well must be content to be profoundly ignorant of many things. He must
select something for special study, and pursue it with devotion and
diligence. This course will lead to success, while the attempt to do
everything eventuates unavoidably in failure. Let there be single hands
for special duties." Our institution is the only one in this country in
which these common-sense-ideas are _thoroughly_ carried out. The
diversified tastes and talents of physicians cause each to excel in
treating some one class of diseases, to which he devotes more attention
and study than to others. One medical student manifests great interest
in the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatment of diseases of the
eye. He becomes thoroughly familiar with all the minutest details
relative to that organ and its diseases, and so thoroughly qualifies
himself in this branch of knowledge that he is able to cure an
inflammation or other affection of the eye in a very short time. Another
student is more interested in some other class of diseases, for the
study of which he has a liking, and neglects to inform himself in the
ophthalmic branch of medical and surgical science. If after engaging in
the practice of his chosen profession, he is consulted by persons
suffering from diseases of the eye, he tortures them with unnecessary
and oftimes injurious applications, clumsily and carelessly made, and,
as the result of such unskillful treatment, the inestimable blessing of
sight may be sacrificed.

[Illustration: A Corner in Printing Department.--World's Dispensary.]

The great majority of physicians allow acute maladies, diseases of
children, and the practice of midwifery, to engross most of their time
and attention. They manifest an absorbing interest in everything that
relates to these subjects, and devote little or no time to acquiring an
intimate knowledge of the great variety of chronic maladies which
afflict mankind. They acquire skill and reputation in their favorite
line of practice, but are annoyed if consulted by one suffering from
some obscure chronic affection, usually turn the invalid off with a very
superficial examination, and, perhaps, only prescribe some placebo,[6]
apparently indifferent as to the result, but really desiring thus to
conceal their lack of familiarity with such diseases. The specialist,
the treatment of chronic diseases being his vocation, is equally annoyed
if consulted by those suffering from acute diseases, but does no