The University

Through the courtesy of some ïnhabitant of your State I have this day received a copy of your issue of the 17 th instant. From your catholic-spinted editorial I learn how the press and the people regard the matter of "Homeopathy in the University ; " and I nin also inforuied in what a liberal manner the official bodies of the old school have met the action of the Kegents. Sir, to leave one's home, to forsake a grave wherein one's heart is, to vacate a " practico " endearpd by trials, triumphs, and humility-teaching features - often inore precious than success - and all this to go amongutter strangers as the representative of a despised medical minority are circumstances which make a man glad to hear of mch an " Anglo-Saxon love of fair play " as your people have evinced. One might, indeed, come among you atrong in the simple consciousnesa of the truth he is to teach, but even euch a strength is graciously reinforced by the assuranoe of that human sympathy which goes out to " the under dog in the fight." But, sir, while I am touohed by this great-heartedne8S, and made ware of a new obligation to sustain the good name of your Uaiversity by earnest and honest work, I am aleo conscious of a more profound gratitude to the people of Michigan, for, by their sovereign will, I and all of my school are granted that freedom in science which the genius of Amvriam liberty vouchmfe to all ra religwn. The very radius of Heaven shines on the page of history which records a deed like this, because right answers unto right as face unto face in the retiuer's silver. Glory alone is a spare diet, and I heartily rejoice that from this new movement the people of Michigan are to receive something far more substautial. namelv ". a more completely ted cla88 of homeopathie physicians. In this assertion, air, I refer espeeially to the remarkable, I had alniost written opportunity when the truth demands necessity, for the medical student to become"wellup" in chemistry at the Uiiiversity of Michigan. No medical school in the Uuited States affords such facilities, and in none of theni is such stress laid upon the student's beconiing decently proficient in this branch of the curriculum. And while I know I ara loyal to my school, I also know that this is the weak point in its educational course. This deficiency is all the more to be regretted in the homeopathie physician, because the resources of physiological chemistry will enable hiin to prove by physioal demonstration not only to the disease-curing but also the disease-producing power of the divided iufiniteS8imal doses. And we covet this knowledge, not only for our own assurance, but for the sake of those other earne8t physicians who now " see as in a glass darkly." Permit me to close with the expression of tha hope that the day is not far distant when the existing advantages of the TJniversity of Michigan for the medical student will be crowned by the addition of a physiological laboratory. Every year, air, the most prominent gradúate in medicine flock to continen tal univcirsities to pursue such recondite professional studies a may be carried out at home, only under such disadvantages and such additional expense as serve to deter all save a very few of the most resolute. The mental culture of the American medical student compares flatteringly with that of any other, and if we have the material for first-class physiciaus, it is the best policy of the State to even lavish in providing the means of elaborating it. I have hnown to uiy sorrow, and when all unable to aid, many a God-gifted poor student in whom " chili penuty repressed his noble rage." If, as gruff 8am. Johnson said, he is a benefactor who makes two blades of grass grow when only one was produced before, what then, is he who secures for the State two producers where now only one is gotten 'i I am led to this question by having just read last week's health-board report for New York city, and I know it Í8 within the cipabilities of the science and art of aiedicine to reduce the " 81aughter of the Innocents," to cut down the death rate of childhood and adolesence. While too many of us are quarreling about our 'patiies these are dying - and is uot every physician his brother's keeper 'i Thankful for your good words, grateful for an humble workman's place in your Univer8Íty, I am, Sincerely youra,