to be chosen, how are its members selected? For
instance, how is the chair of astronomy filled? Do they choose the man
who is celebrated for his general scholastic attainments, or do they not
rather confer it upon one who is known to have devoted special attention
and study to the science of astronomy, and is, therefore, especially
qualified to explain its theories and principles? Thus all the several
chairs are filled by gentlemen whose general scholarship not only is
known to be of the highest standard, but who devote special attention to
the departments assigned them, thus becoming proficient specialists
therein. The same system of specialties is observed in the departments
of a medical college. The professor who would assume to lecture in all
the departments with equal ease and proficiency would be severely
ridiculed by his colleagues; and yet it is just as absurd to suppose
that the general practitioner can keep himself informed of the many new
methods of treatment that are being constantly devised and adopted in
the several departments of medicine and surgery.

PROGRESS IN MEDICINE.

In no other science is more rapid and real progress being made at the
present time than in that of medicine. Even the specialist must be
studious and earnest in his work to keep himself well and accurately
informed of the progress made in his department. Thus it so often
happens that the general practitioner pursues old methods of treatment
which science has long since replaced with others, acknowledged to be
superior. The specialist, on the contrary, by confining his studies and
researches to one class of diseases only, is enabled to inform himself
thoroughly and accurately on all the improvements made in the methods
and means of practice in his special department.

The difference between the practice of specialists and that of general
practitioners is aptly illustrated by the difference between the
old-fashioned district school, in which the school-master taught all the
branches, from a-b-abs to the solution of unknown quantities and the
charmed mysteries of philosophy, and the modern seminary, with its
efficient corps of teachers, each devoting his or her whole attention to
the study and teaching of one special department of learning.

We attribute the success which has attended the practice at the
Invalids' Hotel and Surgical Institute, in a great measure, to a wise
adoption of this system of specialties.

ADVANTAGES O