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session of accurate and available information on a varietyof chemical subjects, do well in placing Watts’s Dictionaryin their libraries.Watts’s Dictionary and the celebrated German Hand-

worterbuch der Chemie belong to the same category, butthe English book is in some respects superior to its Germanprototype, which took so long to write that the first halfwas obsolete before the latter part had appeared. It was

about twenty years in passing through the press, whilstWatts’s Dictionary occupied about six years, having begunto issue in 1863, and being complete in 1869. When theGerman Handworterbuch drew to a close, the rather clumsyexpedient was adopted of rewriting the earlier letters of thealphabet. Mr. Watts, profiting by these foreign experiences,is adopting a much better method of keeping his book on alevel with the times. Three years after the completion ofthe great dictionary, consisting of five volumes, he publishesa single volume of supplement, and so brings up the entiresubject to the day.One of the most important features of books of this kind

is that they have many authors, and that, embracing ascience, the different departments of that science are, as faras possible, confided to the best authorities in those de-partments. Mr. Watts had twenty-one contributors to theDictionary, and of those, two died during the progress ofthe work. The Supplement which now lies before us has,naturally enough, needed fewer authors. The contributorsto it are Messrs. G. C. Foster, Michael Foster, Benjamin H.Paul, H. E. Roscoe, and J. A. Wanklyn; and we read in thepreface that 11 the present Supplement brings the record ofchemical discovery down to the end of the year 1869, in-cluding also several additions to, and corrections of, formerresults which have appeared in 1870 and 1871."Turning over the leaves of the book, we note a very in.

teresting account of Bunsen’s Analysis by Flame Reactions,-not to be confounded with spectrum analysis. Thelimited oxidation of Chapman and Smith, who have shownthat from organic compounds acetic and other acids maybe obtained with much the same precision as carbonic acidand water, is also treated of in considerable detail. Under"Aromatic Series" is a chapter on Chemioal Philosophy,which those who wish to get an idea of the direction’takenby modern chemical thought would do well to read. On

page 15, under the title ,Action of Alkali-]Nfetals on EthylAcetate," may be seen a strange example of the difficultiessometimes encountered in establishing a plain and simplequestion of chemical fact. Does sodium give hydrogen when itacts on acetic ether ? Thirty years ago Lowig and Weidmannanswered in the negative; but within the last few yearsGeuther in Germany and Frankland and Dnppa in Englandannounced that it does, the latter chemists having foundfive reactions in which sodium drives out hydrogen fromthe ether. But still later investigation has vindicated thesoundness of Lowig and Weidmann’s work of thirty yearsago, and shown that it was not from acetic ether, but fromalcohol accidentally present, that the hydrogen was ob-

tained. It is one of the strangest pages in the history ofmodern chemistry. Among matter specially interesting tomedical men, we observe an article on Blood, another onProteids, and another on Iforphia, with an account ofNatthiessen’s Apomorphia. We recommend the volume tothe attention of our readers.

Ox Tuesday a meeting of the City Commissionof Sewers was held at Guildhall, when Dr. Letheby, themedical officer of health, reported that during the pastfortnight 1086 houses in the city had been inspected,of which 39 required various sanitary improvements. Atthe markets and slaughter-houses, 5258 lb. of meat had been

fseized as unfit for human food. j

GENERAL COUNCIL OF MEDICALEDUCATION & REGISTRATION.

Session 1872.

THURSDAY, FEB. 29TH.DR. PAGET, PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR.

! AT the close of the opening address of the President

which we reported in our last number, the customary return-from the Army Medical Department, giving the results ofthe examination in August last, was laid before the Counciland referred to a committee to be considered before beingentered on the Minutes.The Registrar then read a correspondence that had taken

place with the Home Office on the subject of Death Registry,including a communication from Mr. Bruce stating that itwas in the contemplation of her Majesty’s Government tointroduce a Bill to amend the registration law.Communications were then laid before the Council from

the universities and medical corporations in each divisionof the kingdom in reply to the request of the Council thatthey would concert a scheme for the constitution and regu-lation of a Conjoint Examining Board for the part of thekingdom to which they belonged.

It was stated that no replies had been received from theUniversity of St. Andrews, the King and Queen’s Collegeof Physicians in Ireland, the Royal College of Surgeons inIreland, and the Apothecaries’ Hall of Ireland.

Sir WM. GULL commented in strong terms on the delay intransmitting the replies, which should have been sent in,according to the request of the Council, before the close ofthe year.After the communications from the English bodies had

been read,Dr. BENNETT moved, " That the Council, having con-

sidered the conjoint scheme of the Royal College of Phy-sicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons ofEngland, do hereby approve and give its sanction to thesame." He said that the two bodies had bestowed a greatamount of labour on the subject, and had in the most loyalway endeavoured to carry out the suggestions of the Council.Indeed, their labours had been much greater than anymember of the Council had any conception of. Often,when the whole thing appeared to be completed, they hadbeen thrown back by some unexpected. difficulty. At thesame time, it was right to say that the difficulties in theway were not such as had been needlessly raised, with aview to interrupt their course of proceeding, but difficultiesthat were inevitable. After a time they all appeared tohave vanished, when they received an intimation from thelegal adviser of the Society of Apothecaries that difficultiesstood in the way of their joining in the scheme. The twoColleges then proceeded on their own account to carry outthe scheme independently of the Society of Apothecaries,their object being to draw up such a scheme as wouldsatisfy those two bodies, and at the same time carry out thewishes of the Council by the formation of a thoroughly effi-cient examining board that would test the competency ofcandidates in both medicine and surgery. They felt that ifthey could succeed in drawing up a satisfactory scheme ofthat kind, which should commend itself to the profession,there was a fair prospect of many other bodies joining them,and there was the greatest possible desire to facilitate theintroduction of the universities. When the scheme was sofar completed as to render it probable that it would meetwith the approval of the universities, it was sent to them,and it had virtually been acceded to by them. Before

taking the final step they took the precaution of submittingthe matter to the highest possible legal authority as to thepower conferred upon them by the Medical Act, and espe-cially by the nineteenth section. The scheme was sub-mitted to the consideration of Sir Roundell Palmer and twoother eminent gentlemen. One or two hints were given bythese gentlemen, with a view of precluding the possibilityof any legal objection being taken to the scheme; and theyadvised the Colleges that they were competent to carry itout irrespectively of the Society of Apothecaries, and even

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of the Medical Council, except in so far as the nineteenth therefore trusted that the Council would regard the schemesection of the Act required the sanction of the Council to as having been submitted in the most loyal spirit, and withany such combination. It was considered that the scheme the simple earnest desire to carry out the great object ofcame within the authority conferred by that section, and it reducing the number of licensing bodies, and making thewas only for the Council to assent or dissent when the examining boards more uniform in their action.question came before them. The legal difficulties were of Dr. ACLAND seconded the motion.the most insignificant kind, and they were not obliged to Dr. ANDREW WOOD said he was willing to give his dis-entertain them at all, but they did so in order to avoid even tinct approval to the proposed combination of the twothe possibility of an objection. It would be manifest that colleges, but he demurred to the scheme being consideredthe two Colleges had conceded very much the one to the as a carrying out of the resolution of the Council, whichother. Their desire had been to form a thoroughly efficient was that conjoint examining boards should be formed inexamining board. The details necessary for carrying out each of the three divisions of the kingdom, and that everythe scheme were not before the Council, and could not be person who desired to be registered under any of the quali-until the Colleges had received the opinion of the Council fications recognised in Schedule A to the Medical Actupon the scheme itself. It was desired, however, to make should be required, previously to such registration, tothose regulations as complete and as minute as possible, so appear before one of those boards, and be examined on allthat the examination should be in all respects such as the subjects that might be deemed advisable by the MedicalCouncil from the very first had been desirous to see brought Council; and by the resolution of the 28th February, 1870,into operation throughout the kingdom-namely, that it the universities and medical corporations in each division ofshould secure in the first instance an efficient preliminary the kingdom were requested to concert a scheme for the con-examination in the general subjects of education, and next stitution and regulation of conjoint examining boards foran efficient examination in every branch of the profession that part of the kingdom to which they belonged. - If theprior to the students receiving a title to be entered upon scheme now before the Council was merely a scheme for thethe Medical Register. When he had once passed the Board, co-operation of the College of Physicians and the College ofthe candidate might take one or other of the licences, or Surgeons, as in the case of the two Scotch bodies, heboth. If he desired to practise in medicine, he would pro- approved of it, and he was glad that they had taken ad-bably proceed to one of the universities and take his degree, vantage of the 19th section of the Act for the purpose ofand then go to the College of Physicians. If he was going forming a conjoint board; but he distinctly demurred to itinto general practice, he would go to the College, present being called a scheme for an examining board for England.his certificate, having passed the common board, and re- The PRESIDENT said it was not so called in the resolution.

quest the licence of the College to practise medicine. In Dr. ANDREW WOOD said it was entitled in the Minuteslike manner, he would go to the College of Surgeons by "A scheme for an examining board for England." In Scot-virtue of the same certificate, and be placed upon its regis- land and Ireland they might perhaps have failed to carryter. Every successful candidate would have a right to out the wishes of the Council, but they had been endeavour-claim to be placed upon the register both of the College of ing to grapple with the whole difficulties of the case, and toSurgeons and of the College of Physicians if he so desired. form a conjoint board for that part of the kingdom to whichThe Colleges now came to the Council for its sanction in they belonged-to arrange a scheme which should includeorder that they might at once prepare the necessary details everybody, and leave no one out in the cold. The way infor bringing the conjoint board into action. They were which the English gentlemen had got over the difficultyanxious, if possible, to do so before the commencement of was by leaving out of consideration a most important body,the next session. In the meantime they looked forward the Society of Apothecaries; who would still continue towith considerable confidence to the adhesion of the univer- send out their licentiates to practise upon a single qualifica-sities one after another as they were able to overcome tion. Therefore, although he was extremely glad that thetheir respective difficulties. Some of them no doubt had College of Surgeons and the College of Physicians weredifficulties that would require some amount of labour to acting as they were, it should be understood that they wereovercome; but, assuming that they had the adhesion of not bringing forward a complete scheme for England, butonly two or three, there would be a scheme for England only proposing a partial co-operation, such as had beenthat would amalgamate five or six bodies into one. Assum- brought into operation ten years ago in Scotland. In

ing, however, that neither of the universities joined them, Ireland and Scotland they had been blamed for theirthere would be an amalgamation of two most important dilatoriness; but if the Irish and Scotch resolutions werelicensing bodies; and so far they would have done their read it would be seen that, though they differed in

part, at all events, towards diminishing the number of such some particulars, there was a large amount of agree-bodies. If their friends beyond the border and across the ment among them; and he believed, if time were given,Channel did as much, an important step would be taken they would completely harmonise and form a real con-

towards the accomplishment of the wishes of the Council. joint examining board. If the Council sanctioned theThe colleges would be quite willing to entertain in the most present scheme, it should not be understood that any slurfull and frank way any suggestion that might be made. At was cast upon Ireland and Scotland, where they had notthe same time it should be remembered that the scheme succeeded in establishing a conjoint board, especially as thewas now presented after having encountered and overcome difficulty had only been overcome by leaving out the Societyenormous difficulties, and any material alteration would in of Apothecaries. The "legal difficulties" which were saidall probability involve its temporary, if not permanent, to stand in the way of the co-operation of that Society haddefeat ; for the colleges might say, "We have done our not been stated to the Council. What were they ? If hebest, we have spent years upon this question, we have understood rightly the communication made by the Societyshown every possible disposition to concede all that we of Apothecaries, it appeared that the difficulty was that thewere required to concede, and if the Council refuse their Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons were unwilling to con-sanction we must give up in despair, and can go no further." sent to some arrangement proposed by the Society. HeBut he did not anticipate a refusal on the part of the should be glad to hear a statement on the subject from theCouncil. They had sanctioned the junction of two import- representative of the Society. There could be no doubt thatant bodies in Scotland, who had not done so much, because the omission of so important a body was a decided flaw init was not imperative that a candidate should be examined the proposal. That the difficulties were not insurmountablein every subject before obtaining one or other of the li- might be gathered from the scheme that had been pro-cences. The colleges were extremely anxious that the pounded by Trinity College, Dublin. He was aware that itscheme should not result simply in an amalgamation ; they had not been agreed to by the bodies [Sir D. CORRIGAN :would be grievously disappointed if it did not lead to a Not any of them], but they appeared to have grappled withmore complete co-operation on the part of the licensing the subject in the most manly way, and to have proposedbodies throughout the country. With regard to the Society an honest and complete scheme if it could be carried out.of Apothecaries, he did not see how it could concur in the If in Scotland and Ireland they had failed it was notscheme. There appeared to be difficulties in the way which because they had not given their best energies to the sub-could not be easily overcome, and he was sure that any plan ject. With all his sanguine expectations that the matterthat might be proposed by that Society with a view of over- might be carried out by mutual concessions and by dis-coming them would not be entertained by the colleges un- cussions among the boards, he was sorry to say that he hadless under the pressure of legislative interference. He come to the conclusion that it could only be effectually ac-

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complished, for the benefit of the public and of the pro- heartily united, but the College of Surgeons found thatfession, by means of medical legislation. there were difficulties in the way and an entirely new

Sir D. CORRIGAN gave his hearty approval to Dr. Bennett’s scheme was proposed. The Society of Apothecaries did notproposal. The only question was whether the Council would break off the negotiations. Their legal adviser, who wasgive its assent to the proposed combination under Clause 19 probably more conversant with medical legislation thanof the Act empowering any two or more bodies to combine any gentleman he could name, pointed out, having takenwith the sanction of the Council. Dr. Andrew Wood had the opinion of counsel, that there were certain difficultiesobjected that all the bodies had not joined; but that was that ought to be considered. No opportunity was giventheir own fault, and not the fault of the two Colleges, whose for discussing those difficulties. The meeting was adjournedexample, he thought, ought to be followed as soon as pos- sine die; all further communication was cut off; and fromsible. The Council, however, had only to deal with the that day to the present the Society had received no officialquestion before it of the combination of the two bodies that communication from the two colleges, except a copy of thedesired it. Dr. Andrew Wood seemed to him to be speaking draft scheme, and had not been invited to co-operate, orrather against his own convictions [Dr. ANDREW WOOD: take part in the affair. The difficulties were these. In theNo, no], seeing that the proposed combination interfered first place they were not bound by charter, but by Act ofwith his wonderful plan of blending them all into one, Parliament, and the Act prescribed the condition of ap-which he believed would never be carried out. If he were prenticeship, which was therefore indispensable. Thatsincere in his convictions, he ought to move the dissolution difficulty, they were advised, was insuperable. The secondof the partnership existing between the two Scotch bodies difficulty was with regard to the fee, which the Act fixed atthat had united some years since. six guineas; and that they were also advised was almost

Dr. A. S31ITH agreed with many of the observations of insuperable. He did not dispute the legality of the schemeDr. Andrew Wood; but he thought the Council ought to propounded; but the Act of Parliament distinctly requiredsanction the proposed combination, which was nothing more that a person having one of the qualifications recognised inthan the conjunction of the two bodies immediately con- the schedule was admissible to the Register, and if suchcerned. licence were refused it would not be acting in the strict

Dr. ALEX. WOOD thought that the remarks made by Dr. spirit of the law. The Society of Apothecaries was mostAndrew Wood were very pertinent, and deserved the serious willing to co-operate with the other medical authorities inconsideration of the Council. He would ask the Council, forming a conjoint scheme, and if they were preventedfor what purpose were they met at so inconvenient a season ? P doing so, it was not their fault. The scheme at presentIt was to act upon the resolution passed at the last session: proposed for combining the two colleges, and excluding the" That a meeting of the Council be held early in 1872 to licentiates of the Society of Apothecaries from the privilegereceive the proposals of the bodies for conjoint examinations; they had enjoyed so many years, was not, in the opinion ofand to consider whether any and what steps should be the Society, according to the law of the land; 85 per cent.taken to carry out the resolutions of the Council in favour of the licentiates within the last four years had receivedof such combinations." They were met to consider schemes the diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons. Had any-for conjoint examining boards for each division of the king- thing taken place to alter that state of things? He saw nodom; but there were no such schemes before them. The reason why that class of general practitioners should bescheme proposed was very little more than the scheme of excluded from the position they had hitherto held. Wasthe two Scotch bodies that united many years ago without there any other class better qualified than the generalany external compulsion; and if the Council sanctioned it, practitioner who held the double qualification ? a He wouldas he hoped it would do, they were scarcely a single step ask the representative of the army and navy if there werenearer the desired consummation than they were last year. any men better qualified, or any men more carefully tested(Hear, hear.) The scheme was not what they were met to before they were admitted.consider, and it would be a mockery and a delusion to hold Dr. QUAIN said that the Colleges of Physicians and Sur-out to the country that it was. The real difficulty had not geons had sought loyally and conscientiously to carry outbeen solved; the Gordian knot had only been cut. The the resolutions of the Council, and had succeeded so far assecond largest licensing body in the kingdom was not in- to obtain the co-operation of all the bodies in England ex-cluded in the scheme at all; and it could hardly be sup- cept one, and he would explain the reason for that excep-posed that they were going to be " snuffed out like a fly." tion. Mr. Bradford had led the Council to believe that theThey would not suffer themselves to be quietly extin- colleges had in some measure rejected or thrown over theguished, but would go on giving their licences. There Society of Apothecaries; but that was not the fact. Thewould thus be the competing licences of the Colleges of scheme alluded to by Mr. Bradford was simply a scheme forPhysicians and Surgeons, on the one side, and those of the the examination of general practitioners ; it was not any-Society of Apothecaries on the other. He agreed with Dr. thing like a conjoint scheme. He (Dr. Quain) opposed itBennett’s motion; but let it be distinctly understood that in committee, but was not successful. The College of Phy-the scheme which had been so long in gestation had ended sicians was willing to adopt it, but when it came before thein nothing more than that which was accomplished in Scot- Council of the College of Surgeons they, with more wisdom,land ten years ago. and with the desire to carry out more fully the resolution

Dr. PARKES could not agree with the previous speakers of the Council, said, "No, it is simply an examination ofthat the scheme proposed was a very small part of what general practitioners; the universities have nothing to dothe Council desired. When the two English Colleges had with it, and we will not consent to it." The scheme wasworked so laboriously, and with such a desire to advance then put into its present form, and was brought before thethe public interest, the Council should urge them to take conjoint committees. The solicitor of the Society of Apo-one step more so as to make the board a truly conjoint one thecaries was present, and said, " We cannot join in thatfor the whole kingdom, which could only be done by in- scheme; we are required by law to examine in medicine;eluding the Society of Apothecaries, which had done so we cannot examine in surgery, but you are going to requiremuch for medical education. He would ask the repre- us to do so. We are required to give a diploma for j65 ; wesentative ’of that Society whether the difficulties in the cannot require our men to pay £30." The Society, there-way were really insuperable; and would suggest that in fore, withdrew from the scheme, and it was their own faultapproving the scheme the Council should express an opinion if they were not included in it. They had not since at-that, if the legal difficulties could be overcome, the Society tempted to remove the difficulties in the way. It was cer-of Apothecaries should be admitted to a share in the ex- tainly for them to suggest their removal, and not the twoamination. colleges.

Dr. BENNETT said he had no objection to the Council ex- Mr. BRADFORD said he must be understood to dissentpressing that opinion; but he objected to its forming part from the statement of Dr. Quain.of his resolution. Dr. QUAIN said that the colleges had consulted eminentMr. BRADFORD said it had been represented that the legal advisers as to whether the scheme could be carried

Society of Apothecaries had been the means of defeating out. The College of Physicians simply said, " We will onlythe conjoint scheme. That he denied. They had certainly give our licence to those who pass such and such an exami-put forth some objections to the scheme as altered, not to the nation." They could make any regulations they pleased asoriginal scheme. The scheme to which their assent was to carrying out their own examinations. The College offirst asked was one in which they could have loyally and Surgeons, in like manner, said, " We will only give our

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diploma to those who pass the medical examination." If the under the impression that the negotiation was closed by theApothecaries’ Society could get over the difficulty, and act of the Royal College ’of Physicians and not bysay that they were willing to co-operate, the other bodies themselves.would be extremely glad. Dr. STORRAR said that under ordinary circumstances he

Dr. ANDREW WooD.—Why not meet together? should not have ventured to say a word on the subject, but,Dr. QuAiN.—They withdrew from us.

C)

as the representative of the University of London, he couldDr. ANDREW WooD.-Meet them again, hardly give a silent vote. He wished to remind the CouncilDr. QUAIN said that there were difficulties in the way of of the active part that the university had taken in pro-

the University of London joining the scheme, but the other moting the present combination. For himself it had beenuniversities had given it their sanction, and he hoped that a matter very near his heart. When the Medical Bill wasthe University of London would ultimately come in. It was dropped by Government about two years ago, he felt, per-obvious that the bodies had done their best to carry out the haps, a little excited, and thought that the less the uni-wishes of the Council. versities had to do with the matter the better; but, looking

Dr. HUMPHRY said the scheme was not a complete one, calmly at the circumstances of the case, and seeing thebut it was as complete as the English corporate bodies could enormous improvement that had taken place in the Collegesmake it; and if the licensing bodies in Ireland and Scotland of Physicians and Surgeons, he was glad that the uni-had done as much, the difficulties of the Council would have versities were willing to join in the scheme proposed. Thebeen greatly diminished. It was a more complete scheme mere legal difficulty in the University of London hadthan appeared on the face of it, and the practical result nothing to do with the cordiality with which the universitywould be that almost every practitioner in England would approved of the scheme. The probability was that everypass the board, so that it would be virtually an examining medical graduate of the university would appear before theboard for England. It was not a simple combination of the conjoint board; they would feel it a great advantage, afterCollege of Physicians and the College of Surgeons, but a passing through certain examinations in the university, tocombination of those bodies together with the universities; have simply to go through a final examination by the board.and this was the first time that such a combination had Even if the -university should be shut out altogether frombeen carried out. Whether the University of London par- the combination, he thought it had public spirit enough toticipated in the scheme in the way desired or not, it would recognise the principle as a sound one and to give it itsbe represented on the Committee of Reference, so that every support. With regard to the combination carried out incorporate body in England with the exception of the Society Scotland, he thought that too much importance wasof Apothecaries would be represented on the committee attributed to it. After all, what did it amount to ? In thethat would have to appoint the examiners, and the exami- face of a great fight that was going on between the Scotchners would carry out the conjoint examination under their bodies and the universities, they agreed to unite for thesuperintendence. Having been very largely concerned in purpose of conferring a conjoint qualification when conve-the negotiations, he could bear testimony to the patience nient, but any candidate could present himself for a singleand good-will that had been shown by each of the bodies, qualification. As to the Apothecaries’ Hall, he held thatHe was quite sure that the University of Cambridge had body in very great respect for the work it had done sinceentered into the question with the simple desire to promote 1815, and the important place it had occupied in medicalthe welfare of the profession and the public. They had con- education, and it was with some pain that he saw the proba-sented to relinquish the privilege of granting licences, be- bility of an extinguisher being put upon the Society. Ifcause they thought it would tend to promote a better general they had voluntarily said " we see how our work can beexamination. He could testify to the general correctness better done elsewhere, and we will draw our mantle aroundof the statement made by Dr. Quain. Mr. Bradford had us and disappear," that would have been an honourableendeavoured to throw the onus of rejection upon the College position to take; but they thought otherwise, and he couldof Surgeons, but that was not consistent with the facts of not help regretting that a blow was being struck againstthe case. A scheme was proposed, which was rejected by a body that had done such service to the country.the College of Surgeons; but the difficulties of the Apothe- Dr. A. THOMSON then moved the adjournment of thecaries’ Society under that scheme would have been precisely Council, and said he intended to propose the followingas great as they were under the present. When the plan amendment ;-" That the Council approve generally of thewas brought forward in which the Society of Apothecaries scheme for a conjoint examining board for England pro-were admitted to the full share which they desired in the posed by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in samedical examination, then for the first time a difficulty was far as it goes; but the Council is of opinion that furtherpropounded by their legal adviser. The difficulty was not exertions should be made to include all the English licens-propounded as an objection to that particular scheme, but ing boards in the scheme."as an objection to union at all. (Hear.) It was stated that The Council then adjourned.they could not combine with the College of Physicians and -

the College of Surgeons, and that the difficulty would have F M iexisted in any other combination that might have been RID.A.Y, MARCH 1ST.

proposed. He was pretty sure that his memory served him The Council deliberated for some time in private on theright when he said that the difficulty suggested by the case of a medical student alleged to have been guilty oflegal adviser was not to joining in that scheme, but to the forging a certificate of his having passed his preliminaryjoining in any scheme. It was not therefore quite fair to examination at the Hall of the Society of Apothecaries bythrow the onus upon the College of Surgeons, who had which he obtained admission on the Students’ Register;laboured in real earnest for the admission of the Society of and the solicitor was authorised to take the necessary steps.Apothecaries. He thought the proposed scheme would be to prosecute the person implicated.a great advance upon anything that had preceded it; and The adjourned debate was then resumed on the motionif the other divisions of the country obtained the same re- of Dr. Bennett and the amendment of Dr. A. Thomsonsult, there would be practically one examination board for with reference to the conjoint scheme of the Colleges ofeach division. Physicians and Surgeons. Mr. BRADFORD regretted that there should have been The PRESIDENT suggested that it would be better if Dr.

any misunderstanding as to the cause of the retirement of A. Thomson would bring forward his proposition as a sub-the Society of Apothecaries from the conference. The stantive motion instead of as an amendment; but he wasPresident of the Royal College of Physicians declared the perfectly in order in persisting in the amendment if he someeting to be closed. He (Mr. Bradford) was exceedingly desired.

surprised, expecting that a decision would have arisen as to Dr. A. THOMSON said he should be glad to comply withthe nature and extent of the objections advanced. At the the suggestion of the President, but having given thecommencement of the discussion a suggestion was made by matter very full consideration, and still holding the opin-the legal adviser of the Society that any propositions that ions which induced him to bring forward the amendmentwere brought forward to form a conjoint board must be sub- yesterday, and having been very much confirmed in themject to legal considerations. As soon as the conjoint scheme by communications with a considerable number of thetook a definite form the legal objections were stated. The members of the Council, he felt constrained to persevere,Society did not suppose that they were insuperable or that because he thought that the Council ought not to give anit was impossible to form a conjoint board; they were fully unqualified approval of the scheme in the terms of Dr

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Bennett’s motion. He did not wish to delay or to modify but it had reference only to the formation of a board ofthe expression of general approval which the majority of examiners for general practitioners, from which thethe Council seemed disposed to give to the scheme; he universities were wholly excluded. To that scheme the

quite approved of it as far as it went; but the Council College of Surgeons objected. The scheme proposed thathaving been called together in the expectation of receiving the three corporations should appoint the examiners. Atcomplete schemes for the three divisions of the country, this time the Committee of Reference in its present formhe did not think it would be right that an unqualified ap- had not been decided on; it was, however, under discussionproval should be given to a scheme that was defective inas- long before when the delegates of the Society were present,much as it did not include all the bodies in the English and Mr. Uptan stated that the Society could not legallysection. The Council should look not merely to the benefits agree to such a committee, and as a matter of feeling wouldwhich the scheme would confer upon the public and the not do so if no difficulty stood in the way. The 4th Section

profession, but to the special circumstances in which they of the Apothecaries’ Act of 1815 required that no personwere placed. They were not sufficiently informed as to the should be a member of the Board of Examiners unless hecircumstances which had prevented the Society of Apothe- was a member of the Society of Apothecaries of not lesscaries from being included in the scheme. The University than ten years’ standing. That had, he believed, alwaysof London had not yet given its adhesion to the scheme, been a difficulty in the way of the Society of Apothecaries.and he desired fuller information as to the probability of He believed from the information received from the univer-that body being included in it. It was in no adverse spirit sities, that there would have been a difficulty in their agree-that he proposed his amendment, but from a desire that ing to the examination of their graduates by a board, somethe whole matter should be referred to. He regretted that of whose members should be not necessarily the best menhe could not accede to the suggestion of the President, but that could be selected, but apothecaries of ten years’he was willing to modify the terms of the amendment in standing. He was aware that the examiners of the Societyany way that would meet with the general approval of the were members of the College of Physicians, and highlyCouncil. By the permission of the Council he would pre- respectable men, but it was generally thought that thesent it in a somewhat altered form, which would, he be- proposed system of limitation would not be a good one. Inlieved, make it more acceptable to some members of the the scheme before the Council it was proposed that theCouncil. "That the Council approve of the conjoint Board of Examiners be appointed by the co-operation of thescheme of examination submitted by the Royal College of College of Physicians, the College of Surgeons, and suchPhysicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons other medical authorities recognised in Schedule A as mightof England, to which the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, take part in its formation. He had no doubt that if theand Durham have given their adhesion. The Council has Society of Apothecaries could get rid of its legal difficultiesat the same time to express its desire that means may be it would easily find a place in the scheme, but that was afound by which the University of London and the Apothe- question on which he was not authorised to speak. It hadcaries’ Society may be enabled to join in the scheme so as been urged by Drs. Alex. and Andrew Wood that the schemeto render it a complete scheme for a Conjoint Board for was only a union of two corporations. If they could showEngland." him in Scotland a union of two corporations with threeThe PRESIDENT inquired whether it was intended by the universities, and a fourth to come in as soon as the law

amendment to give the sanction of the Council to the would permit, he should be delighted to see it. If therescheme under the 19th section of the Medical Act ? If so, were such a scheme in Scotland it would, he thought, lookthe word " sanction " had better be used. larger in the eyes of those gentlemen than the proposal

Dr. A. THOMSON said he had only intended at first to before the Council. He hoped that it would not be neces-express the approval of the Council, but he was willing to sary to go to Parliament on the question, but that theygo further, and, according to the President’s suggestion, would have energy and firmness enough to carry it outpropose the Council’s

" sanction " to the scheme. themselves. (Hear, hear.) He remembered, when theMr. QUAIN said that in the communication presented to present Act was proposed in 1845, going to Sir James

the Council by the Society of Apothecaries it was stated Graham, and pointing out to him, among other things,that the proposed scheme violated the express provisions of that the nineteen bodies were created under that Act. Itthe Act of Parliament, which gave to each person the right was the Legislature and the Government that had placedof registering upon a single qualification. If that view them in that difficulty, and he would not go to them towere correct, all that they had hitherto been doing would help them to get out of it. It would not be expedient to gobe useless. He had before him a memorandum which was to the noble lord at the head of the Privy Council on themade of the occurrences that took place when the Society subject; they would be very bad patriots to do anything to- of Apothecaries withdrew from the negotiations. The divert his mind from the Alabama claims. (A laugh.)solicitor, Mr. Upton, a very estimable man, but one who Dr. BENNETT said he could confirm all that Mr. Quain hadlooked rather at the words than at the spirit of the Act, stated with reference to the Society of Apothecaries. Hewas present, and read an opinion of Mr. Archibald in refer- had the highest opinion of the legal adviser of the Society,ence to the legal powers of the Society to take part in the who was an intimate friend of his own ; but the facts were

conjoint scheme. The result of that opinion was that certainly as stated by Mr. Quain. He had a distinct recol-there were three objections to the scheme, which rendered lection of them. The scheme proposed at the meeting re-it legally impossible for the Society to join in it. First, ferred to was essentially that before the Council; andthat the apprenticeship required by the Society could not Mr. Upton took from his pocket a written opinion ofbe set aside; secondly, that the Society could not enforce counsel, to the effect that there were legal difficulties inan examination in surgery in the case of candidates for its the way that appeared insuperable, upon which they alllicence ; and thirdly, that the Society could not compel the said, " Then there is an end of the matter." The Presidentpayment of the increased fee. As regards the first of these said, " We need not further discuss the question ; it is clear

objections, Mr. Upton stated that means might be devised that the Apothecaries’ Society is unable to go on with us."to get over it, but not so in the case of the other two. After And then the conference broke up. Dr. Andrew Wood,this statement, the President of the College of Physicians, who spoke contemptuously of the proposed scheme, couldwho was in the chair at the meeting, suggested that as the hardly have studied it. For the first time a junction waslegal difficulties of the Society of Apothecaries were in- to be effected between two bodies who agreed to give upsuperable it was useless to try to continue negotiations their independent right to enter upon the Register. Forwith that body. The representatives of the Society of the first time there was a scheme in which the universitiesApothecaries, agreeing with the President’s remark, retired were able to join, and to which several had given their ad-from the meeting, and the committee of the two colleges hesion. No approach to that had been made in Scotlandthen continued their negotiations for the scheme. Besides or Ireland. Again, for the first time a scheme was beforethe three difficulties referred to in the memorandum, there the Council which rendered it imperative upon every manwere some others, and one of these had reference to the who was entered upon the Register to be examined on allqualification of the examiners. With regard to the state- subjects, the examiners not being necessarily fellows orment of the Society of Apothecaries respecting the substi- members of the bodies uniting in the scheme. The collegestution of one scheme for another, it would be well that the and universities had manifested a spirit of self-sacrificeexact facts should be stated. There was at first a draft which had not been witnessed on the other side of thescheme agreed upon by the committees of the three bodiesJ border, nor any approach to it. Even if the proposal should

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end in nothing more than the amalgamation of the two Dr. Thomson was a very vague one. It suggested "thatcolleges, it would be an enormous step in advance towards means may be found" for uniting the different bodies. But

securing a uniformity of examination for entering upon the who was to find the means? Were they to be found by theRegister, for it would certainly comprise a large majority of Council, or was the question again to be remitted to thethose practising in England; 98 or 99 out of 100 general licensing bodies for more squabbling ?practitioners would come before the conjoint board. He Dr. THOMSON said it had been suggested to him that itbelieved that the only way in which the Irish and Scotch would be more accurate to state, in the motion before thebodies could eventually succeed would be by doing some- Council, that the universities had given their " approval,"thing of the same kind, being content to make an advance instead of their "adhesion" to the scheme. (No, no.)towards a complete scheme, taking in one body after Dr. ACLAND said it seemed to be supposed by some mem-another, as opportunity might be afforded. Their difficul- bers of the Council that the universities had given theirties were, no doubt, great. He did not throw much blame adhesion to the scheme without intending to join in it;upon them for not having succeeded, but he did blame some but no one who was in the least degree conversant with theof them for not having sent in their statements before the mode of transacting public business at Oxford could enter-meeting of the Council. There were, he believed, in the tain such an idea for a moment; and no doubt the sameproposed scheme all the elements of such a board as the could be said with regard to the other universities. OfCouncil had long desired. The Committee of Selection was course no one could be responsible for the votes of suchnot indeed appointed by the Government, but the members large bodies; but all propositions laid before them werewere chosen quite irrespectively of any peculiar tendencies boMo, fide; and at Oxford the slightest suspicion of an

or prejudices of one body or the other; and he had no doubt’ arrière pensée would ensure the rejection of any proposalthat the examiners would be selected from the very best that might be submitted. The authorities at Oxford hadmen in the kingdom. If it were the general feeling that assented and were parties to the scheme ; and, as soon asthe proceedings would be facilitated by his withdrawing his the sanction of the Council was given, they would remodelresolution in favour of Dr. A. Thomson’s amendment, he their statute. It was an error to suppose that it was awould do so, though he did not quite approve of tacking on scheme of the College of Physicians and the College ofto the resolution a reference to the Apothecaries’ Society Surgeons; it was the scheme of all the English bodies ex-and the London University. He would withdraw his motion cept the Society of Apothecaries. The universities wouldin favour of the amendment if by doing so the discussion cease to confer degrees upon a pass examination ; and theywas to be considered as brought to a. close. would have to consider what would be the nature of uni-The PRESIDENT said that the course suggested would not versity honours in respect to medicine. The London Uni-

necessarily close the discussion, since the amendment, if versity, from the commencement, had regarded its degreecarried, would have to be put as a substantive motion, upon as an honours degree, and the same view had prevailed atwhich any other amendment might be moved. Oxford during the last ten years. The question for theThe amendment was then put, and was carried by a Council now to consider was whether it would approve of

majority of 14 against 3. On its being put as a substantive what had been done. It was a singular circumstance, how-motion, ever, that the question of whether the scheme was a good

Sir D. CORRIGAN said he had an amendment to propose. one had not been raised. Those who had concurred in it

(Laughter.) Gentlemen might smile, but it was a serious were very grateful that it had been received so kindly andmatter. He proposed z" That the Council, under the frankly.powers conferred upon it by Clause 19 of the Medical Act, Dr. HUMPHRY said that happily the position of the Unl-approve the conjoint scheme of the Royal College of Phy- versity of Cambridge did not depend upon anything hesicians of London and the Royal College of Surgeons of might say, but upon the document before the Council,England for an examining board." which distinctly stated that 11 each of such co-operating

Dr. ANDREW WooD.-That is the same as Dr. Bennett’s medical authorities will abstain from the exercise of its in-motion. dependent privilege of giving admission to the Medical

Sir D. CORRIGAN. - No, it is not ; because Dr. Bennett Register "; and the Committee of Reference was to consisthas not alluded to the clause in the Medical Act. (" Oh !") of one representative of medicine and one representativeThe President ruled that the amendment was a com- of surgery appointed by each of the universities of England.

petent one. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge stated,Dr. APJOHN said it had been stated that the Universities "I have the honour to inform you that the scheme adopted

of Oxford and Cambridge approved of the proposed scheme, by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal Collegebut he saw no indications in the documents before them of of Surgeons has been approved by the Senate of the Uni-the approval of those bodies. versity." The Senate of the University therefore approved

Dr. BENNETT said there was a provision for the repre- that it should be one of the bodies co-operating in thesentatives of the universities taking part in the Committee. scheme. (Hear, hear.) It was certainly acting 6<MM fide.

Dr. ApjoHN.-It is not said that they will abstain from It had considered the question in all its various stages; itgiving degrees. The representatives of the universities are had gone into it most carefully, and had made several sug-present, and I should like to ask them to explain how far gestions respecting it which had been adopted. It wasthose bodies will co-operate. quite aware that in assenting to the scheme it gave up its

Sir D. CORRIGAN said he had not yet spoken in support of privilege of admitting to the Medical Register-that was,his amendment. It was stated in the motion that the uni- of giving its degrees to any who had not passed the conjointversities had given their " adhesion" to the scheme. They board. The question had been discussed openly in thehad not done so; they only "approved" of it, which was a Senate; printed papers had been circulated respecting ityvery different thing. A man might approve the formation and the point was clearly understood.of a joint-stock company, but it did not follow that he Dr. EMBLETON said that the adhesion of the Universitywould take shares. There was not a word to show that the of Durham was as complete and bon6 fide as that of Oxforduniversities would give up their privileges as the Colleges and Cambridge.of Physicians and Surgeons had done. He regretted that Sir W. GULL said that Dr. Acland’s statement was quitethe question of the Apothecaries’ Society should have been true that the University of London had never set before itintroduced at all, as it had no connexion with the subject the mere principle of registering men to practise, but itsunder discussion. He could only characterise it as a private great object had been to advance the study of medicine insquabble between the licensing bodies, and it ought not to every possible direction. The proposed scheme in no wayoccupy the time of the Council. If two bodies agreed to conflicted with that object, and he hoped that it would,join in a scheme, the Council need not go into the reasons without further delay, receive the sanction of the Council.why other bodies did not come in. The Act of Parliament It was a much larger scheme than those who were ac-authorised any two bodies to unite, and that was enough quainted with the practice of medicine in England imagined.for the Council, without going into the question of other It was the largest scheme that could be brought forward asbodies who thought they were badly treated. affecting the practice of medicine in England, Scotland, or

Dr. QUAIN said the Council had requested all the bodies Ireland.to co-operate, and an explanation was therefore given why I Dr. ALEX. WOOD said that Sir D. Corrigan had somewhatthey had not all done so. artfully brought the Council into the awkward position ofSir D. CORRIGAN contended that the motion proposed by being asked simply to give its assent to a scheme for the

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proposed junction between two English bodies. No such After a short discussion, it was resolved, on the motion ofquestion was properly before them. There was no request, Sir D. Corrigan, seconded by Dr. A. Smith, -" That, inso far as he knew, on the part of either of the bodies con- reply to the letter of the Secretary to the Commissioners incerned, for the sanction of the Council, and the Council Lunacy, dated August 2nd, 1871, the attention of the Com-would be going beyond its powers under the 19th section of missioners be drawn to Clause 38 and Clause 40 of thethe Act to sanction a scheme of union which was not really Medical Act (1858), under which it is declared that no cer-submitted to it. The different bodies were requested to do tificate required by any Act now in force shall be validcertain things, and, in compliance with the request, certain unless the person signing the same be registered under thepropositions had been laid on the table. The Council was Act, and that any person who shall wilfully and falselyrequired to express an opinion upon those propositions, not pretend to be, or take or use the name and title of, a physicianto sanction a combination under the 19th section of the &c., shall, upon a summary conviction for any such offence,Act, but to say how far the bodies had complied with the pay a sum not exceeding .620.’ "

requisition sent to them last year. Under those circum- The Council then adjourned.stances the proposition of Dr. A. Thomson was a perfectly -

legitimate one, as the Council was called upon to express SATURDAy, MARCH 2ND.an opinion as to how far the English bodies had succeeded

SATURDAY, MARCH 2ND.in what they had done, or how far they had failed. He did A communication was laid before the Council from thenot, as had been suggested, in the least degree under- King and Queen’s College of Physicians in Ireland, in refer-estimate the scheme that had been brought forward or the ence to a conjoint board; and another on the same subjectdifficulties which must have been encountered by those who from medical practitioners in Scotland.inaugurated it, and who deserved the gratitude of the Dr. ALEx. WOOD suggested that a letter which had beenCouncil. At the same time he regretted that it had not addressed to the President by Sir R. Christison (who wasgone a little further; for it was nothing more than was prevented by illness from attending), in reference to con-accomplished ten years ago in Scotland. It had been joint examinations, should be entered on the Minutes.objected to the Scotch scheme, that it left it optional with Sir D. CORRIGAN objected to the insertion on the Minutesthe candidates to go before the united boards or before of a communication from an absent member, as establishingthe separate boards. But he wished to warn his friends in a dangerous precedent.London that they had yet to ascertain whether the law Dr. ANDREW WOOD said that the object was to give thewould enable them to dispense with the power conferred letter publicity, and this would be attained by handing itupon their colleges by royal charter. He believed if the to the press.College of Physicians or the College of Surgeons in Edin- Dr. BENNETT thought it should not be given to the pressburgh were to refuse to take a man upon trial unless he except as part of the Minutes of the Council.presented himself before the conjoint board, there were Dr. ANDREW WOOD said he would take upon himself, ascertain legal means that might be adopted to compel them Sir R. Christison’s friend, to give his letter to the press.to follow out their charter. Therefore, believing this to be The letter was, in abstract, as follows :-The writer ex-the case, they had kept clear of doing that which might pressed an opinion that the Council was upon a wrongexpose them to the pains and penalties of the law. They course in attempting to carry out the measures which wouldhad, however, done their best to discourage the separate unnecessarily and vexatiously multiply the examinationssystem. In a few years he thought the London bodies of candidates, destroy the stimulus derived from the in-would have found out that they had made a great mistake dividuality of the present system of examining boards,in attempting to make that compulsory which the law had and detract from the influence, and even endanger thenot sanctioned. prosperity, of the Royal colleges. The main objections urgedMr. BRADFORD said he did not think it would be con- by the writer were these-(1) Uniformity of examination

sistent with the law for each body, according to the scheme, by a single examining board is a mere delusion. A boardto "abstain from the exercise of its independent privilege for each division of the kingdom is an impossibility. Inof giving admission to the Medical Register." Scotland there must be three, in Ireland as many, in

Dr. QUAIN said that the College of Physicians and the England probably twice that number. Whether the boards

College of Surgeons had taken the utmost pains to ascertain meet in one city or in several, their examinations must bethe legality of their proceedings. They would refuse no different, and any approximation to equality which may beone; they would examine any gentleman that the Society effected under the proposed new scheme may be broughtof Apothecaries might send, but the examination would be about as well through the influence of the Medical Councilby the conjoint board. by a proper understanding between the existing boards ofThe amendment of Sir D. Corrigan was then put and the country as amended, or even as they now stand. (2) If &pound;

negatived, and the motion was adopted nem. con. it be insisted on that in each division the examinationsThe following communication was then laid before the shall be conducted by only one board, it will require such.

Council from the Board of Commissioners in Lunacy:- an enormous consumption of time as would be in-

Office of CommiMioners in Lunacy, compatible with the examiners following either pro-" Whitehall-place, Aug. 2nd, 1871. fessional or professorial pursuits, and persons in high

" SiB,&mdash;The Commissioners in Lunacy have recently had position would not undertake such a duty. (3) The schemeoccasion to make inquiry respecting the validity of a medi- is very costly, and medical education is costly enoughcal certificate for the admission of a patient into a licensed already, considering the professional emoluments to

house in the county of Sussex, which was signed by a Dr. which it leads for nine-tenths of the members of the pro-J. D. Blake, of Taunton. In reply to the inquiries made by fession. (4) The profession or the country will not bethe Board, Dr. Blake has stated that he is not duly regis- likely long to submit to the colleges drawing a large fee fromtered as required by the 16th Section of the 21 & 22, cap. 90; every candidate for whom they do nothing but give a title,and the Board now submit the matter for the consideration and a renewed clamour would be raised against the medicalof the Medical Council, with a view to their considering corporations. (5) The scheme will take away from existingwhat proceedings, if any, they may feel it their duty to universities and corporations the self-reliance, emulation,take in the case. The Board beg to point out that, by and enterprise which are the result of each being allowed tomeans of the certificate signed by Dr. Blake, a private teach and examine according to its own constitution andfemale patient has been for several days illegally placed the genius loci. Prussia is giving up the Staats Ex-under confinement.-I am, Sir, your obedient servant, amen, of which the contemplated scheme is an imita-

(Signed) THOMAS MARTIN, tion, and the evils of centralised and uniform edu-"The Registrar, Crenfral Council of For the Secretary. cation and examination are now generally acknowledged.

Medical Education, &c." The writer concluded-" I would earnestly entreat theDr. A. SMITH thought that the Council could not enter- Council to consider whether it be not its wisest course

tain the question. The person complained of was not a to pause at the present stage, to beg from the Governmentregistered practitioner, and it was strange to throw the two years’ respite at most, and to set about diligently to soonus of a prosecution upon the Council. far combine, or rather to complete, the present boards, thatThe REGISTRAR stated that Dr. Blake had been removed no candidate shall obtain such a qualification as will entitle

from the register of the College of Surgeons, and had never him to registration without having been examined both inbeen on the Medical Register. surgery and in medicine, and also to perfect clinical in-

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straction, by urging that every candidate shall have an ties would be freed from mere technical details, and wouldopportunity of having a certain responsible charge of be able to develop the higher branches of medical know-patients before he is allowed to’appear for his final ex- ledge, and would become foci of medical scientific learning.amination. With these objects attained, I am satisfied It was a matter of regret that no scheme had been sentthat under a due system of inspection of examinations, the from Scotland. It was true they had failed in England,complex, costly, vexatious, and doubtfully expedient check, but only to a very limited extent. The University of Londonby the scheme of conjoint examining boards, would become heartily supported the scheme, and would, he had no doubt,superfluous, and’would be proved to be so." in a short time get rid of its legal difficulties. The Society

Dr. PARKES said it appeared that Scotland had not suc- of Apothecaries also, when the scheme was at work, wouldseeded in forming a conjoint board; and he wished to ask feel obliged to join it; otherwise they would be left alone,the representatives of the Scotch bodies whether they saw and the students would educate themselves, and take theany hope of a board satisfactory to the Council being pass examination. The result would then be as in organicfonned? f nature ; they had done their work, their period had passed,

Dr. T-4ACROBIN said that a meeting had been held on the and, like the Wolffian bodies or the thymus gland, theysubject, at which a general opinion was expressed in favour would have to give way to a higher organisation. The con-0f a conjoint board, but there were differences of opinion as joint board was not for medical learning, but for the medi-to the extent of the examination. The view expressed at cal necessities of the public. Medical learning would havethe meeting was afterwards confirmed by the different cor- to advance in quite another way. Fifteen years ago he had]!’Orations. [Dr. ANDREW WOOD: No, no.] As regards the to ask the graduates of the University of London not to askquestion of the conjoint board, but not as to the extent of for a licence to practise; but he then stood alone. Thethe examination. University had nothing to do with pounds, shillings, and

Dr. ANDREW WOOD said it would not be respectful to the pence, or with the wants of the public, but with the instruc.Council if, in answer to the question that had been asked, tion of the intellect. He did not wish his motion to be con-the Scotch representatives did not state distinctly all that strued as implying any blame or censure upon the Scotchthey had been doing. They had been unjustly blamed, as bodies; it was only an expression of regret. It was saidtool1gh they had not endeavoured as far as possible to con- by some of the Scotch professors that it would be impossibleform to the wishes of the Council. The letter of the Council to attain anything like uniformity. In the colleges uni-was received by the Scotch bodies at the end of July. Every formity was not desired; but it would be quite possible for4one who knew anything of the Scotch schools would be the Council to pass from one examining board to another,3t.wa.Te that nothing could be done in August or September, and secure something like uniformity in the pass examina-er the beginning of October. It was not till the middle of tion.October that the bodies could consider the question indivi- Dr. QUAIN said that the question of the desirability ofdually, and it was much later before they were able to conjoint boards had been already decided by the Council,Stmfer together on the subject. Everybody went into the and he hoped it would not be reopened.question with perfect beware; and though many indivi- Dr. A. SMITH seconded the motion of Sir W. Gull.clual members did not approve of a conjoint board, the Dr. ANDREW WooD, continuing the speech in which hemajority of the corporations and universities came to a was interrupted, said that the groove in which the Scotchresolution that it was desirable, if possible, to form such a bodies were seeking to move was one that would in the endboard. The circumstances of Scotland were different from secure Sir W. Gull’s approval. The English universitiest1Aose of England, and the facilities for forming a conjoint did not give more than forty or fifty medical degrees in aboard were not so great. Even in England two bodies were year. The Scotch universities gave a much larger number,3eft out ; and the Society of Apothecaries would continue to and they conferred licences which were in competition withexamine for its diploma, which would enable the holder to the licences of the colleges. If there were a conjoint boardbe entered upon the Register. England had had its diffi- in Scotland, in which all the universities and all the corpo-c-alties, and had failed. In Scotland they had had diffi- rations were to come together, the result would be, not toenlties; it could not, however, be said they had failed, but raise the level of university education, but to depress ittney had not succeeded as yet. (Much laughter.) He thought to the minimum. The idea in Scotland was that the con-that was to their credit (renewed laughter), for they had joint board should hold only a practical pass examination,1ooi’D honestly and frankly endeavouring to form a real and and that the universities should be left to examine in allcomplete conjoint board. It should be remembered that the subjects according to their respective charters, giving athey had two Colleges of Surgeons; and the universities licence to no one who had not passed the conjoint board.-were in a very different state from those of England. The One difficulty with which they had to contend was thatdegrees of the English universities were pitched very high, when delegates were sent to a conference the resolutionsand were only attainable by men who could go to a consi- passed at the conference had to be discussed very fully by

, derable expense ; the consequence was that very few degrees the fellows in pleno foro. Probably in the course of anotherwere given in a year,-scarcely a drop in the bucket as year they might agree upon a scheme, but whether it wouldeompared with the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons satisfy the Council was another question. It ought not toand the Society of Apothecaries. The University of London be laid upon the bed of Procrustes, and cut down to thegave not more than thirty. exact proportions of the incomplete English scheme. The

Dr. STORRAR.-Not quite so many. English conjoint examination was to be regulated by acom-Dr. QUAIN.-How many would they give if it were pos- mittee of Reference consisting solely of English members.

mble to pass the examination on easier terms ? P If the same system were adopted in Scotland and Ireland,Sir D. CORRIGAN rose to order, and said that there was no there would be local committees belonging to those coun-

motion before the Council, tries; and what guarantee would there be then for a com-Sir W. GULL said he would move, 11 That this Council ex- mon standard ? It would not do to tell the colleges and

presses its regret that no scheme has been framed and sub- universities in Scotland that they must abandon theirmitted by the medical authorities of Scotland for the functions, and give up examining in surgery and medicine.establishment of a conjoint board of examination." That would be to lower their status, and injure the pro-

Dr. ALEX. Woon said that Dr. Andrew Wood was answer- fession; and the Council should pause before taking a steping s question, and ought to be allowed to continue. which would have such an effect. The Scotch bodies wouldThe PRESIDENT ruled that it would be more in order to -not cease to exert themselves, and they regretted, with Sir

iake Sir W. Gull’s motion. William Gull, that they had not succeeded in their efforts.Sir ’WiLLiA:.! GULL said it had been urged by Sir Robert His own idea of the scheme for Scotland was that a board

Myiq,tison that a conjoint board would centralise and reduce should be formed by the co-operation of all the licensingeducation to a low standard in the different divisions of the bodies to examine candidates in medicine, surgery, and themgdom. For his own ’part he believed that an opposite ability to practise. The extent of the examination wouldezect would be produced. There must, of course, be a cer- be matter for subsequent consideration. The Committee oftain supply of medical men for the country, and the stand- Reference should be constituted of members from all partsand whereby they were tested must be a somewhat low one ; of the kingdom, and appointed in equal numbers by themt it should be a real standard and a fixed one in the differ- universities and corporations, and the fee should not be0:nt divisions of the kingdom. If the Council could bring more than sufficient to pay expenses. Thirty guineas wouldmleiont the establishment of such a standard, the universi- be too high for a poor country like Scotland.

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Dr. HUMPHRY moved as an amendment-" That this tempted by the Medical Council. What was required wasCouncil, while regretting that no scheme for a conjoint a more thorough attention to preliminary education., theexamination has been framed in Scotland, yet having con- want of which was greatly felt throughout the country.sidered the resolutions of the several medical authorities in It was doubtless a matter of regret that there should Scotland, sees reason to hope that in the course of a few such an immense amount of degree-conferring power namonths a scheme for a conjoint examining board in Scotland Scotland, and that the University of Edinburgh haS.may be matured, to which this Council will be able to give descended from its high position and competed withits sanction; and urges the authorities to persevere in their the colleges in regard to the granting of licences toefforts to effect the same." It was not, he said, a matter of practise. England and Scotland were in different posi-surprise that Scotland had not moved more quickly, or that tions. In England the universities gave honorary d<i3-the arrangements made in England were not thought suit- grees. In Scotland they had to meet the universities asable for Scotland. After the letter which had been received rivals, as men who were striving to get rich by degrees.from Sir R. Christison, and the memorial from Glasgow, it (Much laughter.) This was a great evil with which theyought to be clearly understood that the object of the Council had to contend. Then there was an idea prevailing thatwas to reduce the number of examinations, and ensure that the licensing bodies were endeavouring to undersell eackevery member who entered the profession had passed a other-not in money but in the character of their examine-satisfactory examination. The individuality and inde- tions. He did not believe it; on the contrary, he thoughtpendence of the various medical authorities would be in- there was a sort of esprit de coi-ps among the bodies tocreased rather than weakened by the conjoint examination ; pitch their examinations tolerably high. He thought therethey would be left free to carry out as they pleased their should be some plan by which the admission into the pc<t-own examinations for honours, without being fettered by fession should be kept entirely distinct from admissionany considerations in reference tu pass examinations. They into a university or a corporation. That would be o&e

should open the door to Ireland and Scotland, and urge great step taken in the way of medical reform. He hopedthem to produce a scheme that would satisfy the Council, that no such scheme would be adopted in this country &e

in order that recourse might not be had to legislation. prevailed in some foreign countries where a licence to pMe-Self-government was one of the highest privileges they tise was given altogether apart from the existing medicalcould possess, and he hoped they would not relinquish it, corporations. Those who had the real independence a:,B<i.and fall into a State examination. progress of the profession at heart would resist any pM’-

Dr. A. THOMSON, in seconding the amendment, said he posal to bring it under the heel of any Government what-thought it added to Sir William Gull’s motion precisely ever. (Hear, hear.) The right thing would be for thewhat it required. He was extremely hopeful that before various bodies having at present an authority to licenselong the Scotch bodies would be able to come to an agree- for practice to form a board which should restrict itself ex-ment as to a scheme that would be acceptable to the clusively to such an examination as would determine thatCouncil. There was no essential difference among them the candidate possessed the minimum amount of knowledgeupon those points that might lead to such a scheme. The to qualify him to deal with the lives and the health of Herprinciple of a conjoint board was one to which he adhered, Majesty’s subjects, and there the matter should end. ?and to which he thought the Council was committed. It was objected that that would be adding another examum-was not supposed that any scheme for Scotland would be tion to the many already in existence, but he did not seeacceptable to the Council if it omitted one or more bodies how that could be helped. For himself he had no greatfrom it. If such had been the view, no doubt some scheme faith in examinations: no doubt it was heretical to say sewould have been sent in, but it never presented itself to in these days, but if there was to be an examination fortheir minds. Besides, there were special difficulties in the entrance into the profession the mode here indicated ap-way. The Senate had no power to alter regulations as to peared to him to be the only one that could be properlymedical degrees; the University Court had to take cogni- applied. The next point was that they must abandon, assance of them, and even then the assent of the Privy far as he perceived, the government of the profession.Council, he thought, would be required before an alteration through the existing corporations. If that were done i&could take place. He (Dr. Thomson) differed from a number would be giving to some of the peripatetic bodies meetineof his colleagues in the University on the subject, but he in different parts of the country a power greater than theywas permitted to express the opinions he entertained, and already had.act as he thought best in the interest of the profession, of The PRESIDENT interposed and said that Dr. Alex. Wood.the corporate bodies, and of the country. was going beyond the scope of the discussion.Dr. ALEX. WOOD could not vote either for the motion or Dr. ALEX. WOOD said he was proposing to show that if.

the amendment. A hope had been expressed that no dis- certain propositions were carried into effect the government-,cussion would take place as to the propriety of a conjoint of the profession would be transferred from the present;board; but for himself he had never concurred in it as a corporations into other hands. He was strongly opposedwise scheme, either for the Council or the student. When to any scheme that would mix up the examinations into &

in 1870 Dr. Parkes brought forward a motion on the sub- sort of hotch-potch and prevent the individual examinationsject, he said in his speech that a strong hope was enter- of each licensing board. These were the views entertainedtained that, in the event of such a plan being carried out, by himself and his colleagues, and they were much highera much smaller number of students would go to Scotland views than any that had been embodied in the iw-perf4me.-for their degree, and a much larger number to England. scheme submitted by the English representatives. There,

(Laughter.) That confirmed some of his suspicions, and was really little reason to regret that the Scotch authoritieshe divided the Council on the subject. It would be seen had taken time to ponder the subject, but he believed thatthat not one of the Scotch bodies cordially assented to the before many months were over they would be in a condition _proposal. The University of Edinburgh distinctly said that to submit a much more perfect scheme to the CounciLit was only from a wish to yield obedience to the Council Dr. QUAIN: I assure my friend who has just spoken thatthat it considered the question at all; and the other bodies he has not the least idea of the nature of the Englishseemed to have much the same feeling. After a conference scheme (laughter)-not the slightest conception of it-nothad taken place, and a scheme had been agreed upon, Dr. the least in the world. (Renewed laughter.) The difficultiesAndrew Wood and Dr. Fleming were outvoted in their own of Scotland would be met by adopting the English scheme,bodies, which refused their sanction to the scheme. There the first principle of which is to secure confidence in every-was a sore feeling in Scotland on the subject; and it was one who is registered: there is no uniformity, but compe-considered that if the Council had done its duty in super- tency is secured. In the second place it reduces the en-vising the examinations, instead of carrying it out in a half- trance to the profession to one examination: it does nothearted way, no such scheme would have been necessary. interfere with the proceedings of other bodies, but leavesA very great doubt existed as to whether a conjoint board them to do as they please.was after all so desirable a thing. Since the Privy Council Dr. PARKES said that after the expressions that ha.d fallenhad taken in hand the subject of general education, and from Dr. Alexander Wood, the hopes entertained by thehad prescribed certain uniform methods ofinstruction and mover of the amendment must be rather rudely shaken..examination, individuality had been destroyed and edu- Those expressions had convinced him (Dr. Parkes) that theycation had declined in Scotland; and it was feared that a were as far from a conjoint board in Scotland as they weresimilar result might take place under the process now at- from a conjoint board in Ireland. [Sir D. CORRIGAN : And

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in England.] The statements of the Scotch bodies showed Dr. ALEX. WOOD.-I never said they were rich. I saidhow little progress had been made in that direction, and they were striving to get rich by degrees. When the caseeven the best of those statements shadowed out a very im- of the Edinburgh University was before the Privy Council,perfect scheme. The plan sent in from Aberdeen was by the great argument was that they could not afford not tofar the best, but it fell far below the wishes of the Council; be licensing bodies, because their money interests wouldand the others merely desired a clinical examination to be suffer; and it was having regard to that fact and thatcarried on after the candidates had received the diplomas argument that he used the expression that they wereof the licensing bodies [Dr. ANDREW WOOD: Not received striving or endeavouring to get rich by degrees. Under

them ]-after they had gained them. Considering the state- those circumstances he could scarcely be expected to with..ments of the Scotch bodies, and the letter received from draw the expression. But if the President considered thereSir R. Christison, no one could doubt that the most formid- was anything unbecoming the character of the Council inable obstacles existed to the formation of a conjoint board the expression, he was ready, at his request, to withdraw it,for Scotland. The position of the Council was one of great not otherwise. But in all debates conducted by gentlemendifficulty. It must be prepared to take some decisive step, at which he had been present, he had never heard such anand it should indicate the course it was prepared to adopt expression as that used by Dr. Allen Thomson.if a conjoint board were not formed. It was no use merely Dr. A. THOMSON.-I thought I had already withdrawnto express regret, together with a hope which in reality the expression so far as this: I simply wish to deny thatthey could not feel. The different bodies had been given the universities are doing what Dr. Alex. Wood repre-three years to consider the matter, and what had they sented.done ? They were not nearer the mark now than they were The PRESIDENT.-I think after these statements therethis time last year; a tolerable substitute had been adopted need be no further interruption.in England, but nothing had been done in Scotland and Dr. STORRAR said that Dr. Alex. Wood had spoken inIreland. Their only course was to apply for legislation, strong terms upon the indisposition of the Council to pro-and he hoped that that course would be adopted. The mote preliminary education ; but he would ask, had Scotlandexpressions of the Council’s opinion should be backed up been conspicuous in its demand for preliminary education? aby a distinct intimation that, if a conjoint scheme were not In England it was admitted that it was deficient, but everycarried out in Scotland and Ireland, the assistance of the effort was made to raise it. In the College of Surgeons lastLegislature must be sought in the matter. This was not year 50 per cent. of the candidates represented themselvesintended as a threat, but only as a fair intimation of the as rejected on the preliminary examination. He deniedcourse to be adopted. Sir R. Christison’s letter did not that the visitation of examinations was conducted in a half-touch the real facts of the case. He did not appear hearted way. He (Dr. Storrar) had acted as a colleague ofthoroughly to realise the fact that incompetent men were Dr. Sharpey in Newcastle, and of Mr. C&aelig;sar Hawkins in Lon-slipping into the profession, owing to the negligence of the don, and he could assure the Council that on both thosevarious licensing bodies. If every examination were as occasions they entered upon their work in a whole-heartedgood as that of the University of Edinburgh or Aberdeen, manner. The English scheme did not propose to interfereor the Queen’s University in Ireland, there would be no with the higher qualifications of the universities and col-wish to disturb any of them. There was no desire for a leges, who would be able to give the greatest possiblemere theoretical change, but only for a scheme that would breadth to their studies and the greatest amount of de-ensure the admission of none but competent men. velopment to medical science. All that was sought was to

Dr. STORRAR said he was greatly surprised at the speech secure competency in the rank and file of the profession,of Dr. Alex. Wood, who at the meeting of last July seconded and that that competency should be tested with some degreean amendment to the effect that a meeting of the Council of uniformity. The practice at present adopted by the cor-be held early in 1872, to receive the proposals for conjoint porations of Scotland was really opposed to the principle forexaminations, and to consider whether any, and what, steps which Dr. Alex. Wood had argued. If any scheme cameshould be taken to carry out the resolution of the Council from Scotland which proposed a simple combination forin favour of such combinations. The inconsistency of his clinical examination, and not an examination from the com-position was certainly very startling. He agreed with Dr. mencement for entrance into the profession, it would notAlex. Wood that there was too much degree-conferring receive his (Dr. Storrar’s) assent.power, and that was the key to the difficulty in Scotland. Dr. ANDREW WOOD.-Then you will never get what youNo one would deny that the English degrees were conferred require.with a sparing hand; they were regarded as honorary dis- Dr. STORRAR.-It is as well to know the truth. Mytinctions, and did not represent the mere rank and file of desire is that there should be no mistake. It has been ad-

practitioners. In Scotland the case was otherwise. Dr. mitted by members of the Council and in private conversa-Andrew Wood appeared to think it a merit that so many tion that the difficulty in Scotland is the money question.degrees were conferred in so small a kingdom. Dr. ANDREW WooD.-No, no.

Dr. ANDREW WOOD.-I did not say so; I look upon it as Dr. STORRAR.-I am glad to hear it repudiated; all I cana blot. say is that I have heard it stated. As to Scotland being a

Dr. STORRAR.-The system they carried on was like a poor country, it is the greatest farce imaginable. There isDutch auction, among themselves. (Laughter.) no richer district in this kingdom than the lowlands ofThe PRESIDENT.&mdash;We are now getting beyond the question. Scotland.Dr. A. THOMSON.&mdash;I object to the statement.-I believe Dr. ANDREW WOOD.-Look at the students of Scotland.

there is no truth whatever in it-that the University of Glas- Dr. STORRAR.-That is simply because you do not offergow is striving to make money by degrees. I object to temptations for a higher class of men to go into the profes-those remarks. sion. Again I say I utterly repudiate the idea of a con-

Dr. MACROBIN.-SO do I. joint scheme such as that proposed by some of the bodies inThe PRESIDENT.-I must object, because it does not pro- Scotland-namely, a mere union for the purpose of clinical

perly bear upon the question. examination.Dr. ALEX. WOOD.-I rise to a point of order. A gentle- Dr. FLEMING said that, however desirous the representa-

man has said at this table that there is no truth whatever tives of the Scotch corporations and universities might bein the statement that I have made. Do you, Sir, allow the to act loyally to the Council and carry out its wishes, thereexpression to pass ? was no denying the fact that there was no cordial desire in

Dr. A. THOMSON.-I deny it. I say they are not; but I Scotland for any great change in the direction of a con-

am ready to substitute other words. joint board. Their opinion was that medical education inSir D. CORRIGAN.-Dr. Allen Thomson said there was no Scotland was well conducted, and that the examinations

truth whatever in the statement made by Dr. Alex. Wood. were perfectly sufficient to test the qualifications of theDr. A. THOMSON.-I said there was no truth in the state- candidates. They thought that a great deal too much had

ment that the Scotch universities were striving to make been made of the incompetency of men admitted into themoney by degrees, and I adhere to that. But I am ready profession. If the Council thought that a competitionto substitute the words, I deny that the Scotch universities downwards existed among the corporations, it was theirare doing so. duty long ago to have supervised the examinations; and heThe PRESIDENT.-I think perhaps the expression of Dr. thought the Council should lose no time in securing an effi-

Alex. Wood was going a little beyond what is desirable. cient visitation all over the country. If there was no desire

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generally among the profession for the proposed change, that the Executive Committee should urge upon the Privythat reluctance would rather be strengthened by what had Council the necessity for refusing registration to graduatestaken place in the Council. He agreed with what had been of the Queen’s University of Ireland until the Universitysaid with regard to the universities departing from their complied with the recommendation of the General Medicalhigh function and becoming licensing bodies; but they had Council. Did Dr. Parkes ever advance? The Queen’s Uni-the power, and would not readily give it up. All that was versity quietly folded its hands, and said, in the words ofrequired for the security of the public, in the opinion of the Shakspeare, "Come on ! Did he ever come on? No. NowScotch boards, was that men should understand the prac- he wants to get us into a similar scrape, and he says,tical parts of the profession, and there was, therefore, no " Take decisive steps. These bodies reiuse, take some de-reason to deprive the medical corporations of the function cisive step, and let it be like what I took against theof examining in preliminary subjects. The expense of the Queen’s University." (Laughter.) There is an old armyconjoint scheme would be greater than was supposed, and story that Dr. Parkes knows as well as,4I do. A soldier inthat was one reason why the Scotch boards desired to limit war cried out to his captain: " Captain, I have got ait to the broad subject of medicine and surgery without prisoner ! " "Bring him with you," said the captain. "I entering upon the fundamental sciences. He regretted to can’t," said the soldier. " Then come away." " He won’tthink that what had occurred at the Council during the let me." (Much laughter.) The truth is we have no re-present sitting would not facilitate the formation of a con- source but legislation, and we never can take a single stepjoint board for Scotland. without it.

Dr. MACROBIN was sorry to differ so much from the views The PRESIDENT, alluding to the remark of Dr. Storrar asof Sir Robert Christison and his colleagues. The University to the kind of conjoint examination he should require fromof Aberdeen went cordially into the question, and he and Scotland, said it ought to be understood he was only ex-his colleagues were at one in favour of an examination pressing his own individual opinion, and not binding thealmost identical with that proposed in the English scheme. English members generally.If the other bodies could be brought to join in that scheme The amendment was then put to the vote, and the num-he thought it would be satisfactory to the Council. The only bers were-for, 10; against, 11. It was consequently lost.difficulty was the University of Edinburgh; but that body, The original motion was then put, and carried by a ma-perhaps, might be brought to see the propriety of the jority of 16 against 1.scheme rather than be forced to it by legislation. It was The Council then adjourned.not true that degrees were granted in Scotland upon a low &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;

standard; they always maintained that a degree should MONDAY MARCH 4TH

stand upon a higher footing than a mere licence to The sitting was mainly occupied by the discussion on apractise.... be ., listened with-,i j_ attention motion by Dr. Farkes, "That in case the medical authori-Sir D. CORRIGAN said he had listened with great atten- motion by Dr. Parkes, ,That in case the medical authori-tion to the debate with a desire to do what was right, and

ties in Scotland have not succeeded in forming a properthe conclusion to which he had arrived was that he could scheme for the formation of a conjoint board for Scotlandneither vote for the amendment nor for the resolution. The bY the 1st legislative enactment Council will endeavour toamendment expressed a hope that a conjoint scheme would obtain a legislative enactment under which a conjointbe carried out in Scotland. Now what reasons were there

board for Scotland may be constituted." To which an amend- -be carried out in Scotland. Now what reasons were there ment was moved by Sir W. Gull, "That a notice of the lastfor entertaining such a hope ? Dr, Alex. Wood had stated

ment was moved by Sir W. Gull, That a notice of the last

that not one Scotch licensing body had given in its ad- resolution of March together be sent to the medical autho-hesion to the proposed scheme. dy had given in it ts ad - rities of Scotland, together with a statement that thehesion to the proposed scheme. Council still urges upon them the desirability of a conjoint tDr. ANDREW WOOD. That is not the case. Council still urges upon them the desirabilitv of a conjointSir D. CORRIGAN.-He stated that.

he case. examination, and expresses the hope that a scheme for such

Dr. ANDREW WOOD.-He may have stated it, but it is not an examination as the Council can sanction may be sub-

the fact. WOOD.-He may have stated it, but it is not mitted to the Council by Jan. lst, 1873."

Dr. ALEX. WooD.-I think I used the word ’,cordially." The amendment was carried, but the date was subse-Dr. ALEX. WOOD.-I think I used the word "cordially." quently altered from Jan. 1st, 1873, to July 1st, 1872.Sir D. CORRIGAN.-If a man does not cordially join A similar resolution was then passed, after a short debate,anything, be is not likely to carry it through. Of the five A similar resolution was then passed, after a short debate,

anything, he is not likely to carry it through. Of the five with reference to the medical authorities in Ireland.

Scottish representatives we have three decidedly objecting Dr. Acland then brought forward a motion for the appoint-to the scheme. WOOD.-Who are the three? ment of a committee to consider and report whether theDr. ANDREW WooD.-Who are the three ?

. Council had power to make rules for the special educationSir D. CORRIGAN.-Dr. Alex. Wood is one, I think, and of women, such as might entitle them to obtain a qualifi-Dr. MACROBIN.-Oh, dear no. (Laughter.)

cation to be certified by the Council ; also to report for

Sir D. MACROBIN.-Oh, dear no. (Laughter.) what purpose such qualifications should be granted; whatThe D. CORRIGAN.-Dr. Fleming said that unfortunately are the most desirable means for educating, examining, and

The PRESIDENT.-Dr. Fleming said that unfortunately certifying in respect of them, with especial reference tothe members of the Council who were in favour of the midwifery, the management of medical institutions, dis-scheme could not persuade their brethren in Scotland to be pensing and nursing The discussion on the motion hadof the same opinion...

have all Sec. otland d not concluded when the Council adjourned.Sir D. CORRIGAN.-Then it is plain we have all Scotland not concluded when the Council "

against it. With those facts before us can any man enter- -

tain a hope that Scotland will carry out this conjoint TUESDAY, MARCH 5TH.scheme? I have heard a great deal of the wonderful atten- The discussion on Dr. Acland’s motion was resumed.tion that has been paid by Scotland to preliminary educa- The appointment of the proposed committee was stronglytion as compared with England and Ireland. I remember opposed by several members of the Council, but on a divi-proposing, ten years ago, a resolution that within two years sion the motion was carried by a majority of 1.all the students should be examined in a little elementary Some further discussion then took place on the questionGreek, so that they might know why the gardens they visit of a conjoint board, in the course of which a strong hopein Regents-park are called the Zoological Gardens, and was expressed by Mr. Bradford, the representative of thewhy one animal was called a rhinoceros and another an Society of Apothecaries, that means would be found toapterix. Dr. Alex. Wood then said that two years would enable the Society to join in the scheme for England.be too soon to ask any young men going into the profession Several reports of committees were then adopted, andto learn that. Let us have done then with preliminary after the transaction of some formal business, the sessioneducation and the love of it on the part of Scotland. Dr. terminated

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Humphry and Dr. Parkes have been very patronising to ______________________________________Ireland; I will tell them both plainly we do not want their &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;patronage. They said: H We will open the door to the THE Glasgow Ophthalmic Institution having re-

Irish and the Scotch." Have you opened the door in cently fallen short of funds, an appeal was made to theEngland ? Is the conjoint scheme a complete one? Dr. public, when, in a few weeks, between &pound;3000 and C4000Parkes insists, and he takes credit for being very chivalrous, was subscribed. The directors, however, still require as-upon decisive steps." He has tried his hand at the same sistance in order to enable them to purchase larger andthing before. As long ago as 1870 he proposed a resolution more commodious premises.