Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-08
The Medical Examining Board.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
In view of the fact that the students
of the Medical College OF Virginia have
presented a petition to the Legislature
asking 10 be exempted from appearing
before the State Board Of Medical tx
aminers for examination, and that some
of our physicians seem to have an lde@
that We fear this examination, 1 beg that
Won will allow me the use OF the columns
of the Dispatch to present, as we think,
good reasons for asking tor exemption
We do not fear an examination before
thoroughly conservative board and be-
fore experienced examiners, but we do
think that we are doing ourselves an IN
Justice by appearing before 4 board OF
mere amateur examiners, who ask ques-
tions AS ridiculous and nonsensical as the
answers given by some Of the applicants
10 these questions. Graduates whom l.
know to be in every way capable OF pass
ipg any reasonable examination were re-
iected by this board last April for the
simple reason that they were not rapid
penmen and could not finish their exam
nations in the three hours allotted to
each branch. Every physician knows
that a student cannot do himself justice
on apy one branch OF medicine II the
short space of three hours. We cannot 90
ourselves Justice before board that re-
iects and disputes standard medical au-
thorities A. not worth quoting and resur-
reefs and brushes the dust from obsolete
volumes in order TO verify assertions
made by its members. In every court
of Justice in this country we can appeal
10 a higher court if the decision render
ed by the lower is considered unjust,
but the decision OF the State Board ls
final. We can take no appeal, but must
meekly and submissiyely accept its de-
cision, and be pointed out forever after
as the fellow who was rejected by the
board. Our student gains his diploma
by constant and unceasing study, and
when he receives it he looksupon 1t as our
people alter the war looked upon al old
Confederate bill
"Representin: nothing on Gods earth now"
II is worthless and useless to him, for it
certifies nothing. He may hang 1t upon
the wall of his Office; bat even there 1t
is worthless, for 1t docs not enhance the
beauty Of his surroundings as much as
would the cheap chrome that IS given
us with every pound OF tea that We pur-
chase. Who can say positively that
the gentlemen who compose the
state Board Of Medical Examiners
are competent to examine us? In all
probability it will be said that the
regulations OF these gentlemen speak for
them, but we all know that many a
prominent physician owes an excellent
reputation aud lucrative practice to his
suave tongue and polished address. We
all know that the polite VI. ID. will KISS
the babies and fatter the ladies with an
assiduity that will eventually bring lts
reward and make the children cry toI
him and the ladies swear by him. We
cannot settle down peacefully and quiet
ly (as did the members oil the State
Board when they graduated) tc
earn our bread and contribute some
thing towards the support OF the
folks at home but, like little Joe II
Bleak House, we are commanded d
every turn to "moye on with a grutf'
ness that is anything but pleasant