since the creation of man.  On this account the Medical Faculty cannot pride itself on an uninterrupted series of records.  But many oral traditions in regard to it have reached us from our ancestors, from which it may be inferred that this society formerly flourished under the name of the ’Society of Wits’ (Societas Jocosorum); and you might often gain an idea of it from many shrewd remarks that have found their way to various parts of the world.

“The Society, after various changes, has at length been brought to its present form, and its present name has been given it.  It is, by the way, worthy of note, that this name is of peculiar signification, the word ‘medical’ having the same force as ‘sanative’ (sanans), as far as relates to the mind, and not to the body, as in the vulgar signification.  To be brief, the meaning of ‘medical’ is ‘diverting’ (divertens), that is, turning the mind from misery, evil, and grief.  Under this interpretation, the Medical Faculty signifies neither more nor less than the ’Faculty of Recreation.’  The thing proposed by the Society is, to divert its immediate and honorary members from unbecoming and foolish thoughts, and is twofold, namely, relating both to manners and to letters.  Professors in the departments appropriated to letters read lectures; and the alumni, as the case requires, are sometimes publicly examined and questioned.  The Library at present contains a single book, but this one is called for more and more every day.  A collection of medical apparatus belongs to the Society, beyond doubt the most grand and extensive in the whole world, intended to sharpen the faculties of all the members.

“Honorary degrees have been conferred on illustrious and remarkable men of all countries.

“A certain part of the members go into all academies and literary ‘gymnasia,’ to act as nuclei, around which branches of this Society may be enabled to form.”

Preface to the Catalogue of 1830.

“As the members of the Medical Faculty have increased, as many members have been distinguished by honorary degrees, and as the former Catalogues have all been sold, the Senate orders a new Catalogue to be printed.

“It seemed good to the editors of the former Catalogue briefly to state the nature and to defend the antiquity of this Faculty.  Nevertheless, some have refused their assent to the statements, and demand some reasons for what is asserted.  We therefore, once for all, declare that, of all societies, this is the most ancient, the most extensive, the most learned, and the most divine.  We establish its antiquity by two arguments:  firstly, because everywhere in the world there are found many monuments of our ancestors; secondly, because all other societies derive their origin from this.  It appears from our annals, that different curators have laid their bones beneath the Pyramids, Naples, Rome, and Paris.  These, as described by a faithful secretary, are found at this day.