The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-13 00:00:00

THE NEW MEDICAL REFORM BILL.

DEPUTATION TO LORD ABERDEEN.
Yesterday a deputation from the Provincial Medical
and Surgical Association waited on Lord Aberdeen, at his
official residence is Downing-street, in order to draw his
attention to a measure of medical reform that has been pre-
pared by a committee of that body.
The deputation consisted of Sir Charles Hastings, M.D.
D.C.L., president of the council of the association • Dr. Ro-
bertson. M.D., of Northampton • Dr. Webster, of
Dulwich; Mr. Nunneley, F.R.C.S., of Ueda ; Mr. Noble,
F.R.C.8.. of Manchester; Mr. Bottomley, F.R.C.S., of
Croydon ; Mr. Walsh, F.R.C.S., of Worcester; Mr.
Sonatina, M.R.C.S., of Manchester- Mr. Cartwright,
M.R.C.S., of °sunny ; Mr. Bret, M.R.C.S., of Stow-
market; Mr. Stedman, M.R.C.B. of Guildford; and Mr.
Hastings, barrister, secretary fo the committee. The depu-
tation was introduced by Earl Beauchamp, and was accom-
panies! by Mr. Ricardo, M.P., Mr. Cowan, r.
Wakley, Dr. Barns., Dr.:Cormack, and Dr. ark.
Lord AHEM/SRN having expressed his desire to hear the
views of the gentlemen present explained,
Sir CRAHLZS HASTINGS read the following statement :
"My Lord,—We appear before you as the representatives
' of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, a so-
ciety consisting of nearly 2,000 members, and instituted
for the advancement of medical science. The members are
chiefly physicians and surgeons residing in the proviuces
and in Scotland. The society has been more than twenty
years in existence, and has regularly published transactions,
and has maintained a journal for the dissemination of Its
views.

We have had forced on our attention the incongruous
and confused state of the profession, which presents a great
obstacle to the advancement of medical science.

" There are no lees than nineteen different sources from
which licences to practice can be d ' d, and hence arises
an utter went of uniformity in profeasional qualification.
" This evil the society have ststdily endeavoured to
remedy, and they have fur 20 years been engaged in the en-
deavour to improve the organisation of the profession.
" They early established certain principles which should
guide them in their attempts ; these were
" Uniformity of qualification,
" Equal right to practise throughout her Majesty's domi-
nions, and the establishment of the representative system
in the formation of the governing bodies. These views bare
been repeatedly brought forward in petitions to parlia-
ment, in memorials to government, and in public dis-
cussions.

" Sir G. Grey encouraged us with the hope that if any
mearure should be brought forward in which there was a
concurrence of sentiment, government might be induced to
lend maistenee. _ _

" This induced the association, with the assistance of a
barrister, Mr. Hastings, to frame a bill embodying the
principles which they. have so long advocated.
" This bill hasrecetved an unparalleled amount of suppnrt
front the profession both in England and Scotland, and we
are able to speak of it as one which embodies, on the
whole, the views of the association, end of the profession at
large. At the same time we shell be ready to concur in
any alterations that the government may think fit to intro-
duee into it, provided they are in harmony with the prin-
ciples of the bill. With this view we requested the honour
of an interview with Lord Palmerston, and on that occa-
sion the committee of the association, accompanied by the
presidents of the Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons of
Edinburgh, and by more than fifty members of the House
of Commons, presented the bill to his lordship. Since that
date we have received a letter from the Home•office, stating
his lordship's hope that a measure of medical reform may
be introduced into parliament this 'mien, and we believe
that his lordship approves of the object of the present
deputation.
"The bill contemplates the appointment of a council to re-
gulate the education of the profession, a board of examiners
before whom every candidate for practice will bass to ap-
pear, and a system of registration which will embrace all
qualified practitioners.
" We now, therefore, my lord, come to submit the bill to
your lordship, al the First Minister of the Crown, ea one
eminently calculated to promote the welfare of the pro-
fession, and of the public at tarp. We earnestly request
your lordship to enable it to pass into law during this
session of parliament, in order to stop the agitation which
will otherwise assuredly coaticue.
" We implore your lordship to put an end to the evils
which must result, as ever reflecting mind sea perceive,
frogs the present order of things, and to place the medical
hi • Ifteillan, not only worthy of own character,
CtlrerMiallated OD noble it to confer the greatest possible
amount of benefit as lite Community at large.
" We bare, in condueion to request your lordship that
before the government introduce a measure of medial re-
form into parliament, they will previously allow the com-
mittee, through their secretary, Mr. Hastings, an oppor-
aity to consider the bill."
Mr. WARMLY wished to impress on Lord Aberdeen that
the present moment was most favourable for the object
which the deputation bad in view, and that if the govern-
ment would now take up the measure its success was cer-
tain. lie had been labouring for thirty years in the cause
of medical reform, and he had never seen anytbirg ap-
proaching the preseut unanimity. There might be a diffi-
culty in passing the bill through the House of Commons at
this moment, burdened as it was with usiness ; but he
trusted that Lord Aberdeen would introduce it into the
House of Lords, it being a question eminently fitted for
their consideration._ _ _ .

Mr. COWAN, M.P. for Edinburgh, expressed the strong
feeling which bis constituents entertained in regard to me-
dical rt form, and the warm support which they gate to the

bill of the iiimei 'aim.

Mr. IS CNNELEY and that the medical profession were
especially anxious fur a system of registration which might
distinguish qualified practitioners from such men as those
who had he roc, ntly figuring in police reports, and who
east a slur on a profession to which they did not really
belong. _ _ _

Lord AAZIWEEN said that he fully appreciated the im-
portance of the association and the objeets which they
had at present in view. Ile should be most happy to alf ird
them every facility in his power, and, unless seine unfore-
seen obstacles should arise, lie hoped to be able to carry out
their wish('
ihe deputation, after thanking his lordship, then with-
drew.