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Ophthalmology for Medical Students
456
EDITORIALS
a favorable factor for its cure; and that these cases do not obtain here as often as elsewhere. H. V. W .
teachers. They agree that the time assigned to ophthalmology, "20 meetings," is inadequate; that 32 or 40 are needed, that most of these should be clinical, or demonstrations which might well extend over more than one OPHTHALMOLOGY FOR hour each. MEDICAL STUDENTS. All of these writers agree that cerWhen American Medical Schools tain things of importance in general granted the M. D. after two courses of, practice, like ophthalmia neonatorum five months each; and the clinical or glaucoma, should be taught and emteaching consisted of lectures to a hun- phasized. But it is pointed out that dred or two hundred students, with a only a part of the students, one in five according to Fergus, will profit much patient for a text; or an operative ex- by work in refraction. hibition where a dozen nearest the paCollins and Fergus dwell on the tient could observe part of the technic; need for teaching every medical stuand when the student could graduate dent to use the ophthalmoscope, Colwithout even looking thru a micro- lins enumerates the questions it will setscope ; ophthalmology was supposed tle with regard to general diseases, and to be well treated if it received any at- its value in training to exact observatention at all. tion. Paterson says it should be taught The medical course has lengthened as early as possible in the course, and from 10 to 36 or 48 months. Clinical used in every clinic in the latter clinteaching includes section demonstra- ical part of the course. Fergus would tions, ward walks, individual study of have the student become as familiar assigned cases, and practical hospital with its use as with that of the clininterne work. The laboratory build- ical thermometer. ings are the chief buildings of the It might be urged with even greater medical school, and in fundamental force that every medical student branches laboratory hours exceed those should use this instrument for the ophfor lectures and recitations. But the thalmoscopic study of pathology. A improvements in the teaching of oph- particularly weak point in the imthalmology have not kept pace with proved, extended medical curriculum this progress, and are not proportioned is the wide gap between the study of to the importance of the subject in its pathologic changes in the dead body, bearings on general 'medicine. and the study of symptoms in the livThis teaching of ophthalmology to ing. The ophthalmoscope making posmedical students in general is impor- sible the study of pathology, day after tant to the ophthalmologist from two day, in living nervous, vascular, and standpoints. It furnishes the start for connective structures, should be made his special training in ophthalmology, to bridge this gap between fundaand it determines the point of view of mental and practical training; and the general medical profession with re- bring laboratory exactness to the gard to ophthalmology, and their abil- study of symptomatology. ity to cooperate with the ophthalmoloIt is a good sign when four such ophgist and appreciate the special services thalmologists as those above menthat he renders. tioned are asked to contribute to a seAn interesting symposium upon ries of discussions of general medical such teaching is published in the education. The proper undergraduate Edinburgh Medical Journal for January, teaching of ophthalmology should be 1919. The writers are, E. Treacher urged by ophthalmologists everyCollins, Freeland Fergus, Wm. G. where, until its importance is appreSym, and J. V. Paterson, all competent ciated by the whole medical profession. ophthalmologists and experienced E. J.
EDITORIALS
a favorable factor for its cure; and that these cases do not obtain here as often as elsewhere. H. V. W .
teachers. They agree that the time assigned to ophthalmology, "20 meetings," is inadequate; that 32 or 40 are needed, that most of these should be clinical, or demonstrations which might well extend over more than one OPHTHALMOLOGY FOR hour each. MEDICAL STUDENTS. All of these writers agree that cerWhen American Medical Schools tain things of importance in general granted the M. D. after two courses of, practice, like ophthalmia neonatorum five months each; and the clinical or glaucoma, should be taught and emteaching consisted of lectures to a hun- phasized. But it is pointed out that dred or two hundred students, with a only a part of the students, one in five according to Fergus, will profit much patient for a text; or an operative ex- by work in refraction. hibition where a dozen nearest the paCollins and Fergus dwell on the tient could observe part of the technic; need for teaching every medical stuand when the student could graduate dent to use the ophthalmoscope, Colwithout even looking thru a micro- lins enumerates the questions it will setscope ; ophthalmology was supposed tle with regard to general diseases, and to be well treated if it received any at- its value in training to exact observatention at all. tion. Paterson says it should be taught The medical course has lengthened as early as possible in the course, and from 10 to 36 or 48 months. Clinical used in every clinic in the latter clinteaching includes section demonstra- ical part of the course. Fergus would tions, ward walks, individual study of have the student become as familiar assigned cases, and practical hospital with its use as with that of the clininterne work. The laboratory build- ical thermometer. ings are the chief buildings of the It might be urged with even greater medical school, and in fundamental force that every medical student branches laboratory hours exceed those should use this instrument for the ophfor lectures and recitations. But the thalmoscopic study of pathology. A improvements in the teaching of oph- particularly weak point in the imthalmology have not kept pace with proved, extended medical curriculum this progress, and are not proportioned is the wide gap between the study of to the importance of the subject in its pathologic changes in the dead body, bearings on general 'medicine. and the study of symptoms in the livThis teaching of ophthalmology to ing. The ophthalmoscope making posmedical students in general is impor- sible the study of pathology, day after tant to the ophthalmologist from two day, in living nervous, vascular, and standpoints. It furnishes the start for connective structures, should be made his special training in ophthalmology, to bridge this gap between fundaand it determines the point of view of mental and practical training; and the general medical profession with re- bring laboratory exactness to the gard to ophthalmology, and their abil- study of symptomatology. ity to cooperate with the ophthalmoloIt is a good sign when four such ophgist and appreciate the special services thalmologists as those above menthat he renders. tioned are asked to contribute to a seAn interesting symposium upon ries of discussions of general medical such teaching is published in the education. The proper undergraduate Edinburgh Medical Journal for January, teaching of ophthalmology should be 1919. The writers are, E. Treacher urged by ophthalmologists everyCollins, Freeland Fergus, Wm. G. where, until its importance is appreSym, and J. V. Paterson, all competent ciated by the whole medical profession. ophthalmologists and experienced E. J.