Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-04-22
MEDICAL BOARD OF EXAMINERS.


A memorial from the Medical Society of Vir-
ginia, has been laid before the General Assembly
praying the establishment OF Medical Board of
Examiners for the State. The memoriasts ask
that every individual who proposes to practice
medicine within the limits of the Commonwealth
shall be required to appear before said Board and
submit to such examination as may be necessary
to test his qualifications, and that such only be Ii
censed to practice, as it may deem entirely COM
potent. tits argued that the standard of medical
attainment in this country, at the present dav, is
deplorably low, and that Notwithstanding the i'm
provement and progress of medicine as a science,
and all the increased facilities to the student
thorough scientific knowledge is more rare now
than it was fifty years ago. This deplorable de-
generacy (say the nemorialists) is the legitimate
I fruit OF the defective system upon which the
medical schools are at present conducted. A de-
generacy which has converted the seven wears
course OF the old Edinburgh school, with its rigid
examinations, into the eight months course and no.
mlnat examinations of the present day. These
changes have taken place alone in our own coun-
try. Ihus whilst our science has been progress
sve, and the domain of medicine rapidly extend
proftably to explore this extensive field, has been
gradually narrowed down to such an extent, that
it is impossible for him to obtain anything more
than the most superficial knowledge of his profess
sion. These are facts, with which almost every
person, even out of the profession, is familiar and
we need only ask you to give this idea of master
ing the various branches of medicine within the
short space OF eight months, but moments re-
Election, in order that you may see its complete
absurdity. Now, to whom does blame attach it.
self IN this matter, lift does not those who have
assumed the teaching and licensing power! Me-
dlclne' unlike the law, with which, in point of
Importance to the community at large it will GER
talnly compare most faVorably,) has been thrown
completely beyond the range of Legislative super
vision. 1t has been entirely abandoned to the man
agement lin very many instances) of INSCRIPTIONS
adventures, who, either actuated by motives If
gain, or reduced to the necessity by the springing
up OF rival adventures, have converted our high
and honorable calling to a mere trade. And it
wouldreally seem, that the great desideratum with
tie student now is, to select the school in which
he can be taught in the shortest time, how TO car
~ on his trade with the smallest amount of capi
tai
The memorialists aver that the remedy for this
great and growing evil, has been found to be be-
yond the control of the medical profession. and
they therefore citlegslative interpositop in the
matter. They think that the organization of
State Board of Medical Examiners. framed after
the model of the Z. S. Navy and Army Boards
would exercise most saluta1y effect in eleyating
the standard of Medical Education and putting
down quackery. The examinations Instituted
they say for the purpose of testing the oualiGca
tions of candidates for Army and Navy Surgeons
have been such, to secure for that service. the
most accomplished men, and the very flower of
our profession. A similar system, and nothing
else but similar SYSTEM will make the medical
profession of our own State what it should be. 1t
is significant fact and one that deserves your spe
cia attention. in considering this subject, that not
five in fifty, who come fresh from the gradua-
ting class of a Medical College, are prepared to
pass the Army and Navy examinations. And yet
these very men, whose education is so materially
deficient, to justify their exclusion from the
medical staff Of the Army and Navy, are recon-
mended to the confidence of the community, as
entirely competent to enter upon the responsible
duties OF their profession.
We have not space at present for further ex-
tracts and must therefore, content ourselves with
the foregoing imperfect presentation of the views
Of the petitioners. The subject is one of unques-
tionabe importance, and is Justly entitled to the
consideration Of our legislators. The memorial
lists are undoubtedly correct in saying that the
standard of Medical Education in Virginia, is
tirely too low and that the profession brought in
to disrepute by the quacks, imposters and igno-
ramuses who undertake to discharge its Duties
These gentry abound in every portion of the
State. aud their expulsion from the temple of
Eseulapius is a contamination most devoutly tobe
wished.
The plan proposed by the Medical Society has