History of medical practice in Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

Medical Education in Illinois 437reading room, quiz room, coat room and hall. The second floor containedthe histological laboratory, with desks and lockers, which was connectedand continuous with the microscopic a Ilaboratory of the main building, andconstituted a single room of 25 x 156 feet, communicating with storeroomsand special preparation rooms. The third floor was divided into a pathologicallaboratory and four connecting preparation rooms, and was completein its appointments. The fourth floor had a chemical laboratoryprovided with desks of special design. On the fifth floor was the biologicallaboratory, 25 x 156 feet, die general arrangements of which were like thoseof the microscopical laboratory. It contained aquaria, cages for smallanimals, and other necessities for biological study. Here, studies were carriedon in experimental surgery. On the sixth floor was the anatomicaldepartment. Each laboratory was thoroughly equipped and perfectlylighted, heated and ventilated. It was confidently asserted that in no othermedical college on the continent did students receive as much laboratoryinstruction.In October 1893, the College met with a very great loss in the death ofits President, A. Reeves Jackson, Professor of Gynecology, the guiding spiritof the institution up to that time. Professor Charles Warrington Earle waselected President in his stead, and guided the affairs of the College duringthe following year, when his untimely death occurred.In February 1896, the members of the Faculty and other friends of thecollege purchased the Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital for§50,000 in order to secure additional clinical advantages for the college. Itwas converted into the West Side Hospital, and was connected to the oldcollege clinical amphitheater by a covered bridge.During 1896, negotiations were opened by Governor Altgeld with ProfessorQuine, President of the Faculty, looking toward the affiliation of theCollege of Physicians and Surgeons with the University of Illinois asmedical department. At the suggestion of the Governor, the Trustees of theUniversity appointed a committee to confer with a similar committee fromthe college to formulate a plan of union. Professors Quine, Steele and Kingrepresented the college in these negotiations with President Draper and acommittee of the Trustees of the University. The outcome was that onApril 21, 1897, a lease was made to the University of the college property forfour years. From this date the college passed under the control of theUniversity. Co-education was introduced, and university methods adopted.The growth and property of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, nowknown as our College of Medicine, was even more rapid than before. Itsreputation and solidity as a part of the State's University were recognizedby medical students and its classes grew with amazing rapidity. The attendancein 1895-96 was 235; in 1899-1900, 579, and later 710.its