The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-12-22

immediate instructors; and who are
constantly endeavOring TO add to the
number OF prescribed studies and length
en- the periods which must be spent in the
professional school. Although the State
insists that no one shall be allowed to
practise medicine unless he has pursued
his studies at a professional school, IL
refuses to recognize the certificate Of his
instructors there that he has passed the
examinations requir d for graduation
az sufficient evidence Of his competency
to practise; but insists further that he
shall pass another examination by a
State board OF examiners consisting Of
doctors appointed by the Regents. In
our W State" says DIR. TUCKER, "this
board il so constituted that although
rs per cent. of the physicians in the State
are regulars they are represented by
but four members upon q board Of nine.
In many OF our States men Of only aver
age ability and capacity are drawing
salaries and exercising a little brief ALL
thority under the laws in places often
secured through political influence. What
shall be thought Of a proposal to place the
medical schools Of this country under
their absolute cOntrOl?"
That the right TO practise medicine
should be regulated by law, or that the
State should see to il that those permitted
to practise medicine possess the requis-
lite character and qualifications so far as
these are readily ascertainable. we do
not for one moment dispute. On the
other hand. however, we think that the
medical schools should be entrusted not
only with the education OF intending
practitioners Of medicine, but with the
duty Of finding out whether their stud
ents are competent 20 practise and the
responsibility Of finally deciding that
question. In other words, graduation
at a medical school within this State,
which school is approved by the Regents,
should carry with it the right to practise
medicine in this State. No further or
other examination should be required.
II a given institution Of learning can be
trusted TO educate a medical student il
can be trusted TO ascertain what are the
results Of his study there and to certify
the truth in that respect. Let the Re-
gents take all the care they like that is,
exercise every possible p%recautiOn in
determining what institutions thus 10
trust; but do not continue the absurd
eXaction and unnecessary burden in
volved in compelling the student TO pass
"A second examination by a State board.
Even with this change here liz still a
danger TO be apprehended in the direc-
ton OF increasing the obstacles to entry
into the medical profession. There are
educational enthusiasts who contend,
that the prescribed course Of instruction
in medicine should be heightened by one
year, so "A TO make il five years in all.
We have seen q statement that this has
already been done at McGil University
in Canada. The Regents in this State
might, under the change which we have
suggested. refuse to approve any medi-
cal school whose curse was less than
five years. We hope and believe, how
ever, that the conservative judgment
and good sense OF the medical profession
at large will in any event prevent a five
years course OF study from being re-
Quired as a condition precedent to prac-
tice. IL may be admitted that neitherin
five years nor in ten years, for that mat
| ter, can a modern doctor learn all that it
IL desirable for him TO know; but he can
! get at the essentials in the four wears
! now prescribed. With these in mind ne
ought TO be allowed to begin practice;
and as to his more fortunate brethren,
who have more time and money at their
disposal, they can continue their studies,
without let or hindrance, az long as their
time and o hold out.