An enquiry into the present system of medical education, in the State of New-York : respectfully submitted to the consideration of the members of the legislature / by an observer.

  • McNaughton, James, 1796-1874.
Date:
1830
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An enquiry into the present system of medical education, in the State of New-York : respectfully submitted to the consideration of the members of the legislature / by an observer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    Such is the mode of getting licenses. There is yet another class of practitioners, of whom a more extensive course of study is required: namely, those who aspire to the degree of doctor of medicine. Candidates for this degree, are required to attend two full courses of lectures at some regularly established college, to un- dergo a public examination, and to write and defend a discourse upon some medical subject. If they have complied with all these requisitions, the professors of the college at which they have studied, recommend them to the regents of the university, and the latter confer the degree. From what has been stated, it will be perceived, that if a stu- dent be poor and unable to attend lectures, he can be admitted to an examination for a license at the end of four years, without any other advantages than a private office affords. If he has attended a course of lectures, he is only required to study three years before he is admitted to an examination. If again, he has had still great- er advantages, has attended two full courses of lectures, and had a good preliminary education, he can apply for the degree of doctor of medicine. To provide for the first class, every practitioner has a right to teach pupils, who at the end of four years are entitled to an examination before the censors of the state or county society. For the benefit of those who wish a more extensive, and a more com- plete course of instruction in the several departments of medicine, and branches connected with it, the legislature has established two medical schools—one in the city of New-York, and another at Fairfield. In consideration of the greater advantages these in- stitutions afford for the improvement of pupils, over what can be obtained in an office, one year is deducted from the term of study of such as have attended one or more full courses of lectures. A student has therefore his choice, either to study four years in an of- fice, and attend no lectures ; to attend one course of lectures, and study only three years ; or to study three years, attend two or more courses of lectures, and get the degree of doctor of medi- cine. He has it also in his power to attend lectures in the city or in the country, or in both, according as his means or his inclination dictate. One would suppose that here, there was latitude enough to satisfy every reasonable person ; and facilities afforded to sup- ply the public with practitioners of every quality that the wants of the