On the medical profession and medical education in Canada : address delivered at his installation as professor of the institutes of medicine, Queen's University, January 10, 1865 / by Donald Maclean.

  • Maclean, Donald, M.D.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the medical profession and medical education in Canada : address delivered at his installation as professor of the institutes of medicine, Queen's University, January 10, 1865 / by Donald Maclean. 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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    the structure of the human brain. These considerations should have a tendency to impress the student of medicine with a deep sense of the dignity and sacredness of his call- ing. For the reasons before stated I do not at present stop to consider any of the very numerous additional arguments in favour of the dignity, the importance, and the grand compre- hensiveness of the science of medicine ; but in the next place I wish to make a few remarks respecting the present condition and social standing of the medical profession in Canada; after which, I shall consider briefly the present system of medical education, and in conclusion I shall venture to suggest certain steps which might be taken with a view to the improvement and elevation at once of our standard of edu- cation, and the social position of our noble profession in these Provinces. To all who are interested in the welfare and efficiency of the medical profession, (and who is not ?) these are questions of the utmost importance, never- theless I shall not at present attempt a full or detailed discussion of them. This is neither the time nor the place to do more than take a very cursory view of them. And first, with regard to the present condition and social standing of the medical profession in Canada. I am sure it will be readily conceded on all sides that the title, Doctor of Medicine, does not insure to its possessor that degree of respect or that honourable distinction in society, which the highest honour in medicine that any University has in its power to bestow ought to insure. The degree of Doctor of Medicine, be it re- membered, is not merely a license to practice the profession, it is at the same time a very high University honour, which ought to stamp its possessor as a man of unquestionable moral character, of high literary attainments,as well as one who is capable of discharging the duties and assuming the responsibilities of a practi- tioner of medicine. In short, the term, Doctor of Medicine, ought to imply that its possessor is at once a skilful and experienced physician, and a thoroughly