Having terminated his
studies at Glasgow, Dr Cullen, towards the end of the year 1729, went to
London, with the view of improving himself in his profession, and there,
soon after his arrival, through the interest of commissioner Cleland, who
was a friend of Pope, and author of a letter prefixed to one of the
editions of the Dunciad, he obtained the appointment of surgeon to a
merchant ship, which traded between London and the West Indies. On the
occasion of this appointment he underwent a medical examination, at which
he acquitted himself with satisfaction to his examiners, "who," says his
younger brother, "were pleased to pay him some very flattering
compliments, and to encourage him strongly to persevere in that diligence
which it was evident to them he had employed in the study of his
profession." Mr Cleland, a relation of his own, was fortunately the
captain of a vessel in which he obtained this appointment. During the
voyage in which he was now engaged, he did not neglect the opportunity it
afforded him of studying the effects of the diversity of climate on the
human constitution, and the diseases which are so prevalent and fatal in
our West Indian settlements. The facts he then gathered – the observations
he then made, - he subsequently referred to in his lectures in Glasgow and
in Edinburgh. After returning from the West Indies he remained a short
time in London, where he attended the shop of Mr Murray, an apothecary;
and it is supposed that here it was that he first paid particular
attention to the study of materia medica. About this period – the end of
the year 1731, or the beginning of the year 1732 – in consequence of the
death of his eldest brother, the duty of arranging his father’s affairs
devolved upon him; besides which, the necessity of providing for the
education of his younger brothers and sisters, rendered it expedient for
him to return to Scotland. Aware of these circumstances, his friend,
captain Cleland, invited him to reside with him at his family estate of
Auchinlee in the parish of Shotts, and to take charge of the health of his
son, who was affected with a lingering disorder. This situation was
peculiarly convenient for Dr Cullen in commencing the practice of his
profession, for it was near to Hamilton, the place of his birth, and in
the vicinity of the residences of many of the most respectable families in
the county of Lanark, besides which, it was in the neighbourhood of his
patrimonial property, the lands of Saughs, and of another small farm which
belonged to his family in the parish of Shotts. Whilst residing there, he
seems to have combined with his medical practice the most unremitting
application to his studies. Captain Cleland was often heard to say, that
nothing could exceed his assiduity at this period; for when not engaged in
visiting patients or in preparing medicines, his time was wholly occupied
with his books.
Dr Cullen having remained
practising in this situation nearly two years, succeeded to a small legacy
by the death of a relation, and still ardent in the pursuit of knowledge,
he determined to devote his attention exclusively to his studies, before
fixing himself as a medical practitioner in the town of Hamilton.
Accordingly he proceeded to the retired village of Rothbury, near Wooler
in Northumberland, where he resided with a dissenting clergyman, and was
there chiefly occupied with the study of general literature and
philosophy. How long he remained there has not been exactly ascertained;
but immediately afterwards he went to Edinburgh, where, engaged in the
prosecution of his general studies, he remained during the winter sessions
1734-35-36. The medical school of the university of Edinburgh was at this
period only beginning to attain the celebrity it now enjoys; for although
professorships to each of the different branches of medical science had
been instituted, and several attempts had been made to systematise a
course of instruction, it was not until the year 1720, that these
important objects were carried into effect. When Dr Cullen commenced his
studies at this university, the celebrated Monro lectured on anatomy; the
amiable and humane Dr St Clair on the theory of physic; Drs Rutherford and
Jones on the practice of physic; Dr Plummer on chemistry; and the learned
and the indefatigable Dr Alston on materia medica and botany. All these
distinguished indiviuals having been pupils of the great Boerhaave, taught
from their several chairs his doctrines, which for upwards of forty years
held unlimited sway in the medical school of Edinburgh. The Royal
Infirmary, although in progress, was not at this time open to the public,
nor were the advantages that are to be derived from clinical lectures yet
recognized. A useful adjunct to this school of medicine was at this period
formed, by the institution of the Medical Society, which originated in the
latter end of the August of 1734. Dr Cleghorn, Dr Cuming, Dr Russel, Dr
Hamilton, Mr Archibald Taylor, and Dr James Kennedy, then fellow students
at Edinburgh, and intimately acquainted with each other, after spending a
social evening at a tavern, agreed to meet once a-fortnight at their
respective lodgings, where it was arranged that a dissertation in English
or Latin on some medical subject should be read, and afterwards discussed
by the auditors. Dr Cullen, says the History of the Society, with the
discrimination, characteristic of a mind devoted to activity, and eager in
the pursuit of knowledge, hastened, as appears from a part of his
correspondence still preserved, to unite himself with a society, which
even in its infancy had honours and advantages at its disposal. In its
labours it may safely be presumed he took a prominent and animated share,
and there can be no doubt that the value of its discussions were both
attested and augmented by his distinguished participation. [History of the
Medical Society of Edinburgh, printed for the Society, xxi.]
This Society, thus humble in its commencement subsequently held its
meetings in a room in the Royal Infirmary, until adequate funds having
been raised, the building, known as the hall of the Medical Society in
Surgeon’s Square, was founded. On this occasion an elegant and appropriate
oration was delivered by Sir Gilbert Blane, after which the assembly
rising to fulfil the purpose of their meeting, proceeded to the adjacent
area, where the foundation-stone was laid by Dr Cullen, who, having shared
the labours of the association during its early infancy, had now lived to
participate the well earned triumph of its more mature age. [Ibid.]
This fact is worthy of commemoration, because it was in the hall of
that society that the doctrines of Boerhaave received their refutation,
while they were yet taught within the walls of the university; and it is
in the same hall of that society that the doctrines of Dr Cullen himself,
are now as keenly contested, and are already, to the satisfaction of many
persons, as satisfactorily overthrown. It appears indeed as if there were
a fatality attending all systems of philosophy and science; for however
correct the facts may appear on which such superstructures are raised, the
progress of discovery must, by adding to our knowledge new facts, modify
and alter the relations of those previously known, and thus undermine the
whole foundation on which the superimposed fabric seemed to rest in
perfect security.
Dr Cullen continued his
studies in Edinburgh until the spring of 1736, when he left it, to
commence business as a surgeon in Hamilton, where he appears to have been
employed by the duke and duchess of Hamilton, and all the families of any
consideration in that neighbourhood. During his residence there, the duke
of Hamilton was attacked with an alarming disease, which did not readily
yield to the remedies he prescribed, and therefore it was deemed
adviseable to call in Dr Clerk, who was accordingly sent for from
Edinburgh. This accomplished physician highly approved of Dr Cullen’s
management of the duke’s case, and was so pleased with Dr Cullen, that he
ever afterwards took every opportunity of cultivating his friendship.
Thence arose an interesting correspondence between them on various
literary and professional subjects, which, on the part of Dr Clerk, was
chiefly conducted through his son, Dr David Clerk. In the year 1757, this
intercourse was terminated by the death of Dr Clerk, on which occasion Dr
Cullen evinced his esteem and respect for his deceased friend, by writing
an account of his life and character, which he read to a meeting of their
mutual friends, held in the hall of the Royal Infirmary.
Dr Cullen appears to have
been peculiarly fortunate in the choice of his companions and friends;
among whom we find many individuals whose names are an ornament to science
and literature. At Hamilton he became acquainted with Dr William Hunter,
with whom he ever afterwards continued on terms of the greatest intimacy,
each living to see the other placed, by the concurrent suffrages of their
medical brethren, at the head of his own department of medical science. Dr
Cullen and Dr William Hunter are said to have projected a singular
partnership at this period; the popular account of which is, that being
sensible of the great importance of a more scientific education than was
then commonly enjoyed, and generously solicitous to increase each other’s
medical attainments, beyond the mere demands of lucrative occupation, they
agreed, that each should alternately be at liberty to study for a season
at Edinburgh or London, while the other conducted the business in the
country for their mutual emolument:—but this does not appear to have been
the true object of their arrangement. When Dr William Hunter became the
friend of Dr Cullen, it is evident that Dr Cullen had completed his
elementary education, and the agreement that took place between them was,
that Dr William Hunter should go and prosecute his medical studies in
Edinburgh and London, and afterwards return to settle in Hamilton, as a
partner of Dr Cullen, the object of which partnership was to enable Dr
Cullen, who disliked the surgical department of his profession, to
practise only as a physician; while his friend and partner, Dr William
Hunter, was to act among their connections only as a surgeon. Dr Hunter’s
biographer, Dr Foart Simmons, gives the following account of the nature
and termination of this arrangement, "which," says Dr Thomson, "is, I have
reason to believe, strictly correct. His father’s consent having been
previously obtained, Mr Hunter, in 1737, went to reside with Dr Cullen. In
the family of this excellent friend and preceptor he passed nearly three
years, and these, he has been often heard to acknowledge, were the
happiest years of his life. It was then agreed that he should go and
prosecute his studies in Edinburgh and London, and afterwards return and
settle in Hamilton in partnership with Dr Cullen. Mr Hunter, after
prosecuting his studies for a winter at Edinburgh, went to London, where
he was introduced to Dr James Douglas, who was at that time engaged in the
composition of his great anatomical work on the bones, and looking out for
a young man of abilities and industry, whom he might employ as a
dissector. This induced him to pay particular attention to Mr Hunter; and
finding him acute and sensible, he desired him to make another visit. A
second conversation confirmed the Doctor in the good opinion he had formed
of Mr Hunter; and, without any further hesitation, he invited him into his
family to assist in his dissections, and to superintend the education of
his son. Mr Hunter having communicated this offer to his father and Dr
Cullen, the latter readily and heartily granted his concurrence to it, but
his father, who was very old and infirm, and expected his return with
impatience, consented, with reluctance, to a scheme, the success of which
he thought precarious." Dr Cullen having, for the advantage of his friend,
thus generously relinquished the agreement between them, was for a time
deprived of a partner; but still determining to practise only as a
physician, he took the degree of doctor of medicine at Glasgow in 1740,
and, in the following year, entered into a contract with Mr Thomas
Hamilton, surgeon, on terms similar to those which had been formerly
agreed on, between him and Dr Hunter.
Dr Cullen, during his
residence at Hamilton, was twice elected magistrate of that place; first,
in the year 1738, and again in the year 1739. While in the magistracy, he
appears to have taken an active share in the agricultural improvements,
beginning at that time to be introduced into the west of Scotland. He
frequently attended the meetings of the trustees appointed for the
improvement of the high roads, and was much consulted by them on the
different matters that came under their consideration. Some of his papers
relative to these subjects, exhibit singular proofs of habits of
arrangement, and accuracy in transacting business, and a knowledge of
rural and agricultural affairs, which must have rendered his advice
particularly acceptable. Agriculture was a study which continued at an
after period of his life to interest his attention; for we find him, when
a lecturer on chemistry, endeavouring to throw light upon it by the aid of
chemical science; and, in the year 1758, after finishing his course of
chemical lectures, he delivered, to a number of his friends and favourite
pupils, a short course of lectures on agriculture, in which he explained
the nature of soils, and the operation of different manures.
Dr Cullen, early in life,
became attached to Miss Anna Johnstone, daughter of the Rev. Mr Johnstone,
minister of Kilbarchan, in the county of Renfrew. She was nearly of his
own age; and he married her on the 13th of November, 1741. Mrs Cullen is
described to have been a woman who possessed many personal charms; and
also great mental endowments. Dr Anderson, who was the contemporary and
intimate friend of Dr Cullen remarks,—"She was beautiful, had great good
sense, equanimity of temper, an amiable disposition, and elegance of
manners; and brought with her a little money, which, although it would be
little now, was something in those days to one in his situation of life.
After giving him a numerous family, and participating in the changes of
fortune which he experienced, she peacefully departed this life, in the
summer of 1786."
After his marriage, Dr
Cullen continued for three years to practise as a physician at Hamilton;
during which period, when not engaged in the more active and laborious
duties of his profession, he devoted his time to the studies of chemistry,
natural philosophy, and natural history; nor is there any doubt but that
at this time, he was preparing and qualifying himself to teach those
branches of science, on which he very shortly afterwards became so eminent
a lecturer. Hitherto the prospects and advantages held out by the duke of
Hamilton, prevented his seeking a wider and more appropriate field for the
display of his abilities; but after the death of the duke, which happened
at the end of the year 1743, he was induced, by the solicitations of his
personal friends, and of many respectable families, to transfer his
residence to Glasgow. He settled in that city in the end of the year 1744,
or beginning of 1745, at which period Dr Johnstone was professor of
medicine in the university, and Dr Hamilton was the professor of anatomy
and botany, but neither of them gave lectures. Dr Cullen, who, we have
already seen, possessed an active and enterprising mind, soon perceived
the possibility of establishing a medical school in Glasgow, similar to
that which had been established in Edinburgh. Accordingly, in the summer
of 1746, he made arrangements with Dr Johnstone, the professor of
medicine, to deliver, during the following winter, a course of lectures on
the theory and practice of physic, in the university. This course lasted
six months; and, in the following session of 1747, with the concurrence of
Dr Hamilton, the professor of botany, besides lecturing on the practice of
physic, he gave lectures, in conjunction with a Mr John Garrick, the
assistant of Dr Hamilton, on materia medica and botany. Dr Cullen in his
practice of physic class never read his lectures; in allusion to which
practice, he observed, "written lectures might be more correct in the
diction, and fluent in the style, but they would have taken up too much
time that might be otherwise rendered useful. I shall be as correct as
possible; but perhaps a familiar style will prove more agreeable than a
formal one, and the delivery more fitted to command attention."
In the first lecture which
Dr Cullen delivered in Glasgow, it is worthy of remark, that after
explaining to his audience his reasons for not adopting as text books the
Institutions and Aphorisms of Boerhaave—works at that period usually
employed in the different medical schools of Europe—he added, "I ought to
give a text-book myself; but shall not attempt it until after a little
more experience in teaching. In the meantime, I shall endeavour to supply
its place by an easy clear order and method, so that the want of it may be
less felt." The modesty of feeling expressed by this determination not to
publish any text-book, until a "little more experienced," is consonant
with that pure spirit of philosophy which always characterises a high
independent mind, that is animated by the love of truth, and not by the
vain desire of personal aggrandisement. Dr Cullen, in delivering his
lectures on the practice of physic, deviated from the old custom of
lecturing in Latin, and gave his lectures in the English language, which
was decidedly a very judicious innovation on the old practice, which was
one of a monkish character. His lectures on botany were, however,
delivered in Latin; and fortunately the notes of these lectures being
still preserved, controvert the allegation that he adopted the custom of
lecturing in the English because he was unable, from ignorance, to lecture
in the Latin language. This decidedly was not the case; nor is there any
reason to believe that he was actuated by any other motive in adopting
this new custom, excepting that of facilitating the communication of
knowledge to his students; an object which, throughout his whole life, he
kept most steadily in view.
As the institution of a
course of lectures on chemistry was essential to a regular medical school,
Dr Cullen proposed to the faculty of the university of Glasgow, that
lectures should be permitted to be given on that branch of science by
himself, and Mr John Garrick, brother of the late Robert Garrick, Esq. of
Hamilton, who was at that time assistant to Dr Hamilton, the professor of
anatomy. These proposals having been approved, and the necessary
preliminary arrangements made, the lectures on chemistry were commenced by
Mr Garrick; but he being taken ill, the remaining part of the course was
delivered by Dr Cullen. In commencing his second course of chemistry, Dr
Cullen printed and distributed among his students, "The plan of a course
of chemical lectures and experiments, directed chiefly to the improvement
of arts and manufactures, to be given in the college of Glasgow, during
the session 1748." But besides these lectures, Dr Cullen, in the summer of
1748, gave lectures in conjunction with Mr Garrick, on materia medica and
botany. Of the lectures delivered on materia medica only a few fragments
of notes have been preserved; and these are not sufficient to afford a
precise idea of the general plan which he followed. The lectures on
materia medica and botany were again delivered in 1749; but how long they
were delivered after that period has not been ascertained." In his
lectures on botany, Dr Cullen followed the system of Linnaeus, in
reference to which, in one of his lectures introductory to the practice of
physic, he observes, "When a little more than thirty years ago, I first
got a sight of the Botanical System of Linnaeus, the language in which it
was expressed appeared to me a piece of the most uncouth jargon and minute
pedantry that I had ever seen; but in length of time it became as familiar
to me as my mother tongue; and with whatever difficulties this system was
received in most parts of Europe, it has now surmounted these, and its
utility has reconciled every person to the study of it." In thus
introducing the Linnaean system of botany into the course of instruction
at the university of Glasgow, Dr Cullen displayed no ordinary sagacity;
for although the natural arrangements of Jussien and Decandolle are now
chiefly taught in the universities of this country, yet the artificial
classification of Linnaeus was the ladder by which botanists ascended
securely to the generalizations of the natural system, and is still of
great use in determining generic and specific distinctions. After Dr
Cullen discontinued his lectures on botany, he still pursued his botanical
studies; as appears from a letter of a Danish physician, which contains
the answer of Linnaeus to certain queries that had been referred to him by
Dr Cullen. It does not appear from the MS. of Dr Cullen, that any
intercourse was kept up after this between Linnaeus and him; but Dr
Thomson finds a letter from one of the pupils of Linnaeus, requesting the
introductory letters on botany which Dr Cullen had promised to Linnaeus.
Already it must be obvious that Dr Cullen, in devoting his attention so
minutely, to so many branches of science, displayed a mind of no ordinary
activity and comprehensiveness. He seems, indeed, to have felt in its full
force the observation of Cicero, that "all the sciences are connected,
tendering to each other a mutual illustration and assistance."
During the period that he
lectured on chemistry in Glasgow, the celebrated Dr Black became his
pupil; and as Dr Cullen throughout his whole career as a lecturer and as a
professor, took a warm interest in the progress of every emulous student,
he was not long in discovering the talents of his young pupil. Professor
Robison, in his memoir of the life of Dr Black, observes, that Dr Cullen
was not long in attaching Mr Black to himself in the most intimate
co-operation, insomuch, that the latter was considered as an assistant in
all his operations, and his experiments were frequently introduced into
the lecture as good authority. Thus began a mutual confidence and
friendship, which did honour both to the professor and his pupil, and was
always mentioned by the latter with gratitude and respect. Dr Black, after
remaining nearly six years at the college of Glasgow, left it to terminate
his studies in Edinburgh; and Dr Cullen continued to correspond with him
during the time of his studies. Many of these letters have been preserved,
and relate principally to the chemical investigations in which they were
mutually engaged; but Dr Thomson observes, that, "During this intercourse,
Dr Cullen seems to have been careful to avoid entering on any field of
inquiry, in which he anticipated that his pupil might reap distinction." A
letter of Dr Black’s occurs, wherein, alluding to this ungenerous
procedure, he thus addresses Dr Cullen:—"I received your packet of
chemistry, which rejoiced me extremely. A new experiment gives me new
life; but I wonder at the reserve and ceremony you use with
respect to me. Did I learn chemistry from you only to be a bar to your
enquiries? The subject is not so limited as to be easily exhausted, and
your experiments will only advance me so much farther on." Helvetius, and
many other philosophers have maintained, that all mankind must be more or
less actuated by the dictates of self-interest; and difficult as it may be
to analyse the motives by which human conduct is often regulated, yet it
cannot be concealed that the narrow-minded policy which Dr Cullen in this
instance betrayed, was significant of a selfishness altogether unworthy of
the general tenor of his character.
During the period that Dr
Cullen lectured on chemistry in Glasgow, his attention was particularly
directed to the general doctrines of heat, on which various observations
are found among his manuscripts, that have been preserved. The only essay
which he published on this subject appears in the second volume of the
Edinburgh Philosophical and Literary Transactions. He also, in the end of
the year 1753, transmitted to the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh, a
paper, entitled, "Some Reflections on the Study of Chemistry, and an essay
towards ascertaining the different species of salts; being part of a
letter addressed to Dr John Clerk." This letter afforded a specimen of an
elementary work on chemistry, which he at that time meditated; but which,
from other multifarious occupations, he did not execute. The reputation he
was now daily acquiring as a lecturer on chemistry, obtained for him the
acquaintance of many persons of distinction, who were celebrated for their
talents and love of science. Among these was Lord Kaimes, then Mr Home,
who, being devoted to scientific pursuits, naturally found pleasure in the
correspondence and society of a man, whose mind was so congenial to his
own. Lord Kaimes was especially delighted to find that Dr Cullen had
devoted so much attention to his favourite pursuit, agriculture; and
continually urged him to publish a work on this important science. That Dr
Cullen had at this period made some progress in the composition of a work
on agriculture, we learn from Dr Thomson, who informs us of the existence
of a manuscript, part of which is in Dr Cullen’s own hand-writing,
entitled, "Reflections on the principles of Agriculture." Among his papers
there is also an essay "On the Construction and Operation of the
Plough;"composed apparently about the same period, and read before some
public society, most probably the philosophical society in the college of
Glasgow. The object of this essay was to explain the mechanical principles
on which ploughs have been constructed, to find out what is the importance
and effect of each part, and to examine what variation each, or all of
them, require according to the difference of soil in which they are
employed. In the year 1752, Dr Cullen’s opportunities of cultivating
agriculture were increased by his undertaking to manage and to improve the
farm of Parkhead, situated about eight miles from Glasgow, which he had
purchased for his brother, Robert Cullen, Esq. who was at the time
employed in a mercantile situation in the West Indies. But much as the
attention of Dr Cullen was devoted to it, it does not appear that he
published any thing theoretical or practical on agriculture; but he
corresponded with lord Kaimes very particularly on the subject, and the
letters that transpired between them are well worthy of perusal.
Dr Cullen, about the end of
the year 1749, was introduced to the earl of Islay, afterwards the duke of
Argyle; and, according to the authority of Dr Thomson, the introduction
took place through the interest of lord Kaimes, who made a request to that
effect through Mr Lind, the secretary to the duke. This appears from a
letter addressed to Dr Cullen by Mr Martine, and which proceeds
thus:—"August, 1749. Mr Lind, at Mr Home’s desire, talked very
particularly about you to the duke of Argyle; and your friends here desire
that you will wait on his grace upon his arrival at Glasgow, which will be
to-morrow evening." We are furthermore informed that the more immediate
cause of Dr Cullen’s being introduced to the duke of Argyle at this time,
was to obtain his grace’s consent and patronage to his succeeding Dr
Johnstone as professor of medicine in the Glasgow university. A venerable
member of the college of justice, who, in his youth, knew Dr Cullen, and
remembers him well, has favoured us with the following anecdote. About
this period, the duke of Argyle being confined to his room in Roseneath
castle with swelled gums, sent for Dr Cullen. His grace, who was fond of
dabbling occasionally in medicine, suggested a fumigation of a particular
kind, and described an instrument which he thought would be suited to
administer it. Dr Cullen, willing to humour his new patron, instantly set
off for Glasgow, procured the instrument, which was made of tin, according
to the fashion described, and sent it early next morning to Roseneath. The
noble patient finding it adapted to the purpose required, and feeling
himself better after the fumigation, was much pleased with the attention
of his physician, in whose welfare he subsequently took considerable
interest. The duke of Argyle had himself been educated at the university
of Glasgow, had made a distinguished figure there, and had chosen the law
as his profession. He afterwards studied law at Utrecht, but, on returning
to Scotland, changed his determination, adopted the military profession,
and became one of the most accomplished politicians of his age. By the
influence of this nobleman with the crown, Dr Cullen was appointed to be
the successor of Dr Johnstone in the university of Glasgow, and was
formally admitted as the professor of medicine in that university, on the
2d of January, 1751.
During the residence of Dr
Cullen in Glasgow, he still devoted a considerable portion of his time to
chemistry, more especially investigating its application to the useful
arts. He endeavoured particularly to suggest various improvements in the
art of bleaching, and proposed an improved method in the manufacture or
purification of common salt; which consisted in precipitating the earthy
ingredients contained in the brine of sea-water, by a solution of common
potash, by which a salt is obtained more pure than that prepared in the
ordinary manner; but owing to this process being too expensive to be
adopted in the manufacture of salt on a large scale, it has never yet been
brought into general use. He wrote on this subject an essay, entitled,
Remarks on Bleaching, which remains among his manuscript papers, but
appears never to have been published, although a copy of it was presented
to the board of trustees for the Encouragement of Fisheries, Arts, and
Manufactures, in Scotland, in the records of which institution, for June,
1755, it is mentioned, that "three suits of table linen had been given as
a present to Dr William Cullen for his ingenious observations on the art
of bleaching."
From the period of his
appointment to be professor of medicine in the university of Glasgow,
until the year 1755, Dr Cullen, besides his lectures on chemistry,
delivered annually a course of lectures on the theory and practise of
physic. He also projected at this period the design of publishing an
edition of the works of Sydenham, with an account, in Latin, of his life
and writings; but although he made some few preparations to commence this
work, he very shortly abandoned the undertaking. Dr Thomson informs us,
that his private practice at this time, although extensive, was by no
means lucrative, and as a considerable portion of it lay in the country,
he had but little time to pursue his scientific studies. These
circumstances seem to have induced some of his friends to propose his
removing to Edinburgh; a scheme mentioned by himself in a letter to Dr
Hunter, dated, August, 1751, which we here subjoin:—"I am quite tired of
my present life; I have good deal of country practice, which takes up a
great deal of my time, and hardly ever allows me an hour’s leisure. I got
but little money for my labour, and indeed by country practice with our
payments a man cannot make money, as he cannot overtake a great deal of
business. On this account I have some thoughts of acceding to a proposal
that was lately made to me, of removing to Edinburgh. Dr Plummer,
professor of chemistry, is a very rich man, has given up practice, and had
proposed to give up teaching in favour of Dr Elliot; but this gentleman
died about six weeks ago, and upon this event some friends of mine, and
along with them, some gentlemen concerned in the administration of the
town of Edinburgh, have proposed to use their influence with Dr Plummer to
induce him to resign in my favour. As the income of that office cannot be
very considerable, and my success in the way of practice is uncertain, I
have hesitated about agreeing to their proposal; but provided they can
make the establishment such as will afford me a livelihood, the situation
and manner of life there will be so much more agreeable than at present,
that I resolve to hazard something, and have agreed to accept the
invitation when made to me in a proper way. However, Plummer’s consent and
some other circumstances are still in doubt; and this, with other reasons,
requires the affair to be kept as secret as possible."
Lord Kaimes likewise wrote
several letters to Dr Cullen, advising him to transfer his residence to
Edinburgh, explaining to him, at the same time, various circumstances
which promised favourably for his future success. Dr Cullen, in reply to
these suggestions, explained the various reasons which induced him to
decline at that time removing to Edinburgh, a step which he thought would
then be hazardous to himself and family; but shortly after this, in the
year 1755, Dr Plummer, the professor in the chair of chemistry, having
suffered an attack of palsy, several candidates were put in nomination as
his successor, and among these, Dr Home, Dr Black, and Dr Cullen. Dr Black
took the earliest opportunity of acquainting Dr Cullen of Dr Plummer’s
illness, and declared his resolution not to allow any wishes or
engagements of his own to interfere with the interests of his friend and
preceptor. But Dr Plummer, in the meantime, remaining indisposed, his
relations and the other professors of the university, prevailed on Dr
Black to teach his class for the ensuing winter. Lord Kaimes in the
meantime exerted himself in canvassing on the behalf of Dr Cullen; he
wrote to provost Drummond urging his claims—to Dr Whytt, pointing him out
as a desirable colleague—to lord Milton, assuring him that he was the
fittest person in Europe to fill the chemical chair. At this critical
juncture of affairs, the duke of Argyle arrived in Edinburgh, and employed
the weight of his whole interest in favour of Dr Cullen. The arrangement
which had been made by the friends and relations of Dr Black, for him to
lecture during the illness of Dr Plummer, appears not to have given
satisfaction to the town council, who, as patrons of the university, have
the privilege of regulating its affairs.
At length, after the lapse
of some months, Dr Plummer still continuing unable to lecture, the town
council appointed Dr Cullen joint professor of chemistry during the life
of his colleague, with the succession in the event of his death; at the
same time reserving to Dr Plummer all the rights and privileges of a
professor, and particularly that of teaching whenever his state of health
would permit of it. Dr Cullen, on receiving this intelligence, addressed a
letter to Dr Black, from which, in reply to the generous offer made by Dr
Black, we find the following passage:—"While you could expect to be
elected a professor, I approved of every step you would take, though in
direct opposition to myself; but now that I fancy your hopes of that kind
are over, I do not expect opposition; I do expect your favour and
concurrence."
Dr Cullen was thus
appointed professor of chemistry in the university of Edinburgh; but the
medical professors objected to his election, urging, "that it was made
without the consent or demission of Dr Plummer, who, upon this ground, had
resolved to protest against Dr Cullen’s admission into the university,"
and they stated, "that the Senates Academicus would therefore decline
receiving Dr Cullen into their body, until he should either obtain Dr
Plummer’s demission and purchase his laboratory, or until the point at
issue should be determined in a court of law, by a declaration of
privileges." Notwithstanding this opposition, Dr Cullen entered on his
duties as professor of chemistry, by beginning a course of lectures in the
university, in the January of 1756. It does not appear that he took any
step to obtain a formal admission into the university; but he consulted
his friend, the celebrated George Drummond, who was then the provost of
Edinburgh, who recommended the adoption of a measure, proposed by Dr Monro,
primus, by which the difficulty was obviated. This consisted in Dr
Cullen’s giving up his appointment as sole professor, and being re-elected
as the joint professor with Dr Plummer; a commission to which effect was
signed on the 10th of March, 1756. Dr Plummer, however, did not survive
long; he died in the July following, and then Dr Cullen was elected sole
professor of chemistry in the university of Edinburgh.
The admission of Dr Cullen
into that university, constitutes a memorable era in its history.
Hitherto, chemistry had been reckoned of little importance, and the
chemical class attended only by a very few students; but he soon rendered
it a favourite study, and his class became more numerous every session.
From the list of names kept by Dr Cullen, it appears that during his first
course of lectures the number amounted only to seventeen; during the
second course it rose to fifty-nine; and it went on gradually increasing
so long as he continued to lecture. The greatest number that attended
during any one session, was one hundred and forty-five; and it is curious
to observe, says Dr Thomson, that several of those pupils, who afterwards
distinguished themselves by their acquirements or writings, had attended
three, four, five, or even six, courses of these lectures on chemistry. Dr
Cullen’s fame rests so much on his exertions in the field of medical
science, that few are aware how much the progress of chemical science has
been indebted to him. In the History of Chemistry, written by the late
celebrated Dr Thomson, professor of that science in Glasgow, we find the
following just tribute to his memory. "Dr William Cullen, to whom medicine
lies under deep obligations, and who afterwards raised the medical
celebrity of the college of Edinburgh to so high a pitch, had the merit of
first perceiving the importance of scientific chemistry, and the
reputation which that man was likely to earn, who should devote himself to
the cultivation of it. Hitherto, chemistry in Great Britain, and on the
continent also, was considered as a mere appendage to medicine, and useful
only so far as it contributed to the formation of new and useful remedies.
This was the reason why it came to constitute an essential part of the
education of every medical man, and why a physician was considered as
unfit for practice, unless he was also a chemist. But Dr Cullen viewed the
science as far more important, as capable of throwing light on the
constitution of bodies, and of improving and amending those arts and
manufactures that are most useful to man. He resolved to devote himself to
its cultivation and improvement and he would undoubtedly have derived
celebrity from this science had not his fate led rather to the
cultivation of medicine. But Dr Cullen, as the true commencer of the study
of scientific chemistry in Great Britain, claims a conspicuous place in
this historical sketch." [The History of Chemistry, by Thomas Thomson, M.D.,
F.R.S.E. Professor of Chemistry in the University of Glasgow, 1830.]
Dr Cullen’s removal to
Edinburgh was attended by a temporary pecuniary inconvenience, for no
salary being attached to his chair in the university, his only means of
supporting himself and family, were derived from the fees of students, and
such practice as he could command; under these circumstances, he appears
to have undertaken a translation of Van Swieten’s commentaries on
Boerhaave, in which he expected the assistance of his former pupils, Dr
William Hunter and Dr Black. But we have already seen that his class
became more numerously attended every session; besides which his practice
also began to increase, so that his prospects having brightened, he
relinquished this undertaking. In addition to lecturing on chemistry, he
now began to deliver lectures on clinical medicine in the Royal Infirmary.
This benevolent institution was opened in the December of 1741, and soon
afterwards Dr John Rutherford, who was then professor of the practice of
physic, proposed to explain, in clinical lectures, the nature and
treatment of the cases admitted; a measure highly approved of by the
enlightened policy of the managers, who, besides permitting students on
paying a small gratuity to attend the hospital at large, appropriated two
of its wards for the reception of the more remarkable cases which were
destined, under the selection and management of one or more of the medical
professors, to afford materials for this new and valuable mode of tuition.
The privilege of delivering a course of clinical lectures was granted by
the managers of the Royal Infirmary to Dr Rutherford in the year 1748, and
in the following year extended to the other professors of medicine
belonging to the university; none of whom, however, seem to have availed
themselves of it, excepting Dr Rutherford, until the year 1757, when Dr
Cullen undertook to deliver a course of such lectures, and was soon joined
in the performance of that duty by Drs White and Rutherford. Dr Cullen
soon obtained great reputation as a teacher of clinical medicine. "His
lectures," observes Dr Thomson, were distinguished by that simplicity,
ingenuity, and comprehensiveness of view which marked at all times the
philosophical turn of his mind, and I have been informed by several
eminent medical men who had an opportunity of attending them, and more
particularly by one who acted as his clinical clerk in 1765, were
delivered with that clearness and copiousness of illustration with which
in his lectures he ever instructed and delighted his auditors." [Thomson’s
Life of Cullen, vol. i.]
In the winter session of
1760, Dr Alston, who was the professor of materia medica, died, shortly
after commencing his course of lectures for the season. It was well known
that Dr Cullen had already devoted considerab1e attention to this branch
of medical science; and that he had lectured upon it in the university of
Glasgow; and the students of medicine therefore presented a petition,
soliciting him to lecture in the place of Dr Alston. Dr Cullen accordingly
commenced a course of lectures on materia medica in the beginning of
January 1761. Some years afterwards a volume was published entitled
"Lectures on the Materia Medica, as delivered by William Cullen, M.D.,
professor of medicine in the university of Edinburgh." In the preface of
this work, the editors state "as the following sheets are not alleged to
be printed by his (Dr Cullen’s) directions, it may be necessary to lay
before the public the reasons that induced the editors to this step, as
nothing can be farther from their thoughts than the least intention of
injuring either the fame or interest of that gentleman, for whose mind and
abilities they have the greatest esteem. This is so far me case, that they
would think themselves extremely happy if, on a sight of this work, the
learned author could be induced to favour the world with his improved
sentiments on this subject, which could not fail of being a most useful as
well as an acceptable present to the public. The editors have no other
motive for making this work public, than a concern to find a performance,
which so far excels in method, copiousness of thought, liberality of
sentiment and judgment, all that have been before written on the subject,
in danger of being lost to the world," Dr Cullen, however, objecting to
the publication of this work, applied to the court of Chancery for an
injunction to prohibit its sale, which was immediately granted. The
physician who supplied the booksellers with the notes, is on all hands
admitted to have been influenced by no pecuniary or unworthy motive; but
the professor objected to the work, complaining, "that it was by no means
sufficiently perfect to do him honour; that it had been unexpectedly
undertaken and necessarily executed in a great hurry;—that it was still
more imperfect from the inaccuracy of the gentleman who had taken the
notes, &c.,, When, however, it was represented, that a great many copies
were already in circulation, Dr Cullen was persuaded to allow the sale of
the remaining copies, on condition "that he should receive a share of the
profits, and that the grosser errors in the work should be corrected by
the addition of a supplement. Accordingly, on these terms it was
published, nor is it doing more than an act of justice to state, that it
contains all the information on materia medica which was known at that
period, and may yet be consulted with advantage by the student.
In consequence of his
increasing infirmities and age, Dr John Rutherford, the professor of the
practice of physic, resigned his chair in February, 1766, in favour of Dr
John Gregory, who had held for several years the professorship of physic
in the college of Aberdeen. When his intention of resigning became known,
every effort was made by the friends of Dr Cullen to procure for him this
professorship, the duties of which he had, by his clinical labours in the
Infirmary, proved himself eminently qualified to discharge. The exertions
of Dr Cullen’s friends, however, proved unavailing, and Dr Gregory was
duly appointed as the successor to Dr Rutherford. In the April of the same
year the chair of the theory of physic was vacated by the death of Dr
Whytt; but we are informed that Dr Cullen was so much disgusted with the
conduct of the patrons of the university, and with the treatment he had
received in relation to the chair of the practice of physic, that he
rather wished to retain the chair of chemistry, than to be translated to
that of the theory of medicine. His friends, however, earnestly urged him
to take the chair vacated by the death of Dr Whytt; and on this occasion
he received the most flattering and gratifying testimony of the esteem
entertained towards him, both by his fellow professors and the students of
the university. The professors came forward with a public address to him,
wherein, after expressing their conviction that he was the most competent
person to teach the theory of medicine, they added, that they "thought it
a duty they owed the town, the university, and the students of physic, and
themselves, to request of him, in the most public and earnest manner, to
resign the professorship of chemistry, and to offer himself to the
honourable patrons of the university as a candidate for the profession of
the theory of physic." The students also came forward, and presented an
address to the lord provost, magistrates, and town council, wherein they
boldly stated, "we are humbly of opinion that the reputation of the
university and magistrates, the good of the city, and our improvement will
all, in an eminent manner, be consulted by engaging Dr Gregory to
relinquish the professorship of the practice for that of the theory of
medicine, by appointing Dr Cullen, present professor of chemistry, to the
practical chair, and by electing Dr Black professor of chemistry."
At length Dr Cullen
consented to become a candidate for the chair of Dr Whytt, and was elected
professor of the institutes or theory of medicine, on the lst of November,
1766; and, on the same day, his friend and former pupil Dr Black was
elected in his place professor of chemistry. The proposal in the address
of the students respecting Dr Cullen’s lecturing on the practice of
medicine, being, both by the professors and succeeding students, urged on
the consideration of the patrons of the university, it was agreed that Dr
Cullen should be permitted to lecture on that subject, and accordingly,
with Dr Gregory’s permission, Dr Cullen delivered a course of lectures in
the summer of 1768, and during the remainder of Dr Gregory’s life, Drs
Cullen and Gregory continued to give alternate courses on the theory and
practice of physic. The death of Dr Gregory, however, took place on the
10th of February, 1773, and Dr Cullen was immediately appointed sole
professor of the practice of physic.
While Dr Cullen held the
professorship of the institutes of medicine, he published heads of
lectures for the use of students in the university; which were translated
into French, German, and Italian; but he went no further than physiology.
After succeeding to the chair of the practice of physic, he published his
Nosology, entitled "Synopsis Nosologiae Methodicae." It appeared in two
8vo volumes, which were afterwards in 1780 much improved. In this valuable
work he inserted in the first volume abstracts of the nosological systems
of Sauvages, Linnaeus, Vogel, and Sagar;—and in the second his own method
of arrangement. His classification and definitions of disease have done
much to systematize and facilitate the acquirement of medical
knowledge;—not but that, in some instances, he may have placed a disease
under an improper head; and in others given definitions that are very
imperfect, for these are defects, which, considering the wide field he had
to explore, might reasonably have been expected. Although it may be only
an approximation to a perfect system, it is desirable to classify, as far
as we are able, the facts which constitute the ground-work of every
science; otherwise they must be scattered over a wide surface, or huddled
together in a confused heap—the rudis indigestaque moles of the
ancient poet. The definitions contained in this Nosology are not mere
scholastic and unnecessary appendages to medical science;—so far from
this, they express the leading and characteristic signs or features of
certain diseases, and although it is true that a medical practitioner,
without recollecting the definitions of Dr Cullen, may recognize the very
same symptoms he has described, and refer them to their proper disease,
still this does not prove that the definitions of Cullen are the less
useful to those who have not seen so much practice, and who, even if they
had, might pass over without observing many symptoms to which, by those
definitions, their attention is called. The professors and teachers of
every science know the necessity of inducing their pupils to arrange and
concentrate their thoughts on every subject, in a clear and distinct
manner; and in effecting this, the study of the Nosology of Dr Cullen has
been found so useful, that it is still constantly used by the students of
the university, who find that, even although their professors do not at
present require them to repeat the definitions of disease, given by Dr
Cullen, verbatim, still they cannot express themselves, nor find, in any
other nosological work, the method or manner of describing the
characteristic symptoms of disease, so concisely and correctly given as in
his Noseology. Accordingly, notwithstanding the march of medical
knowledge, and notwithstanding the Nosology of Dr Cullen was published
three quarters of a century ago, it is still the text-book of the most
distinguished medical schools in Europe, and some years ago an improved
edition of it was edited by the learned translator of Magendie, Dr
Milligan.
When Dr Cullen succeeded to
the chair of the practice of physic, we have stated, that the doctrines of
Boerhaave were in full dominion; but these Dr Cullen felt himself
justified in relinquishing, although his doing so made him appear guilty
of little less than heresy in the eyes of his professional contemporaries.
"When I studied physic," says he," in this university, about forty years
ago, I learned the system of Boerhaave, and except it may be the names of
some ancient writers, of Sydenham and a few other practical authors, I
heard of no other names or writers on physic; and I was taught to think
the system of Boerhaave was very complete and sufficient. But when I
retired from the university, being very much addicted to study, I soon met
with other books that engaged my attention, particularly with Baglivi’s
Specimen De Fibra motrice et Nervosa, and at length with the works of
Hoffman. Both of these opened my views with respect to the animal economy,
and made me perceive something was wanting and required to be added to the
system of Boerhaave. I prosecuted the inquiry; and, according to the
opportunities I had in practice and reading, I cultivated the new ideas I
had got, and formed to myself a system in many respects different to that
of my masters. About twenty years after I had left the university, I was
again called to it to take a professor’s chair there. I still found the
system of Boerhaave prevailing as much as ever, and even without any
notice being taken of what Boerhaave himself, and his commentator Van
Swieton, had added to his system. Soon after I came here I was engaged to
give clinical, that is practical lectures, and in these I ventured to give
my own opinion of the nature and cure of diseases, different in several
respects from that of the Boerhaavians. This soon produced an outcry
against me. In a public college, as I happened to be a professor of
chemistry, I was called a Paracelsus, a Van Helmont, a whimsical
innovator, and great pains were taken in private to disparage myself and
my doctrines. This went so far, that my friend and patron, the late George
Drummond, whose venerable bust you see in the hall of the Infirmary, came
to me, requesting seriously that I would avoid differing from Dr Boerhaave,
as he found my conduct in that respect was likely to hurt myself and the
university; I promised to be cautious, and on every occasion spoke very
respectfully of Dr Boerhaave. I have continued always to hold the same
language as I expressed in my last lecture, and I shall do it most
sincerely, as I truly esteem Dr Boerhaave as a philosopher, a physician,
and the author of a system more perfect than any thing that had gone
before, and as perfect as the state of science in his time would admit of.
But with all this I became more and more confirmed in my own ideas; and
especially from hence that I found my pupils adopt them very readily. I
was, however, no violent reformer, and by degrees only I ventured to point
out the imperfections and even the errors of Dr Boerhaave’s system; and I
have now done the same in the preface which I have given to the new
edition of the First Lines."
The first edition of Dr
Cullen’s Practice of Physic was published in 1775;—it spread rapidly
through Europe, and is said to have produced the author about three
thousand pounds sterling—a very considerable sum in those days. Pinel and
Bosquillon published several translations of it in Paris; and it also
appeared translated into German, Italian and Latin. A valuable edition of
it has recently appeared, edited by the late Dr William Cullen (a relation
of the author) and Dr J. C. Gregory, who have added, in an appenuix, such
illustrations as explain the progress of medical science since it was
originally published. We need hardly add that the most valuable edition of
it, as a work of Dr Cullen’s, is that edited by Dr Thomson, who having
access to Dr Cullen’s manuscript notes, submitted to the profession an
improved edition of this work in the year 1827. The system of medicine
explained and advocated by Dr Cullen in his lectures and in his work "The
First Lines of the Practice of Physic" is raised on the foundation which
had previously been laid by Hoffman, who pointed out, more clearly than
any of his predecessors, the extensive and powerful influence of the
nervous system, in producing and modifying the diseases to which the human
body is liable. Although the study of pathology does not appear to have
been so zealously pursued at that period as it is at present, yet Dr
Cullen, in his course of clinical instruction, always dwelt on the
importance of inspecting the bodies of those who died under his treatment,
and connecting the post mortem morbid appearances with the symptoms
that had been exhibited during life. In addressing a letter to Dr Balfour
Russel, the author of the best work on the Plague published in this
country,—he observes, "you will not find it impossible to separate
practice from theory altogether; and therefore if you have a mind to begin
with the theory, I have no objection. I think a systematic study of the
pathology and methodus medendi will be necessary previous to the
practice, and you may always have in view a system of the whole of
physic." But notwithstanding this, it must be admitted that Dr Cullen was
too fond of theorising, and like all other philosophers who are anxious to
frame a particular system, he often commenced establishing his
superstructure before having accumulated a sufficient number of facts to
give it a secure foundation. Hence the works of Bonetus, Morgagni, and
Lieutaud contain more pathological knowledge than those published at a
later date by Dr Cullen.
Dr Cullen, in discharging
his duties as a professor, both in Glasgow and Edinburgh, took very great
pains in the instruction of his students; perhaps he is entitled to the
credit of having taken a deeper and more sincere interest in their
progress than any professor with whose history we are acquainted. Dr James
Anderson, who was his pupil and friend, bears the most unequivocal
testimony to his zeal as a public teacher. For more than thirty
years, says he, that the writer of this article has been honoured with his
acquaintance, he has had access to know, that Dr Cullen was in general
employed from five to six hours every day, in visiting his patients, and
prescribing for those at a distance who consulted him in writing; and
that, during the session of the college, which, in Edinburgh, lasts from
five to six months, he delivered two public lectures of an hour each,
sometimes four lectures a day, during five days of the week; and towards
the end of the session, that his students might lose no part of his
course, he usually, for a month or six weeks together, delivered lectures
six days every week; yet, during all that time, if you chanced to fall in
with him in public or in private, you never perceived him either
embarrassed or seemingly in a hurry; but at all times he was easy and
cheerful and sociably inclined; and in a private party of whist, for
sixpence a game, he could be as keenly engaged for an hour before supper,
as if he had no other employment to mind, and would be as much interested
in it, as if he had a thousand pounds depending on the game. [The Bee, or
Literary Intelligence, vol. i. p. 8.] The professors of universities are
too generally apt to hold their offices like sinecures, going lazily
through the business of their duties, by reading five times a week, in an
indifferent tone, a lecture of an hour’s length, after which, retiring
within the magic circle of their dignity, they are too often above
condescending to come into any sort of personal contact with their pupils.
It is particularly one of the evils of the Edinburgh university, that
scarcely ever dues any tie exist between the pupil and the professor; they
seldom come necessarily into personal communication, and consequently the
greater is the credit due to those professors who cultivate the
acquaintance of their students, and take as much interest in their studies
without as within the walls of the university. Dr James Anderson, who had
every opportunity of judging correctly, informs us, that "the general
conduct of Dr Cullen to his students was this;—with all such as he
observed to be attentive and diligent he formed an early acquaintance, by
inviting them by twos, by threes, or by fours, at a time, to sup with him;
conversing with them on these occasions with the most engaging ease, and
freely entering with them on the subject of their studies, their
amusements, their difficulties, their hopes, and future prospects. In this
way he usually invited the whole of his numerous class, till he made
himself acquainted with their abilities, their private characters, and
their objects of pursuit. Those among them whom he found most assiduous,
best disposed, or the most friendless, he invited most frequently, until
an intimacy was gradually formed which proved highly beneficial to them.
Their doubts with regard to their objects of study, he listened to with
attention, and solved with the most obliging condescension. His library,
which consisted of an excellent assortment of the best books, especially
on medical subjects, was at all times open for their accommodation, and
his advice in every case of difficulty to them, they always had it in
their power most readily to obtain. From his general acquaintance among
the students, and the friendly habits he was on with many of them, he
found no difficulty in discovering those among them who were rather in
hampered circumstances, without being obliged to hurt their delicacy in
any degree. He often found out some polite excuse for refusing to take
payment for a first course, and never was at a loss for one to an after
course. Before they could have an opportunity of applying for a ticket, he
would lead the conversation to some subject that occurred in the course of
his lectures, and as his lectures were never put in writing by himself, he
would sometimes beg the favour to see their notes, if he knew they had
been taken with attention, under a pretext of assisting his memory.
Sometimes he would express a wish to have their opinion on a particular
part of his course, and presented them with a ticket for that purpose, and
sometimes he refused to take payment, under the pretext that they had not
received his full course; in the preceding year, some part of it having
been necessarily omitted for want of time, which he meant to include in
this course. These were the particular devices he adopted with individuals
to whom economy was necessary, and it was a general rule with him never to
take money from any student for more than two courses of the same set of
lectures, permitting him to attend these lectures for as many years longer
as he pleased, gratis. He introduced another generous principle into the
university, which ought not to be passed over in silence. Before he came
to Edinburgh, it was the custom for medical professors to accept of fees
for medical assistance when wanted, even from medical students themselves,
who were perhaps attending the professor’s own lectures at the time; but
Dr Cullen would never take fees as a physician from any student at the
University; although he attended them when called in, with the same
assiduity and care as if they had been persons of the first rank, who paid
him most liberally. This gradually induced others to adopt a similar
practice; so that it has now become a general rule at this university for
medical professors to decline taking any fees when their assistance is
necessary for a student." [The Bee, or Literary Intelligence, vol. i. p.
48, 49.]
Dr Aiken, who was also a
pupil of Dr Cullen, bears similar testimony to the generous conduct
manifested by him to his students. "He was cordially attentive," says he,
"to their interests; admitted them freely to his house; conversed with
them on the most familiar terms; solved their doubts and difficulties;
gave them the use of his library; and, in every respect, treated them with
the respect of a friend, and the regard of a parent." [General Biography,
vol. iii. p. 255.] Nor was the kind interest which Dr Cullen
took in the pursuits of young persons confined to his students alone. Mr
Dugald Stewart informed Dr Thomson, that during a slight indisposition
which confined him for some time to his room, when a boy of fourteen or
fifteen years of age, he was attended by Dr Cullen. In recommending to his
patient a little relaxation from his studies, and suggesting some light
reading, the Doctor inquired whether he had ever read the history of Don
Quixote. On being answered in the negative, he turned quickly round to Mr
Stewart’s father, and desired that the book should be immediately
procured. In his subsequent visits to his patient, Dr Cullen never failed
to examine him on the progress he had made in reading the humorous story
of the great pattern of chivalry, and to talk over with him every
successive incident, scene, and character, in that history. In mentioning
these particulars, Mr Stewart remarked, that he never could look back on
that intercourse, without feeling surprise at the minute accuracy with
which Dr Cullen remembered every passage in the life of Don Quixote, and
the lively manner in which he sympathized with him in the pleasure he
derived from the first perusal of that entertaining romance. In what
degree of estimation Mr Stewart continued to hold that work, may be seen
by the inimitable character which he has given of it, in his dissertation
on the progress of metaphysical, ethical, and political philosophy.
[Thomson’s Life of Dr Cullen, vol. i. p. 136.]
Dr Cullen, after having
been elected professor of the practice of medicine, devoted his time
entirely to his duties as a public lecturer, and to his profession; for
his fame having extended, his private practice became very considerable.
Already we have observed that he had a large family; and about this time,
having become acquainted with the celebrated John Brown, a sketch of whose
life we have already given in this Biographical Dictionary, he engaged him
to live in his family as the preceptor of his children, and also as an
assistant at his lectures, the substance of which Brown repeated and
expounded in the evening to his students; for which purpose the manuscript
notes of the morning lectures were generally intrusted to him. It is well
known that the habits of John Brown were extremely irregular. His son, who
has written a short memoir of him, observes, "Unfortunately, among his
qualifications, economy held no place. At the commencement of his medical
studies, he very naturally turned his attention to cultivate the
acquaintance of those individuals among whom he proposed earning a
livelihood. It was not among the serious, the wise, or the aged, that he
was likely to procure pupils; his companions therefore would necessarily
be the young, the thoughtless, and, very frequently, the dissipated. The
pleasures of the table, and the unconstrained hilarity he enjoyed at the
convivial meetings of such companions, were, by nature, sufficiently
agreeable to one of his vivacity of disposition and strong passion; but
the distinguished figure he made on such occasions, as a man of brilliant
wit, and the deference paid to his superior talents, must have rendered
these meetings still more gratifying to him. It is not surprising, then,
that after having been habituated to such association for a succession of
years, he acquired a taste for company and high living, which was
confirmed as he advanced in life, exposed to the same necessity of
cultivating the acquaintance and rendering himself agreeable to those on
whom his livelihood depended." After having been his most favourite pupil,
John Brown became the most intimate of Dr Cullen’s friends; but, three or
four years afterwards, a quarrel took place between them, after
which they ever regarded each other with feelings of the most determined
hostility. By the friends of John Brown it is alleged, that Dr Cullen
behaved towards him in a deceitful manner, for that he held out promises
to interest himself in assisting him to obtain a professor’s chair in the
university; instead of which, when the opportunity presented itself,
knowing that John Brown had adopted a theory of medicine different from
his own, he tacitly opposed his election; and when the magistrates, or
patrons of the university, asked him who John Brown was, so far from
giving him his support, he, after some pretended hesitation, blasted his
success, by observing, with a sarcastic smile, "Surely this can never be
our Jock." [Life of Dr John Brown, - prefixed to his worked by
William Cullen Brown, M.D. iii.] Besides which, it is also affirmed, that
when John Brown applied for admission into the society which published the
Edinburgh essays, Dr Cullen, who had great influence there, contrived to
get a majority to reject his petition. In reply to all this,—"and without
attempting to vindicate either party, it must appear obvious, that John
Brown’s rejection by the patrons of the university as a professor must
have been the necessary consequence of the dissipated character which he
possessed; and it is more than probable that Dr Cullen himself, having
sons now advancing in life, saw the necessity of discountenancing their
intimacy with one whose habits of intemperance were likely to lead them
into dissipation." John Brown soon became the founder and champion of a
system of medicine opposed to that of Dr Cullen; and the palaestra where
the opponents and advocates of both theories met, and where their
disputatious were carried on with the greatest vigour, was the hall of the
medical society. The doctrines of Cullen had there, some years previously,
triumphed over those of Boerhaave; but they in their turn were now
destined to receive a shock from the zealous advocates of the new theory,
which was warmly espoused by many, both at home and abroad.
Dr Cullen continued to
deliver his lectures until within a few months of his death, when, feeling
himself subdued by the infirmities of age, he was induced to resign his
professorship; "but, for some years before his death," observes Dr James
Anderson, "his friends perceived a sensible decline of that ardour and
energy of mind which characterized him at a former period. Strangers, who
had never seen him before, could not be sensible of this change; nor did
any marked decline in him strike them, for his natural vivacity still was
such as might pass in general as the unabated vigour of one in the prime
of life." He resigned his professorship in the end of December, 1789. In
the medical commentaries published at that period, his death is thus
announced: "About the end of December, 1789, Dr William Cullen, after
having taught medicine at Edinburgh for many years, with a degree of
reputation which not only did honour to himself, but also to the
university of which he was a member, being now arrived at his
seventy-seventh (ninth) year, and finding himself unable, from age and
infirmities, any longer to discharge the duties of his office, sent a
letter to the patrons of the university of Edinburgh, resigning into their
hands his professorship of the practice of physic." [Medical Commentaries,
vol. v. 491.]
Dr Cullen, on the occasion
of his resignation, received many honourable testimonies of regard from
the different public societies in Edinburgh.
The lord provost,
magistrates, and town council presented him with an elegant piece of
silver plate, with a suitable inscription, in acknowledgment of the
services he had rendered to the university and to the community.
The senatus academicus of
the university, the medical society, the physical society, and many other
scientific and literary societies, voted addresses to him, expressive of
the high sense entertained of his abilities and services.
The physical society of
America also forwarded to him a similar address, and concluded by
expressing the same wish which had been likewise embodied in the other
addresses. It thus concludes – "And, finally, we express our most cordial
wishes that the evening of your days may be crowned with as great an
exemption from pain and languor as an advanced state of life admits of,
and with all the tranquillity of mind which a consciousness of diffusive
benevolence to men and active worth aspires."
The several deputations
from these public bodies were received by his son Henry, who replied to
them by acknowledging the satisfaction which they gave to his father, and
the regret he felt, that, in consequence of his ill state of health, he
was unable to meet them, and express his sentiments in person to them.
[Evening Courant, January and February, 1790.]
Dr Cullen did not long
survive his resignation of the professorship; he lingered a few weeks; and
died on the 5th of February, 1790, in the eightieth year of his age. His
funeral was a private one, and took place on the following Wednesday the
10th of February; when his remains, attended by a select number of
friends, were interred in his burial-place in the church-yard of Kirk
Newton, near his house of Ormiston Hill, in the neighbourhood of
Edinburgh.
Of the character of Dr
Cullen, in the more retired circle of private life, we know little; few
anecdotes having been preserved illustrative of the peculiarities of his
habits, disposition, or domestic manners. We have been informed, by one
who remembers him well, that he had no sense of the value of money. He
used to put large sums into an open drawer, to which he and his wife went
whenever either of them wanted money. He and his wife lived happily, and
many who recollect them, have borne testimony to the delightful evenings
they always spent whenever they visited them. Dr Cullen’s external
appearance, says his friend Dr Anderson, though striking and not
unpleasing, was not elegant. His countenance was expressive, and his eye,
in particular, remarkably lively, and, at times, wonderfully expressive.
In his person he was tall and thin, stooping very much about the
shoulders. When he walked, he had a contemplative look, and did not seem
much to regard the objects around him. [The Bee or Literary Intelligence,
vol. i. 166.]
After Dr Cullen’s death,
his son, the late lord Cullen, entertained the intention of writing his
life, which, however, he did not accomplish. Soon after his lordship died,
Dr Cullen’s papers, consisting of letters from private friends, sketches
of essays, notes of lectures, and medical consultations, were placed by
his surviving family in the hands of Dr Thomson, with a request that he
would endeavour to draw up, from these documents, and from the information
he could procure from other sources, such an account of his life,
lectures, and writings, as might in some degree satisfy the curiosity of
the public. We need only state, that Dr Thomson executed their wishes in a
most able manner; his life of Dr Cullen supplying us with all the
information concerning his public career that can possibly be desired. It
remains only for us to add, that the doctrines promulgated by Dr Cullen,
which have had so great an influence on medical science, are now keenly
contested; but whether, in after years, they stand or fall, all parties
must unite in paying a just tribute of admiration to the genius and
acquirements of a man who was certainly an ornament to the age in which he
lived.