BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 255
Dr. Cullen chose the Practice; and upon the 17th of the same month he was
duly installed into the office.
No. CIV.
DR. CULLEN IN HIS STUDY.
THIS Print appears to have been executed three years subsequent to the preceding,
and exhibits the celebrated Professor as engaged in finishing his
“ Treatise on the Materia Medica ”-the last of his published productions.
When DR. CULLENta ught the “ Institutes,” he published “ Heads of Lectures
for the use of Students in the University of Edinburgh,” but he proceeded
no farther than physiology. In 1772 appeared, in two volumes octavo,
“ Synopsis Nosologis Methodics,” which was written in Latin. The merit of
this performance is universally admitted. He criticised impartially the works
of those who had gone before him in this department of medical science, and
candidly pointed out in what respects his own arrangement might be objected
to. This seems to have been particularly designed in order to prepare the
public. for his great work, which he was then composing, and which was looked
for with general impatience: it, however, did not appear till 1776. It was
entitled “First Lines of the Practice of Physic.” Its circulation through Europe
was both rapid and extensive. It became exceedingly popular, and not only
raised his reputation very high, but enriched him considerably, as it is said to
have produced upwards of three thousand pounds sterling. About a year before
his death he published “A Treatise on the Materia Medica,” in two volumes
quarto.
The high respect in which the genius and character of the venerable Professor
were held by the patrons, professors, and students of the University of
Edinburgh, as also by societies in Ireland and America, will appear from the
following addresses and resolutions :-
“On the 8th January 1790, the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council of Edinburgh voted a
piece of plate, of fifty guineas value, to Dr. Cullen, as a testimony of their respect for his distinguished
merits and abilities, and his eminent services to the University, during the period of thirtgfour
years in which he has held an acadeniical chair. On the plate was engraved an inscription
expressive of the high sense the Magistrates, as patrons of the University, had of the merit of the
Professor, and of their esteem and regard.”
“.A meeting of the pupils of Dr. Cullen was held on the 12th in the Medical Hall, when an address
to the Doctor was agreed upon, and ordered to be presented by the following gentlemen :-Dr. Jackman,
Mr. Gagahan, and Mr. Gray, annual presidents of the Medical Society ; Dr. Black, Dr. Gregory, Dr.
Duncan, Mr. Alexander Wood, Ivk Benjamin Bell, Dr. James Hamilton, and Dr. Charles Stuart. A
motion was also made, and unanimously agreed to, that 8 statue, or some durable monument of the
Doctor, should be erected in a proper place, to perpetuate the fame of the illustrious Professor. The execution
of this, and of all necessary measures for the purpose, was also committed to the above gentlemen.
The gentlemen of the deputation
were very politely received by the Doctor’s sons, Robert (afterwards Lord Cullen), and Dr. Henry
Cullen (Dr. Cullen himself being much indisposed), and a suitable an8wer returned.”
“The Royal Physical Society presented an address to Dr. Cullen.
