New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-21
ururctL TRlfNTNG ~ NEWYORK.

u l
The standard Of medical education in this State
f. Threatened with II serious danger. Through
series If wears it has been the aim of the Regents
Of the University in cooperation with the ieau'
,r, nhvsici,us 10 prevent the medical degree
from being conferred In Ncw-l ork on any Out
mon ~ high character and attainmentS. Their
task has not been easy incompetent persons
s,,l, ~ cain admission 10 every profession. AMI
schools are always to be- found Wiling 10 iur'n''
tb.ir designs Every effort 10 sift more care
fully applications for permission 10 pra'''Se
medicine has been ~rcnuously resisted. but iinal-
~ the requirements for degrees have neeh hi'"'
uniform and sufficiently strict 10 guarantee the
,tncss Of the recipients for their work IL APP
nears however. that these regulations alcct III
uriously the interests OF some students. VINO De-
Ucve themselves none the less competent i"r
.,onerol practicc because they cannot technically
comply with the law. and of some teachers VINO
heIiry. they can educate physicians as good rs
ony on somewhat easier terms than the statute
uermits Accordingly. there Is now biIl before
the LEGISLATURE, introduced by Mr.. Stanchhed,
,,,rrinp thc requirements for medical examina-
tons
Al the hearing before the judiciary Commit
tee Of the Assembly leading doctors from AL
uarts of the State and representatives from many
Of the medical colleges presented weighty obJec-
tions 10 the Stanchhed bill. and the state Mcd
cal Society through its Committee on Iegisia-
tiou sent "A protest. 1t was urged that there
vould be little objection 10 the four-year course
nronosed If the enactment did not carry with 1t
tho nraclcal repeal Of present safeguards for the
pro,,ctor OF people from improper treatment
,nd oncn the door 70 abuses and the chcapcnnS
If the medical degree. The examinations under
,ho nrcsent law are denounced rs arbitrary" by
those who favor the Stanchfield BILL but arbi-
,r,rv requirements in such case are surely
nrcfcroblc 10 loose ones. The proposed measure
orders examinations for matrcilaton in medical
colleges and certain studies are named as essen
,,oI Int no standard Of perfection is prescribed,
and every medical school is left free to maricu-
late students on Its own terms so long rs II goes
through the form Of examination. Exemption Is
also allowed To graduates or matrlculatcS OF
"rcmtablc colleges. or high schools of the first
Grade" leaving it to the examining officer to de-
tormine for himself what colleges and schools
r. .renutable" The safeguards as TO age, char
actor and satisfactory instruction left out Of
rho law and medical school which so conducts
itself as TO retain It's charter can graduate stu
dents without making them conform to any
.,e,.raI standard of excellence Moreover. the
hin is SO drawn that students have year in
which to matrlculatc under the present law, and
fins secure exemption from the necessity OF
studying four years, and afterward may take
advantage Of the want Of restrictions in the
substitute measure against the invasion of the
ranks of the medical profession by men of bad
character and inadequate preparation.
The general welfare demands that no person
shall be Intristed with the health and lives OF
others who has not proved under the most rigid
scrutiny his competence for the task and the
GOOD faith in which he will perform It, The
practitioner must keep pace with the progress
OF science and the medical degree must year by
year come to stand for greater knowledge and
ability. To secure this severe rules must be en-
forced on all Doubtless such rules cause hard
shin in some cases and keep out Of the profession
individuals who might practise II worhy The
honesty and ability Of the management Of partc-
Mar schools which might desire larger liberty
that there are unprnciplcd persons ever ready
TO take advantage Of n loophole In the law, and,
while those who now favor the Stanchfed bill
might conduct themselves under it with perfect
propriety. there Is no guarantee that others might
not abuse the opportunities 1t would give them
The fact that students find it easier to get diplo
mas in other States Is no valid ground for max
Ing degrees cheap here The first duty Of the