of the first degrees of Doctor of Physic, Messrs. Elmer, Potts, Tilton and Way, the Bachelors of Physic in the class of 1768, being the recipients of this honor. The Provost records this act in the following words : They then presented themselves agreeable to the rules of the College, to defend in Latin the Dissertations printed for their Degree of Doctor in Physic. Mr Elmer's piece, "De Causis & Remedies Sitis in Febribus," was impugned by Dr Kuhn, Professor of Botany and Materia Medica. Mr Pott's " De Febribus intermittentibus, potentissimum tertianis" was impugned by Dr Morgan, Professor of the Theory and Practice of Physic. MrTilton's " De Hydrope" was impugned by Dr Shippen, Professor of Anatomy. Mr Way's " De Variolerum Insitione " was impugned by Dr Rush, Professor of Chemistry. Each of these candidates, having judiciously answered the objections made to some Parts of their Dissertations, the Provost conferred the Degree of Doctor in Physic with particular Solemnity, as the highest mark of Literary Honor which they could receive in their Profession. These theses were submitted in Latin and were published according to the Rules adopted in 1767.* He proceeds further in his Minutes of this interesting day, and epitomises Dr. Morgan's charge to these young Doctors. Dr. Morgan, who was appointed to that Part of the Business, entered into a particular Account of those Branches of Study, which the Medical Gentlemen ought still to prosecute with unremitted Diligence, if they wished to be eminent in their Profession ; laying down some useful Rules for an honorable Practice in the Discharge of it. He observed that the "Oath which was prescribed by Hippocrates to his Disciples, had been generally adopted in Universities and Schools of Physic on the like occa- sions, but that laying aside the Form of Oaths, this College, which is of a free Spirit, wished only to bind its Sons and Graduates by the Ties of Honor and Gratitude; and that therefore he begged leave to impress it upon those, who had received the distinguished Degree of Doctors, that as they were among the foremost Sons of the Institution, and the Birth Day of Medical Honors in this New World had arose upon them with auspi- cious Lustre, they would in all their Practice consult the Safety of their Patients, the Good of the Community, and the Dignity of their Profession; so as that the Seminary, from which they derived their Titles in Physic, might never have cause to be ashamed of them.
- These are the earliest medical inaugural essays published in America. Copies of
4hem are with either the American Philosophical Society or the Library Company of Philadelphia. They bear the date 1771.
