GENERAL COUNCIL OF MEDICAL EDUCATION AND REGISTRATION.

694

shape of certain parts of the instrument. The suction apparatus was composed of a plano-convex canula, having an aper’ture on the plane surface near its point, as an inlet for the iris. The near end of this canula was furnished with a screw and milled rim, whereby it was attached to a tubular handle. From this handle proceeded, at right angles, a short branch tube, on which was fastened an india-rubber tube, about fifteen inches in length, at the free end of which was a mouth-piece. Within the canula lay a blade for excising the portion of iris drawn in. This blade was acted on by pressing the end of a small Tod which passed up through the handle. In 1864, Mr. Pridgin Teale, jun., of Leeds, proved that this very same combination of tubes, unfurnished with a blade, could be employed simply as a suction instrument for the removal of soft cataract,* thus successfully reviving an operation which had become obsolete from the difficulty or danger attending the use of former instruments. Other suction instruments for this purpose have since been devised, Mr. Bowman’s in-

structure towards the aperture of the canula. In the event, therefore, of any plugging, the canula should be withdrawr from the eye, and the obstruction forcibly removed, as recom mended by Teale and others; the operation to be then resumed

In holding the suction instrument, the india-rubber tube; where it joins the handle, should be directed downwards; fo] by the observance of this caution any twisting motion of th4 instrument in the fingers is obviated, and the operator’s hanc is more at ease. I think the term " suction-tractor" a suitable name for th instrument, whether it be used for drawing a fluid through i or a solid o7a it. In the engraving (half size of instrument) the nozzle is un screwed and slightly withdrawn from the handle, thus exposini a portion of the inner tube, the remainder of which is indicate( by the dotted lines. The canula is shown disconnected fron the nozzle. The tubular handle and the tube within it ma be made either of glass or metal. The latter is to be preferre; if the surgeon reside in a locality where a breakage could no genious contrivance being one of them. The following additions which I have made to my original be repaired. The Messrs. Weiss supply the instrument, their name being instrument have been considered improvements :—Within the mouth-piece lies a valve, made of extremely thin india-rubber a sufficient guarantee for good workmanship.’ Plymouth. 1867. (oiled silk will not answer), which is opened with the slightest amount of suction, and is self-acting in closing. This prevents an accidental back current of air-a very important point when GENERAL COUNCIL the eye is the part being operated on ; for such accident has no valve. been It also there has serves the where happened OF purpose of a maintaining power for holding whatever has been sucked into, or laid hold by, the canula. The open end of the MEDICAL EDUCATION AND REGISTRATION. tubular handle receives a nozzle. In the inner opening of this nozzle is fixed a narrow tube, which extends nearly to the upper, closed, extremity of the handle. The chief use of this Session 1867. tube is to make the current more circuitous, and, consequently, the suction action more gentle. The outer opening of the ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS. nozzle receives the canula. Various sizes and shapes of canulse can be fitted according to the requirements of the case. The THURSDAY, MAY 30TH. mBliB shown in the p.T)fn*HB’irio’T.!Kma11 nnrt smta.ble for e’x’trn.ftino’ DR. PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR. BURROWS, fluid-such as soft cataract, &c. I have another for laying DR. ALEX. WooD moved, "That a Committee be appointed hold of a hard cataract, ina to take into consideration and report how the Council can best case of linear extraction, where deal with the whole subject of preliminary examination, and there is a difficulty in dislodging the lens from the cap- that the Committee so appointed be requested to report during sule. Also another, having a the currency of the present session." He said : My labour in very small india-rubber cup bringing forward this motion has been lightened by the admiraappended, whereby a foreign able remarks of the President yesterday with regard to the imbody lodged in the ear, nostril, portance of preliminary education. I believe that those who or other cavity can be withhave had the opportunity of supervising the examinations of drawn. This last idea has led me to a number of the educated bodies of the country will feel that propose, to a naval surgeon while there is demanded a considerable amount of uniformity who has seen much service, in regard to professional education, and of strictness in regard the employment of an instruto professional examination, there is no such uniformity in rement for the extraction of balls from gunshot wounds by gard to preliminary education, or the manner in which the examinations in preliminary education are conducted. We are means of suction. My suggestion was received favourably, empowered by the Act of Parliament under which we are conand I trust I may soon be stituted not only to supervise professional examinations and enabled to lay before the probut to supervise the examinafession the result of my ex- regulate professional education, tions and regulate the education which we can now for the periments. I have been asked, How is first time truly call preliminary, because we have decided that a surgeon to judge as to the that education shall be taken before the medical studies have amount of suction-power re- commenced. I think that our whole legislation in this direcquired for the removal of soft tion has been somewhat of a mistaken character. Wehave cataract ? I believe no writer shown a great anxiety to throw this duty off our own shoulders, on the subject of extraction by suction has thought it worth and to delegate it to other bodies about the doings of many of while dwelling on that point; which we know little or nothing. Whether we are right in that is a very grave question ; and here I may be allowed to as it is generally supposed the the words of an important Royal Commission-the last operator would naturally be quote cautious in the employment Commission on the Scottish Universities, which states that "it of a force within the eyeball. is a matter of great importance that the persons who are to medicine should be men of enlightened minds, accusIf. however, anv answer be practise tomed to exercise their intellectual powers, and familiar with I which in would is somewhat required, suggest the following, habits of observation and cautious reflection, and that they accordance with the rule for speaking in public: " Begin low; should be . possessed of such a degree of literary acquirement as with the effort slow." Commence slightest sucking proceed secure the respect of those with whom they are to asso: may possible; and if this should not suffice, then increase the power ciate in the exercise of their profession." It is a matter of almost imperceptibly until the desired result is obtained. that many students are allowed to enter upon the Should the canula become choked, which would be known by notoriety Since writing the above, I have been informed by a medical friend in this section becoming difficult, it would be unsafe to increase the that traction by the aid of atmospheric pressure has been employed for suction-power to a great extent; for the plug might suddenly town An account of the method may be seen in " Simpson’s obstetric be dislodged, thereby causing a rush of the iris or some other Obstetric purposes. Works, by Priestley and Storer." I think it my duty to mention * s. this. Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital Reports, vol. iv., part 3. ’

.

.

.

695 there has been a most remarkable amendment in the general attainments of medical students for some years past, which can only be attributed to the moral pressure that the Council has brought to bear upon the licensing bodies. I am strongly of opinion that the power of examining in arts should not be exercised by the licensing bodies unless they happen to be universities. I think the Council would be acting unwisely to burden the present system with any additional legislation. I think it would be better for the present to let the licensing bodies go on as far as they can, and you may depend upon it great good is being done. Mr. HA.WKINS.—I agree with Dr. Stokes that we should be stultifying ourselves if we proceeded further in regard to this question. Last year we laid down a minimum of preliminary education to come into force after a certain period. We also decided that the Visiting Committee should annually lay before the Council a list of the examining bodies whose examinations should not fulfil the conditions required by the Council on this subject. These rules hereafter coming into operation, I think it is unnecessary to appoint another committee. Of course if there is any body whose examination is found not to come up to our minimum, it will be taken out of the list of recognised bodies. Surely that is sufficient for our purpose. Sir D. J. CoRRiGAN.-I should be inclined to vote for everything that would improve education, both preliminary and professional; but I do not think we can go beyond what we have done. I confess I am not sanguine as to any good results to be obtained by the labours of this committee, because we have no power to enforce any of our views. We may issue recommendations ; but I think Mr. Hawkins is mistaken in saying that we can report any body that does not comply with our recommendations as to preliminary education, and get it struck off the list. The Act does give power to report any particular body whose code is not sufficient for the education of practitioners, and it must be tried on its individual merits before the Privy Council ; but you have no power to say, ex mero motu, that such rules ought to be followed, and that the body that does not comply with them shall be struck off the list. If such a regulation were enforced, we might strike off from our list any body that required Greek before 1869. Do you suppose that our rules and regulations are to override charters and Acts of Parliament? The charter of the Queen’s University, which I represent, gives power to examine for medical degrees to each of the Queen’s Colleges ; and they have the power of determining what that examination shall be. Would anyone say that the recommendation of twenty-four gentlemen sitting here ought to override a charter of that kind granted by her Majesty? The Apothecaries’ Hall of Ireland is directed by the Act of Parliament to carry out a preliminary examination (Hear.) Dr. STORRAR.-I presume that this is neither more nor less in literature and arts. Is our recommendation to override the than the reappointment of the committee that we have had Act under which that body has been constituted ? The College from time to time in preceding years upon the subject of pre- of Physicians is empowered to examine and pass licentiates, liminary education. In that view I beg to second Dr. Alex. and to issue regulations as they may see fit. Will the recomWood’s motion, with this proviso, that 1 am not to be sup- mendation of this Council be of any avail before the Privy posed to adopt the views that he has rather shadowed out- Council in opposition to that charter ?‘’ Would Trinity College that the preliminary examination must be tested directly by submit to have its examinations controlled by this body?II the Medical Council or the bodies connected with it. I would shall not vote upon this subject at all. I cannot see any good rather go into the committee with a feeling that this is an arising from continuing this perpetual harping upon preliminary entirely open question. So far as I have any opinion at the examinations. We are perfectly powerless. We may, perpresent time, my views are directly opposed to those of Dr. haps, induce the bodies to comply ; but I have no expectation Alexander Wood; at the same time, as he proposes that we of it. Within the last three or four weeks I have known the should go into committee and take a wide and comprehensive case of candidates, having obtained a licence from one body, view of the whole question, I am quite willing to bring my going to another when they were not able to write Latin or mind fairly to the consideration of the subject, and if he can English. We have no power to enforce education; and I see produce evidence strong enough to show that we have power no use in going on until the evil shall arrive at such a height to establish a direct examination, possibly my views may be that Parliament shall giveus the necessary powers. Dr. ANDREW WooD.—If all the twenty-four members oi modified. Mr. HARGRAVE said he thought the question of preliminary this Council were to be actuated by the principles just enunexaminations was settled at the last session, and that it was ciated by Sir Dominic Corrigan, I think that it would be much unwise to reopen it until the plan then adopted had been fairly better that we should adjourn sine die, lay down our functions, tried. He had no objection to the committee being appointed, and not repeat year after year what would amount to a simple I say this Council has a right to regulate the terms oia but he thought that the programme of examinations as settled last year should receive a fair trial, believing as he did that it which men shall be admitted into the profession of medicine and surgery. What was the Medical Act passed for but to would be found to work admirably. Dr. ALEX. WOOD said that his object was not to alter the give that right ? The 24th clause states : "In case it shall appear to the General Council that the course of study and programme, but to see how it had been carried out. Dr. STOKES. —have no great objection to make to Dr. examinations to be gone through in order to obtain any such Alexander Wood’s proposal. I think the Council might be qualification from any such college or body are not such as to reminded that we have no power to interfere with any branch secure the possession, by persons obtaining such qualification, of education except the professional. (No, no.) I do not think of the requisite knowledge and skill for the efficient practice we have any such power, but that is a matter of opinion. I of their profession, it shall be lawful for such General Council to represent the same to her Majesty’s most honourable Privy agree with Mr. Hargrave in thinking that time has not There is our power. We have not yet exercised it; been given for the trial of the programme of last year. It is well known by most clinical teachers, at least in Ireland, that but does Sir Dominic Corrigan think that if any of the bodies

study of their profession with an amount of education that would be positively disgraceful even to pupil teachers in a school. I have no hesitation in saying that even in spelling and English composition they are not fit to stand on the same platform with the pupil teachers of village schools in Scotland. This is a disgraceful state of affairs. It is impossible for any amount of subsequent mental training to cultivate the intellects of men who are in this position, that while they may receive the very best medical instruction which our schools can give, the seed will be thrown upon barren and unprepared soil. I think the whole question had better be referred to a Committee, whose report will furnish material for discussion when it is brought up, as I trust it will be before the close of this session. We have been blamed for not doing sooner something of this kind. Now, I do not think that we were ripe for any We have done a great deal for the action in this direction. improvement of professional and preliminary education, but we have done it indirectly hitherto, and until we were able to make the preliminary education truly preliminary, we were not in a condition to take up the question of how it was to be done. It was only last session that we were able to insist upon it that, except for special reasons assigned, every medical student should, before being admitted on to the Medical Students’ Register, show that he had passed a satisfactory preliminary examination. Now the great question is-What is the preliminary examination to be? Are some bodies to insist upon one set of subjects, and others upon another set ? Is it to be a custom, as I know it is, that a man rejected for ignorance of the subjects embraced in a preliminary examination at one seat of knowledge shall go three days afterwards to another seat of knowledge, receive the imprimatur of that body, and return to the body that rejected him, insisting upon being taken on for the purpose of professional education ? Is that a state of things creditable to this country ? I am stating a fact, the existence of which I am prepared to prove. Until you make some arrangement to lay down what is essential for the education of a medical gentleman-until you endeavour to restore medicine to its proper position as a learned profession, all your attempts to improve medical education will prove abortive. I am far from saying that a man may not be in one sense a successful practitioner who has- received very little education. There are men of certain turns of mind who may surmount early difficulties, but we are not legislating for individuals, we are speaking of the profession as a whole ; and I say if medicine is to be a learned and philosophical profession it can only be restored to the position it once occupied by having the minds of the students thoroughly trained to receive the knowledge which is inculcated in the medical schools.

farce.

yet

Council."

696 care a fig for the Medical Council: ride any charter, but simply to give power to the Council to preliminary examinations at all,"we should say: "Certain things are needful, and if the conditions on not go to the Privy Council with a good case ? And does he which your degree is granted are conformable to those things, .not think that the Privy Council would endorse our views? we will register." does not think so. Sir D. J. CoRRi&AN.—He Mr. SYME wished to ask Sir D. Corrigan if he considered Dr. ANDREW WoOD.-I recollect the time when Sir D. Cor- the authority of Mr. Churchill’s publication superior to the rigan was launching his thunderbolts against the Universities positive statement of Dr. Christison and himself. of Scotland because they had in their regulations the words Dr. CHRISTISON said that if Sir D. Corrigan had consulted 4 4 as far as possible." There was no impossibility then in the only legitimate authority-the annually published calendar endeavouring to force the University of Edinburgh to strike of the University of Edinburgh,-he would find that the

were to we will

say, "We do not

have

no

"

out those words. There was no mention then of not interwith the Universities. What has been the result? Have these bodies been as recalcitrant as Sir D. Corrigan and the Queen’s University of Ireland ? Have they not in the most honourable and frank way gone to the Privy Council and had these words expunged ? They have shown their anxiety as much as possible to give effect to the recommendation of the Medical Council ; and it is too bad to come at this time of day and tell us that the Queen’s University of Ireland

fering

has a charter which allows such and such things, whatever we may say or do. I find in the regulations of the Queen’s University this statement, which is in direct opposition to our recommendation : "The (professional) curriculum shall extend over at least four years, and shall be divided into periods of two years each. Candidates are recommended to pass the matriculation examination prior to entering on the second period." That is, they are recommended not to take the preliminary examination before beginning their medical studies. Sir D. Corrigan may talk of charters as he likes, but I say that an Act of Parliament overrides a charter of that kind. I think, instead of coming here in rebellion against the recommendations of the Council, he should go to the Queen’s University and recommend them to remove from their regulations a blot which is inconsistent with the recommendations of this Council, and inconsistent with what I believe has been adopted by all the bodies who were put under our supervision. To say that we have nothing to do with preliminary examinations is nonsense-I will not qualify my words. The Council have determined that it is necessary that every man who enters the medical profession shall be examined preliminarily. We have been enforcing curricula upon the different bodies. Last year Sir D. Corrigan carried a motion against a considerable number of this Council that Greek should be included ; and it is very strange that while he is laying burdens upon others, his own body should be holding us so cheap, and not making any attempt to conform to our recommendations. He has told us of men going from one body to another without being able to spell. If these things are occurring, are we to do nothing ? Are we to sit down and groan over these imperfections, and do nothing to remedy them ? I say we are bound, if we act conscientiously, to look at these things, to find out the defects, and do our best to remedy them. We are doing so at this time. Have we not sent visitors to the examinations ? I am not aware that Sir D. Corrigan has joined that visitation; I do not think he has fulfilled his duty in connexion with it; but I think I shall be able to appeal to the reports when they are brought before us, to show that, without any great pres-

sure being put upon many of the bodies, they are acting in accordance with the recommendations of the visitors, and introducing the very amendments in their curricula which the Queen’s University refuses to adopt. I think that a primi2 facie case has been made out for this Committee, and when its report comes up will be the time to say whether you will take action or not. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN said that, according to Churchill’s Directory, the words " as far as possible," in reference to preliminary education, were retained in the regulations of the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dr. CHRISTISON said that that was a clerical error. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN said it was remarkable that such a "clerical error" had continued during three years ; and, with great respect for Dr. Wood, he declined to accept any verbal statement in opposition to Churchill’s Directory, Dr. SHARPEY.-I think that Dr. Wood’s motion has been misapprehended. The object is not to introduce any new regulations or any serious alterations, but rather to inquire into the operation of those already issued; and, in that respect, I think the committee might be useful. Nobody denies that the chartered bodies are entitled to conduct examinations as they choose. What the Act of Parliament gives to the Medical Council is the power of registration ; and it can decline to register any degrees obtained after a course of study and examination not in its opinion sufficient to ensure a fitness for practising the medical profession. The object is not to over-

obnoxious words had been removed. He (Dr. Christison), as secretary, transmitted the proposal to the Privy Council, and received the order of her Majesty in Council authorising the removal of those words. The PRESIDENT.—I think after the statement we have heard from Mr. Syme and Dr. Christison, it is incumbent upon Sir D. Corrigan to rise and state that he accepts the authority of those gentlemen in preference to the statement of Churchill’s

Directory.

Sir D. J. CoRRIGAN..-In obedience to you, Sir, I rise, but, perhaps, not fully to comply with your request. Mr. Syme has asked, Do I prefer Churchill’s Directory to the verbal statement of Dr. Christison and himself ? I say I always prefer documents to verbal statements; and I wish to ask a question in return. This statement has been in Churchill’s Directorya recognised book-for two years, and I wish to know if any

authorised correction of the statement has been given. Dr. CHRISTISON.-It has not. Dr. THOMSON stated that the Glasgow University had also expunged the words " as far as possible" with reference to the time at which the preliminary examination should be taken. Mr. SyME.--If we are to meet here as gentlemen I think it is quite necessary that Sir D. Corrigan should withdraw what he has stated. Sir D. J. CoRRIGAN.-When I see the document before me I shall determine on what course of proceeding I will adopt. I will not take verbal statements or explanations in contradiction to what is printed. (Oh, oh.) Dr. CHRISTISON.-Is anything which any person may choose to print entitled to be termed a " document" ? Any man under the sun may print anything with regard to a university; is that to be appealed to as a document by which we are to be bound ? This is the most extraordinary statement ever made before this body. (Hear.) Dr. ArjOHN inquired if any communication had been made to Mr. Churchill. Dr. CHRISTIsoN.-Certainly not. Dr. ApJOHN said that the general practice in Ireland was to communicate with the publisher in such cases. Dr. ALEX. WOOD, in reply, stated that his object in moving for the appointment of a committee was to ascertain how the recommendations of the Council could be best carried out, and even improved. With regard to the opposition of Sir Dominic Corrigan, he was often at a loss to understand the attitude assumed by that gentleman. The Council had been sitting for some years, and, with the assistance of Sir D. Corrigan, framing regulations for professional and preliminary examination, and now, when it suited his purpose, he said there was no power to interfere. It would be insulting to the understanding of the Council to reply to such an argument. Why was it that when propositions were made by gentlemen on that side of the table they were uniformly met with obstructive resolutions ? It was not wise for the different bodies concerned to be putting the regulations of one against those of another. He had carefully avoided alluding to any particular body in the course of his speech. With reference to the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, it would be observed that their regulations stated that the preliminary education should be taken, as far as possible, before the commencement of medical study. The Queen’s University of Ireland, however, did not go so far as that, but even recommended the student not to take the preliminary examination until after the second year of medical study. He could not help regretting that Sir D. Corrigan had not complied with the request of the Chairman, and apologised for what he had said in opposition to the statement of Mr. Syme and Dr. Christison. He had himself listened with great pleasure to the proposal made by Dr. Christison to rescind the words in question; and if Sir D. Corrigan doubted the moral influence of the Council in improving preliminary and all kinds of education, he would point to the effect which its recommendations had had in procuring those and other changes even in the regulations of chartered bodies, and to the loyalty exhibited by all the bodies represented at that table-even by the Queen’s College itself.

697 telegraphed to know what he professed to be when he was received for examination, and the following telegram was sent in reply:-" John Forman having written to Dr. Haldane, the Secretary of the College of Physicians, according to the law to candidates possessing a qualification, came up for relating MR. FORMAN. examination according to custom. I requested to see his The PRESIDENT stated that Mr. Forman, of Fettercairn, had diploma, when he stated that he had left it at home. He probeen summoned to show cause why his name and qualification duced his certificate of registration as a member of the Royal should not be erased from the Medical Register, and Mr. College of Surgeons of England, signed by Dr. Robertson." Ouvry, the Solicitor to the Council, was in attendance with re- He thought the officer was not to blame in receiving that cerference to that subject. tificate as equivalent to the diploma itself. He had telegraphed Mr. OuvRY laid before the Council the documentary evi- to the President of the College to call a Council meeting on dence upon which it was proposed to remove Mr. Forman’s Friday, to consider an important letter which would be received It included a statement by the from him, and he had written a letter stating the facts of the name from the Register. Secretary of the College of Surgeons that Mr. Forman had not case, and advising that the law agent of the College be inreceived a diploma from that body, and also the following structed to write to Mr. Forman, stating that it had come to letters z the knowledge of the Council that he had obtained his diploma General Council of Medical and Registration false pretences, and that if he did not immediately return by Education of the United Kingdom, le roceedin s would be beinstituted instituted a ainsthim. it 1 proceedings him. 1, ega 1867. 32, Soho-square, London May, Mr. Forman was reMr. HARGRAVE inquired whether, if against SiR,-A statement having been submitted for the considera- moved from the Register, the double fee would be returned. tion of the General Medical Council, purporting to show that your name was entered on the Medical Register as a member (Laughter.) The PRESIDENT.-You had better communicate privately of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, in consequence of on the subject. an affidavit made by you on the 21st day of January, 1859, in would rather that it should be made which you falsely swore that you were the person described as Mr. HARGRAVE.-I (A laugh.) public. a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, in a On the motion of Dr. PAGET, it was unanimously decided diploma dated 22nd October, 1853, I have to inform you that on Thursday, the 30th day of May instant, at three o’clock in that Mr. Formanname should be removed from the Register. the afternoon, the General Medical Council will meet at the Dr. ALEX. WOOD hoped that every effort would be made to as It was very eviRoyal College of Physicians, in Pall-mall East, London, and bring Mr. Forman to justice a criminal. will then and there institute an investigation into the truth of dent from what had transpired that he was not only an impenitent criminal, but a great scoundrel. The motion was then put, and carried by fifteen votes against five. The following gentlemen were appointed upon the committee: Dr. Christison, Dr. Sharpey, Dr. Embleton, Dr. Acland, Dr. Stokes, Dr. Storrar, and Dr. Thomson.

... .,

,

the said statement, with the view todecide whether your Mr. that he had heard from those who knew Mr. name ought to be erased from the Medical Register, on the Forman that he was not a man of bad character-at any rate, made. that the was or entry ground fraudulently incorrectly At that investigation you are hereby invited and requested there were many a great deal worse. (Laughter.) to be present. You will also take notice that the meeting of THE MEDICAL ACT. the Council is fixed peremptorily for the day and hour hereinDr. PAGET laid before the Committee the following draft off before named, on which day and at which our the inquiry a letter proposed 0 to be sent 0 to Mr. Walpole to his Walpolee inm answer 0 will be prosecuted, whether you attend or not.

SYME said

communication:-

Your obedient servant,

FRAS. HAWKINS M.D., Registrar of the General Medical Council. To Mr. John Forman, Fettercairn, Kincardineshire. Fettercairn, 27th May, 1867. SIR,—If I were to attend the meeting of Council, as requested, on the 30th inst., I would, as I have already stated, be without any evidence in my favour. I have no one to bear me out. All that I can suggest is that a mistake may have occurred in recording the date of the diploma. I must therefore bow to the decision of the Medical Council. I only beg to be permitted to register another qualification in July next.

(Signed)

.

..,..

I am, yours Dr.

obediently, JNO. (Signed)

FORMAN.

Registrar, Medical Council Office, 32, Soho-square,London.

Hawkins,

’

The REGISTRAR stated that he had received the following telegraphic communication from Dr. Robertson : " John Forman, of Fettercairn, called here this afternoon, and tendered for registration a licence recently obtained from the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. I declined to re-

it without authority. In the meantime inform Dr. Alexander Wood of this." Dr. ALEX. WOOD said that Mr. Forman had been entered upon the Register with one qualification only, that of member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. As soon as he (Dr. Alex. Wood) had seen the telegram received from Scotland with reference to Mr. Forman, he telegraphed to know what had occurred. In reply he had received the following telegram :-‘John Forman, of Cramlington, was admitted a licentiate of this College this afternoon at a special examination." A special examination was occasionally held on the candidate satisfying the Board that the case was urgent, and paying a double fee. (Laughter.) The proceedings of the Scottish Branch Council were probably not known to the Secretary or to any member of the College except himself, so that the name of John Forman, of Fettercairn, was not known. But he did not call himself John Forman, of Fettercairn, but of Cramlington, which was stated in the Gazetteer to be "a chapelry of England, in the county of Northumberland, parish of St. Andrews, eight and a half miles north north-east of Newcastle." The special examination would be limited to medicine, materia medica, and midwifery, because Mr. Forman dust have exhibited to the College some other diploma. He

gister

communicationGeneral Council of Medical Education Education and and Registration Registration Kingdom, Council of Medical of the United College of Physicians, London,

S.W., May 30th, 1867. Royal laid before the General Medical MY DEAR Council your communication dated May 20th, containing the draft of a clause which you propose should be substituted for Clause 11 of the draft Medical Acts Amendment Bill, and expressing the opinion that, if the Medical Council be willing to adopt the clause in the form proposed, the Government would not offer any opposition to the Bill; but that it would be well for the Council to entrust the Bill to some independent member. The Council hope that you will be pleased to reconsider this intimation. The Medical Act of 1858 was introduced into Parliament, and carried, as a Government measure and public Act. Since then four successive Acts have been passed for its amendment, all of which in like manner were introduced and carried by Government. Subsequently the Medical Council became satisfied that the Medical Act failed to effect one of its main objects ; and for correcting this and some other defects they proposed an Amendment Bill. Sir George Grey, at that time Home Secretary, suggested that the Bill should be introduced by some independent member of Parliament, for the following reason—viz., that he did not feel able to undertake the charge of the Bill at that time, " owing to the number of Bills which the Government had before the House of Commons, the progress of which was delayed from day to day from the want of opportunity to advance them." (See Mr. Murdoch’s letter of

SIR,—I have

May 14th, 1866.) But the Council, in reference to the above communication, unanimously resolved, on May 29th, 1866, "That the Medical Council are of opinion, that unless the Bill be introduced by the Government it would be unadvisable to proceed with it." The reasons which induced the Council to come to this decision remain in full force. The Medical Acts, as already said, were Government Acts ; the Medical Council, which brings the subject under your consideration, is a public body, established by Act of Parliament, and placed in communication with the Privy Council. Six of its members are nominated by the Crown, and the rest by great public bodies. The essential part of the draft Bill relates to a matter affecting not merely the medical profession, but in a larger and more serious degree the welfare and interests of the general public. To these reasons it may be added that were the Government,

698 which has hitherto introduced every Bill for amending the Medical Act (1858), to decline the introduction of the Bill now contemplated, the announcement would, in the opinion of the Council, be fatal to its success. The Council understand that the only point in the draft Amendment Bill as to which the Council and you are not agreed, is that which relates to the admission of colonial and foreign graduates and licentiates to the Medical Register. The Council have had under their consideration the draft clause which accompanied your letter, and which was as follows:— To be substituted for Clause 11, proposed by the Medical *

Council.

He thought the Council ought not to take Mr. Walpole’s words too much au serieux, especially when they considered the amount of labour thrown upon the shoulders of Government officers at the present time. Dr. Quain’s amendment was then put and carried by ten votes against nine. The amendment then became a substan-

tive motion. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN moved as an amendment that the letter be recommitted, repeating his objection to any alteration being made in a letter which had received the anxious consideration of the Committee, and contending that the sentence added by Dr. Quain was unintelligible. Mr. HAWKINS suggested that the words should be altered a course may be supposed to alter the rela-

thus:"Thatsuch no.)

" Every person who has resided

in the United Kingdom for Mr. SYME hoped that there would be no further delay. period of not less than twelve months immediately previous to making his application, and who legally possesses a colonial Dr. CHRISTISON expressed a similar desire, and said that if or foreign degree, licence, or other diploma from a university, the letter was despatched forthwith to Balmoral an answer college, or other body, which qualifies him to practise medicine might be received by Monday morning. or surgery in the colony or foreign country where such degree, Dr. ACLAND suggested that the word "probably" should be licence, or other diploma was obtained, shall be entitled to be inserted before the words " would be fatal to its success." Sir D. J. Corrigan’s amendment for a recommittal was then registered under the Medical Act (1858), provided such degree, licence, or other diploma shall have been granted by a univer- put and lost, five voting for it and twelve against it. Mr. RUMSEY proposed that the words added by Dr. Quain sity, college, or other body which, in the opinion of the Medical Council, or of one of her Majesty’s principal Secretaries be altered as follows : " And might convey to the public an of State, grants degrees, licences, or diplomas, after such course incorrect impression concerning the relation of the Council of study and examination as guarantees the possession by the with the Government." holder of sufficient knowledge and skill for the efficient pracDr. ANDREW WOOD maintained that the proposed course tice of medicine and surgery." would actually alter the relations of the Council to the GovernThe Council are unanimously of opinion that the provisions ment. Hitherto the Government had acted as an executive in, of this clause are so objectionable that they could take no part carrying through the Bills proposed by the Council, and the in the promotion of any Bill which should contain it ; for this proposed change of procedure was virtually altering the relareason, among others, that it proposes to give to one of her tionship existing between them. Mr. Rumsey’s amendment was then put and carried, twelve Majesty’s principal Secretaries of State the power of directing the registration of foreign and colonial degrees and diplomas, voting for and eight against it. The amendment was then put independently of the Medical Council-one of whose most im- as a substantive motion, and carried; and the letter was diportant and responsible duties it is to regulate the registration rected to be sent, as amended, by the evening’s post. of qualified medical practitioners. At this stage of the proceedings the President requested and In conclusion, allow me to draw your attention to the fact obtained permission to leave the chair, which was occupied. that the Medical Council is now holding its annual session ; during the remainder of the sitting by Dr. Christison. that the session cannot be prolonged for many days without PROFESSIONAL STUDY. a

extreme inconvenience to many of its members; and that it is its earnest desire to have a conference with some member of the Government. May I, therefore, request the favour of a reply at your earliest convenience, and that you would inform me with which member of the Government you would desire me to communicate in your absence from London.

Dr. ANDREW WooD moved-"That

a

committee be ap--

pointed to consider and report upon the minimum of professional study to be gone through by all persons seeking entrance into the medical profession, in order to secure the possession by them of the requisite knowledge and skill for the efficient G. BuRRows, (Signed) practice of their profession." He said: Hitherto we have only President of the Medical Council. touched upon the subject of professional study and given some Dr. PAGET moved that the President be requested to send sketches as to what we consider right in regard to the curriculum to be adopted. We have not thoroughly entered into the foregoing letter to Mr. Walpole. the subject as we have with regard to preliminary study. On Dr. STOKES seconded the motion. Dr. QUAIN proposed the addition to the paragraph stating this subject I agree with what is stated in an excellent pamphlet that to ask the assistance of a private member in carrying the by Professor Bennett, in which he says: "The profession is Bill would be fatal to its success, of the following words- now impatiently waiting for the decision of the Medical Council That it would also tend to alter the position of the Council as to what the professional curriculum should be. Such, howin relation to the Government." ever, are the inherent difficulties of the subject, so various are Mr. HARGRAVE objected to that portion of the letter which the notions which even the most experienced hold regarding it, and so complicated are the interests involved in the quesrequested Mr. Walpole to reconsider his decision. Dr. STOKES considered the letter a calm and dignified one, tion, that we need not feel surprised that nothing has as yet been effected. Instead of a uniform and national education for to which no reasonable objection could be offered. Dr. THOMSON suggested that the words should be altered the country at large, the student is still called upon to consider thus-" The Council trusts that this resolution will not be which out of the multifarious systems brought before him he adhered to." ought to follow, or how he shall so steer his course that while Dr. FLEMING suggested the words-" The Council regrets qualifying himself for examination at one board, he does not that it cannot accede to such a proposition." disqualify himself for examination at another." The function Dr. CHRISTISON hoped that nothing would appear in the of this Council, if I understand it rightly, is to determine letter which could be interpreted by Mr. Walpole into any what standard they will erect, compliance with which is to desire not to pay him the greatest deference. qualify any person to enter the profession, and to become reMr. COOPER reminded the Council that Mr. Walpole was gistered. Although perhaps to a very large extent qualifying very much out of health, adding that he had himself advised bodies have already come to an agreement as to the subjects the right hon. gentleman to abstain from public duty as much which ought to be embraced in a curriculum of study, there is no doubt a large amount of discordance in these separate curas possible. Mr. HARGRAVE seconded the addition proposed by Dr. Quain. ricula, forming an element of considerable embarrassment to Sir D. J. CORRIGAN requested Dr. Quain to withdraw his the students, and in other respects there are some varieties in stating that the letter had received the most the way in which particular parts of the curricula are defined, proposition, anxious and careful consideration of the Committee, which are also a source of embarrassment, not only to the Dr. PAGET objected to the addition proposed by Dr. Quain. student, but to the examining boards. I should like the comHe did not believe that the relation of the Council to the mittee to put before us a list of subjects which they consider Government would be changed. Public opinion on the subject that every individual who is to practise his profession properly might be changed, but the relation itself was one that was should have studied. In addition to that, my object is that established by law. that committee should very carefully consider the way in which .

.

"

Dr. ACLAND said he should be sorry to

see

any alteration

made in the letter without recommitting it for consideration, ,

students should be tested upon these subjects, and I think we are now in a position to face the difficulties that present them-

699

in

selves to us. I think that anyone who has read the reports of past years against systematic lectures. I think the mere exthe visitors of examinations must see that there is not such aistence of differences of opinion on these subjects is a reason uniformity in the examinations as there is in regard to the for not prescribing hard and rigid lines in regard to this matter. curricula, and that there are many important things to be in- It appears to me that we have got the master keys of medical troduced before the examinations can be said to be efficient. education when we have a sufficient preliminary examination Sufficient attention, for instance, does not appear to be paid to in arts, without any inquiry as to the mode in which the eduwhat I consider to be most important. I mean demonstration cation is obtained-four years’ prescribed study, the double and practical examinations. I do not suppose that we could examination, the visiting of the examinations, and the power finish the subject this session ; but at all events we should of making recommendations as to the best mode of improving them. And I must say that in the course of the last two years’ commence its consideration, and endeavour to devise some scheme which may help the bodies who are engaged in the im- experience nothing has struck me so forcibly as the proper senportant function of licensing to practise, and remove from the sitiveness of the examining bodies to any reasonable recomexamining boards and from the students a good deal of the un- mendations proceeding from the visitors of this Council. I certainty and embarrassment at present experienced. I do not believe the visitations have been singularly successful; and at all complain that the subject has not hitherto occupied our that the result of them will be that changes will be gradually attention, because I do not think we were prepared to enter introduced in the modes of examination which will reflect into it; but I think that, having gone so far, having adopted potently upon the systems of education adopted, so that it something which is beginning to tell very efficiently throughout will not be necessary for us to interfere and lay down a prethe country in regard to preliminary examinations, we are now scribed, regular course of study. If, for instance, we require in a condition to set to work to do what we can in preparing a that every man who is examined in surgery shall be able to go guide to the profession and the examining boards in regard to into the wards of an hospital and diagnosticate a surgical injury and the mode of treatment, and the same with regard to professional education. Dr. PARKES seconded the motion, and said that when the medicine and midwifery, the effect is inevitable. It will put report of the committee was laid before the Council it would an end to all the abuses of cramming, and all the mischiefs rebe time to discuss the various points involved in the question. sulting from a faulty system of lectures. It appears to me that Dr. STORRAR.-I am not prepared to vote for this motion, in these points we have got possession of the master keys of and my reasons may be stated under these heads: firstly, it the whole question, and we have got them with the perfect is exceedingly difficult to bring all the bodies in Schedule A goodwill of the examining bodies in England and Scotland. to an agreement upon this subject; and secondly, I very much I therefore earnestly request the Council to pause before they doubt if it would be desirable. As to the difficulty, let any commit themselves to the appointment of a committee to carry man conversant with the business of education look through out the views which Dr. Andrew Wood has expressed. If Dr. the three kingdoms and see the diverse views entertained as Wood will propose the appointment of a committee to analyse to the best means of conducting medical education. You hardly the reports of the examinations which we shall soon have to get two bodies to agree upon the subject. Some would wish consider, to compare them one with another, and suggest to limit the number of courses, others to increase them; one what steps it is advisable to take in order to make the examinations in arts and in medicine what they ought to be, I will man doubts whether anything is to be learned by a course of systematic surgery, another thinks that as many as three sys- go with him most heartily. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.—I shall vote for Dr. Andrew Wood’s tematic courses are required; one set of bodies think that the best period for commencing their session is in November, an- motion if he omits from it the phrase " professional study." other that the best time is October. I have seen a proposal The reasons for the impossibility of establishing a fixed stanmade that medical education should always be begun by a dard of study have been so clearly put forward by Dr. Storrar summer course. Then there is the question of long and short that it is scarcely necessary to dwell much on that part of the courses, and it almost inevitably follows that the bodies con- subject. Let me, as an illustration, take the case of midnected with particular schools get wedded to their own parti- wifery, in which there are the most conflicting opinions as to enlar views in this respect, and it is next to impossible to alter the best mode of education. Some of our educational bodies them. Then as to the question of desirability, I confess that insist on attendance at a midwifery hospital. Others accept one of the subjects upon which my views have been somewhat attendance on the poor in their own houses. One licensing enlarged since I have been a member of this Council is that of body admits hospitals with thirty or fifty beds as a sufficient seeking to obtain one rigid uniform system. There is some- school for education; while others require a minimum of a thing very charming in the idea of system, something so seduc- hundred or a hundred and fifty beds. Others again, amongst tive that it has a natural tendency to lead us on to make a whom I reckon myself, think that an hospital does not give all system of education as perfect as possible. I have been for the information that is required, but that dispensary practice nearly three years engaged in an inquiry into the education of gives a man a vast amount of information which never could this country. Our duty has been to gather a large body of be obtained at the bedside. So with regard to the number of evidence upon the subject both here and on the continent. courses to be attended. In some colleges there are three courses Now, perhaps the most perfect system, as a system, is that of lectures on one subject; and frequently they are precisely which prevails in France. It is said that the Minister of the same lectures year after year. Others think that systematic Education in France, standing in his bureau, can pull out his teaching is useless. Some recognise apprenticeship as the bewatch and say, "At this moment, in all the lycees of France ginning of professional study, while others pay no regard to there are masters delivering lectures"--say, on mathematics, it. With all these difficulties in our way, I retain the opinion All the masters are trained after one model; the system moves which I embodied in a resolution two or three years ago to this effect, that the Council should not interfere at all with as a machine so perfectly that, from the best information we can gather, the thing is a failure from the very perfection courses of professional study, but leave every licensing body of the instrument. The explanation of it seems to be this : to adopt whatever rules they please, as best suited to the that the human mind is dealt with as if it were a known locality or circumstances in which the students were placed. quantity, and every intellect is put through the same training. We ought to confine ourselves to the point which Dr. Storrar The whole scheme of education is declared to be exceedingly has so well put, to make the courses of examination so thoirksome ; and it stands out as a beacon to us, showing us the roughly practical that it would be impossible for a young man dangers which we are to avoid. Now, allow me to transfer the to enter the profession by a system of cramming. We know idea from general to professional education. I think that, upon that the almost universal system at present is for the parents the whole, there is a great advantage in having the medical edu- or guardians of a young man who is about to enter the profescation of this country presided over by more than one body. I sion to go to a grinder and bargain with him as they would for do not mean to say that there may not be too many examining the purchase of a horse, that in consideration of a certain sum bodies prescribing all these courses of lectures; at the same of money he shall pass the young man through some college time I think there is a great advantage in that kind of elasticity and obtain a diploma at the end of a certain number of years. which is the outcome of different systems of training. There Now how is that to be met ? Not by any interference with are certain minds who take up knowledge in different ways the course of study. You cannot control the minds of young from others. Some very rarely gather anything from the best men. You cannot compel them, when present at lectures, to lectures; but they can go into a chemical laboratory and make attend to what is going on, or prevent them from reading a themselves excellent chemists, or into a room of practical ana- Waverley novel while the lecture is being delivered in the tomy and make themselves practical anatomists. Others, theatre. We cannot control the issue and sale of certificates again, obtain a great deal of information from lectures ; and, as by the lecturers. You cannot control the action of the grinder. a rule, I think it would be found that nothing would be more But you can, by confining yourselves simply to the manner in unfortunate than to join in the hue and cry that has been raised ’which the examinations are conducted, effect this object, that

700 diploma or undergo an examination in go through the tests of chemistry on the table, or examine a sick patient in his bed in a practical way, or distinguish substances in materia medica, by a system of cramming. If we confine ourselves to the simple fact that the examination shall be thoroughly practical, we shall obtain all that we desire. All our efforts in the other direction must be fruitless, Dr. ALEX. WOOD.—When the mover sat down I was not sure whether I should vote for the motion or not, but after having listened to the speech of Sr D. Corrigan I have no doubt whatever that I should support the motion, and for the following reasons : Sir D. Corrigan has drawn a vivid picture of the fearful abuses that prevail at the various schools and licensing boards in the country; and if one which he has described be true, it is high time that this Council, by means of a committee, or in some other way, should ascertain what is the real state of matters. Sir D. Corrigan has set up a man of straw in order that he might knock him down. He has endeavoured to show that Dr. Andrew Wood proposes to lay down a rigid system of teaching medicine-a sort of Procrustean bed on which every student was to be tortured ; whereas, as I understand it, the object of the motion which has been proposed is simply to inquire into the various systems, and to make suggestions which might be useful whatever system might be pursued. But the most extraordinary part of the extraordinary speech we have heard was where Sir D. Corrigan, after urging upon us not to adopt this motion, turned round and told us that the whole power of the Council should be concentrated on the visitation of examinations. Three or four years ago I moved for a committee on this subject, and the committee made an elaborate report, which was thrown out by a large majority. Two years ago a learned professor proposed a simple plan, and who was it that opposed it at every stage but Sir D. Corrigan ? If he has been consistent in one thing in this Council it has been in his determined opposition to the request of the Council that the visitation of examinations should be carried out by means of the members of the Council. (Hear.) So when I came forward with a motion for a committee to improve preliminary education, I am met by Sir D. Corrigan with a resolution that the thing is impossible, and that we have no power ; and when my friend comes forward with a motion to amend professional education, we are met with very much the same kind of argument. But that he may not appear to be obstructive, he says, "Improve your examinations and then you will do all that you can do." When, however, we come to try to improve our examinations in the way which the Act of Parliament opens up, we are met again by the obstruction of Sir D. Corrigan, who will not have those visitations, and does not approve of them. In his own Branch Council he sets the example of refusing to take part in them. Now, I ask how is this Council to go on ? If the views which have been promulgated by Sir D. Corrigan were to prevail generally, where should we be ? If every honest effort made at this table to improve medical education and the examinations of licensing bodies is met in this obstructive way what is the use of the Council meeting at all ? I believe that the difficulties which have been reared up to-day have been very much imaginary, and that if we meet them firmly by the wise suggestions of an able committee there will be no difficulty in making those improvements which, according to what has been said by Sir D. Corrigan, are much more imperatively demanded than I suspect most of us had an idea of before he

no man can

obtain his

practical anatomy,

or

delivered his speech. Mr. HARGRAVE said he agreed with Dr. Storrar and Sir D. Corrigan that the great thing was to attend more to the examinations, and less to the course of professional study. If the examinations were of a really efficient and practical character the evils complained of could no longer exist. Since the establishment of the Medical Council the improvement in the character of the medical students in Dublin had been very great. They had shown a degree of energy and resolution never before manifested. If the system of grinding or cramming could be put down it would be the greatest benefit to the students and to the profession. Young men’s minds were poisoned from the commencement, and their success in life was seriously compromised. When the visitation of examinations was at first brought forward he was decidedly opposed to it, but he had since agreed to follow out the suggestions of the Council; and, having attended some of the examinations, he was enabled to state that the greatest benefit had arisen from the system adopted by the Council. Mr. HAWKINS suggested the omission from the motion the words "and examinations."The subject of examinations, he said, would be taken up on a future occasion, and he pro-

should not be considered in connexion with Dr. Wood’s motion. He also suggested that the proposed committee should take into consideration the minimum of professional study. Dr. ANDREW WooD said he was willing to accede to the suggestion of Mr. Hawkins, and omit the words " and examinations." Mr. COOPER said he was very much pleased with the calm and temperate way in which Dr. Storrar had spoken upon this subject. The question of apprenticeship introduced by Sir D. Corrigan was one that required great consideration. He looked upon the early part of apprenticeship as a most important portion of professional study. The CHAIRMAN said that Sir D. Corrigan was in order in referring to the subject as illustrating the difficulty of dealing with the question in consequence of the variety of methods adopted, but that no member of the Council would be in order in going into the advantages or disadvantages of a particular

posed that it

system.

Dr. SHARPEY thought it would be unwise to trammel the various licensing bodies by prescribing a particular course of professional study. The University of Edinburgh required attendance upon lectures on almost every prescribed subject, ’and they all knew that the results of that system were admirable. The University of London proceeded on a totally different principle, yet no one would challenge the result of its examinations. That University only required attendance at lectures on six subjects, which the student himself might select. He should be quite willing to join a committee with reference to the visitation of examinations which was to be moved for by Dr. Andrew Wood at a subsequent period, but he could not serve on the proposed committee with regard to

professional study.

Dr. PAGET said if Dr. Andrew Wood’s motion were adopted it would express an opinion that all persons seeking entrance into the medical professioa should go through one and the He did not think it would same course of professional study. be wise to express such an opinion, and he therefore could not vote for the appointment of the proposed committee. Dr. ACLAND agreed with the previous speakers that the great duty of the Council was to secure effective examinations, leaving to the licensing bodies the superintendence of the mode in which the students prepared themselves for those examinations. But he did not think that was the entire duty of the Council. More than three years ago he proposed the appointment of a committee to report on the courses of study ante-professional and professional, and on the best mode of conducting examinations. That motion was thrown out, and he was somewhat severely handled for bringing it forward. He believed the labours of the Council would be expedited if the motion had been agreed to. He thought that the Council in its collectivewisdom might lay down the subjects which should be required of every person seeking to be put on the Register. At Oxford, where there were very few medical

students, the greatest difficulty had been experienced in

re-

quiring a moderate acquaintance with what was called in the Latin statutes, the "ars obstetrica,"and the "ars chirurgica," and the subject of general hygiene. The examiners were now required to test the students in those subjects. He thought the Council would do great service if it were to give the result of the conclusions of the most eminent physicians, surgeons, and scientific men generally as to what subjects should entitle a man to practise. It would be a mere impertinence to go into details.

He remembered

an

instance in which

a

young

physician said, " Do you seriously mean to say that I shall be required to know how to cup a patient ?" The reply which he (Dr. Acland) made was, " If you do not you certainly will not pass." There ought to be no doubt as to what subjects should be required, and in this respect the Council might perform an important service. He was willing to support Dr. Andrew Wood’s motion, upon the whole, because it could do no harm, and would coerce no one, for no one need follow it.

(Laughter.)

Mr. SYME said that however desirable uniformity of system might be, it was impracticable. The system at Edinburgh for thirty years, with regard to clinical surgery, was totally unknown in England. Who should decide whether Edinburgh It could not be expected that one would or London was right ? to the other. Mr. RUMSEY said that if the committee was appointed to consider the minimum of professional knowledge to be required, he would support the motion. Dr. ANDREW WOOD said he was quite willing to make the

yield

ofalteration

suggested.

701 Dr. BENNETT agreed with Dr. Acland that it would be exceedingly important that some announcement should go forth from the Council as to the minimum education required for a medical man, and it was impossible that the various licensing bodies should come to any agreement on the subject without some general expression of opinion on the part of the Council. Sir D. CORRIGAN moved, as an amendment,-‘That it is

not advisable to enter on a consideration of what ought to be the course of professional study to be gone through by all persons seeking entrance into the medical profession, inasmuch as it appears to the Council more expedient to leave the details of professional study with the several licensing bodies." Dr. APJOHN said that no two bodies could be brought to agree on precisely the same course of study; and that any attempt to bring about an agreement must completely fail. The CHAIRMAN thought that Sir D. Corrigan’s proposal was a simple negative, and could not be moved as an amendment; but, after some conversation on the subject, he permitted it to assume that form. The amendment was put, and carried by a majority of 10 against 8. The amendment then became a substantive motion. Dr. STORRAR moved that the last sentence of the motion be

omitted. Sir D. CORRIGAN said he was quite willing to omit the sentence in question. Dr. BENNETT moved,-"That the consideration of the subject be deferred." Dr. ACLAND seconded the amendment, which was carried by a majority of 10 against 7. ____

FRIDAY,

MAY 31ST.

The Council resumed the consideration of Sir D. Corrigan’s motion with reference to professional study. Dr. BENNETT said : It will be in the recollection of the Council that this subject at the last meeting received a very full amount of attention, and elicited a variety of important observations. In fact the discussion was altogether an instructive one, and must have been productive of considerable good in enlightening the minds of many of us on many important ’points with respect to this matter. At the close of the discussion, when Sir D. Corrigan’s amendment had been carried, and was proposed as a substantive motion, I felt that we were in

danger of coming after all to a very hasty, and, it seemed to me, very undesirable conclusion. I should not have ventured to make the proposal I did, in the shape of an amendment, to - defer this subject, had I not felt that it deserved very careful consideration before it was set aside altogether, as it would have been if this motion had been carried. I will not occupy the time of the Council by reiterating the arguments that were I will confine myself to this observation, that it seems to me that, having decided what should be the - course of preliminary education, a fortiori it is necessary that we should say something, at all events, on the course of professional study; and if we decide that considerable latitude ’should be given to the various licensing bodies on this subject, it does not therefore follow that we should not express to them our opinion with reference to what should be the extent and the character of the professional information that should be required from every candidate seeking admission to those reof preliminary spective bodies. Having decided the education, we are expected, I know, by the public to give an opinion upon this subject, which seems to me to be the more important of the two. (Hear.) Indeed this is one of the very purposes for which the Council was instituted, and we should be shirking our duty if we avoided expressing our opinion upon

urged yesterday.

question

What weight ’our opinion may have, what power we may possess of enforcing it, I do not pretend to say; but this I know full well, that whatever opinion we may enunciate as the result of our deliberate consideration, cannot fail to have more or less influence both upon the licensing bodies and the profession at large. All I desire now is, that the subject should not be shelved, that there should be an opportunity of discussing it, and that we should have a committee appointed to take it into consideration. I am not anxious that the committee should be called upon to make any immediate or speedy report, but I desire that they should have full opportunity of maturely considering the subject. I will therefore propose, "That having decided what should be the extent and character of preliminary education, it is incumbent on the Council to consider and report on the amount and character of professional study absolutely necessary for securing the possession of the requisite skill and knowledge by all persons seeking so or

important a subject.

an

be

entrance into the medical profession, appointed for that purpose."

and that

a

committee

Mr. SYME said there was no substantial difference between the motion of Dr. Bennett and that proposed yesterday by Dr. Andrew Wood, and negatived by the Council. He denied that it at all followed that because the Council had decided upon the question of preliminary education it was therefore called upon to prescribe the course of professional study. The systems adopted in the various schools were so different that it would be impossible to bring about anything like a uniformity of practice; nor, indeed, was such a uniformity desirable. It would no doubt be easy to say what subjects should be required, but the precise amount of study in each could not be defined. He had been a teacher perhaps longer than any member of the Council, and could therefore speak with some authority on the subject. His experience was that whenever students had an opportunity of attending instructive lectures they would do so ; and he could not see any advantage in compelling them to attend lectures which were useless. It was better, he believed, to abstain altogether from specifying the lectures to be attended. He would not allow any man to study medicine until he had attained a certain age and had shown evidence of mental culture; he would insist on a certain number of years’ study in a large school containing everything requisite for his instruction, and would leave the rest to a careful examination. It would be premature at present to speak of the results of the examinations. Dr. ALEX. WOOD.-Deeply as I should like to see this motion pass, I do not think it is compatible with order to discuss it after the rejection of Dr. Andrew Wood’s motion yesterday. If this is carried it will be open to Sir D. Corrigan to bring forward an amendment equivalent to his previous one ; and so with other members, so that the Council will be like Tony Lumpkin driving round the pond without coming to any conclusion. The PRESIDENT said there was a distinction between the two proposals. Dr. Bennett did not go so far as to say that the thing was to take place at once, but merely proposed that, the Council having decided on the extent and character of preliminary education, it ought to consider and report upon the amount and character of professional study.

Dr. FLEMING, in seconding Dr. Bennett’s motion, said that as the Council had laid down a curriculum of preliminary education it ought equally to take up the subject of professional education, and, without seeking to establish any uniformity of system, declare what should be the minimum of professional education required. He had no idea that the committee would be able to report during the present session, as the subject would require very mature deliberation. Mr. RUMSEY.—I am one of those who, while supporting Sir D. J. Corrigan’s motion, did not understand that they were opposing Dr. Andrew Wood’s motion. I did not consider that the adoption of the amendment at all precluded the appointment of a committee to consider and report on the minimum of professional education to be required. I do not consider that the motion was defeated by the adoption of Sir D. J. Corrigan’s amendment, and I think we ought to have the opinion of some other members of the Council on the subject. Dr. ANDREW WOOD.—I trust that the Council will not allow the motion of Sir D. J. Corrigan to stand, because I think it amounts to a complete abnegation of the functions of this body. It states that it is not advisable to enter upon the consideration of what ought to be the course of professional study to be gone through by all persons seeking entrance into the medical profession. Then I ask what it is advisable to enter upon. We are a Council of Medical Education. We thought it advisable last session for the Council to enter upon the question of preliminary education, and we did it most thoroughly. We selected the subjects that we thought should be required in the preliminary education. We are now told that we ought not to enter upon this question. Is it because we are not competent to the task ? If so, then we ought not to be a Council for Medical Education. Is it that we are indisposed to the task? I can only say that if we are deterred by difficulties such as those stated by Dr. Storrar and others yesterday, it shows a lack of that pluck which I think ought to characterise One of the principal reasons advanced as an argument us. against my motion was that there was so great a difference between the curricula adopted by the different bodies that it would be utterly impossible to reconcile them. Dr. SHARPEY.—Not different curricula, but different modes of them out. Dr. ANDREW WOOD.—Mr. Syme told us that clinical surgery was well taught at Edinburgh.

following

702 Mr. SYME. -No, I did not say so. (Laughter.) I said it was taught differently in Edinburgh and in London. Dr. ANDREW WooD.-I certainly did not hear Mr. Syme state anything in favour of the way in which it was taught in London. It is said that the subject is taught differently in two different parts of the kingdom. Now, there must be a right way and a wrong way, and it becomes the Council to see which is the right and which is the wrong. I find in some bodies the subject of morbid anatomy gets its due attention; in others, the student is not required to know anything about it. In one curriculum operative surgery is insisted upon; in another, the subject is never alluded to. If you are satisfied that the present course of education is proper, let us do nothing But

satisfied ? Is Dr. Parkes satisfied that the present system is sufficient ? Surely it has not attained to that perfection that it is incapable of amendment; and if it is capable of amendment, I ask if the Medical Council are not to take it into consideration ? I should be as unwilling as anyone to go out of our ordinary course of business. My friend Dr. Alexander Wood says that we are like Tony Lumpkin, driving round the swamp. Still, it is far better to do that than to get into the middle of the swamp, which it seems to me we are very likely to do if we leave it upon our minutes that it is advisable to lay down a system of preliminary study, which is not so much in our department, and that it is not advisable to enter into the consideration of what ought to be the course of professional study. It has been suggested that I desired to lay down a hard line to which all bodies were to be bound. Such a preposterous idea never entered my head, nor, I should think, into the head of any sensible man. Dr. STORRAR.—WE spoke to your motion, not to your ideas of the motion. Dr. ANDREW WOOD. - I explained the motion, and Dr. Parkes explained it ; but it suited you better to take the words of the motion rather than the spirit. I tell you now that all we wanted was a minimum-to lay down the subjects which are essential for every man entering the medical profession. I say we are not only capable of dealing with this subject, but we are bound to deal with it, because one of our chief functions is to see whether the bodies who confer licences require such a course of study and examination as will qualify the candidates for the practice of the profession. How are the bodies to know what is the course of study and of examination which the Council approves, unless you tell them beforehand what it is ? The bodies have not thatjealousy of being interfered with that some gentlemen imagine. The body I represent is always glad to receive any suggestion to improve its curriculum. I think the Council is bound to do its best to rectify the defects that exist; and I trust that it will not stultify itself by declining, without any reason, to enter upon this more.

are we

’

question.

Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.—Dr. Andrew Wood has stated that he could not discover any reasons why this resolution should stand If he will carry back his recollection to what on the minutes. occurred yesterday, he will find that the amendment I proposed contained those reasons. " Inasmuch as it appears more expedient to leave the details of the course of professional study to the special licensing bodies." But I omitted that sentence in deference to the opinions expressed by some of my friends. Dr. Andrew Wood has argued that if there are two ways of doing a thing one must be right and the other wrong. I do not think that is good logic. There may be two right ways, and there may be two wrong ways. But then, again, Dr. Andrew Wood, in his ingenious arguments, has confounded two things that are perfectly distinct-namely, study and examination. It has been asserted by Dr. Bennett and Dr. Andrew Wood that we have decided upon the course of preliminary study to be gone through. I assert that we have done nothing of the kind. We have turned our attention to examinations in preliminary education ; but we have not said a word as to the course through which the student is to go in order to prepare himself for it. We have said to the bodies, " Take your pupils through any course you like; all that we shall deal with is the preliminary examination." I think we should follow the same course with reference to professional examination, and not interfere with professional " study." Dr. BENNETT, in reply, said that his object was not to establish uniformity, but to go into the entire question, and leave it to the committee to consider the amount and character of the professional education to be required from all candidates

entering the profession.

The amendment was then put, 10 members voting for it, and 10 against it. The PRESIDENT said he should vote against the amendment,

in order that the Council might, if it thought proper, adopt another amendment which was more likely to be acceptable-to the members generally. The amendment was accordingly declared to be lost. At Dr. Andrew Wood’s request the names of the members voting were taken down. They were as follow:—Majority, 11: The President, Mr. Hawkins, Dr. Storrar, Mr. Syme, Dr. Smith, Mr. Hargrave, Dr. Apjohn, Sir D. J. Corrigan, Bart., Dr. Sharpey, Mr. Rumsey, and Dr. Stokes.—Minority, 10: Dr. Bennett, Dr. Acland, Dr. Paget, Dr. Embleton, Dr. Alexander Wood, Dr. Andrew Wood, Dr. Fleming, Dr. Thomson, Dr. Leet, and Dr. Parkes.

Dr. QuAIN then moved, as a second amendment,-"That a committee be appointed to consider and report to this Council what are the subjects without a knowledge of which no candidate should be allowed to obtain a qualification entitling him to be registered." He said he was not prepared to enter fully into the question ; but he thought there would be no great difficulty in defining the subjects with which everyone should be acquainted who sought to enter the medical profession. To define a particular curriculum to which all bodies should adhere was, he considered, utterly impossible; but he thought the Council might very properly say to the various examining bodies that no one should pass the examinations who did not possess information upon the particular subjects

specified.

Mr. SYME seconded Dr. Quain’s amendment. Dr. STORRAR said that having been one who led the charge against Dr. Wood’s motion, he should have great pleasure in voting for Dr. Quain’s proposition. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN submitted that Dr. Quain’s proposal was not in the nature of an amendment, and ought not to be entertained as such. Mr. RUMSEY said that Sir D. Corrigan’s motion and Dr. Quain’s amendment were distinct, and not necessarily contradictory propositions ; and if by supporting the amendment he was precluded from supporting Sir D. Corrigan’s motion he would be deprived of the opportunity of expressing his opinion, and other members of the Council would be placed in the same

position.

Dr. Quain’s amendment was then put, and the numbers were-for, 16 ; against, 5. The amendment was then put as a substantive motion and carried. The following members were

appointed on the Committee :Dr. Quain (chairman), Dr. Bennett, Mr. Hawkins, Dr. Storrar, Dr. Andrew Wood, Mr. Syme, Mr. Hargrave, Dr. Sharpey, and Dr. Stokes. VISITATION OF EXAMINATIONS. was moved by Mr. HAWKINS and seconded by Dr. PAGET That the reports of the visitors of examinations be received and entered on the minutes, and that a copy be sent to each of the bodies named in Schedule A to the Medical Act." Dr. LEET objected to the reception of the reports in question, on the ground that the King and Queen’s College of Physicians in Ireland had declined to sanction the visitation of the examinations conducted by the board of governors of the Apothecaries’ Hall of Ireland, on the ground " that such visitation might be construed into an admission that the College admitted the legality of the function which the board of Apothecaries’ Hall has assumed of adding to their examinations in Pharmacy an examination in the Science and Practice of Medicine, which the College is of opinion is beyond the function of the Apothecaries’ Hall of Ireland." This was in contravention of the Medical Act, and opposed to the Act of the College itself. The College of Physicians had recognised the Apothecaries’ Hall as qualified to grant certificates. Application had been made by the board of Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital, consisting of a number of governors, amongst whom were the president and vice-president of the King and Queen’s College of Physicians, for the recognition of their certificates. That recognition had been granted by the Apothecaries’ Hall of Ireland, and accepted by the King and Queen’s College of Physicians. He had before him a minute dated Nov. 3rd, 1865, in which it was resolved that the application from the governors of that hospital for the recognition of the certificate of that hospital as a qualification for medical and surgical licence be granted. In the face of that minute, it was most inconsistent for the King and Queen’s College of Physicians to put forward the reason they had assigned for not performing a

It

-"

public duty.

Dr. STORRAR said that, in order to afford an opportunity of the question, he would second the motion of Dr.

discussing

703 Leet objecting to the reception of the reports. At the same time he wished to remind Dr. Leet that the reception of a report by the Council did not necessarily imply its adoption, so as to commit the Council to anything contained in it. Dr. LEET said that after that explanation he did not desire to. press his amendment. The amendment was accordingly withdrawn, and the motion of Mr. Hawkins for the reception of the reports was unani-

mously agreed to.

.

Dr. A. SMITH said he wished to bring before the attention of the Council a circumstance which he thought amounted to a breach of confidence committed against that body, and which, if allowed to pass unnoticed, might be made a precedeut for similar proceedings in future. It was known that the reports of the visitors had been circulated amongst the members of the Council, and marked " Confidential;" yet he found in the British Medical Journal of last Saturday, four days before the assembly of the Council, a criticism upon those reports, in which it was stated, " The reports of the visitors of examinations deputed by the Branch Council for England on June 15th, 1866, have just been issued to the members of the Council, and we are enabled to give some account of these highly important documents." He thought it was very inconvenient and very unfair to the Council that the matter should be discussed before the reports were made public. There had evidently been a gross breach of confidence, or a dereliction of duty on the part of some member in sending the reports to the editor of a public journal. In drawing the attention of the Council to the subject he only desired that there should be some expression of opinion that might have the effect of preventing a repetition of such an occurrence. The PRESIDENT said there could be no doubt that papers communicated to members of the Council, and marked " Confidential," ought to be strictly regarded in that light; and that great inconvenience and misapprehension would be occastoned if such papers were allowed to be generally circulated. The time would arrive when such papers would appear in the minutes, and they would then be at the service of the public journals, who would be at liberty to criticise them as they pleased; but as long as they were confidential, nothing of the kind ought to be permitted. Dr. ANDREW WOOD moved,-" That the reports of the visitations of examinations during the past year be referred to a select committee, whose duty it shall be to go carefully through them, and to bring before the General Medical Council during their present session a report embodying such recommendations, founded on the various suggestions made by the visitors, as may tend to improve generally the examinations for the licence to practise medicine and surgery, and to remedy the defects in particular examinations which have been pointed out by the visitors." He said : I do not think there can be any differences of opinion as to the extreme necessity of making the greatest possible use of these reports. Our reports last year were unfortunately not laid before the Council until a late period of the session, so that we were not able to discuss them seriatim as we ought to have done. Besides, it was the first year of reporting, and there was a want of certainty on the part of the visitors as to what was required of them. Some reports were formed upon one model, and some upon another. Last year the Council issued a directory for the visitors, which I need not read, because it was alluded to by yourself, Sir, in your opening speech, and in pursuance of that directory to a very large extent-I wish I could say to a universal extentthe visitation has been carried out by the members of this Council. The reports are very lengthy, and it is my decided opinion that every page of them is pregnant with suggestive matter of the highest importance. I doubt very much whether there is any matter with which we have had to deal hitherto during the nine years that we have sat at this Council board, which is of more practical importance than that now before us. We have a very large body of evidence and of commentary upon that evidence, extending to nearly 100 pages, and anyone who looks through the reports will see that they contain many important suggestions for the improvement of the examinations in general, for giving qualifications in medicine and surgery, and also some very important hints as to certain defects in particular examinations, which I believe only require to be pointed out to the bodies concerned in order that they might take steps to remedy them. It appears that some alterations have already been carried out in consequence of even the imperfect visitations of last year. The moral suasion of the Council has been brought to bear upon the bodies in a most beneficial manner, and I feel perfectly satisfied that if the Council will go on for a few years carrying out faithfully, con-

and forbearingly the visitations which they have entered upon, great good will be done to all concerned-the public, the licensing bodies, and the profession. Dr. PARKES seconded the motion. Mr. HAWKINS said that the object sought was very praiseworthy; but he was by no means satisfied that it would be right to proceed hastily, in the manner proposed by Dr. Andrew Wood. The reports were at present imperfect. On the previous occasion no suggestions were given as to the mode in which the visitations should be conducted. Last year, however, the Council ordered that, on every point of preliminary and professional examination, there should be a statement of the facts observed, and of the opinions of the visitors with regard to the efficiency of the examinations. That order had not been carried out to the full extent. With regard to the English branch, he believed there was not much left unreported upon; but there were certain deficiencies observable. In the case of the Durham University, for instance, there were three examinations in arts as to which there was no report. A supplementary report, however, had been given with regard to one of the three examinations. So with regard to Scotland. A most valuable report had been presented with reference to the five universities ; but there was a similar omission to that to which he had referred in the case of Durham. There were preliminary examinations preceding the entrance upon professional study; but, as far as he could make out, no report had been given of any of them. Dr. ANDREW WooD.-They are all reported upon. Mr. HAWKINS said he was speaking of the examinations preceding professional study, and he believed there was no report upon those examinations, at any rate with regard to Glasgow. In the case of Ireland the reports were still more imperfect. A number of circumstances had been left unreported upon, and he thought that after the Branch Council of Ireland had seen the great labour devoted by the Branch Councils of England and Scotland they would for very shame be induced to report in a satisfactory manner to the Council as they had been directed to do, and as they had tacitly undertaken to do. He thought that the omissions to which he referred should be supplied before the Council entered upon the consideration of the whole subject. He also hesitated to adopt Dr. Andrew Wood’s motion on another ground. The President had alluded to the tact and courtesy necessary to be used towards the various licensing bodies. Last year very few suggestions were made, but it appeared from the report that those suggestions had been kindly and cordially adopted. The Scotch universities had actually applied to the Privy Council to expunge certain objectionable words from their charter, and the English College of Surgeons and the Apothecaries’ Society had adopted other suggestions of the Council. He thought that another year should be given for other suggestions, which would no doubt be considered by the various bodies in the same spirit. The reports would come more perfectly before the Council in another year, and they would then be able to enter more satisfactorily into the consideration of the whole question. Dr. PARKES said that the Council would gain nothing by. delay. The reports were very full and excellent, and the committee would be in a position to examine them with great advantage. If the present opportunity was lost so good a one might not be presented in future. Probably the committee would not think it necessary to urge on the licensing bodies all the suggestions made by the visitors. The Council would expect from the committee the same care and thought as the visitors themselves had bestowed upon the subject, and there could be little doubt that the results would be highly beneficial. Dr. STOKES hoped that Mr. Hawkins would, on reconsideration, be induced to withdraw the word "shame" as applied to the Irish branch of the Council. Mr. HAWKINS said he did not desire to offend anyone. He only meant that there was a great contrast between the Irish reports and the others. Dr. STOKES said that Sir D. Corrigan had from the very first disapproved of the visitation of examinations by the Council, and it was not to be expected that, entertaining the opinions he did, he would assist in any system of which he so strongly disapproved. With regard to the other members of the Branch Council he thought they had done their duty to a certain degree, and that the term ’’ shame" ought not have been applied to them. He (Dr. Stokes) had been asked why he had not presented a report with reference to the College of Surgeons. It was not from any desire to disobey the wishes of the College, but it arose from the circumstance that the registrar of the College did not send notice to the branch registrar

scientiously,

704 of the time for holding the first important examination. Notice the General Council. It was unreasonable to expect them to of the second examination was sent, but he (Dr. Stokes) was perform services of that kind without at all events partially so much occupied with other matters that it was quite imposremunerating them for their loss of time. He should not sible for him to attend. Dr. Aquilla Smith, however, attended, propose to restrict the visitors to gentlemen living in the diand his report was in print. He entertained a strong opinion vision of the kingdom where the examinations were conducted. He thought that some advantage might arise from an interas to the inutility of the Council visitations, nevertheless he desired to obey the instructions of the Council; but it could change of visitors, which might tend to assimilate the practice not be expected that members holding strongly adverse views of the three countries. He would first confine his resolution to on the subject would be very enthusiastic in the discharge of the University of St. Andrews, and similar ones could then be their duty. So long as it was the desire of the Council that adopted with reference to the other cases. He would suggest the visitations should be conducted he had no doubt that the that in the case of King and Queen’s College of Physicians in majority of the members would endeavour to carry out their Ireland, Mr. Hargrave, together with some other members of the Council, should be requested to visit the examinations of wishes as far as possible. Mr. HARGRAVE said he had had a great objection to the that body next year. visitations from the commencement, but he did not regret Mr. HARGRAVE.-I should like to ask whether, if I go on having attended the examinations. Last year he attended the these visitations again, I am to be paid or not. examinations of the College of Physicians and of the UniverDr. PAGET.—Clearly, for your attendance. Mr. HARGRAVE.—The Scotch gentlemen, with great prusity in Dublin. This year he had attended the examinations of the College of Physicians, but he was prevented by illness dence, take very good care to pay themselves. (Laughter.) from attending that of the University. He thought it was useMr. PAGET moved, " That A. B. and C. D., members of the less to attend any more examinations of the College of Phy- Council, be deputed to visit the examinations at the University sicians. The examinations appeared to him to be so well con- of St. Andrews, and report thereon to the members of the General Council, and that the visitors be paid their travelling ducted that there was very little room for improvement. Dr. PAGET said he thought the reports of the visitors in all expenses and fees on the same scale as for attendance at three divisions of the kingdom were so good as not to require meetings of the General Medical Council." Dr. ALEX. WOOD said he seconded the motion pro formâ, any apology, although there were no doubt certain omissions which might be supplied. He observed that there was no re- but suggested that the matter was one of too much detail forport of the examinations at the University of St. Andrews last the Council to settle at once. There could be no doubt that year or this. No doubt that circumstance arose from an acci- the visitors of the examinations should be paid for their attenddental pressure of engagements preventing the member ap- ance. The unfortunate position in which they had been placed pointed by the Scotch branch of the Council from attending. during the last two years had arisen from a motion made by a Neither was there any report of the examinations at the Apo- gentleman to the effect that those who chose to do the work thecaries’ Hall of Ireland. With regard to the report pre- were not to be paid for it. He (Dr. Alex. Wood) thought it sented by Mr. Hargrave, it was very excellent so far as it was time that that motion should be rescinded. That, howwent, but it was not a complete report. It was a report of ever, was a very secondary matter. The whole system of exa. the examination of a gentleman who was already a practi- minations might be made the subject of deliberation in comtioner of some years’ standing, and he was only examined in mittee. He thought great benefit would be derived from the practical subjects. No account was given of any examination interchange of visitors, as suggested by Dr. Paget. The system conducted by the College in Anatomy, Physiology, or Che- would afford an opportunity to the visitors of seeing as many mistry. Another report was on Midwifery. Mr. Hargrave examinations as possible, and there could be no doubt that a. to have been alone in his visitations, and his report, more impartial account of shortcomings might be expected though quite to the purpose as far as it went, was at any rate from those who resided at a distance than would be presented incomplete. These were omissions that ought to be supplied by persons living close at hand. It was a matter of great delibefore entering thoroughly into the question. The reports cacy which had been hitherto admirably conducted, and he taken in connexion with those of last year presented a body of had no doubt it would continue to be so. It had been said information extremely valuable, and very creditable to the that there were certain gentlemen who did not approve of the Council. He wished to ask if Dr. Andrew Wood would have plan, and who would not discharge their duties in the best any objection to include in his motion the reports of last year. possible manner, while others had so strong an objection that The only report with which he (Dr. Paget) was concerned was they would not discharge them at all. They had no power to intentionally incomplete, because full information had been compel unwilling members, or even to " shame" them into doing their duty. The Council, however, must discharge the given on the subject in the previous year. Dr. ANDREW WOOD said he had no objection to the addition duty cast upon it by the Act of Parliament. The Act stated that the members of the Council " may attend" the examinaproposed by Dr. Paget. Mr. HARGRAVE wished to ask Dr. Paget in what respect tions; and in the ordinary interpretation of the word "may,’% his (Mr. Hargrave’s) report was incomplete. there could be no doubt that Parliament intended it as a duty Dr. PAGET said he had already explained. The examina- which the Council was called upon to discharge. He thought tion visited by Mr. Hargrave was an examination of one can- that the result of the attempt of the Council to discharge that didate only, who was a practitioner of some years’ standing, duty showed that it was one of the most important duties and was only examined in practical subjects. The report con- assigned to it. If some gentlemen in Ireland refused to do tained no mention of the manner in which the College con- their duty in this respect, there was no method of compelling ducted its examinations in other subjects, them; and the only alternative was to send someone else toMr. HARGRAVE said that when a practitioner presented him- do their duty for them. He thought that the whole question self to the College of Physicians he was not examined in the as to how the visitations should be conducted next year ought subjects referred to by Dr. Paget. In like manner, if a phy- to-be referred to committee, and if Dr. Paget and the Council sician presented himself to the College of Surgeons, he was not would agree to that course he would consent to withdraw a motion of his at present on the programme, calling upon the examined in medicine. Dr. PAGET said he was finding no fault with Mr. Hargrave’s Council to consider the otheralternative of sending special report, but was merely referring to the fact that there was no examiners to superintend the examinations. He might add opportunity presented for reporting upon the subjects to which that he had been most agreeably surprised by the complete success of the manner in which the supervision of examinations reference had been made. Dr. Andrew Wood’s motion, with the alterations suggested had been conducted by the members of the Council. He was by Dr. Paget, was then put and carried. The committee con- decidedly of opinion that no medical teachers or examiners sisted of Dr. Andrew Wood (chairman), Mr. Hawkins, Dr. should conduct an examination in arts in connexion with any Paget, Dr. Storrar, Dr. Thomson, Dr. Leet, Dr. Apjohn, Dr. licensing body. They were not the proper persons to supervise or report upon such examinations, and he thought the proper Sharpey, Dr. Parkes, and Dr. Christison. Dr. PAGET said he thought it was desirable to supply the course was to call in the assistance of persons skilled in exaomissions in the reports of the visitors, and in proposing that mination in arts in order to judge of the manner in which that should be done he entertained the best feeling towards they were conducted. That was the only point on which he the bodies whose examinations had not been visited. He should have strongly insisted if he had brought forward his begged to suggest that the Council should depute two of its motion. members to visit the examinations at the University of St. Mr. SYME said that, having moved for a visitation of examiAndrews, and the Apothecaries’ Hall, Ireland, and that the nations, he was naturally anxious that the visitation should be visitors should be paid their travelling expenses and their fees conducted in the most satisfactory manner. With regard to on the same scale as if they were attending the meetings of ’ the University of St. Andrews, the examinations of that body

appeared

705 had not been visited-not from any desire to shirk the duty, but from a feeling on the part of the Branch Council that it was not necessary. They knew very well the nature of the examinations carried on in that ancient university. Dr. CHRISTISON suggested that the motion, so far as the University of St. Andrews was concerned, should be withdrawn. There could be no doubt that the Branch Council in Scotland would take up the visitation of that university as they had done that of the other licensing bodies. The motion as proposed might seem to indicate that the Scottish Branch Council had neglected its duty. There was no doubt that the examination at St. Andrews was very effective. He was quite certain that the Professor of Medicine might be thoroughly relied upon as doing his duty to the profession and to the Council. At the same time that university ought not to be exempted from visitation. It had been said that it was not very likely that gentlemen who had studied in the Scotch or Irish or English universities would go to St. Andrews to take their degree. Certain gentlemen, however, who apprehended some difficulty in passing, might perhaps be tempted to go there (laughter), not knowing that St. Andrews was determined to be as careful as any of the universities. He thought he could answer for the members of the Scottish Branch Council that they would take care, during the present summer, to have a visitation of St. Andrews as well as of the other

should be appointed to take the whole question into consideration. Last year, Sir D. Corrigan had declined to fulfil the duties imposed upon him, without assigning any reason. Another gentleman who professed his willingness to attend was anticipated by a letter from his College telling him that if he ventured to go he would perhaps be discharged from any further attendance. With reference to the reason assigned by that body, could anybody suppose that Dr. Smith’s presence at the examination of the Apothecaries’ Hall could have sanctioned anything ? Could it be supposed that that was the real reason ?

Dr. A. SMITH.—This is a most unfair charge. Dr. ALEX. WooD.-I am making no charge whatever. I say it is contrary to common sense to suppose that the presence of Dr. Smith could have given the sanction to which reference is made. Dr. APJOHN said that he had not declined to act as a visitor. He did act in 1856, and presented a short report. He intended to go to the College of Physicians again, and did so twice, but. on making inquiry he ascertained that the College of Phy-sicians had ceased to hold any preliminary examination, and had resolved to accept the examinations held in other institutions. With respect to the nature of the examinations he knew nothing. He knew, however, that some of the examiners, were perfectly competent to discharge their duties. The PRESIDENT.-At present we can only receive any personal explanation of your own; you must not go into other

schools. Dr. PAGET said he did not desire to cast blame anywhere, and should be sorry if such an interpretation were put upon matters. Dr. ArJOHN.-I only wish to say that I have not declined his motion. In order to meet the objections which had been raised he would willingly withdraw his motion and substitute to act as a visitor of examinations. On two occasions when I for it, " That it be an instruction to the committee to report could attend, the persons examined already possessed a medical. as to the best means of supplying the few omissions in the licence, and their examination was entirely confined to practical matters. The examination was very perfect of its kind, reports of visitations of examinations now received." and I did not think I should be expected to report upon it. Dr. THOMSON seconded the motion as altered. The PRESIDENT inquired if the Council would consent to Dr. ALEX. Wood said he had never doubted the competence. of every member of the Irish Branch Councils to supervise the substitution of the motion proposed by Dr. Paget ? Dr. ACLAND said he had noticed on several occasions con- the examinations, and some of the specimens that they had siderable inconvenience had arisen from the substitution of one given made him more desirous that they should have shown a.. motion for another, and the insertion of the substituted motion little less reluctance in carrying out their duties. The Council was, however, as responsible for the Irish bodies as for any only in the minutes. Dr. ANDREW WOOD thought it was unnecessary to encumber others under their supervision, and were they or were they not the minutes with motions that were proposed and withdrawn. to have reports from them? Ought they to be met by such a.. The assent of the Council was given to the proposed substi- statement that because one body had a strong feeling upon a tution. particular subject the Council was to be deprived of the inforSir D. J. CORRIGAN asked how it was possible to supply an mation which it sought ? Under the circumstances it was obomission with reference to an examination that ought to have viously necessary to take up the question, how the visitation, been attended six months ago. (Laughter.) was to be best carried out. Then, however well the examina- Dr. PAGET said that the motion related to future examina- tions in regard to professional matters might be supervised by tions. members of the Council, he did not think they were the proper Dr. THOMSON said he objected to Dr. Paget’s original mo- persons to supervise examinations in arts, and, if that subject. tion as being of an invidious character. With reference to St. was to be thoroughly taken up, some other method than the Andrews, the Scotch Branch Councils were aware that no present would have to be adopted. Dr. PARKES seconded the motion. ordinary examination for a degree had taken place there reDr. A. SMITH said he never expressed any unwillingness to cently. He approved of the motion in its altered form, because he should not like the Council to interfere by any direct attend the examinations. He repeatedly expressed his willing steps in sending visitors to the examinations, seeing that the ness to go to Apothecaries’ Hall, and was only prevented by Branch Councils had been deputed to undertake that office, the resolution of the College. If he had attended the examinaand that it ought to be left to them to make such arrangements tion he should have given his report with the same candour as

they thought necessary to supplement their reports. The motion in its altered form was then put and carried, eight voting in its favour and seven against. Dr. ALEX. WOOD proposed-" That it be an instruction to the committee appointed this day in regard to the visitation of examinations to prepare a scheme for the visitation of examinations of the next year, and especially to consider the best means of supervising the arts examinations." He said he was quite willing to refer the subject to the committee already appointed, or to move for another committee. Dr. ANDREW WOOD said the committee just appointed would be immensely burdened by having additional duty thrown upon it. Dr. ALEX. WOOD said he had been trying for years to get a plan adopted for the supervision of examinations. A committee had been appointed, of which he was the chairman, and which recommended the appointment of special examiners. That report was thrown out, and for two years nothing was done in that direction. Mr. Syme afterwards moved that the Branch Councils should take up the question, and he had good reason to congratulate himself on the success of the motion. For two years the Branch Councils had been dealing with the subject, and he thought the time had come for a change. Instead of sending down the question to be dealt with by the Branch Councils, who could only regulate it in regard to the separate divisions of the kingdom, he thought a committee as

he had

given that with regard to the College of Surgeons.

College had not

threatened him that if he

The

disobeyed he would

They were quite incapable of holding out such. and Dr. Alex. Wood’s statement upon the subject. When he received the resoluwas a most unwarrantable one. tion he had not the slightest hesitation as to the course it was. his duty to adopt: he felt that he owed a higher allegiance to. the body he represented at that Council than to the Council be dismissed. a

threat,

itself. Dr. ALEX. WOOD said that the explanation was very satisfactory as far as Dr. Smith was concerned, but the point for. the Council to take into consideration was how the examination of the Apothecaries’ Hall was to be supervised. It was very evident that Dr. Smith would not do it. Dr. A. SMITH.—I will not, as long as that resolution of the, College of Physicians stands. Dr. ALEX. WooD.—Are any of the other Irish representa-tives debarred from doing it? Dr. A. SMITH.—The College does not interfere with any If you read the resolution you willmembers of their body. see that it does not apply to them. Dr. ALEX. WooD.—My impression was that the College of

Physicians would not allow you nor any member to attend. Sir D. CORRIGAN thought that the business of the Council was being transacted in a very bungling manner, and that they were

getting deeper

and

deeper into the mire.

He should not

706 Dr. ALEX. WOOD said he agreed with a great deal that fell object to any verbal alterations being made in a motion submitted to the Council; but if a member was to be allowed from Sir D. Corrigan in regard to the irregularity of proceedsuddenly and without notice to the Council to substitute a ing in substituting one motion for another. He himself pointed motion which had no connexion with the original one, it would out that irregularity, but the Council permitted it to go on. be perfectly impossible to proceed with business satisfactorily. A discussion had taken place, and Sir D. Corrigan himself had Dr. Alex. Wood had given notice of a motion to consider the spoken at great length upon the question, and it was too much expediency of the alternative method provi2led in the Act to in him to ask that after such a speech further discussion on which the motion before the Council had no more relation than the subject should be foreclosed. With regard to the motion it had to the Reform Bill. Dr. Alex. Wood had committed passed by the Council remitting the subject to the Branch two irregularities-first, the substitution of one motion for an- Councils, that was evidently a measure for that year only. It other ; and then the calling upon the Council, without notice, was repeated last year, but it did not necessarily follow that practically to rescind the resolution of the Council in April, it was to be repeated every year. It was quite open to the 1865, which remitted the subject of visitation of examinations Council to take the sensible course of referring the whole subto the different Branch Councils. It had been asked if any ject to a committee. He desired to make no charge against man in his senses believed that the College of Physicians in Mr. Rumsey or any other member of the Council for breaking Ireland believed in the reasons given in their letter as the the law; he simply stated that the law prescribed that the ground for the action they had taken, thereby imputing to a examinations were to be visited; that certain members had rebody of high standing-as high in point of honour and integrity fused to visit them, but that there was no power to compel as any others in the kingdom-that they were base enough to them. He had been of opinion, with Mr. Rumsey, that the best put their names to a falsehood, to conceal their real reasons, plan for carrying out the visitations was by means of special

and put forward a pretence. Dr. Alex. Wood had said that .he (Sir D. Corrigan) had assigned no reasons for not performing his duty. He did not wish to open the ground he had already gone over when he assigned very fully the reasons that actuated him; but he had an additional reason for thinkingthat the visitation of examinations was a mere farce, if not something worse, in the fact that was brought out on the previous daythat the College of Physicians of Edinburgh held private examinations for double fees. (Laughter.) It had two doors to its temple. The visitors were informed that, on particular days, examinations would be held, to which they were invited; but when persons wanted to get in at the other door they were told, " We will have an examination for you some other day, at the dinner hour-six o’clock, and we will examine you prilately." Was it to be supposed that one man in a thousand who was able to pass a public examination, would pay a double fee for a private examination at six o’clock in the evening? Such a system of visitation was worse than a farce: it was a cheat. He had no faith in the system of visitations from the beginning ; and the revelations made during the present sittings of the Council strengthened his convictions. It had been stated that there were special examinations in the College of Physicians in Dublin similar to those in Edinburgh. Those examinations were of a very different character. They were epen to every licentiate, of whom there were two or three hundred, and every one of them was interested in taking care that no one should get his diploma privately for a double fee. He repeated his objection-that the substituted resolution had no relation to the original motion, and could not, therefore, be put to the Council. The PRESIDENT said the question was in the hands of the Council. li they permitted the proposed substitution, the discussion must go on. At this stage of the proceedings the President left the chair, which was occupied by Dr. Acland. Dr. PARKES said he had heard no objection raised to the appointment of the proposed committee, and he believed the Council was thoroughly convinced of the necessity of some fresh system being adopted. The differences which had arisen in reference to the visitations in Ireland might arise in future, 3:=i_ess some s’loh course was adopted as that proposed by Dr. Alexander Wood. ,.,,.,,, ,. , .,, , not wish the motion Mr. RUMSEY said he did to pass without some remarks from himself of a somewhat personal character. used towards those members who had availed themselves of their privilege of dedining to take part in the visitations, of whom he was one. There was no legal obligation imposed by the Act upon the members of the Council, for nothing could be clearer than that a special alternative was provided by the Act, and it was in defence of that alternative that he desired to make a few re- mM-ks. He believed that a system of visitations by others would be far more efficient, and more worthy of the confitieiice of the profession and of the public, than the system at present adopted. He would not repeat his reasons for holding He had given them publicly, and he the opinions he did. might say that they were not absurd reasons, but reasons which were founded in truth. The real method of improving ’"

Rather unmeasured language had been

assessors,

examinations was to appoint inspectors, visitors, or whose duty it should be to attend all the examinations-persons who were not members of the Council, and who could not be accused of any partiality. He did not desire to be held up as one who had violated any law or committed any breach of engagement in declining to perform the duty in question.

examinations, just as the Government carried out its visitations of the schools under its superintendence. Accordingly he was appointed the chairman of a committee in 1860 to report upon the subject, and the report stated "The committee are unanimously of opinion that the duty of being present at the examinations of the various licensing bodies would be more efficiently and satisfactorily accomplished by a deputy than by members of the Council." The proposal was vehemently opposed, and no one was more vigorous in his opposition than the learned baronet, who would neither consent to have the examinations visited by deputy nor by the members of the Council. The College of Physicians in Edinburgh was evidently a bête noire to Dr. Corrigan, but it was not open to the charges which he had bought against it. The examinations were open to the visitors. It had no private examinations, but " special examinations " were occasionally held in urgent cases. The double fee did not go into the pockets of the examiners. Mr. Syme would bear him out in stating that he had been asked as one of the visitors to attend the special examinations, but he had been unable to do so. The subject had nothing to do with the point under consideration, and it had been dragged in for a special purpose. Sir D. CORRIGAN said that in the Scotch reports there was not a single word as to the examination of the College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Dr. ALEX. WOOD said that was not the fault of the College of Physicians. Mr. Syme and Dr. Christison were appointed visitors, but they were unable to attend. The motion was then put to the Council, and the result was-for, 14 ; against, 4. The following members were appointed on the committee: Dr. Alexander Wood (chairman), Mr. Cooper, Dr. Acland, Dr. Embleton, Dr. Fleming, Mr. Syme, Dr. A. Smith, and Dr. Quain. Dr. EMBLETON moved-" That

a

committee be

appointed to

report upon-first, the registration of medical students;

second, the returns from the bodies in Schedule A sional examinations, and their results."

of

profes-

Dr. STORRAR seconded the motion, adding that the com. mittee was one of the usual standing committees, and that in past years it had been greatly indebted to Dr. Embleton for his useful labours. The motion was unanimously agreed to. Dr. EMBLETON moved the appointment of a committee to consider and report upon the communications addressed to the Council by the colonial universities, and from the president and registrar of the Medical Council of Upper Canada. Dr. PAGET said that the chairman of the Business Committee was of opinion that these communications should be referred Committee on the Medical Acts, most of them referring to Clause 11 of the Medical Amendment Act. Dr. Embletons motion not being seconded, it fell to the _

to the

ground. A motion having been made to refer the returns from the army and navy medical departments to a committee,Dr. ALEX. WOOD suggested that the communications should be first entered upon the minutes. With regard to the com. munications from the colonies, he thought it would not be respectful to refer them to a committee, but considered that they should be read before the Council. It was’ then resolved that the communications from the army and navy departments be received and entered on the

minutes.

707 SATURDAY, MR. MB.

JUNE IST.

FOR31AN’S CASE.

FOR MAN CASE.

in what they departed from should be that ascertained them, and they should be particulars requested to offer any observa-

tions or explanations they might think fit. In support of my views I instanced the universities in Ireland, England, and Scotland that departed from the regulations, including my "My dear President,-I am sure it will be satisfactory to own University, Trinity College, the College of Surgeons ofI the Council to be informed that I this morning received a Ireland, the King and Queen’s College of Physicians, and the written statement from the secretary of the Royal College of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and St. Andrews Universities. Dr. Physicians, Edinburgh. For obvious reasons this cannot at Christison and Mr. Syme objected to my mentioning them, present be madepublic, but it is satisfactory to know that no and to my reference to the words "as far as possible." They exception to my statement, and said that those words possible blame can attach to the College or its officers as re- took were to be immediately altered,-either that Mr. Churchill the of Forman as a admission and that at the licentiate, gards meeting of the Council held yesterday the law agent of the was incorrect, or that the words would be immediately altered. College was instructed to take all necessary steps for his re- That was as far back as 1862. In the following year, 1863, a moval from the roll, and, if necessary, to proceed against him similar circumstance occurred. I again quoted Churchill’ in the criminal courts.-I am,, my dear President, yours truly, Directory, and was again contradicted by Dr. Christison, and was told that he was not responsible for what appeared in ALEXANDER WOOD." Churchill’s Directory. 1864 came, and the same thing took THE EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY. place; and the same in 1865 and in 1866. For three successive Mr. SYME.-I have received from Edinburgh the University years I accepted the contradiction of those printed regulations Calendar, which is published by authority, and which contains from Dr. Christison and Mr. Syme; but when, notwithstandthe only authentic account of our regulations. I beg to place ing the notice that occurred at this meeting year after year, this volume on the table; and I hope when Sir D. Corrigan these regulations appeared in such a book as Churchill’s Disees that the expressions to which he has so frequently ob- rectory, and were never corrected, I think I was justifiedjected are no longer there, he will be inclined to express some and I only regret that I did not do it before-in saying what regret for not accepting my positive assurance on the subject. I did yesterday. After four years’ patience, having received Sir D. J. CopRiGAN.—I perceive that the Calendar is for the on every occasion a verbal correction, I said at utie end of four present year, and that the sentence in question now reads years, what I will again say on a similar occasion, that I will thus : "The efficiency of the students in these branches is not accept a verbal contradiction of a document. After four ascertained by examination prior to the commencement of their years’ patience I refused to receive a verbal correction offered medical study." The words to which Mr. Syme referred and to me in that way; and I think that after what was said, and to which I referred are omitted. I should like clearly to know never having seen the correction made in the Directory, I was from Mr. Syme what it is he expects from me. I think, if I perfectly justified in the course that I took yesterday, and I understood him rightly, he said that I should express regret will make no apology for what I have said. for not having accepted his statement and that of Dr. Christison Dr. ALEX. WooD.-For what possible purpose Sir D. at once, in opposition to the published regulations in Churchill’s Corrigan has dragged me into this discussion I cannot conceive. If the Council suppose that I did anything so rude and imDirectory for the present year. Am I correct in that ? Mr. SYME.-I understood that Sir J. D. Corrigan had ex- proper as to tell any gentleman at this table that I did not pressed his opinion that a statement in a publication of Mr. accept his word in preference to a document, I beg humbly to Churchill’s was better evidence of a matter of fact than my apologise to that gentleman and to the Council. But I am sure every member of the Council, with the exception of Sir positive assurance, my personal knowledge. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.-Does Mr. Syme expect that I am to D. Corrigan, will bear me out that in what I said I only made a jocular allusion to the proceedings that had taken place beexpress regret for what I said? fore. I feel perfectly certain that no other gentleman than. Mr. SYME.-Certainly. Sir D. J. CoRRiGAN.—I did not say that it was better evi- Sir D. Corrigan would conceive it possible that I would tell dence ; what I said was, and I repeat it, that I would not any gentleman that I preferred a printed document to his oral accept a verbal contradiction of a printed document. Those statement. The position of matters the day before yesterday were the words I used, and for those words I have no apology was this : Sir D. Corrigan took up " Churchill’s Directory "to offer. Yesterday in a debate the very same circumstance a book entirely unauthorised, for which Mr. Churchill and his occurred. Dr. Alex. Wood quoted from a printed document. editor are alone responsible,-and from that book he read a Dr. Smith stated something in reply, and Dr. Alex. Wood professed regulation of the University of Edinburgh. The revery properly said he preferred the printed document to any presentative of that University at this table immediately corverbal evidence. I would not in private life doubt the word rected him, and told him that the "Directory " was not corof any man whose acquaintance I possessed. If he was not rect in that particular. He was followed by the official secreworth believing I certainly would not have him for an ac- tary of the University Court, who gave similar evidence as to quaintance. But it is a totally different matter when we come the mistake. Now, I think I am correct in sayingthat in any to transact public business. When a document is quoted we court of law the parole evidence of an official secretary wOjild should be met by a document, and if this document had been be taken before any printed document whatever. Yet, notput into my hands I would have at once acknowledged that withstanding these statements, Sir Dominic has persisted in the other was incorrect. Let us see what led to this matter saying that he believed the unauthorised publication. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.—I did not state that I would not beyesterday. It is not a new thing. So long ago as 1861 there lieve Dr. Christison Mid Mr. Syme. I stated that a document was a discussion of a very angry nature relating to the College of Surgeons of London, and Mr. Syme moved "that the regu- should be met by a document; that I would not receive verbal lations lately issued by the College of Surgeons of England explanations in a public matter in contradiction to a published for their licence are not in accordance with the recommenda- document. The PRESIDENT.-I think you do not see, Sir Dominic, what tions of the Medical Council, and are not such as to secure the possession by persons obtaining such qualifications of the mcst of the Council do see, that you preferred the statement requisite knowledge and skill for the efficient practice of their of an unauthorised printed book to the authority of the reprofession."We were asked to send out that libel on the Col- presentative of the University of Edinburgh backed by the lege of Surgeons with our MpHMM?’. I objected to that authority of the secretary who had to draw up the regulation of the University. course because I considered that it would be most unjust to Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.-I said no such thing, nor a.nyth:t;g send out such a statement implying that the College of Surgeons was not sending forth candidates or practitioners suffi- that would convey that meaning. The statement has been ciently educated to practise surgery in civil life or in the army. continued four years in the Directory, and I thought it was (Question.) I will have the whole matter out from the be- time for me to say that that document should be met by a document. I believe it is the rule in the House of Commons ginning to end before I sit down. The PRESIDENT.-I hope you will not diverge from the real and in fvery public body that where a document is quoted a document should be put in in correction. point before us. Dr. C’HRiaTisoN.—We have had a statement from Sir D. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.-I will not, but I must refer to the I stated on that Corrigan with regard to my sayings in this matter for some manner in which this discussion originated. occasion that it would be unfair to select the College of Sur- years past. I do not profess to have thevery accurate memory geons of London, inasmuch as the other licensing bodies were which Sir D. Corrigan claims for himself, by which he is in the predicament; and I proposed, with regard to all enabled to repeat the very words of statements made before the licensing bodies that departed from the regulations, that it the Council by me so far back as 1861. If I may trust my

The PRESIDENT read the this case :-

same

following letter with reference to

708 own recollection, I never made any statement on the subject Executive Committee on the subject delegated to them last year. in 1861, but I have a clear recollection of the statements which The PRESIDENT.-The Council will remember that the first I put forth subsequently, prior to last year. I said-and I think recommendation, "That it be delegated to the Executive Commembers of the Council will be inclined to bear me out in this- mittee to act asa Business Committee during the recess," was when the complaint was made against this passage, " as far as negatived by the Council. We now proceed to the second recomCommittee, possible," that the Senatus and the medical faculty of Edin- mendation. As an ex o.fficz? member of the Executive before we proceed to consider this second clause, I should like to burgh could not help themselves ; that it was part of an ordistate to the Council, that it gave us some little pain, when we - nance of the University Act for Scotland, which could not be recommendation, that such an extreme changed without a most tedious and round-about process. I came to discuss the first towards that body and its proceedings. stated what that process was, and that we were determined to jealousy was exhibited make the change, but it must begin with the medical faculty, I confess when we carried out the wishes of the Council last and then be approved by the Senatus and by the University. year by enlarging the Executive Committee, and admitting the Then it would have to go before Lord Brougham as Chan- representatives of the Scotch and Irish Branch Councils, I had cellor of the University, and lastly, an order would have hoped that the Committee would have commanded the confidence to be obtained from her Majesty in Council. The members, I of the Council to a fuller extent than it had previously done, think, will recollect the very curious process by which alone when it was composed exclusively of members of the English we had to make this very trifling change, but I said that we Branch Council. I think I am not wrong if I state to you that had already set about it. How long ago that was I cannot the members of the Executive Committee, as it is now comeay, but in the result the method was even more tedious than posed, are not exceedingly desirous of introducing these recom-expected. It was put off from one month to another, and mendations, but they have brought them before you simply as from one year to another. But at last the order came down, a matter of duty. The question was referred to them by some time during last year, but too late to be introduced into gentlemen who are not on the Executive Committee, indethe Calendar of that year, which was printed in April. It pendent members of the Council, anxious to see the business appeared, however, in the sheet of instructions for students conducted with greater order and more success ; and it was in November last ; but for some reason or other-I do not their bounden duty to give it their best consideration, and to know who is to blame-it did not appear in Churchill’s offer any suggestions that seemed likely to be useful. In the Directory. I do not blame Mr. Churchill or the editor. The further consideration of this question, I trust that there may book is highly creditable to the editor, and of great utility to not be that same kind of jealousy exhibited towards the Executive every medical practitioner; indeed, there is no book which I Committee, as though this were a matter thrust upon the -should be more unwilling to be deprived of as a professional Council, or as if the Executive Committee was anxious to enlarge -work. After what has been said about the book, I think it is its powers. If these proposals do not accord with the only fair that I should publicly make this statement. The of the Council, the Executive Committee will be quite willing ’regulation appears in our last Calendar, the first in which it to withdraw them. I do not speak authoritatively on the part - could have appeared; and I hope you will now understand of the Executive Committee. I am not authorized to say that how it is that there has been an apparent sluggishness on the they are willing to withdraw their recommendations, because part of the University. I now appeal to every gentleman here they are the result of their calm and careful deliberation, but I present whether there is the least probability that I,.acting at think I may say that they do not feel themselves pledged to the time as secretary of the University Court, and having all them as a father to his own child ; and that if they do not that tedious business and correspondence to carry on-that I, approve themselves to the Council, the Committee will not feel knowing the regulation had not been passed, should havesaid at all aggrieved at their being negatived. in this meeting that it was passed. It has been alleged by Mr. HARGRAVE moved the adoption of the second recomSir D. Corrigan that I stated in 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, mendation, "That the Committee should consider and prepare and 1866, that the regulation had passed. I ask him whether Reports upon any subjects that may suggest themselves to the there is the slightest probability, when I was the official Committee, or may be suggested to them by the Branch Councils, through whom all the correspondence took place, that I could as requiring the attention of the General Council." have dared to make such a statement. Dr. ALEXANDER WOOD,—In the opposition which I thought Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.—I do not think you recollect what I it my duty to offer to these regulations, I was not actuated by said. I said that in the years 1862 and 1863 you said the any feeling of jealousy towards the Executive Committee, but matter was under discussion ; and that in 1865 and 1866, par- simply by the feeling that the passing of any such resolutions ticularly last year, you stated to me that there was an error would be injurious to the conduct of the business of the Council. in Churchill’s Directory. I will state in two sentences my objection to the resolution. If Dr. CHRISTISON.—Last year was the first time I made that you will look at the past proceedings of the Council you will find .statement. that all the real work has been done in committee ; that the Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.—That is enough for my purpose, committees have brought up reports which have formed the Dr. CHRISTISON.-Sir Dominic confesses that his memory is subject of discussion ; that they have adjusted the matters : not very exact. brought before them, worked out the details, and put them Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.-No, I do not. before us in a way the best calculated for us to legislate upon Mr. SYME.-I do not think it necessary to make any obser- them. You now propose to take a step which will sweep away vations upon the explanation Sir D. Corrigan has offered. He the present arrangement of committees. Generally we have got has stated that for five years he was met with the positive a gentleman who takes an interest in a particular subject ; he assurance that there was an error in Churchill’s Directory. moves for a committee, and, as a matter of course, he is Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.-I did not say that. appointed the chairman, and generally speakinghe is the life and _Mr. SYME.--I appeal to every gentleman present. soul of the committee. His judgment may be overruled or mo’The PRESIDENT.—I think Sir D. Corrigan stated that he derated by the other members, but he is generally the one to ’called the attention of the representative of the university to work the subject out with whatever assistance may be rendered the subject; and that the reply was that steps would be taken by others. Now, I think this is such a prodigious advantage to alter the words. in the conduct of business, that I should be sorry to see it Mr. SYME.—I do not wish to go into Sir D. Corrigan’s state- superseded. If this regulation is adopted you will have five or ment. I simply remind the Council that, upon a question as six members composing the Executive Committee directing their to the regulations of the University of Edinburgh, I stated attention to a great variety of subjects. You will lose all that that which was consistent with my positive knowledge ; that individual responsibility which the chairman of these committees such and such was the fact; and that I was met by an un- has hitherto exercised, and hand over all your reports to one authorised printed document. Now, I do not know what may committee, which will generally be guided by one or two enerbe thought by Sir D. Corrigan and the other members of the getic members, who will prepare all the business for the Council. Council; but it appears to me that that was a most insuffer- I think it is better not to trammel or muzzle the Council by any able imputation on my veracity, and I did hope-not wishing such resolution. I take a great interest in the business of the to cherish any enmity towards Sir D. Corrigan-that he would Council, but if I found that the whole business was prepared by have expressed some amount of regret which would have en- one set of men I should be greatly discouraged, and I have no abled me to act along with him in this Medical Council. That doubt this feeling is shared by many members of the Council. was my object in bringing the subject forward. Dr. STORRAR.—I am in a little difficulty. I cannot exactly Having done so, I feel that I have done all that I possibly could in this approve of this recommendation, and yet I desire that in its matter. essential features it should be carried. I think the Executive THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. Committee can do no better than take up questions and prepare ’The Council resumed the consideration of the Report of the reports upon them, but I think it would be undesirable to require

feelings

709 that they should entertain all questions transmitted to them by the Branch Councils. I think it would be far better to leave the subjects to their own discretion. The Committee consists of members of all the Branch Councils, and as the minutes of those Branch Councils are transmitted to them they form their own judgment upon them, and take up any question which has been entertained by either of the Branch Councils, and deal with it so as to make it more simple for the deliberations of the General Council. I beg to move that the words " or may be suggested to them by the Branch Councils" be omitted, and that the recommendation be read as follows : "That the Executive Committee should consider and prepare reports upon any subjects that may suggest themselves to them as requiring the attention of the General Council." Dr. PAGET.-I second the amendment of Dr. Storrar. I think that Dr. Alexander Wood goes too far when he anticipates that a measure like this will altogether supersede the work of the committees. It may somewhat lessen their labours, and in that respect it will be of great service, because the committees are now so numerous that the same persons are appointed on different committees sitting at the same time. Dr. FLEMING.—I proposed last year certain resolutions to expedite the business of the Council. The groundwork upon which they were founded was that a Business Committee should be appointed at the close of the session to take the supervision of anything that might occur during the recess, and to continue in office until the close of the next session. The Council did not see fit to agree to these proposals, and they were withdrawn. At the same time there was a strong opinion expressed that something might be done in the way I proposed to facilitate the business of the Council, and you proposed to me, if I remember rightly, that the Executive Committee might, to a considerable extent, do what I suggested. I accordingly abandoned my motion, and this Report is the result. I have no dread of any power that might be committed to the Executive Committee ; I do not see how it can deprive the members of this body of the power of bringing forward motions, and getting special committees appointed. It would be quite open to any member to

bring

forward any

subject

he

pleases,

and to

move

for

a com-

There are various subjects which may and do crop up during the recess which I think it becomes the duty of the Executive Committee to consider and report upon. You will observe that the Branch Councils are not called upon to make any suggestions, but if they do make them, I think it would be advantageous that they should be considered by the Executive Committee before the meeting of the Council. Dr. ANDREW WooD.-The Executive Committee was enlarged last year, as it was found that one of the great obstacles in the way of progress was that the Council met for eight or ten days every year, and that during the whole of the rest of the year, whatever might turn up, there was no opportunity for taking action, without adopting the inconvenient and expensive course of summoning the whole Council. The Executive Committee was enlarged for this reason, in order that it might include members from the Branch Councils of Scotland and Ireland, and that thereby those Branch Councils might be put into communication with the representative body of the Medical Council. What Dr. Paget has stated is to my mind a very strong proof of the importance of having such a committee. We have now three committees to meet on Monday, and many of the gentlemen belong to them all; and on Tuesday there are four committees. I have no hesitation in sayiug that some of the subjects embraced

mittee.

these committees might have been so prepared during the by the Executive Committee in the course of their meetings, that at all events the Council would have been in possession of a large amount of information respecting them. You may depend upon it the Executive Committee are not so desirous of arrogating the power of the Council that they will take upon themselves to dictate, or to persuade you to adopt their opinions, but they may be able to present such reports as will save a great deal of time and trouble. If they are such monopolizers of power as some members appear to imagine, let them be turned out of office ; but I do not think that you need have any serious apprehensions on that head. All that you give the Committee is a power to report, reserving to yourselves the power of acting or

by

recess

not

acting,

as

you

pleas2.

Dr. A. SMITH said that there was a general impression last year that it was desirable to have some such machinery as was suggested by Dr. Fleming, as the recommendations of the Executive Committee appeared to have been almost entirely based upon Dr. Fleming’s suggestion. The great object was to provide a means of bringing the different subjects into such a state as that they could be submitted with advantage to the Council. He believed that no better proposition had been

made for promoting the business, and saving the time of the Council. Mr. HARGRAVE objected to the omission of the words proposed to be omitted by Dr. Storrar. The PRESIDENT reminded the Council that it would be in the power of the branch Councils to bring any subject before the consideration of the Executive Committee through their representatives. Mr. HARGRAVE thought that the present system, which had only been in operation for one year, should have another year’s trial. Mr. RUMSEY said that so far from desiring to control the Committee in the interval between one session and another, he was quite willing to extend it even further than was proposed by There were many weighty and important subjects the motion. requiring a calmer and more prolonged deliberation and investigation than could be devoted to them at the Council, and the consideration of those subjects might advantageously be remitted to a body possessing their confidence. Dr. SHARPEY said that when the Council altered the constitution of the Committee, it must have been with the view of making it more useful and of expediting business. It did not follow because a matter of business had been prepared and reported upon by the Executive Committee, that it should not go before any other committee that the General Council might appoint. He approved of the report of the Executive Committee when it was drawn up; but he thought with Dr. Paget that it would be better to leave the subjects to be reported upon to the discretion of the Committee, not binding them to take up any question that might be suggested by branch Councils. Dr. ACLAND suggested that the words " should consider" be altered to "may consider." He thought that power should be given to the branch Councils to send in subjects for the consideration of the Executive Committee, but that the Committee should not be compelled to adopt them. Mr. STME suggested the words, "That the Committee, if they think fit, should consider," &c. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN supported Dr. Storrar’s amendment. The amendment was then put, and was carried by a majority of 10 votes against 7. It was also put and agreed to, as a substantive motion. Dr. ANDREW WOOD proposed, "That such reports should be printed and circulated among the members of the General Council, at least one fortnight before its meeting." After some discussion as to the time at which the report should be circulated, (Mr. Syme humorously suggesting that the specified period should be qualified by the phrase, "as far as possible,") the resolution, which was seconded by Dr. Parkes, was unanimously agreed to. The fourth recommendation, "That it be recommended to members of the Council desiring to bring propositions before the General Council, to submit the same in the first instance to a branch Council, in order that the Executive Committee, if they see fit, or if it be suggested by the branch Council, may report respecting them to the General Council," was, on the motion of Dr. Andrew Wood, withdrawn. The fifth recommendation of the Committee was amended as follows :-" That the branch Councils be requested to transmit to the Executive Committee the Reports of the Visitations of Examinations, at least a month before the meeting of the General Council, in order that they may be printed, and circulated confidentially among the members of the

Council." Dr. ANDREW Woon moved, "That the Executive Committee meet the day before the annual meeting of the General Council, in order to prepare and arrange the business for the consideration of the Council." Sir D. J. CORRIGAN asked whether it was proposed that the Executive Committee should meet on a Sunday in the event of the Council meeting on Monday? (Laughter.) Had the Scotch representatives fogotten the observance of the Sabbath! Dr. ALEXANDER WOOD.—I think that the Scottish representatives are generally considered to keep the Sabbath as well as

their neighbours. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN.—Not at all. In order to meet the difficulty suggested by Sir D. Corrigan, the recommendation of the Committee was altered as follows :" That the Executive Committee meet before the annual meeting of the General Council, in order to prepare and arrange the business for the consideration of the Council," and in this form was

unanimously agreed to.

moved by Sir D. J. CORRIGAN, seconded by Dr. and agreed to, " That the report be adopted as thu amended." "1. That the Executive Committee should consider and prereports upon any subjects that may suggest themselves to them, as requiring the attention of the General Council. It

was

STORRAR,

pare

710 "2. That such reports should be printed and circulated among the members of the General Council, at least one fortnight before its meeting. " 3. That the branch Councils be

requested to

transmit to the

Executive Committee the reports of the Visitations of Exa-

minations, at least a month before the meeting of the General Council, in order that they may be printed, and circulated con-

fidentially among the members of

as the place where he commenced his medical study, he considered, in a druggist’s shop. The Registrar might know that there was a medical school at Cambridge, and the man might really in good faith think he was beginning his medical studies when he was behind a druggist’s counter. The Registrar would know nothing as to whether he was in a shop or in the University. and would put his name on the list. That name might go to Glasgow or any other place, and possibly might pass an examination at the end of four years. Dr. ANDREW WOOD.—He must have a certificate. Dr. SHARPEY said if he went to Edinburgh or Glasgow to offer himself for examination he would be required to produce some evidence that he had undergone some course of study at Cambridge. The real use of registration was to ensure that no one should be considered to have entered upon what was defined by the licensing bodies as "amedical education" until he had

bridge"

as

Council. "4. That the Executive Committee meet before the annual meeting of the General Council, in order to prepare and arrange the business for the consideration of the Council." Dr. A. SMITH moved, ’’ That the resolutions respecting the Executive Committee which have been adopted, be incorporated with the standing orders." The motion was seconded by Dr. LEET, and was agreed to. The PRESIDENT.—We now go on to matter delegated to branch Councils for their consideration :passed a preliminary examination. "That it be delegated to the branch Councils to report to the Dr. ANDREW WOOD thought the registrar had no right to inMedical Council at their next meeting as to whether the column sert his name in the Medical Register until he had obtained a headed ’Place of Medical Study,’ in the form of Register of certificate of having passed a preliminary examination. Medical Students now adopted, should in future define more Dr. SHARPEY said there were one or two entries upon the clearly the manner in which it is to be filled up; and, if it is the Register of medical students who had commenced as pupils to opinion of the branch Council that it should do so, that they be surgeons practising in certain parts of the country. Mr. CÆSAR HAWKINS said that on the last year’s Register requested to suggest what appears to them to be the best means of carrying out their views. there were the names of four persons who had entered as private (Minutes, General Council, May 29, 1866, vol. iv. p. 296.) medical pupils. In no one instance had the person been recog. nised as a pupil by the College of Surgeons, and, as far as he " REPORTS. entitled to be exa. Branch Council for England.-(Minutes, April 26, 1867, mined by any of the bodies. No corporation would allow them No. 31, p. 2.) up for examination, and yet they were all put upon the That, in the opinion of this branch Council, it is not to define more clearly the manner in which the column headed list of’ the College as if they were commencing professional ’Place of Medical Study’ should be up. Dr. PAGET said he was very far from wishingto raise the grave Branch Council for Scotland. -(Minutes, April 26,, 1867, question of commencing medical studies with surgeons; what No. 44, sect. 5.) wished was to have the entries made as accurately as could That it is not expedient to make any alteration in the of the Register of Medical Students headed ’Place of Study.’ PRESIDENT.-Ithink what the Council desire is sometliing Branch Council for Ireland.—(Minutes, March 4, 1867, identify the gentleman. We do not care where he begms his No. 61 p. 2. something to identify the gentleman who That it does not appear to alter the headino, Place to the Registrar, who puts his name down as having comgoes of Medical Study’in the form of Register of Medical Students." menced study in a particular place. Dr. PAGET drew attention to the fact that there was no such Dr. ANDREW WOOD then moved :-" That, in accordance with thing as a column headed, "Place of Medical Study." The the decisions of the Branch Councils, no alteration be made in column was headed, "Place of Study." It was the same in the heading ’place of medical study."’ the Register of the preceding year. The motion was seconded by Dr. PARKES, and agreed to. The REGISTRAR.—It is an oversight. Dr. PAGET moved:-" That the application of a medical student Dr. ALEXANDER WOOD said that on reference to the minutes for registration be accompanied by a certificate of his place of it would be seen that the Council ordered it to be, "Place of medical study." Medical Study." Mr. COOPER seconded the motion. Dr. PAGET said he rose rather for the purpose of asking a Sir D. J. CORRIGAN thought it would be better to give notice question, which he should feel obliged if some member of the of motion for the next meeting, as it might lead to a lengthened branch Council for Scotland would answer. The entries in that discussion. column, headed "Place of Study," were not always correct, Dr. ANDREW WOOD also recommended the postponement of the fault, not of the Registrar, but of the medical students in the motion. Dr. PAGET accordingly gave notice of motion for Monday. making the entry. There were, of course, many entries of students commencing their studies at the University of EdinThe next business was a notice of motion by Dr. EMBLETON:— burgh, and also at the University of Glasgow. But there were "To consider an erroneous entry (part of No. 16) in the ’Table many others merely put down as "Edinburgh" or "Glasgow," showing the qualifications, according to Schedule (A), of the without any other words. There were as many as twenty-one different candidates who were examined for Medical Commissions of these entered from "Edinburgh,"and seventeen from " Glas- in the Royal Navy in 1864, with the results of the Examinagow." tions.’"—(Minutes, vol. iii., pp. 160-1.) Dr. ANDREW WOOD said he had nothing to do with it, but Dr. EMBLETON said when that table was laid before the Council, their Registrar informed him that he never entered any student’s it appeared that according to the entry No. 16, a Bachelor of name on the Register without inquiring where he had comMedicine of the University of Durham had been rejected for the menced his medical studies. It merely meant the Edinburgh third time-" Anatomy and Surgery, bad." It occurred to him at School, or the University. There were two schools, the Univer- the time that there was an error in the entry; and oureaching home sity School, and the extra-academic school. He believed it was he investigated the matter as far as he could, and obtained letters the same in Glasgow, and which he sent to Dr. Bryson, Director-General Dr. FLEMING said there were two schools in Glasgow, and of the Navy Medical Department, which satisfied him that an many students would attend both ; they were students both of error existed in that entry. He had received that morning a the University and of the extra-academic school, and in that letter from Dr. Bryson, the reading of which would perhaps settle way they might havethought it better to put simply "Glasgow." the matter at once. It was only right, the entry having been It would be easy to instruct the Registrar to put down the specific read out publicly before the Council, that the contradiction should school. also be equally public, in order to vindicate the honour of the The PRESIDENT said the Council had thought proper to have University which he represented :a registration of medical students, and the commencement of "Admiralty, Somerset House, May 31,1967. "DEAR DR. EMBLETON,-I have already forwarded a letter to irregularity arose on the part of the student in not complying with their regulations as to preliminary examination, and it was the Secretary of the General Council of Medical Education and necessary to take action in the matter, unless the place of study Registration, a copy of which was at the same time sent to you, was more definite, he did not see how they were to proceed, or explaining the circumstances under which the entry No. 16 in the to whom the Council could apply with respect to any particular table you referred to, was returned as a Bachelor of Medicine of individual. the University of Durham. That letter will doubtless be read Dr. PAGET said a student might fill up the form with "Cam- before the Council, and cannot fail to satisfy them that the entry

knew neither of those four gentlemen was

necessary to go

study..,.,.,

filled

column he berrhe

necessary

to identify the gentleman. whatdo not carewhere is something

study, but we do want

documents,

medical study dated fromthatregistration.If any kind of

"

711 the Kingdom ; so that if desirous to avail themselves of the right, may have it in their power to transfer themselves to any of the latter. This is to be obtained only through the rethe authorities of those institutions of the system of cognition teaching in this University and its medical school, as sufficient to entitle itsstudents to participate in these advantages. With this He (Dr. Embleton), understood that the letter had not been object in view, I do myself the honour, by directionof the Council, myself to you, and to subjoin a resolution passed by received by the Council, and he would postpone any 1865, requesting very respectfully till letter the came to hand. proceedings e that Resolution to be laid before The PRESIDENT.-With the consent of the Council, Dr. Emat the General Council of Medical Education and made the statement will not he has done, bleton, having propose for their favourable consideration ; and at any motion to the Council, but will defer it until Tuesday next. the same time the egercise of your influence in supporting the The following communication was then read from the University of Melbourne, praying for the recognition of its degrees :the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,

occasioned by misrepresentation and the production of incorrect documents on the part of the candidate. From the evidence you have submitted to me I am perfectly satisfied No. 16 was not a Bachelor of Medicine in the University of Durham. (Hear, "Iam faithfully yours, hear.) "A. BRYSON." was

Unitedthey by

further to address that on the 27th March, that authorities ybody ou will be pleased to cause the

Registration

soliciting

measure, I have

MELBOURNE. " ofREDMOND BARRY, "Chancellor the University of Melbourne." Melbourne, January 26th, 1867. ‘‘ A letter was read from the medical students, requesting that " SIR,—I do myself the honour of transmitting to you a copy the Council of the University would take such steps as that the of the calendar of this University for the year 1865-66, published degrees of M.B., M.D., and M.C., granted by this Society might by order and with the authority of the Council. You will allow be recognised by the various medical examining boards in Great me to refer you to it, and to direct your attention to the Act of Britain and Ireland. Resolved, that the matter be referred to the Chancellor, Incorporation and Endowment passed by the parliament of Victoria, also to the Letters Patent issued in the year 1859, whereby the Vice-Chancellor, and the medical members of the Council, Her Majesty the Queen was graciously pleased to will, grant, to draw up the necessary documents, and submit them to the and declare that the degrees conferred and to be conferred by this Council for approval.’ Dr. ANDREW WOOD thought this a very important communiUniversity should be recognised as academic distinctions and rewards of merit, and be entitled to rank, precedence, and con- cation, because it showed that in the colonies there were rising sideration in the United Kingdom, and in Her Majesty’s colo- up institutions which were rendering themselves well deservnial possessions, and throughout the world, as fully as if the ing of having their cases taken into consideration by the said degrees had been granted by any University of the United Council; and if they had any doubt previously in their own Kingdom. I beg leave also to bring under your notice the minds with regard to giving some means of registering foreign studies and regulations, particularly those by which provision is and colonial degrees, that doubt would be removed as to applimade for admitting any graduates and undergraduates of other cations from Melbourne. He had seen their calendar, and could Universities to the same standing and degrees in this University ; vouch that their education was very complete. It was a great and those which relate to the studies and mode of proceeding to encouragement to the Council to go on with the attempt to obobtain degrees in the medical school established in the University tain a recognition of colonial degrees. As a mark of respect to It of Melbourne, the first and only school of the kind, I may be per- that University, their letter ought to go on the Minutes. mitted to observe, founded in Australasia. The Council, as you would show their colonial friends that the Council received their will not fail to remark, has taken special care to provide that communications with all the respect which was due to them ; and candidates for the honour of becoming members of the medical in giving an a,nswer, as they were at present obliged to do, in profession must undergo a preparation ’,that would ensure a the negative, they could only say they had not the legal power to liberal general education, and also a complete medical and sur- recognise their degrees and diplomas as qualifying for registragical training. Being compelled to matriculate, and passing a tion ; but that they had been endeavouring to obtain the introducmatriculation examination, the nature of which you may judge tion of a clause into their Bill which would give them the power. of by the regulation and examination papers, they are obliged He therefore moved that the letter be received and entered on "UNIVERSITY

OF

"

"

to pursue their studies for five years, and pass five examinations in order to obtain the degree of Bachelor of Medicine ; while to reach the higher degrees they must qualify themselves in a manner which is calculated to insure the required proficiency. Each of the various subjects of—1st, Latin and Greek ; 2nd, Che-

the Minutes. Sir D. J. CORRIGAN had great pleasure in seconding the resolution. Dr. FLEMING said it was a point of importance that their Minutes should not be unnecessarily encumbered, and if this letter mistry ; 3rd, Practical Chemistry ; 4th, General Anatomy, Phy- was inserted they must also insert the whole series of letters which siology and Pathology ; 5th, Structural and Physiological Botany ; followed. Before they proposed the insertion of any of the letters, 6th, Materia Medica and Therapeutics ; 7th, Medical Botany ; he would move as an amendment that they be all read. Dr. ANDREW WOOD said he was quite willing to withdraw his 8th, Descriptive and Surgical Anatomy : 9th, Surgery ; 10th, Comparative Anatomy and Zoology ; llth, The Theory and motion if it was understood that they were to read the whole bePractice of Medicine ; 12th, Obstetric Medicine and diseases of fore giving a deliverance upon them. The PRESIDENT said he should be very sorry to lose the opporwomen and children ; 13th, Forensic Medicine ; 14tb, Clinical of stating to the Council that as the communication was Medicine ; 15th, Clinical Surgery-is treated of by a professor or lecturer of competent professional standing and ability. In the addressed to him as their President, he took, of course, great to read it through, and also most carefully to look through city of Melbourne and its vicinity, numerous well-educated and well-regulated public establishments for the relief of the sick, the the calendar. Their courses of study and all their arrangements young, the aged, infirm and insane, exist. These are the Mel- were, as far as he could judge, as complete as those of any school, bourne Hospital; the Melbourne Lying-in Hospital ; the Mel- and their specimens of examination papers were extremely good. bourne Benevolent Asylum ; the Protestant Orphan Asylum ; Everything connected with the prosecution of medical study St. Vincent de Paul’s Orphan Asylum; the Lunatic Asylum :- seemed to be arranged with the greatest thought, care, and conall of these are accessible to the students, and afford sufficient sideration ; and if they acted up to what was proposed in the means for the effectual illustration, operation, and practice of calendar, it must be a very good place of medical study. medicine and surgery in all their respective branches ; while the Dr. BENNETT could confirm the observations made by the peculiar social condition, the absence of relatives and friends of President. He hoped they would state to the University of Melpersons dying in those institutions, give ample opportunities of bourne that their case would receive the most favourable consiobtaining under the provisions of legislative enactment and pro- deration of the Council, in the event of their having hereafter tection subjects for demonstration-and instruction in anatomical powerto grant permission to colonial degrees to be entered on the science. You will thus perceive that measures have been adopted to maintain a standard of acquirements to be reached by the The following communication was then read, addressed by the graduates of this University not below that insisted on by the President of the British Medical Association to the President of most learned universities in the United Kingdom ; and also to Medical Council:Brook-street, 31st May, 1867. secure, as far as possible, a professional teaching as efficient as "My DEAR SIR,—As President of the Council of the British is required in any of the medical schools there. Under these circumstances, the Council is desirous that the students who are Medical Association, it is my duty to submit to you a copy of engaged in prosecuting their studies and those who proceed to resolutions passed at the Committee of Council of the Assomedical degrees in this University should enjoy the like privileges, ’ ciation on the 28th instant. " The object of the Committee of Association in passing the which have been extended by this University to the members of the Universities of Medical and Surgical Colleges and Schools in first and second resolutions is to support the General Medical

tunity

pains

register.

the

712 Council in their efforts to amend the Medical Acts, and in their endeavours to improve Medical education.

" With regard to the third resolution, I have simply to recommend it to the attention of the Medical Council in framing the proposed Amended Act. I believe that the opinion expressed in this resolution is widely entertained in the profession. "As soon as the Medical AmendmentAct is before Parliament, it will be my duty, in accordance with the second resolution, to prepare a petition from the Committee of Council of the British Medical Association in support of it. Ihave the honour to be, my dear Sir, faithfully yours, "FRANCIS SiBSON, M.D., (Signed)

bered that Mr. Organ’s name was removed from the Register the ground of his having permitted himself to be personated at an examination. After some discussion his petition and ac. companying documents were referred to a committee. A motion by Dr. Paget, "That the application of a medical student for registration be accompanied by a certificate of his place of medical studywas lost. on

TrESDAY,’ JUNE 4TI1. ’ The President laid before the Council a letter received from Mr. Walpole, stating that the communication of the " President of the Council of the British Council on the subject of the Medical Act had been referred "Medical Association. to Mr. Hardy. It was then moved by Dr. Acland, and un"To Dr. T? F.R.S animously agreed to, that the President be requested to ask "President of the General Medical Council." "president Mr. Gathorne Hardy to appoint a time for receiving a deputa"BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, tion from the Medical Council with respect to the Medical Act. In the course of the sitting the President left the " 13, Newhall-street, Birmingham. Council, and shortly afterwards returned and stated that Mr. Committee held at Council, "Meeting of of Birmingham, had consented to receive a deputation on Thursday, at Hardy May 28the, 1867. twelve. half-past Proposed by Dr.’E. WATERS, President of the Association ; A longand animated discussion ensued on a motion by Dr. and seconded by Dr. FALCONER, Treasurer of the Association :the desirability of giving the Medical Council Acland, That this Committee considers that it is of the greatest imcombine with any of the licensing bodies in conductpower to portance that the British Medical Association should support ing examinations by appointment of assessors, visitors, or the Medical Council in its endeavour to amend the Medical Act examiners conjointlv with those bodies. In bringing forward and to improve Medical education; and this Committee trusts the Dr. Acland dwelt on the importance of establishsubject, that the various Branches of the Association will take the a central examining board with a view of securing a uni. Ject of the Medical Acts Amendment Bill, about to be proposed formity of qualification on the part of all persons entering the by the Medical Council, into their consideration, and give it their profession. An amendment by Mr. Rumsey, referring the support, by means of petitions to the Legislature and represen- subject to a committee, was carried ; but when put as a subtations to Her MajestyGovernment.’ stantive motion it was not agreed to, and the subject con"Proposed by Dr. A. T. H. WATERS ; and seconded by Mr. sequently dropped. CLAYTON :-‘ That a Petition be forwarded to both Houses of Parliament from this Committee, and a representation be made WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5TH. to Government, in support of the Medical Acts Amendment In anticipation of the interview with Mr. Hardy, the Bid, when prepared by the Medical] Council; to be signed by the consideration the following amendment of President of the Council on behalf of this Committee.’ Clause XI. of the Medical Acts Amendment Bill proposed by " Proposed by Mr. HUSBAND; and seconded by Dr. SIMP- the Medical Acts Amendment Committee :-"It shall be law. SON :- ‘ That in any alteration of the Medical Act, the constiful for the General Council, by special orders, to dispense with tution of the Medical Council ought to be reconsidered, so that such provisions of the Medical Acts, or with such part of any the great body of the profession should be fairly represented.’ regulations made by authority of the said Acts, as to them "T. WATKIN WILLIAMS, shall seem fit, in favour of persons who shall make application " General Secretary." to be registered under the said Acts on foreign or colonial diSir D. J. CORRIGAN moved, and Dr. PAGET seconded, that plomas or degrees : provided such persons shall have resided the letter and resolution be inserted on the Minutes. Agreed to. in the United Kingdom for a period of not less than twelve months immediately previous to making application to be registered ; provided the holders of those diplomas or degrees have the right to practise medicine and surgery in the counMONDAY, JUNE 3RD. A report was presented from the Pharmacopoeia Committee tries where they have been granted ;and provided the Council satisfactory evidence that those degrees or diannouncing the completion of the Pharmacopoeia. The expense shall receive of editing, pharmaceutical investigations, &c., amounted to plomas, or licences to practise, have been granted after a course 9676 14s., payment of which was ordered by the Council, to- of study and examinations such as to secure the possession by of the requisite knowledge and skill gether with a sum of f500 to the committee for their labours. persons obtainingofthem their profession." After some discussion practice It was stated by the Registrar that about 7000 copies of the work had been sold within a few weeks, the entire edition the clause was adopted, and a deputation was appointed to wait on Mr. Hardy, consisting of the President, Dr. Paget, being 20,000. The Council then proceeded to consider the communications Dr. Andrew Wood, Dr. Christison, Dr. Apjohn, and Mr. addressed to it by the colonial bodies requesting a recognition of their licences, and, after some discussion, instructed the On a report from the committee respecting Mr. Organ’s Registrar to state in reply "that it is not legally in the power letter, the application of that gentleman for the restoration of of the Council to recognise colonial degrees, but that an his name to the Register was refused. The remainder of the sitting occupied with the amended Medical Bill is now engaging its attention, and that the recognition of the colonial and licences referred to returns from the Army and Navy Medical Departments. shall receive full consideration." A communication was read from the Cork Medical AssociaTHURSDAY, JUNE 5TH. tion urging the Council to seek for compulsory powers in reThe President stated that the deputation appointed by thegard to education, which led to a discussion on the respective claims of coercion and "moral suasion." It was stated that Council to wait upon Mr. Hardy had waited upon that gentlethe latter method was working very beneficially, and that the man, who bad listened very attentively to the statements licensing bodies were generally paying great deference to the made by the members of the deputation, and had promised to, suggestions of the Council. Sir D. Corrigan doubted the per- confer with Mr. Walpole and give the subject his best attenmanent value of "moral suasion," and endorsed the applica- tion. The Council then devoted a considerable portion of its tion of the memorialists, which was in part ultimately referred to the Committee on Preliminary Education, to whom was sitting in discussing a series of recommendations made by the also remitted the consideration of a letter from the McGill Committee on Preliminary Education with a view of indicating University, Montreal, praying for the recognition of its matri- to the examining boards more precisely how the knowledge culation examination. possessed by students might be best tested. The recomA petition was then read from Mr. Richard Organ, whose mendations were adopted to the extent of requiring a more case has been before the Council so many years. It prayed satisfactory examination in English grammar, spelling, and that the name of the memorialist might be restored to the composition ; others, with reference to Latin and geometry, Register, or that he might be permitted to present himself for were not adopted. examination at one of the licensing boards. It will be rememThe Council then resolved, on the recommendation of the ,

of the General Medical Council."

..

affirming

sub- ing

____

Council took into

-

-

for the

Hawkins.

degrees

was chiefly

713 after 1868 all examinations be removed simply what each boy likes best, but what the gymnastie from the list of those recognised which do not in all respects trainer (I assume an educated man, with some knowledge of come up to the minimum laid down in 1866." physiology) knows to be best for him. By this means only can The application of the M’Grill College, Montreal, for the you secure a proportiouate development of the different organs, recognition of its preliminary examinations, was granted by and can correct the abnormal tendencies, which, when the strain of violent exertion comes to be applied, might otherwise the Council. In answer to the memorial from the Cork Medical Protective result in a, lamentable break down. If I may be allowed to Association, it was resolved,-‘That the Council having illustrate my meaning by an example at home, I would point already decided that the examination on general education to our own experience at Radley. With more than our fair shall be undergone before the student commences his medical average of boys of somewhat weakly constitutions, we have studies, and having endeavoured gradually to improve the yet turned out an eight-oar this year, which has beaten within preliminary education, are going on as fast as it is safe to do the last fortnight no less than six of the best College racing in the direction indicated by the memorialists" boats at Oxford in succession, and I attribute no small degree A report from the Finance Committee stated that the ex- of this success to the careful preliminary training which our penditure of the past year exceeded the income by £455 16s. lId. gymnasium, under Mr. MacLaren’s own supervision, has been The estimated income for 1867 was stated at £4700 ; and the able to supply. I would, however, again repeat my conviction that gymestimated expenditure, £4640. nastics are likely to do as much harm as good, if left to the fancy and discretion of boys themselves.

committee,-‘That

.

Faithfullv vours,

THE HYGIENE OF ATHLETIC SPORTS. To the Editor of THE LANCET.

WILLIAM

Radley, Abingdon, May 29th, 1867.

indebted for a copy of THE LANCET of May llth SIR,-I to the kindness of some unknown friend, who, I think, must have intended to call my attention to your excellent article on the Hygiene of Athletic Sports." Perhaps I may be allowed, as having had many years’ experience of boys, and especial opportunities of observing at the university the after-results of athletic exercises, to make a few observations on a subject which a few years ago would have been held to be altogether out of a schoolmaster’s province. I agree with you entirely in the conclusion to which you have come, that the present development of a taste for manly exercises has conduced to a diminution of certain habits of excess at the university, especially in the matter of eating and drinking. The old rule still holds good-

WOOD,

Warden of

Radley College.

am

THE VACCINATION BILL.

.

from the Parliamentary Committee of the, Counties Branch of the British Medical Association waited on Lord Robert Montagu on Saturday, June 1st, on the subject of the Vaccination Bill now before Parliament, when the various points contained in it were discussed at A

DEPUTATION

Metropolitan

length.

Lord R. Montagu, in reference to the question of fees, remarked that the boards of guardians are at liberty to give the higher fee: the Act only fixes the minimum, not the standard. His Lordship said, with regard to revaccination, that it appeared to the framers of the Act that two-thirds of the primary fee "Qui studet optatam cursu contingere metam, Multa tulit fecitque puer." was sufficient for cases of revaccination. As to Clause 29, So far the influence has been for good. The motive may be a relative to the penalty of 20s. for neglecting to certify, Lord Montagu said that it must be understood that the fee for secondary and inferior one; but no one can deny or quarrel R. vaccination included the certificate also. It was incumbent with the result. on the parent to get the certificate filled up, and to return it to From another point of view, indeed, all who are concerned the and it was only for wilful neglect on the part of in education have a little standing quarrel with gymnastics. the registrar; in not filling up the certificate, or for absopractitioner Mr. MacLaren has adopted as his own the Stoic motto, Mens lutely to do so, that he would be subjected to the fine refusing sana in corpore sano—a motto which he does not himself belie. of 20s. He would introduce the word "unreasonably;" so But too many of the votaries of boating, cricket, and athletics that it should read, "who shall unreasonably refuse to fill appear to regard the .saaaum corpus as the only thing worth up." This, he thought, would meet the case instanced. considering at all, and addict themselves to each with a zeal Dr. Gibbon objected to the public vaccinator being paid and energy worthy of a better cause, and utterly disproporonly according to the number of certificates entered on the register. tionate to the end to be attained. Some years ago, before the His said that this amendment was suggested by the Lordship love for manly sports developed into a passion, there were as being more likely to obtain a perfect regisRegistrar-General many cases of very distinguished men at the universities who tration of the cases. Both the registrar and the public vacciwere also noted as boating men or athletes. I do not think nator should be paid on the cases actually registered. His. there are many such now. The competition is so eager, owing attention was called to the fact that a great evil Lordship’s to the increased number of persons who take an interest in was inflicted on private practitioners when any registrar in such sports, that long and laborious training is required, and a district was also appointed public vaccinator; and Lord man must not only give his body to it in hours of recreation, then said he would make a note of this, and see R. but is apt to give his mind to it also. It is, I think, a most if Montagucould be done to prevent the double appointment. anything unfortunate thing that the annual contest between the two The suggestion to register the successful vaccinations in the universities on the Thames should havebecome a kind of birth-book was also dwelt upon. Derby day with the Londoners, and should not only lead to a Lord R. Montagu promised also to make a note of the reamount of but much into its vortex great betting, sweep away commendation that parents should be made responsible for the of the enthusiasm which we should be glad to see in our schools certificate of successful vaccination; and remarked that if the directed towards another end. But even from the point of did not return the certificate on the eighth day they parents view of physical development only, I fear that much mischief would not get it filled up, and would be liable to a fine for not is often done both in schools and at the university. The it to the registrar. returning stimulus to inordinate exertion concentrated in a very brief Mr. Rogers Harrison, on behalf of the deputation, thanked space of time is too great for many frames and temperaments, his Lordship for his kindness and attention in receiving their and boys are not the best judges of what amount of stress they and explaining various clauses of the Bill. can safely bear in boating, running, or gymnastics. It is in suggestions We are reluctantly compelled to compress the report of this this point especially that the superior excellence of cricket as important interview. a public school game is shown, as being entirely free from the risks attending the amusements I have mentioned. ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL.—Active preparations are in What, then, 1 would venture to urge is1st. That in all schools where boating is possible, and progress at this hospital in fitting up one of the newly-built athletics are in vogue, the physical powers of the boysshould wards for a fancy bazaar, which will be held next Wednesday be carefully tested before they are sanctioned in cases where and followingdays. The list of patronesses is large and inthere is any reason to suspect constitutional weakness. fluential ; and it is to be hoped that the fair ladies who will 2nd. That wherever a good gymnasium exists, care should preside at the counters will meet with great success in their be taken that the exercises performed in it should not be charitable efforts.

the