Fifty Years Ago

Abstract

(From the Indian Medical Gazette, March 1904, Vol. 39, p. 106-107) Sir Patrick Manson recently delivered an address at this school on "what it has done, is doing, and hopes to do." After referring in terms of warm laudation to the interest taken by the late Colonial Secretary, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, in promoting education in tropical medicine and the hearty support given by the Seamen's Hospital Society to the starting and organisation of the Institution, he proceeded to give some particulars regarding its work and the contributions which have been made by its alumni to medical progress. Since the opening of the school on the 3rd of October 1899, 384 students have passed through it and obtained practical instruction in the nature, diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases. Many of these students have carried with them the lessons learnt and methods of research taught to the field of their labours in tropical countries, and turned them to profitable account, while all of them have no doubt found the experience gained useful in practice. The statement of scientific work done by men connected with and trained in the school is highly creditable. It must not be forgotten that they have derived both inspiration and stimulus from Manson himself. The address has been published in extenso in the medical journals, and in abstract in the leading newspapers. It is given in full detail in the January number of "Climate," an excellent quarterly journal of tropical medicine edited by Dr. Charles F. Harford, the Principal of the Livingston College. This number gives some particulars regarding the history and work of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the institution over which he presides. This letter is intended to give medical instruction to missionaries. It was founded ten years ago. The curriculum extends over nine months, and consists of three courses of instruction in Anatomy and Physiology, Materia Medica, Medicine, Surgery and Therapeutics. Attention is also devoted to eye and skin diseases, tropical diseases, nursing and hygiene. The clinical training is obtained in selected London hospitals, and a laboratory has been fitted up for the use of students in the college building, which is residential. No doubt missionaries find the education thus obtained interesting and serviceable; but I am inclined to