Of monopolies in learning, with remarks on the present state of medical education, and on the constitution of the Scotch universities / by Andrew Buchanan.

Date:: 1834

Credit: Of monopolies in learning, with remarks on the present state of medical education, and on the constitution of the Scotch universities / by Andrew Buchanan. 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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$advantages would result from raising the standard of qualification for this office as higli as possible. The respectability and usefulness of tlie Teachers would thus be secured, and a severe course of study rendered imperative on all aspiring to the office. The only other duty of the Colleges would be, conferring licenses to practise the various bi'anches of the healing art, on those who had gone through the prescribed curriculum of education, and whose proficiency in their studies had been ascertained by a strict and impartial exam- ination. The system of medical education in England and Scotland, is to be brought under the consideration of Parliament very soon, in consequence of a quarrel among the monopolists themselves, as to the extent of their respective privileges. The worshipful Company of Apothecaries of London, claims all England for its own, denying the right of Scotch Licentiates to practise medicine in any part of that country, and treating as ignorant interlopers all who attempt it. There can be no doubt that this act of intolerance is prompted by alust of gain, and not by any zeal for the interests of medicine, since it is well known that the Scotch Licentiates are better educated, and therefore generally speaking, better qualified to practise the various branches of the art, than the Licentiates of Apothecaries' Hall. But out of evil, good may come, and I cannot but hope will come, if by a proper representation to Parliament, the attention of the public is awakened to the present condition of medical education. It is to be regretted that the Universities are not more directly parties in this dispute. Tliey are, however, involved in so far as the University Graduates often rely upon their medical degrees, as conferring a right to act as general practi- tioners, or in other words to conjoin with the business of a Physician that of the Surgeon and of the Apothe- cary. The Universities will not, therefore, I trust, be altogether deprived of the benefits of public scrutiny, for \yhoever considers the subject attentively, must be convinced, that the evils resulting from the monopoly of such a body as the London Apothecaries, are mere$