NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
153
MEDICAL SCHOOLS.
TABLE I.
Hostel accommodation provided for students.
Category.
Number
of
students.
Hoste
accommo -
dation
provided
for.
Ratio of
columns
2 and 3.
Average
cost* per
student
per
month.
1
2
3
4
5
Rs. A.
Government . . .
4,650
2,064
44.4%
14 4
Non-Government . . .
1,842
743
40.3%
17 8
* This includes hostel rent and messing charges.
3. MILITARY MEDICAL STUDENTS.
(Indian Medical Department.)
The Indian Medical Department, a Subordinate Medical Service, con
-
sists of the Assistant Surgeon and the Sub-Assistant Surgeon Branches.
2. The Assistant Surgeon Branch is for service with British troops only.
It has been in existence since the early years of the 19th Century. The
total strength has varied from year to year being 604 in 1928, 823 in 1933
and 484 in 1938.
3. In order to provide for war reserve, a portion of this personnel is
seconded for civil employ. They are, however, liable to reversion to military
duty at any time. Whilst as many as 224 military Assistant Surgeons
were in civil employ in 1914, there were only 107 in civil employ in pro
-
vinces and under the Departments of the Government of India in 1937.
The decrease in recent years is noteworthy and is attributable to the
development and expansion of provincial medical services.
4. Recruitment to this Branch which is restricted to Europeans,
Domiciled Europeans and Anglo-Indians was made until 1920 by a com
-
petitive examination; later between 1921 and 1933 it was made by selection.
Since 1934, however, it has been made by interview by a Selection Com-
mittee. No candidate who has not passed the Intermediate Science exami
-
nation of a recognised Indian University or its equivalent is now accepted
for admission to Medical Colleges. Candidates while under training in
the Medical Colleges receive a Scholarship of Rs. 60 p.m. and the Gov-
ernment of India pays a capitation fee to the Provincial Governments
to cover the cost of their education. Those admitted to the Medical Colleges
are required to undergo the Course prescribed for the M.B.B.S. Degree
of the Universities of Calcutta, Madras or Bombay.
5. These medical men, who in the early stages of the evolution of the
Department were called as "Apothecaries", are now termed as "Assistant
Surgeons".
157
2.
The Council is composed off:—
(a)
One member from each Governor's province, nominated by the
Central Government.
(b)
One member elected by each British Indian University having a
medical faculty, to be elected from amongst the members of the medical
faculty of the University.
(c)
One member from each province where a medical register is main
t a i n e d t o b e e l e c t e d f r o m a m o n g s t t h e m s e l v e s b y p e r s o n s e n r o l l e d o n t h e .
register who possess recognised medical qualifications or qualifications
g r a n t e d b y a B r i t i s h I n d i a n U n i v e r s i t y .
(d)
Four members to be nominated by the Central Government.
3.
For the first four years of the Council's constitution the President
was nominated by the Governor General in Council, the Director-General,
Indian Medical Service having been nominated to this post. The Secretary
to the Council for four years from the commencement of the Act, was also
a Government nominee. From November 1st, 1937 the Council has
appointed the Secretary, and in February 1938 elected a President. The
Council also elects from its members a Vice-President.
4.
The Executive Committee consists of seven members, of whom five
are elected by the Council from amongst its members. The President
and Vice-President of the Council are ex-officio members and are also.
President and Vice-President respectively of the Executive Committee.
5.
A member of the Council holds office for a term of five years.
6.
The medical qualifications recognised under the Act are contained
in the two annexed schedules. The First Schedule is composed of medical
qualifications granted by medical institutions in British India, and contains,
as originally passed in the Act, the medical degrees of those British Indian
Universities which were included in Table 'I' of the Medical Register of
Great Britain for 1931, that is, all except Andhra, Patna and Rangoon
Universities. The M.B.B.S., degree of Patna University was included
by Government Notification of May 11th, 1935, and that of Rangoon
University on 10th December, 1936, on the Council's recommendation.
The non-Indian medical qualifications recognised under the Act are given
in the Second Schedule. Inclusion on the Second Schedule is sufficient
qualification for enrolment on any provincial medical register.
7.
The functions of the Council fall under two heads:—
(1)
The maintenance of a uniform minimum standard of higher medical
qualifications for the whole of British India;
(2)
The furtherance of the recognition of these qualifications in States
and Countries outside British India, with its corollary, the reciprocal
recognition in this country of approved qualifications of such States and
Countries.
8. For the first purpose the Council has been invested by Sections
11, 15, 16 and 17 with wide powers of requiring information regarding
courses of study and examinations and of inspection of examinations, and
can make representation to the Central Government if it is satisfied that
the courses of study or examinations to be gone through in any medical
159
and those of Calcutta from October 15th, 1936 (the date of the second
inspection of the Carmichael Medical College by the Inspectors of the
Council at which the Inspectors reported that the facilities for the teaching
of students might be considered adequate). As Burma has now been
separated from India the General Medical Council is in direct communica
-
tion with the Rangoon University.
THE FIRST SCHEDULE.
Recognised medical qualifications granted by medical institutions in British
India.
Medical
Institution.
Recognised medical
qualification.
Abbreviation for
registration.
University of Allaha-
bad.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery.
M.B., B.S., All.
University of Bombay
Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery.
L.M.S., Bom.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery.
M.B., B.S., Bom.
Doctor of Medicine . . .
M.D., Bom.
Master of Surgery . . .
M.S., Bom.
University of Calcutta
Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery .
L. M.S., Cal.
Bachelor of Medicine . . .
M.B., Cal.
Doctor of Medicine . . .
M.D., Cal.
Master of Surgery . . .
M.S., Cal.
Master of Obstetrics . . .
M.O., Cal.
University of Lucknow Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery.
M.B., B.S., Lucknow.
Doctor of Medicine . . .
M.D., Lucknow.
Master of Surgery . . .
M.S., Lucknow.
University of Madras
Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery.
L.M.S., Mad.
Bachelor of Medicine and Master of
Surgery.
M.B., C.M., Mad.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery.
M.B., B.S., Mad.
Doctor of Medicine . . .
M.D., Mad.
Master of Surgery . . .
M.S., Mad.
Punjab University
Licentiate in Medicine and Surgery.
L.M.S., Pun.
Bachelor of Medicine . . .
M.B., Pun.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery.
M.B., B.S., Pun.
Doctor of Medicine . . .
M.D., Pun.
Master of Surgery . . .
M.S., Pun.
University of Patna
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery.
M.B., B.S., Patna.
Doctor of Medicine . . .
M.D., Patna.
Master of Surgery . . .
M.S., Patna.
160
THE SECOND SCHEDULE.
Recognised medical qualifications granted by medical institutions outside
British India.
Country.
Qualifications.
UNITED KINGDOM
Registrable qualifications admitting primarily to the
Medical Register granted by licensing bodies in the
United Kingdom, as shown in Table (F) set out in the
Medical Register printed and published from time to
time under the direction of the General Council of
Medical Education and Registration of the United
Kingdom in pursuance of the Medical Acts, 1858 and
1886.
Registrable qualifications.
Other countries.
Title.
Nature of qua-
lifications as
stated on
diplomas.
Abbreviations.
AUSTRALIA—
New South Wales—
Medicine and
Surgery.
U. Sydney.
University of Sydney
M. B.
M. D.
Ch.M.,B.S.
South Australia—
Do.
U. Adelaide.
University of Adelaide.* . M.B., B.S.
M.D.
M.S.
Victoria—
Do.
U. Melbourne.
University of Melbourne†
M.B.
M.D., B.S.
M.S.
BURMA—
University of Rangoon
M.B., B.S.
Do.
U. Rangoon.
CANADA—
Alberta—
College of Physicians and
Surgeons of the Province of
Alberta†.
Member
Do.
C. P. and S. Alta.
University of Alberta†.
M.D.
Do.
U. Alberta.
Manitoba—
College of Physicians and
Surgeons of the Province
of Manitoba.†
Member
Do.
C. P. & S. Man.
University of Manitoba†
M.D., M.D., C.M.
Do.
U. Man.
* The qualification must be included in Table (I) of the British Medical Register as
published from time to time by the General Council of Medical Education and Registration
of the United Kingdom.
† When granted on or before the 31st October, 1937.
161
Other countries.
Registrable qualifications.
Abbreviations.
Title.
Nature of qua-
lifications as
stated on diplo-
mas.
CANADA—contd.
North-West Territories—
College of Physicians and
Surgeons of the Province
of North-West Territories†.
(When held in conjunction
with Licence of the College
of Physicians and Surgeons
of the Province of Saskatch-
ewan or the Province
of Alberta.).
Member
Medicine and
Surgery.
C. P. & S. N. W.
Terr.
Nova Scotia
—
Nova Scotia Provincial
Medical Board*.
L.M.S.
Do.
N. Scotia P. M.
Bd.
Dalhousie University*
M.D., C.M.
Do.
Dalhousie U.
Prince Edward Island—
Prince Edward Island Medi-
cal Council†.
L.M.S.
Do.
M. Co. P. E. I.
CEYLON—
Ceylon Medical College*.
L. M.S.
Do.
Ceylon M. Coll.
HONG KONG—
University of Hong Kong*
M.B., B.S.
Do.
U. Hong Kong.
M.D., M.S.
ITALY—
All Royal Italian Univer-
s i t i e s ‡ .
M. D.
Do.
. .
JAPAN—
All Imperial Universities‡. M.B. (Igakushi)
D o .
. .
M.D. (Igaku
Hakushi).
Any Government or Prefec-
tural special medical, col-
leges designated by a Mi-
nister of Education of
Japan‡.
M.B. (Igaksuhi)
D o .
. .
MALTA—
Royal University of Malta
M.D.
Do.
U. Malta.
NEWFOUNDLAND—
Newfoundland Medical
B o a r d . †
L.M.S.
Do.
Nffd. M. Bd.
*The qualification must be included in Table (I) of the British Medical Register as
published from time to time by the General Council of Medical Education and Registra-
tion of the United Kingdom.
†When granted on or before the 31st October, 1937.
‡The qualification must be included in Table (J) of the British Medical Register as
pubished from time to time by the General Council of Medical Education and Registration
of the United Kingdom.]
162
Other countries.
Registrable qualifications.
Title.
Nature of
qualifications
as stated on
diplomas.
Abbreviations
NEW ZEALAND—
University of New Zealand .
M.B., Ch.B.
Medicine and
Surgery.
U. N. Zealand.
Ch. M., M.D.
UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA—
University of South Africa†
University of Cape Town*.
M.B., Ch. B.
Do. . . .
U. S. Africa.
M.B., Ch. B.
Do. . . .
U. Cape Town.
M.D., Ch.M.
University of the Witwaters-
rand, Johannesburg.*
M.B., Ch.B.
Do. . . .
U. Witwaters
-
rand.
M.D., Ch.M.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS AND
FEDERATED MALAY STA -
T E S —
The King Edward VII Col-
lege of Medicine, Singa-
pore*.
L.M.S. . . .
Do. . . .
Singapore Med.
C o l l .
6. PROVINCIAL MEDICAL COUNCILS.
Medical Acts.—The first Medical Council to be established in India was
that of Bombay, which came into being as a result of the Bombay Medical
Act, 1912. The year 1914 witnessed the enactment of the Madras Medical
Registration Act and the Bengal Medical Act. Similar Acts were enacted
in the Punjab, Bihar and Orissa, Central Provinces and Assam in 1916,
and in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh in 1917. Medical regis
-tration in the Province of Orissa is regulated by the Orissa Medical Regu
- l a t i o n ( I I ) o f 1 9 3 6 , w h i l e S i n d i s a f f i l i a t e d t o t h e B o m b a y M e d i c a l C o u n c i l ,
to whom it nominates one representative. The provinces of Delhi and
North-West Frontier are similarly affiliated to the Punjab Medical Council,
to whom the Chief Commissioner, Delhi, and the North-West Frontier
Province Government nominate one and two representatives respectively.
The Central Provinces Medical Registration Act, 1916, is not in force yet
and therefore no Medical Council exists in that province.
The aim of the legislation covered by the various Acts of Medical
Registration is to improve the status of qualified medical practitioners, and
to regulate the practice of scientific medicine, without interfering with
the practice of indigenous systems. Under the Acts certain privileges are
granted to qualified and registered practitioners but no penalties are imposed
on unqualified persons.
The various Provincial Acts of Medical Registration provide for the
formation of a Medical Council in each province where such legislation
obtains, the registration of qualified medical practitioners and maintenance
* The qualification must be included in Table (I) of the British Medical Register as
published from time to time by the General Council of Medical Education and Registra
- t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m .
†When granted on or before the 31st October, 1937.
163
and periodical publication of the register of such practitioners. The func
- t i o n s o f t h e M e d i c a l C o u n c i l s i n c l u d e , b e s i d e s t h e m a i n t e n a n c e o f a r e g i s t e r
of qualified medical practitioners, the supervision of medical education,
inspection of examinations, exercise of disciplinary control over medical
practitioners and that of advising the Local Government in regard to the
recognition of the various medical qualifications.
Composition of Councils.
Name of
Province.
Nominated
President.
Nominated
Members.
Elected
Members.
Total
strength
of the
Council.
Remarks.
1. Madras . . .
1
7
7
15
1 Vice-President
to be elected
from among
members.
2. Bombay . . .
1
6 *
6
13
3. Bengal . . .
1
7
7
15
4. United Pro-
vinees.
1
5
9
15
5. Punjab . . .
1
8 †
7
16
1 Vice-President
to be elected
from among
members.
6. Bihar . . .
1
5
5
11
7. Central Pro-
vinces.
1
6
6
13
These are the
provisions
of
the Central Pro -
vinces
Act
which is not yet
in force.
8. Assam . . .
1
6
6
13
9. Orissa . . .
1
4
Nil.
5
Tenure of Members .—The tenure of members is five years in Madras,
Bombay, United Provinces, Central Provinces and Bihar, and three years
in Bengal, Punjab, Assam and Orissa.
A member is deemed to have <illegible>acated his seat under certain conditions,
which, with minor modifications, are as follows under the provision of the
various Medical Acts:—
1. submission of resignation in writing,
2. absence from three consecutive meetings of the Council without
excuse considered sufficient in the opinion of the Council,
3. absence out of India for a period of or exceeding six months,
4. removal of name from register for any of the reasons specified
in the various Acts viz ., conviction for an offence indicating
* This figure includes one member nominated by the Sind Government.
† This figure includes 2 nominees of the N. W. F. P. Government and one member
nominated by the Chief Commissioner, Delhi.
k2
164
defect in character or infamous conduct in any professional
respect,
5. insolvency or insanity declared by a competent court,
6. expiry of tenure.
The Medical Council have the power to appoint a Registrar, some with
and others without the previous sanction of the Local Government. The
Registrar acts as Secretary and in certain provinces also as Treasurer of
the Council. The Councils have also the power to appoint such other
officers, clerks and servants as they may consider necessary. Every
officer, clerk or servant of the Council is deemed to be, a public servant
within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.
Persons eligible for Registration.— Persons possessed of qualifications
included in the respective Schedules to the various Acts or those already
registered under the British Medical Act are eligible for registration.
Briefly speaking, persons with qualifications granted by the various Uni-
versities, State Medical Faculties or Medical Examination Boards in India
or Universities of the United Kingdom or by some of the Colonial and
Dominion Universities are eligible for registration. In addition, Section
12 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933, provides that medical quali
- f i c a t i o n s g r a n t e d b y m e d i c a l i n s t i t u t i o n s o u t s i d e B r i t i s h I n d i a w h i c h a r e
included in the Second Schedule shall be sufficient qualification for enrol-
ment on any Provincial Medical Register. Besides, the Bombay Medical
Act, 1912, also empowers the Local Government to permit registration,
after consultation with the Medical Council, of any person actually
practising medicine in the Bombay Presidency before the 25th June 1912.
The Punjab Medical Registration Act, 1916, provides also for the registra
- t i o n o f p e r s o n s a c t u a l l y p r a c t i s i n g m e d i c i n e i n t h e P u n j a b , N o r t h - W e s t
Frontier Province, or Delhi before the 25th September, 1915.
Fees Charged for Registration.
Province.
Fee
for
first
registration.
Fee for
registration
of additional
qualifications.
Other provisions of the Act
regarding fees.
Rs.
Rs.
1. Madras . . .
15
5
No fee charged from persons
registered with other Provin -
cial Medical Councils, with
whom reciprocity in this
respect exists.
2. Bombay . . .
15
5
Ditto.
3. Bengal . . .
15
5
4. United Provinces . . .
15
5
5. Punjab . . .
32
5
The Central Provinces Medical
Registration Act, 1916 is not
yet in force.
6. Central Provinces . . .
15
5
7. Bihar . . .
15
5
Rs. 5 charged on first registra-
tion from those already
registered with Medical Council
with whom reciprocity in this
respect exists.
8. Assam . . .
15
5
9. Orissa . . .
15
5
165
Registration. —Every Medical Council is required to maintain a register
of medical practitioners and from time to time revise the register and
publish it in the prescribed manner. Such register is deemed to be a
public document within the meaning of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
In addition, the Acts provide for the printing and publishing of an Annual
Medical List containing names, addresses and qualifications of all persons
for the time being entered in the register and every Court shall presume
that any person whose name is entered in the latest of such lists is duly
registered.
Disciplinary Powers. —An important function of the Medical Councils
is to deal with cases of professional misconduct. For this purpose the
Acts authorise Medical Councils to direct removal altogether or for a
specified period from the register of the name of any registered practitioner
who has been found guilty by a majority of two-thirds of the members
present and voting of infamous conduct as a result of an inquiry conducted
by the Council or a Committee thereof at which an opportunity has been
given to the medical practitioner concerned to be heard in his defence
and to appear either in person or by counsel, vakil, pleader or attorney.
The Council may similarly direct the removal from the register of the
name of a practitioner who has been convicted of any such offence as
implies a defect of character, or of a cognizable or non-bailable offence,
.as defined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, such sentence not having
been subsequently reversed or quashed.
The Councils have power to order the restoration of the names so
removed.
Supervision of Medical Education and Inspection of Examinations
.
—The
Medical Councils are empowered to call on the authorities of any
university, medical college, or school included or desirous of being included
in the Schedule of registrable qualifications to:—
(a) furnish such reports, returns or other information as the Council
may require to enable it to judge of the efficiency of the
instruction given therein in medicine, surgery and midwifery.
(b)
provide facilities to any member of the Council deputed by the
Council in this behalf to be present at the examinations held
by such university, college or school.
The Madras, Punjab and Central Provinces Acts also provide that if the
authorities referred to above refuse to comply with any such demand the
Local Government may, upon report by the Council, remove such uni
versity, college or school from the Schedule or refuse to include it in the
Schedule.
In practice under the Act of 1933, the Medical Council of India has
been entrusted with the duty of inspecting the various degree examinations
and of establishing a uniform minimum standard of higher qualifications in
medicine for all provinces. The Provincial Medical Councils are, therefore,
concerned only with the regulation and inspection of examinations con
ducted by the various Provincial State Medical Faculties or Medical
Examination Boards, which grant licenses diplomas or certificates in
respect of lower medical qualifications.
166
Complaint under the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916. —Section 7 and 8
of the Indian Medical Degrees Act, 1916, provide that cognizance of an
offence punishable under that Act may be taken by the Court of a Presi
-dency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the First Class upon complaint made,
with the previous sanction of the Local Government, by a Council of
Medical Registration established by law.
Privileges of Registered Medical Practitioners. —Under the various Acts,
registered medical practitioners are entitled to the following privileges:
No certificate required by law to be given by a medical practi
tioner or officer shall be valid unless signed by a registered
practitioner,
except with the special sanction of the Local Government, no
one other than a registered practitioner shall be competent
to hold any Government or semi-Government appointment
as Physician, Surgeon, or other Medical Officer in any
Hospital, Asylum or Dispensary.
Legal Privileges of Medical Councils. —All Acts of Medical Registration
provide for a bar to suits and other legal proceedings by laying down that
no act done in the exercise of any power conferred by the Act on the Local
Government or the Council or the Registrar shall be questioned in any
civil court.
The Madras, United Provinces, Punjab and Central Provinces Acts
confer another privilege also on their respective Medical Councils by pro
viding that for the purpose of any inquiry with regard to the professional
misconduct of a medical practitioner applying for registration or of one
already registered or in hearing an appeal against the decision of a Registrar
who may have refused registration to an applicant desirous of getting his
name registered the Council or any authorised Committee thereof shall
be deemed to be a Court within the meaning of the Indian Evidence Act,
1872; and such Council or Committee thereof shall exercise all powers of
a Commissioner appointed under the Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850,
and such inquiries and appeals shall be conducted, as far as may be, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5 and Sections 8-20 of the
Public Servants (Inquiries) Act, 1850.
Appeals. —With regard to appeals the following provisions exist in the
various Acts of Medical Registration.
Appeal against decision of the Registrar. —An appeal shall lie to the
Council, within three months from the date of the order, against any order
of the Registrar refusing to enter the name or any title or qualification of
the appellant in the register of registered practitioners. The Council's
decision on such appeals shall be final.
Appeal to Local Government against decision of the Council. —An appeal
shall lie to the Local Government within three months from every decision
of Council refusing registration to or removing the name of any person
who has been sentenced for any non-bailable or cognizable offence or any
such offence as implies defect of character or who has been found guilty
of infamous conduct in any professional respect by an inquiry of the
Council at which he has been given an opportunity to be heard.