Observations regarding medical education : in a letter, addressed to the President of the Royal College of Surgeons / by John Simon.

Date:
1842
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations regarding medical education : in a letter, addressed to the President of the Royal College of Surgeons / by John Simon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    therefore, and in order that the Profession (as represented by its educating and examining bodies) may most effectively co-operate with the expected modelling acts of the state, it seems to me that the present time is singularly appropriate for scrutinising our system of medical education, and the requisites for lawful practice. Nor, on the other hand, has the subject less interest, or the need less evidence, to those who meditate on the numbers, diffusion, and personal influence of the class affected,—on the hundreds who yearly swarm from the metropolis, claiming immense responsibility—trusts of confidence, of happiness, and of life. Indeed, Sir, there are considerations in this respect, making the matured education of medical prac- titioners, apart from the question of their mere technical proficiency, a subject of deep importance. For of those espe- cially, who are distributed in villages and country towns, each, bespeaking respect by his social position, and winning love hy the familiar offices of kindness, may become an agent, an example, a living nucleus of civilisation and moral good. It is no mean succour that such men may contribute to the well-being of their district, and to the interests of society, if sound education have given them the ability and the wish of usefulness. Nor can an education so tending, be disregarded, or esteemed otherwise than of high moment, if we turn from considering this influence, to contemplate the condition of those on whom it might be exerted. The first circumstance to which I would solicit your at- tention, is the want of definite preliminary education ; and, in expressing an opinion that the majority of students, who frequent our hospitals and dissecting-rooms, are absolutely unprepared for these theatres of study, I do not merely mean that they are without extra-technical acquirements and general information, but am anxious to urge the exist- ence of a much deeper evil, in the fact that their minds are not only unfurnished, but unformed. They have in many