The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-10-31
HIGHER MEDICAL EDUCATION.
Individual Ability the Key to all Sue
cess.
AMERICA THE LEADER OF MODERN MED
ICAL THOUGHT.

Al W. NooiS &c Id 1875 VI INeW OEh)
writes 70 the New York World in an
swer to recent article in that paper
on the "Higher Medical Culture. -
The writer of the article referred to
reioices that way of escape from
many Of the evils now besctting the
medical profession has been opened
to the profession and the general
public by the recent action of the
University of Pennsylvania. DR..
Bayles concludes his response as
fellows:
In this country the diffusion of in
selligence has become remarkable.
and the keen wit of the masses is
not at fault in estimating their lead
ers and standard bearers at their Just
worth. If the world were still plum
ged in medieval darkness there
would be no justice in any assump
ton of Fl superficial medical eurrica
Ium being tolerabIe evil, for at best
1t would be cruel imposition upon
the people, and at the worst re-
morseiess scourge of the class who
sicken. At present, and in this ia.
voied land, it is not 80. The people
have eyes and ears and very acute
sense altogether. The article to
which this is a reply speaks dispar-
s9ingly Of the facilities for obtain.
ing a medical education in this coun-
try. Ii says, near the opening of the
article, and referring to an educa-
tional experiment and its present
tendencies, an experiment which
aims in that direction should excite
attention and approval through the
whole United States, where the facil-
tiles Tor acquiring medical knowl
edge are so few and those for obtain
ing licenses to murder are so MANY.
l. think it is safe to conclude that the
writer of that passage is rot physi-
clan. He speaks without knowledge
of the faciliyies that are here afford
ed for as sound and thorough a med
ical education as the progress of
medical science and art is anywhere
able TO afford. In many respects, in
and theoretical medicine, and
in operative and mechanical surgery,
America is leading modern thought
and teaching the world. Ninety
nine out of hundred physicians
would never think Of denying this
fact, and they we'll know upon what
such declaration is founded. So
true is this that | am willing to aver
on what l regard as sufficient
grounds that if a person with we'll
ordered intellect, with studious ap
plication, reasonable correctness of
observation and tact or presence of
common sense (that is so useful in
any sphere or circumstance Of life, J
should undertake to study medicine
outside of the schools, solely by
means of text books, general medi-
cal literature, charts, instruments,
clinical observation, etc., he could
acquire as sound, practical and relia.
BILE medical education, and just as
serviceable TO mankind, should he
expend his knowledge and sagacity
upon his fellow men, as those who
are regularly passed through the
chartered medical schools. There
would be difficulties unknown to the
mass of medical students, but they
could all be overcome. Persevering
energy and a natural aptitude for the
profession would accomplish all and
far more than the schools ever have
or ever can afford. There is no gift
of the Holy Ghost (reverently be it
said J in medicine which is a reQuis-
lite, as in clerical life, to fit man
for its full acnnisifinn and thu nor