Introductory lecture to the course of materia medica and pharmacy, in the University of Pennsylvania / by George B. Wood, M.D.

  • Wood, George B. (George Bacon), 1797-1879.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Introductory lecture to the course of materia medica and pharmacy, in the University of Pennsylvania / by George B. Wood, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    apothecaries of this country. The last mentioned body, as they practise neither medicine nor surgery, but confine themselves to the preparation and sale of drugs, cannot be considered as be- longing to the medical profession, and will, therefore, be omitted in the remarks I am about to offer. I will simply observe of them, that they are relatively few; being confined for the most part to the larger towns, where they more than share their busi- ness with the apothecaries. They are, however, increasing in numbers, qualifications, and standing; and it is to be hoped that the time may come, when they may supersede their present rivals, and, compelling these into their medical functions exclu- sively, may get possession of the whole pharmaceutical business, at least in all places where the population is sufficiently numerous to support an independent drug establishment. Of the three divisions which together constitute the great medical body of the country, the physicians hold the highest rank; though it cannot be denied that individual surgeons, by great talents and extraordinary success, have raised themselves to an eminence not surpassed by any belonging to the more ele- vated branch of the profession. All are entitled to the name of physician who have graduated in a ^British or foreign university, or have become licentiates of the Royal College of Physicians of London. But there are certain regulations which limit the pri- vilege of practising, at least the legal privilege, within narrower bounds. Thus, by the charter of the College of Physicians, that body has the power of preventing any one from practising as a physician in London, or within seven miles of that city, who has not submitted to its examinations, and received its license; and may even enforce its privileges by fine and imprisonment against those who reject its authority. All the regular London physi- cians are licentiates or fellows of the College; the latter being the proper members of the body, and supplied by annual election from among the former. In relation to England and Wales beyond the limits just mentioned, I find it stated in the London and Provincial Medical Directory, that the only legal physicians are the licentiates and extra-licentiates of the College of Physi- cians, and the licentiates of the Universities of Oxford and Cam- bridge, to whom I presume should be added the graduates of the London University. Extra-licentiates are those permitted to practise only beyond the bounds of London and its vicinity.