BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 53
prbjected the plan of delivering private lectures on medicine in Edinburgh is
not exactly known, It was considered as a great novelty, because at that time
there had been only one instance of an attempt to deliver medical lectures without
the bounds of the University. This was by Dr. George Martin, also a physician
from St. Andrews. He commenced about twelve or fifteen years previous to
Dr. Duncan. Whether he delivered a second course is unknown, for he was
very soon removed by death. Dr. Duncan for many years gave lectures on
different branches of medicine,
Whilst busily engaged in preparing for the commencement of his lectures,
a vacancy having occurred in the University of St. Andrews, by the death of
Dr. Thomas Simson, Professor of Medicine, Dr. Duncan immediately resolved
to stand for the chair, which is in the gift of the University. On this occasion
he produced ample testimonials from the medical gentlemen of the University
of Edinburgh, under whom he had studied, as well as other equally satisfactory
recommendations. He was nevertheless unsuccessful. This occurred in 1 770.
Without relaxing his diligence during the course of that year, he published a
syllabus of what he proposed to discuss more fully in his lectures. It was
entitled ‘‘ Elements of Therapeutics.”
In 1772 Dr. Duncan published an essay on the use of mercury. On the 6th
September 1775 he was appointed by the patrons to teach the class of the
Institutes of Medicine, in the place of Dr. Drummond, at that time abroad. He
at the same time announced himself a candidate, in the event of Dr. Drummond
declining to accept of the professorship. It is now generally acknowledged that
Dr. Duncan was not fairly treated in this transaction by the magistrates, who
thought proper to pass him over. At the commencement of the session, in
November 1776, he published an address to the students of medicine in the
University, in which he stated his intention to continue his lectures out of the
College. About this time he also gave to the public “Heads of Lectures on
the Theory and Practice of Medicine.” His classes were well attended ; and
his not obtaining the professorship increased in place of diminishing the number
of students.
The Doctor had the merit of founding, in the same year, the Edinburgh
Dispensary. An
Infirmary had been erected about forty years before that peridd ; but persons
afflicted with what are termed chronic diseases are not aclmitted into it, though
they have a very strong claim upon the sympathy and compassion of mankind.
The labour and exertion to which he submitted in accomplishing the object
intended were unremitting. He drew up a prospectus ; and, after circulating it
among his friends, and securing their approbation, he adventured to address the
public upon the subject, which was favourably received. A Hall was erected
in West Richmond Street, with suitable accommodation. In it there is a portrait
of the founder, painted for the Dispensary by the late Sir Henry Raeburn.
The Doctor lived long to see his generous labours crowned with success ; and,
at the interval of half a century, to have the agreeable information communicated,
The plan and the execution of it originated with himself.