With the first weeks of classes behind us, let’s take a look back at 1882 — the first year of medical school at the Omaha Medical College – which would eventually become UNMC.
The regular session started on Oct. 2, 1882. The winter “holiday vacation” began on Dec. 23, and lasted through Jan. 2. The academic year closed on March 24, with “graduating exercises” held on March 28.
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“The college building is pleasantly located on the southwest corner of Mason and 11th streets adjoining the St. Joseph Hospital. It is two stories high, and contains two large lecture rooms, laboratory, library and museum room, patient’s room, dissecting and anatomist’s room, etc., and is fitted up with every convenience that pertains to a well equipped medical college.”
Concerning admission to medical school, the announcement read:
“All candidates for admission to the OMC must present to the Faculty, satisfactory evidence of a good moral character, and must be at least eighteen years of age, and possessed of a creditable English education. Women are admitted on the same conditions that are required of men.”
The curriculum included:
- Chemistry;
- Physiology;
- Anatomy;
- Pathology;
- Principles and practice of medicine and surgery;
- Obstetrics and gynecology;
- Materia medica and therapeutics;
- Diseases of children;
- Diseases of the mind;
- Medical jurisprudence; and
- The eye, ear, and throat.
Fees associated with study at the OMC were:
- Matriculation fee $5;
- Lecture term fee $35;
- Dissecting ticket (material furnished at cost) $10;
- Diploma fee $25;
- Practical chemistry $5 deposit — noting that students taking practical chemistry make this deposit to cover use of chemicals and breakage, and that “the expenses of the course will vary with the prudence and economy of the student.”
The announcement also instructed students to leave their baggage at the train depot until they procured rooms to avoid the expense of transfers.
“Good board and lodging can be obtained at from $3.50 to $7.00 per week,” the announcement read.
The student body included 35 students — 27 from Nebraska, two from Iowa and one each from Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, Ohio, Dakota Territory and Wyoming Territory.