Students in a pathology lab in the 19th century

Five snapshots from the life of the 19th century medical student in Pittsburgh

Introduction

"A Blast from the Past," or, "Five snapshots from the life of the 19th century medical student in Pittsburgh" is an extension of the physical display in the library that welcomed the School of Medicine students in the fall of 2024 with a glimpse at the objects from the school’s history. The items selected from our rare book and special collections allow us to travel back in time and conjure the image of getting medical education in an era before we used electronic books, online lectures, and virtual reality simulators in teaching our future doctors.

What would it be like to be a medical student in Pittsburgh at the end of the 19th-century? What was different and what was similar? Looking at the items on display allows us to imagine being in the medical college more than 130 years ago and see that the medical students could do the following:

  • Utilize the new building
  • Get tickets to attend lectures
  • Use West Penn Hospital for clinics
  • Borrow books from the Carnegie Public Library
  • Join medical fraternities

The materials on display are available to view in the lower lobby of the library until the beginning of March 2025.

Black-and-white, grainy picture of a four-story brick building with a round addition to its front.
Six index cards scattered on a pink background, each headed "Western Pennsylvania Medical College." All are from the 1890s. One reads, "Western Pennsylvania Medical College, Sessions of 1891-92, Matriculation Ticket. This certifies that S.J. Heffner is entitled to enter the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, he having duly complied with the preliminary requirements." Another reads, "Session of 1897-8, Western Pennsylvania Medical College, City of Pittsburgh. Practical Anatomy. Admit H.E. McGuire."
Open book. Handwritten sheet of notes is shown on the left page. The right page shows text from a textbook, with handwritten annotations on the page.
Small notecard reading, "Jan 4th 1892. This is to certify that Mr. S.J. Neffner commenced the study of medicine with me on Sept 1888 and has prosecuted the same continuously until Sept 20th 1891, and that he is of good moral character. [Unknown Signature] M.D."
Brown paper with typewritten text reading, "Western Pennsylvania Medical College. Medical Department of the Western University of Pennsylvania. Schedule of Lectures. Session 1899=1900."
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