

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JOHN A. KOI MER. M l). BRCTERIOLOGV, immunoLOGV, MID PflRflSITOLOGV It was on the third of January, 1944 that Dr. John A. Kolmer dramatically introduced us to ihe subject bacteriology. With his right hand waving vigorously through the ether, his left hand tucked behind him and his head bobbing in emphasis, he informed the assemblage that bacteria arc just a bunch of old bugs, and gentlemen, to be respected but not feared. Our class appreciated the sound teaching principles demonstrated by the revered Father John, and the keen interest which he took in our problems. Dr. Amadeo Bondi, Jr. and Dr. Earle H. Spaulding added a plethora of technical details to an already fast growing collection of lecture notes and kept us constantly busy in the laboratory making smears and cultures and looking at queer creatures under the microscope. Most of us never became quite as proficient as our instructors in recognizing the wee beasties, but we were at least able to recognize Koch's bacillus or the spirochete on dark field, especially if the slide happened to be already labeled. Dr. Bondi's lecture on Brucellosis and its relationship to male potency factor tickled our communal funny bone, but Dr. Spaulding’s exhibition of the rabbit innoculated with Clostridium welchi completely pulverized our sense of olfaction. Bacteriology was appropriately terminated by a test of our ability to identify unknown specimens. Many a vest button popped when a stu-

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PHRRmACOLOGV Morpheus was without charm, and the dried sclerotiura of Claviceps purpurea was the answer to a crossword puzzle, when we as adrenal-insufficient sophomores embarked upon our course in Pharmacology. Bui by the time the course had ended, we were conversant with the doses of all the alkaloids, glycosides, anti-luetics, an-thelminthics, and cathartics, and we knew how to compound an emulsion, didn't we? Under the able guidance of Alfred E. Livingston. Professor and Head of the Department, and his associates. Dr. Hayes, Dr. Larson, anti Dr. Fellows, our class did absorb much knowledge concerning the actions and uses of drugs. Dr. Livingston’s lectures on anaesthetics and on digitalis will be remembered as classics of informality. anti Dr. Larson’s gems on diuretics. Dr. Hayes' dissertations on anti-luetic therapy, and Dr. Fellows’ leisurely expoundings on sulfones and penicillin were equally appreciated. The beginning of our first trimester's work in the pharmacology lab dealt with some of the phases of pharmacy; For example, we learned (1) that the U.S.P. and N.F. is not a backwoods railroad, (2) the identification of drugs; many of us still remember the horrible taste of Syrup of Senna, worse than Philadelphia water, (3) the compounding of prescriptions. More than one broken emulsion had to be poured down the sink. Vet it was all part of our thorough train-