DR. THAYER SPEAKS ON MEDICINE

Speaking last night on "Medicine and Surgery as a Career" in the fifth of the series of lectures for which the Union has arranged to assist men in their choice of a vocation, Dr. W. S. Thayer '85 outlined to an audience of some 300 men the development which has been made in the science of medicine, explained the process of preparation for the profession, the opportunities which it offers, and the qualities upon which success in it depend, and stated some of the rewards which accrue from its practice.

Pointing out the meagerness of medical knoweldge in 1789, when medicine was called a "conjectuural art", Dr. Thayer traced the advances which have been made since then in the detection and prevention of disease. Next he mentioned the occupations, in addition to the regular practice, which are open to students who take up medicine, including teaching positions, laboratory work, and concentration in public health and sanitation methods. Dr. Thayer stated, finally, that for success in the medical profession a man must have ability to understand and sympathize with human beings, a broad general education as a basis for congeniality with his patients, and a large store of optimism and patience.