History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 30

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457

USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 30

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The influence of this bold action has undoubtedly been whole- some. This has shown itself in the additional zeal with which the students have carried on their work, and in a manifest decrease of discontent and disorder.

As above intimated, the admission of women made it impera- tively necessary that the income of the University should be in- creased. Representations of this fact made to the Legislature in the session of 1873, were successful in securing an additional grant. The act of 1869, giving to the University $15,500 a year, was repealed, and an act was substituted in its place, authorizing a twentieth of a mill tax. This change gave to the University an addi- tional income of about $15,000 a year.

A special appropriation was also made for the establishment and support of a school of mines in 'the Department of Literature, Science, and the Arts. This provision, however, was cut off by the Legislature in 1877. Another grant provided for a School of Den- tistry. Besides these generous provisions, amounting in all to $19,500 a year, the Legislature further granted $8,000 for the estab- lishment of a State hospital, on condition that the citizens of Ann Arbor would add $4,000 to the sum; $5,000 to procure a supply of water for the University grounds; and $13,000 to pay outstanding warrants issued by the University, chiefly for the extension of the Chemical Laboratory. These appropriations amounted in the aggre- gate to scarcely less than what would be derived from an endowment of $300,000. The Legislature of 1879 made appropriations for meeting the most pressing wants of the University. The most im. portant of these were $40.000 for a new museum building, $20,000 for a boiler house, and sufficient sums for the erection of a clinical amphitheater in connection with each of the medical hospitals.

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Whatever may be thought of the early policy of the Legislature toward the University, the liberality manifested since 1869 affords most gratifying evidence that the State is disposed to bestow upon the institution all needed support.

These appropriations have enabled the University authorities to enlarge and multiply the courses of study. A brief notice of the most important of these courses will indicate the extent of the development which has taken place.

The classical course does not differ in any essential particular from similar courses in the older colleges at the East. It is per- haps only necessary to say in this connection that under the wise and scholarly guidance of Professors Boise and Frieze, the classical course was so firmly established that no multiplication of other departments of study has shaken its pre-eminence. In every class up to the present time, the classical students have outnumbered all others.

The scientific course extends also over four years. It is designed, not only to afford more ample facilities for the study of the various sciences, but also to give a more thorough training in the modern languages.

The Latin and scientific course differs chiefly from the classical in the substitution of French and German in the place of Greek.

A course in civil engineering extends through four years, and is designed to lay a foundation for the successful practice of the profession. The conditions for admission to this course are the same as those for admission to the course in science.

The School of Pharmacy provides for a two years' course of study in the various branches of chemical analysis. Besides the requi- site recitations and lectures, the experimental and practical work in the Laboratory requires about four hours of daily application throughout the whole of two years.

In that admirable report on the organization of the University, presented by President Pierce as early as 1837, the author recom- mended the establishment of schools of medicine and law, at the earliest practicable moment. But, notwithstanding this recom- mendation and the adoption of this report, it was not until 1849 that the Board found itself in condition to organize even the first of the professional schools. The catalogue for 1848-'9 announced that arrangements were being made to commence a course of instruction in medicine in the autumn term of that year. It was further announced that the Board of Regents had adopted the plan of requiring attendance upon but one course of lectures, which, in consequence, would be extended through the academic year. It was not, however, until the autumn of 1850 that the first course of lectures was given. A change in the plan of instruction, more- over, had been adopted before the college was formally opened.

The University catalogue for the year 1850-'1, the first which contained a list of medical students, shows that the school was organized on the same basis on which it continued to rest until the

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year 1879. Each candidate for admission was required to furnish evidence of good moral character, and, if a candidate for graduation, also of such literary attainments as had been recommended by the National Medical Association, viz .: " A good English education, the knowledge of Natural Philosophy, the Elementary Mathe- matical Sciences, and such an acquaintance with the Latin and Greek languages as will enable the student to appreciate the tech- nical language of medicine, and read and write prescriptions." To be admitted to the degree of Doctor of Medicine, the student was required to have studied medicine and surgery for a term of three years, to have attended two full courses of lectures, and to be at least 21 years of age, and, of course, to have passed all the required examinations. The annual course of lectures in this department began upon the first Wednesday of October, and continued until the third Wednesday of April. The first catalogue of the depart- ment contains the names of Professors Sager, Douglas, Gunn, Denton and Allen, besides the names of as many as 95 students.

It is interesting to read in the same catalogue the following hopeful statement in regard to the condition of the college: "Not- withstanding the unusual duration of the medical term, and the uncertainty attendant upon the success of a new medical college, it is a source of gratification to all interested in the welfare of this institution, to observe the remarkable prosperity which has thus far attended it. It is believed that the present class, already large, almost beyond precedent in the history of medical colleges, will be still further augmented in number, at the next session."

The prediction contained in this last sentence was amply ful- filled; for the catalogue of 1851-'2 gives the number of students of medicine as 159. The remarkable success of the Medical School, as indicated by these figures, appears the more striking in view of the fact that the whole number of students in the Department of Literature, Science, and the Arts, for the same year, was only 57. It is obvious that the various influences which had steadily reduced the number of students in the Literary Department for a number of years previous to 1852, were not felt in the Department of Medicine.

Nor did the Medical School at once attain to the full measure of its growth. The catalogues of the University show that the remarkable prosperity which attended the opening of this depart- ment was no mere spasmodic success. followed by a relapse into secondary importance; on the contrary, the number of students increased steadily, and indeed rapidly, until in 1866 the class numbered no less than 525. This very large number, however, was owing to an exceptional cause. At the close of the civil war a large number of soldiers entered at once upon the studies of a profes- sional education. But the most important step in advance taken by the Medical College was that announced in 1878, and fully entered upon in 1880. Not only was the term lengthened from six months

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to nine, but the conditions of the degree were made to depend upon an attendance on lectures, of three years.

The policy of the University in regard to buildings has generally

allowed the demand to anticipate the supply. The Board of Regents have never made the mistake of believing that ample and showy accommodations would attract large numbers of students. It may be said, that from the first no building has been erected until the necessity of its existence has become really pressing. If there has been any exception to this policy, it was perhaps in the erection of the first building for the accommodation of the Depart- ment of Medicine. It was erected some three years before the department was opened, and was the result of a somewhat curious circumstance.

In 1845 the Board of Regents determined to erect for the Liter- ary Department a second dormitory building, which should be an exact duplicate of that completed in 1841. Dr. Douglas, who had recently entered upon the duties of his professorship of chemistry and geology, was employed by the Board to superintend the con- struction of the new building. As the new structure was to corre- spond in every particular with the one previously erected, the bills of the former one were duplicated in ordering materials for the latter. On the completion of the second building, however, it was found that a large amount of materials remained unused. It was in view of this unexpected and gratifying fact that the Regents authorized Prof. Douglas to begin the work of erecting a building for a chemical laboratory. The records of the Board show that the various appropriations made for building purposes at this period, were for a Laboratory, although the building erected with the money appropriated was what has since been known as the Old Medical College. The lower story of the new edifice was occupied as a chemical laboratory some two or three years before the open- ing of the Medical Department in 1850.

The accommodations thus provided, partially in anticipation of the School of Medicine, continued to be sufficient until 1855, when it was found necessary to begin the erection of the present labor- atory for the use of students in chemistry. Again, on the outbreak of the civil war, the number of medical students increased greatly; hence it was necessary to enlarge the Medical College. No special appropriation from the Legislature was called for; but the citizens of Ann Arbor generously contributed $10,000 for the purpose of aiding the Regents in carrying out their design. Two large lecture- rooms, with adjacent offices, were provided for at an expense of $20,315. The new building was ready for occupation in the autumn of 1864. It is gratifying to note that the first class which assem- bled in the completed structure numbered nearly 500.

The next important event in the history of the School of Medi- cine was the admission of women. When it was finally determined to throw open the privileges of the University to both sexes, it be- came an important question whether, in the Medical Department,

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women should be admitted to the classes already formed; or whether they should receive instruction in a class by themselves. The lat- ter course was immediately determined upon. A new lecture room was provided for, and nearly all the lectures were repeated before the class of ladies. In cases of clinical instruction, it was at the option of the Faculty whether the clinic should be in the presence of both sexes or whether it should be in the presence of either of the sexes alone. During the past three or four years, the number of women in attendance each year has been about 60.

The advantages afforded for clinical instruction in the Medical School have been as great as possible in a city no larger than Ann Arbor. Several years since, the number of applicants for treat- ment was already so considerable that the erection of a hospital became an imperative necessity. One of the University houses was therefore devoted to this purpose. This was soon found, however, to afford altogether inadequate accommodations; and, accordingly, application was made to the Legislature for an appropriation with which to erect a State Hospital in connection with the Medical Department of the University. The application was not at once suc- cessful, but favorable action was not very long delayed. The Legislature of 1875 granted $8,000 for the erection and equipment of a hospital, on the condition that the city of Ann Arbor would grant $4,000 for the same purpose. The condition was immedi- ately fulfilled, and the buildings have accordingly been erected. Two pavilions, each 115 feet long by 28 feet wide, with 17 feet ceil- ing, were attached to the former hospital building. The latter is to be hereafter devoted exclusively to administrative purposes. The new buildings have been amply provided with every appointment of a first-class hospital, such as baths, water-closets, heating and ventilat- ing apparatus as well as sitting and reception rooms for patients and visitors. Several private rooms have also been provided for such pa- tients as may desire to pay an increased price for better accommoda- tions than those afforded by the general wards. All medical attendance is gratuitous; the only fees required being for board and medicine, at their actual cost. No contagious diseases are admitted; but patients are received from any part of the country. It is be- lieved that the amount of clinical material will hereafter be as great as can be profitably used in the course of instruction.

One of the most embarrassing questions in the history of the University has been the subject of homeopathic medicine. The Legislature of the State early required the Regents to appoint at least one professor of homeopathy in the Medical Department. But the Regents declined to comply with this requirement, alleg- ing as a reason for their action, that a compliance would injure, if not indeed destroy, one of the most flourishing departments of the University. At two different periods a mandamus was issued to compel the Board of Regents to carry out the Legislative require- ment. But the Supreme Court held that the powers of the Regents

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were received from the constitution of the State, and therefore could not be interfered with by the Legislature.

Accordingly, after this puzzling question had agitated the State and perplexed the Regents during much of the time for 20 years, the Legislature of 1875 provided for the establishment of a Homeo- pathic Medical College as a separate department of the University.

It remains only to be said that the Regents at once adopted measures for carrying out the provisions of this act. A building was fitted up for the use of the Homeopathic Medical College; and two professors, one of Theory and Practice of Homeopathic Medi- cine and one of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, were appointed. It was determined that the conditions of admission should be the same as those formerly exacted of all medical students. To gain instruction in General Chemistry, Anatomy, Organic and Applied Chemistry, Physiology, Ophthalmology, Otology and Practical Anatomy, Surgery, Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Chil- dren, students are required to attend the lectures on those subjects in the " Department of Medicine and Surgery." Each professor whose instruction the student is required to attend furnishes a certificate to that effect whenever such student has passed the necessary examinations; and the certificates thus given are laid before the Board of Regents, who award the degrees, and sign the diplomas. The School of Homeopathic Medicine, organized on this basis, was opened for the work of instruction on the first of Octo- ber, 1875, with 22 students in attendance. In 1879 the Legislature made still further appropriations for the Homeopathic Department. The hospital and clinical privileges were extended so that the opportunities of students should be equal to those enjoyed by stu- dents of the old Department of Medicine and Surgery.

This disposition of an important and troublesome question was generally accepted by the Regents and the several faculties of the University as offering fewer embarrassments than any other that had ever been proposed. Whether it will in the end be equally satisfactory to the members of the medical profession, it is, perhaps, too soon to predict with any confidence.

Although from the earliest history of the University, the establish- ment of a Department of Law had been contemplated, it was not until the December meeting of the Regents in 1858, that this pur- pose took definite form. At that time a committee of three was appointed to consider and report a plan for the establishment of a Law Department in the University. At a meeting held March 29, 1859, Regent Johnson, in behalf of this committee, recommended the establishment and the immediate organization of such a depart- ment. The report of the committee was adopted; and Messrs J. V. Campbell, C. I. Walker and T. M. Cooley were appointed Law Professors in the University, their time of service to commence on the first day of the following October. Provision was also made at the same meeting for the opening of the department, and the delivery of the first course of lectures in the following autumn.

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In October of the same year a committee was appointed to devise means for the erection of a suitable building for the use of the de- partment. It was not, however, until March, 1861, that the Board saw its way to the accomplishment of this purpose. After the plans of different architects had been considered, and that of Messrs. Jordan & Anderson, of Detroit, had been adopted, a building com- mittee was appointed and authorized to make the most favorable contract possible for the completion of the building before Septem- ber 20, 1862. The building was not ready for occupation, however, until the autumn of 1863. This delay was doubtless owing in part to the fact that the original purpose had undergone considerable modification. It was finally determined by the Board to erect a building large enough not only to accommodate the Law Depart- ment, but also to serve temporarily the purposes of a general library room and a chapel. The library was at once removed to its new quarters; and it continues still to occupy almost the entire lower story of the building, much to the inconvenience of the Law Department. On the erection of the University Hall in 1873, the law building was no longer needed for a chapel, ample accommo- dations having been provided for in the new edifice. It is to be hoped that at no distant day similiar provisions may be made for the general library.

It may also be said that from the domestication of the Law De- partinent in its new quarters in 1863, it has had no history. In 1866 a fourth professorship was created; and Ashley Pond, Esquire, of Detroit, was appointed Fletcher Professor of Law. Two years later Prof. Pond was succeeded by Prof. Charles A. Kent, who still oc- cupies the chair to which he was then appointed. The only other change that has taken place in the Faculty of this department was in the appointment of Mr. William P. Wells as Lecturer, to dis- charge the duties of Prof. Walker, who at his own urgent request was excused from service for two years. On the resignation of Prof. Walker in 1877, Mr. Wells was appointed Professor.

In 1878, the Faculty was still further enlarged by the appoint- ment of ex-Governor Alpheus Felch as Tappan Professor of Law. From first to last no essential differences of opinion have arisen in regard to the policy and workings of the department. The first class of students numbered 90; in 1866, only seven years from the establishment of the school, the number in attendance was as high as 385. Since that time the attendance in any one year has never descended so low as 300; in 1879-'80, the number was 395.

The last of the professional schools established in the University is the School of Dentistry. This department was provided for by a Legislative act in 1875. In accordance with the requirements of that act the school was at once organized by the Regents, and was opened for students in the autumn of 1875. Two professors and a demonstrator were appointed, and the school was commodiously accommodated in one of the University buildings formerly oc- cupied as a dwelling. In the basement of the building furnaces

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were erected for the manipulation and management of the precious metals with reference to their application to dental purposes; and in the rooms above all the requisite facilities were furnished for the most thorough course in didactic and clinical instruction. Students of dentistry have all the privileges afforded by the Chemical Laboratory, as well as the advantages of the lectures on Anatomy, Physiology and Surgery in the Department of Medicine. Candidates for graduation must have devoted three years to the study of the profession, in connection with attendance upon a full course of medical lectures, and must have attended two full courses of lectures in a dental college, one of which, at least, must have been in the University of Michigan. The facilities afforded by the school for the study of dentistry are believed to be unsurpassed. The number of students in the class of 1875, the first year in the history of the department, was 20. The number in '79-'80 was 83.

Among the most important means of education in any institution of learning are to be considered the libraries.

The nucleus of the general library of the University of Michi- gan was a collection of about 3,700 volumes purchased in 1840. The books were selected in Europe by Dr. Asa Gray, then Professor of Botany and Zoology in the University. Unfortunately, the money at the disposal of the Regents admitted of but few addi- tions to this small number of volumes in the course of the next ten years.

On the arrival of President Tappan, however, attention was called to the meagre condition of the library; and in accordance with his recommendation regular appropriations were made for its increase. In 1856 Mr. John Tappan, son of the President, was appointed Librarian; and in the course of the same year the library was removed from its crowded quarters in one of the small rooms of the South College, to the ample accommodations then afforded by the lower story of the Museum.

It was not, however, until after the increasing demands for space in the North College had driven the library to its present quarters in the Law Building, that its educational power was fully developed. This transfer took place in 1863. In the following year the Rev. Andrew Ten Brook was appointed Librarian, an office which he continued to hold until 1877, when he was succeeded by Mr. Ray- mond C. Davis, formerly an Assistant Librarian in the same library.

Two important changes were introduced during the administra- tion of Mr. Ten Brook, in order to make the library more completely accessible to students. In the first place the room was opened for use in the evening as well as in the day time. Of still greater im- portance was the preparation of a card catalogue on what is known as the Harvard plan. It consists of two parts, one comprising a list of the names of authors alphabetically arranged, together with the titles of such of their works as may be in the library; the other an index of subjects and a reference to all the works in the library

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which treat of the subjects named. This latter branch of the catalogue is so comprehensive as to include not only the volumes treating of special subjects, but also all the articles of importance in the reviews and magazines. The catalogue consists of nearly 100,000 cards, so arranged as to be consulted by the student with the greatest ease. The library is regularly open for the use of students from 9 A. M. to 5 P. M., and again from 7 to 9:30 p. M., ex- cept during vacations, when it is usually closed in the evening.

The general library contains at the present time about 27,000 volumes, besides somewhat more than 7,000 pamphlets. In addi- tion to these should be mentioned some 95 American and European periodicals kept regularly on file. The amount appropriated for the general library by the Board of Regents varies from year to year from $1,500 to $3,000. As this amount has to cover the pur- chases of books as well as of periodicals it falls far short of the demands of the various departments of study. These demands are rapidly increasing. It is confidently believed that no other uni- versity library in the country is more used by students than is our own. The number of works drawn by students alone, according to the most recent statistics, extending through a week of no unusual literary activity, averages as high as 278 per day. On Saturdays the number reaches usually as high as 350, exclusive of papers and periodicals furnished to the reading-room by students themselves.

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History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan, Part 30

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1457

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Chas. C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1457