University of Maryland School of Medicine - Terrae Mariae Medicus (Baltimore, MD)

Page 33 text:

THE CLINIC ensued a battle which the class of 1906-07 will remember for some time to come. Although we succeeded in having our pictures taken, it was not without difficulty. About this time we entered the dissecting room and the Sophomores condescendingly allowed us to go on undisturbed for the rest of the term. At this time there occurred the memorable Baltimore fire, February 7-8, during, which several of our class nobly distinguished themselves. It was thought at one time that the fire would sweep away our college and hospital, but its course in our direction was checked. During the fire, members of the class assisted in removing the patients, specimens, etc., from the hospital and college, and I think it is only just that individual mention should be made of some of the members. A. Winlack sprained his ankle while attempting to carry out a patient, R. L. Licardo and A. Lovell rendered valuable assistance in helping to remove the pathological specimens, the latter having the misfortune to drop one of the jars, and spoiling a very rare, and valuable specimen. J. P. Gutierres proved himself a hero by rescuing the skeleton just as it was about overcome. CJoke.j It would take too much valuable space to mention all, the valiant deeds performed on that memorable night, so we will pass hurriedly on to the spring exams, the dread of all Freshmen. The examina- tions being successfully passed we went to our homes, to astound our folks with the wonders of our knowledge and learning, which we had acquired in such a short time. We returned in the fall of 1904, and found a few faces missing. H. Fulton of Utah, has gone from us forever. Several new mem- bers from other schools, whom we warmly welcomed, have joined us. Of course we had to initiate the Freshmen of 1908 as we were initiated, but be it said for the Freshmen, they proved very apt in learning to swim, and doing stunts when requested by the Sopho- mores. One J. J. Gorman distinguished himself as a 'dne swimmer. We bothered them no more after this and they stole a march on us by 27

Page 32 text:

THE CLINIC year, was that the tank in the Chemical Amphitheater was not large enough to accommodate the entire Freshman Class. After our first lecture we were quietly tipped off by the Seniors to get together and organize as In Union there is Strength. This we found to be a very good motto as far as the Class of 1906 was concerned, but proved to be a failure in our case. We went into secret session and organized a Hying wedge, but later the wedge turned, and started to Hy the other way. We adopted as a means of identification a piece of blue ribbon in buttonhole, so that each Freshman might know his classmatesg when lo and behold, at Dr. Preston's next lecture, our good friends, the Sophomores, were similarly bedecked. The struggle proved short and unavailing as far as we were concerned, and many a Freshman did stunts in water that up to that time he had thought impossible. The way some of us fought would have led you to believe that we had hydrophobiag the fact owing to the ribbon episode some of us actually helped to place our own men in the tank, cheered on by the Seniors and Juniors. This was the first of our initiations into the mysteries of medi- cal college life, except an occasional passing up of some unwary Freshman, who had occupied the front seats, and been passed unceremoniously to his brother Freshmen on the higher rows. About this time the election of class officers was held, and resulted in the election of the following: President, R. W. Ball 5 Vice-President, A. P. W. Penivy g Treasurer,R. Dexter 5 Secretary, C. D. F. O'Hern. Thereafter everything went smoothly with the exception of an occasional rush from the Sophomores, by this time whom we had learned to respect. We were duly initiated into the mysteries of osteology by those great past masters of osteology, Drs. Cotton and Mitchell, also chemistry, anatomy, physiology and histol- ogy by their respective professors. Then there occurred an occasion memorable in the college history. We transgressed a sacred tradition of the Sophomores, by having our pictures taken on the hospital steps, and there 26

Page 34 text:

THE CLINIC having their pictures taken while we were taking an examination. In the spring, the following class officers were elected: President, E. Hughes 5 Vice-President, C. D. F. O'Herng Treasurer, J. A. Hilbert 5 Secretary, J. C. Peck. Again came the spring exams, which brought cheer to the heart of the student, who had a sweetheart and parents anxiously awaiting his return. Next came the fall of 1905, a little nearer the goal of our ambition. This year numerous new faces were amongst us, West Virginia having sent a goodly number, and there were also students from other colleges, A few familiar faces were missing. Herbert E. Taber of Rhode Island, was taken away after a short illness of typhoid fever. He was one of the most popular members of the class and his bright and cheery manner was sadly missed by all. But we still saw most of the old familiar faces in the seats they occupied in former years. The dreaded third year was now upon us, with its numerous branches and hard work. The studies were different from those of former years, but much more interesting. The following class officers were elected: President, W. D. Miller 5 Vice-President, S. W. Merrell 5 Treasurer, J. A. Hilbert 5 Secretary, A. Winlack. The term had progressed, but a few short months, when death claimed another member of our class. Oscar Cole of Pennsylvania, who passed away during the holidays after a short illness of typhoid fever. This uneventful year passed by quickly, and again came the time to depart for our homes, which most of us did without much delay, as the Baltimore boarding houses have a very telling effect on the average student, as seen by his departure in the spring lean and lank looking. The summer vacation is short, and fleeting, and soon comes to the fall of 1906, and we again go, back, back, back to Baltimore. This year we enter not as Sophomores, or Juniors, but as Seniors, and begin the duties assined to us. The handshaking and good wishes go 'round as in former years, but there is one hand which we shall not grasp 3 one face which we shall not see again, that of James Francis Preston of Connecticut. God in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to remove him to a higher sphere. 28