Evening star., 1932-06-07
. ERLINER TAGEBLATT-For
some time interested circles
have followed with growing con-
cern the lnDrecedented trend

~ ERLINER TAGEBLATT.-For
- some time interested circles
have followed with growing con-
IL cern the unprecedented trend
toward the universities. In the
natural sciences and in medicine par
ticularly. rather Objectionable conditions
have developed. In some schools, the
laboratories and clinics can scarcely
hold the students who desire to enter
them. For certain courses. no seating
accommodations are available at ell.
Study Of these conditions has now
led to proposals which merit equally
serious attention. So far, most OF the
suggestions adduced have been confined
to the medical departments, but it is
not likely they will long limit them
selves to this one field.
The remedial measures recommended
would consist in the practice of the
theory Of the ''numerus clauSus," which
is merely the universal Latin term for
an arbitrary limitation Of students to
be admitted to any one course or class.
With this end in view, the national Or
ganiZation of German medical societies
der Deutsche AerZtervereinSbund)
has demanded of the ministries and
faculties that only 1.500 students, of
whom not more than five per cent are
to be women. be admitted to exclusively
medical curricula. Just how radical
demand this constitutes is revealed
in q comparison of this figure with the
totals of 44597 men, and 20l1 women
engaged in medicine in the year 1880.
II this proposal fails of adoption be-
cause of its extreme restrictions. it will
but eXemplify, as have many previous
attempts to ameliorate the situation,
the futility OF winning assent to any
fundamental reform. Heretofore partial
solutions have been sought in raising
the requirements for admission to med
ical courses, but opinion is still divided
as to whether it would be wiser to do
this shifting in the preparatory schools
or In the universities
Prof. Steve Of the school of anatomy
IN the University Of Halle has proposed
in the Muenchener Medizinischen
Wochenschrift municipal weekly med
ical review that faculties exercise
greater strictness in the selection of
students to be retained in medical
courses during the first few semesters.
But he is opposed to the principle Of
the "numerus clausus,' and offers
some very logical and convincing objec-
tions to such a plan. And, indeed,
there is no paucity of such justifable
nissivings! According to what stand
ARDS shall eligibility to medical courses
be judged? Have not some Of the most
eminent physicians and surgeons been
considered veritable ounces in the early
stages of their training? And what OF
the man brilliant In all the letter and
theory of medical science who, despite
his knowledge, has neither the manual
skill nor the cool courage necessary for
the prosecution of his trade? Who -
to decide the contrasting merits of these
various types and characters? And
how shall the dangers of political and
denominational narrowness be met?
Controversy Is bound to crop out in the
application of any such scheme.
+
U. s. Wealthy Send
Children to Europe.
lie Petit Marseillais. Marseilles.-Since
the carrying of of the little Lndbergi1,
the infants of many prominent Ameri-
can families have been protected day
and night by armed guards. Besides
this precaution. any number of nurseries
have been equipped With alarm signals