The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-26
ovER-pRoDucrIoN or DocToRs.

the ONCE holder and the taS-payeF.
-------------
OyER-PRODUCTION OF DOCTORS.
Abraham Flexner has been making a
thorough study of the medical insutu-
lions in this country for the Carnegie
Foundation, which, we are Informed.
has undertaken the gigantic task OF
reconstructing the educational systems
of the United States and Canada 1t
has no authority really for it's ''perni-
cious activity" and it has on OCCASION
we believe. condemned worthy institu-
lions which have been doing fairly
good work. The present report deals
exclusively with the medical institu-
tions of the country, large number
of which it condemns. in the language
of the New York Times, as factories
for the making of ignorant doctors
| Mr. Flexner's report fills volume OF
3i6 pages, in which he reviews first Of
all the history of medicine in this
country, and then devotes his eminent
| talents to the discussion OF such sub
| jects as the proper basis of medical
education. the actual basis of medical
education. the course of study. the
financial aspects of medical education,
the medical sects, the post graduate
| school. the State Board. the medical
education of women and the medical
education of the negro
The second part of his report is de-
voted to the consideration of the med
zeal schools in each State of this coun-
try and in the Provinces of Canada.
others. that in Alabama. with a popu-
lation of 2.112,465 and 22S7 doctors,
there are two medical schools with low
entrance standards. Inadequate equip
ment and insufficient financial re-
sources, which facts. If they be facts,
have led him to the conclusion that
| real satisfactory medical education is
not now TO be had in Alabama"
| In Arkansas. with population Of
l476,5S2 and 1885 physicians. there are
also two medical schools. both of which
are local institutions. "in State that
has at this date three times as many
doctors as it needs" and neither of
the schools has single redeeming
| feature"
| California has four times as many
medical men as it needs or can properly
support, and IF laws were enacted to
close schools flagrantly detective. seven
of the ten medical institutions In that
State would be wiped out at once"
Colorado is overloaded with doctors
One of the medical schools in the Dis
trct of Columbia .'has an assured flu
ture": the other two are not worth
mentioning.
GaSrgia has five medical schools and
2,0S7 doctors in a population of 2,557.-
412, Mr.. FleXner thinks that two OF
these schools should be suppressed, one
cut adrift to perish by itself. and the
remaining two consolidated"
In the opinion of Mr.. FleNner, "the
city OF Chicago is, in respect to mod
country
None Of the four medical schools o.
Iowa. with 1924 doctors in popula
ton of 2.l92,60S. is satisfactory While
zone of them is disgrace to the Stat'
and should be summary suppressed.
One OF the schools in Louisiana !
described as one of the very few eN
/ listing Southern schools that deserN
development. while another is Spoken
4 of.as hopeless affair.
/ North; Carolina has four medlca
schools, and about 1890 doctors 70
.L2,142,0S4 population. One of thes
schools is called Thoroughly wretch
ed while two are capable of dolni
acceptable work. The fourth is phi
4 lanthropic. enterprise in the shape o
colored school
4 South Carolina has one. medica
A school and 1.141 doctors to 1.510.56
i population. and shis school receives lit
lie of either praise or blame from tn
investigator.
Tennessee is said to protect NOR
!, low grade medical schools than an
| other Southern State
r Il no 30 r I u