The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-19
ALABAMA MEDICAL
COLLEGE UP TO DATE
DR.. Sanders Replies to Crit
cisms of Flexner
GREAT INJUSTICE DONE
stitution at Mobile Is Abreast
With the Best Thought of
the Day

|
review of the criticism of Abraham FleX-
ner of the Carnegie Foundation, DR.. w. H.
Sanders state health officer, denies that
the Alabama Medical college at Mobile Is
antiquated or behind the time, but, on
the other hand it is abreast of the best
thought of the day. He says:
The publication of the report of Abra-
ham Flexner, representing the Carnegie
Foundation on Medical Education in the
United States and Canada, has I'M
doubtedly created sensation. While in
justice may have been done some col
eges, much good will result from the
publication of the report
THAT there are too many medical col
eges in this country and that some of
them are not equipped as they should be,
cannot be denied
| Evidently the first step to take to-
ward remedying these evils is to recog-
nize and to proclaim them. This Mr.
Flexner has done with reasonable full
ness and correctness, at least that sort of
credit will be accorded his report. But,
when a man is dominated by a deep de-
sire to lead in a much needed reforma-
tory movement his enthusiasm is liable
to result In more intense statement Of
some of the evils he seeks to cure than
is entirely just and fair.
For instance, when Mr.. F'lexner finds
too many medical colleges in given
territory, naturally he desires to see some
| of them closed, or several of them
amalgamated into one college. Under
these circumstances he is liable, as any
other man would be, to unconsciously
minimize the equipment and work of some
of the supernumerary colleges. 1t is be-
leved that it can be justly claimed he
has done this with respect to Alabama
colleges. Unquestionably one medical
school In this state would supply all
needs for medical education, but as there
are two both must continue to exist or
some amicable ard just way must be
found to diminish the number. Which of
these alternatives will be adopted, If
either must be relegated to the future.
Possibly the bold way in which Mr.. Flex-
ner has emphasized the existence of too
many medical colleges in the country may
accelerate the solution of the problem so
| far as Alabama is concerned. The pro-
| fession and the people of Alabama will
no doubt agree with Mr. Flexner that
the standard of medical education should
be elevated, and further that one of the
ways to secure such result would be to
diminish the number of colleges.
Meets Criticism
Having conceded this much to the
| -
port, I claim the privilege of meeting
some of his criticisms directed against the
college located at Mobile, 1t being the
| medical department of the university Of
| the state.
My claim to speak for this institution
| is based upon the fact of having held for
the past 80 years an official position in
it's faculty The co!legs was established
in 1859, and although chartered as med
ical department of the university that
connection was not made prominent until
10 or u years ago. The last legislature
made the connection closer than before,
and now the legal relations between the
two institutions are as close as they
could be were both occupying the same
grounds.
ITO the medical department at Mobile
belongs a history anti attaches senti-
ment that the people of Alabama should
understand and properly estimate.
Josiah c. Mott, one of the most prom
inent and learned physicians of the south
in his time. was the leading spirit in
founding and equipping the college. Be-
sides being learned physician and sur
geon he was an ethnologist and an
Psychologist of world wide fame. In con-
junction with Gliddon he published a
work on Types of Mankind that was ac-
cepted throughout the world as very
high authority on the subject of which it
treated. Closely associated with Mott in
founding the college were Anderson,
Ketchum, Ross Heustis, Gordon, Miller
Owen and others, than whom no men
ever enjoyed higher local or state reputa-
tions
1.-THE people of Mobile, as a mark OF
their confidence in, and esteem for, their
medical men just named. generously con-
tributed more than $4,000 toward the
building and equipment of the institu-
ton. Mobile. therefore, possesses SEN
timental interest in the college which
should never be disregarded or over
looked. 1t did not begin its career by
occupying cramped quarters and by pos