A Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America

While studying medicine in Europe, John Morgan (1735-1789) conceived the idea of establishing a medical school in connection with the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and proposed this scheme to the College's trustees after his return in 1765. His plan was immediately adopted, and Morgan became the founder of America's first medical school. At the College's annual commencement the same year, he delivered the Discourse upon the Institution of Medical Schools in America, an elaborate exposition on the nature and scope of medical science, its conditions in America, obstacles to medical study and reasons for the establishment of medical schools. He argued the need for separating the functions of physician, apothecary and surgeon, and declared his intention to limit himself to the practice of internal medicine solely by prescription. These were advanced ideas which at first met with much opposition, as Morgan's opponents claimed that they were not applicable to conditions in the colonies. Morgan's work was issued from the press of William Bradford (1663-1752), a pioneer colonial printer [i.e. his grandson, a Revolutionary printer].--J. Norman, 2006.