University of Oregon School of Nursing - Lamp Yearbook (Portland, OR)

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1 U MEDICAL SCHOOL IN 1921 of clinical work consisting of demonstrations in Good Samaritan and St. Mincent's Hospitals' until 1895 when another year of clinical work was added, bringing it up to a four-year course. . ln 1905, the American Medical Association began to take an interest in schools, and through its committee on medical education began its investigation into condi- tions existing in the various medical schools throughout the country. It was about this time that our patient began to develop difficulty in hearing. Criticism began pouring in from several sides, but it was exceedingly diflicult to keep pace with the standards demanded. Other medical schools were rapidly wilting away under the heat, and it was about this time that our patient began to notice shortness of breath, facilities, good standing and cash. It was impossible to maintain the required six salaried instructors or the laboratory facilities now necessary since this phase of medicine was advancing rapidly and being stressed. ln 1907, our patient became totally deaf and voted to resign from the Association of Medical Colleges. 1-lowever, in 1910, severe ringing in the ears was noted. ln that year, Abraham Flexner published his famous report on 'cMedica1 Education in the United States, which included an intense criticism and condemnation of the U. of O. school. Fortunately, in the same year. of our Lord, MCMX, the use of an out-patient service was secured for the nrst time, an addition sorely needed by the struggling 6 ' i- ' fb 2335 gli 'Inu 51109 1441

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was also part ol' his course, he secured the lirst microtome in the Northwest and made further use ol' his microscope by teaching histopathology. l-le, and the other professors ol' tho school, received as reward 'lor their time and trouble, cer- titicates for stock in the school, which certificates never were expected to be worth anything. lfverything they were paid and sometimes more, too, was turned back toikeep the school going! The lecture room was located on the main floor and there- were cuspidors scat- tered all around through it since so many of the boys chewed tobacco. The anat- omy lab was located on the second floor over the side door which was the one most used. ln the summer time it was as natural as breathing, when coming out, to look up to see if a water-bag was coming down. ln fact, during the summer season, the sidewalk was kept wet with this playful pastime. The winter season didn't dampen the spirit much either. The rival Willamette Medical College was located down on Fifteenth and Couch streets. Une winter during deep-snow time, the boys phoned the Willamette crowd and agreed to meet them half-way for a snowball iight. ln the ensuing succession of soft thuds, the U. of O. boys were bested, driven home, and incidentally had every window in the place broken, a matter requiring considerable chipping-in. Admission requirement became a high- school education or its equivalent. ln reality, however, this amounted to satisfac- tion of the dean, who more often waived the requirement for various reasons. Medicine was a three-year course comprising two courses of lectures and a year QFrom groundj: MEDICAL SCHOOL MOVED TO MARQUAM l-IILL, 1919 ! l , 5 if A 5'?.?'-v .us 11370 list E431

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school lor the practical training ol its students. The appointments of this new department could certainly be called modest, without undue exaggeration. lt had had its beginning two years before as an outgrowth of the Peoples lnstitute, a philanthropic organization located on liourth and Burnside streets in the center of what was as near to slums as Portland ever had. The lnstitute had organized clubs as activities lior the poor people, and it was the Mothers' Club and the Cwirls' Cooking Club ol? the Peoples lnstitute that gave a beneht bazaar and dinner to raise funds to start a clinic. The proceeds piled up to 1530. The janitor made a table. :X few medicines were purchased, and the clinic was declared open for patients. Two appeared for treatment the very nrst day. l-lfowever, it was dithcult to get good doctors to come down to see the free patients. l-lence, they welcomed aiiiliation with the medical school and from then on, the school regularly sent their physicians to the clinic. Students were allowed to come voluntarily for instruc- tion until three years later when attendance was made compulsory. Between forty and titty patients were now being seen in the clinic daily. Miss Valentine Pritchard was in charge of the work from the very start. For the Hrst four months of its existence, the clinic boasted a trained nurse, but she- had to leave temporarily and was replaced by Mrs. Etta McOmber until the nurse might return. That was thirty years ago. The nurse has not yet returned, and Mrs. McOmber has not yet been relieved of duty. lwACKENZlE HALL, 1924 ! i , at -1-1 ' lun sn0V E451