ABDOMINAL SECTION UNDER SPINAL ANALGESIA, WITH OR WITHOUT THE AID OF GENERAL ANAESTHESIA: WITH NOTES OF SIXTY-FIVE CASES
Authors: L. McGavin
Journal: BMJ (1911)

rlEC. 23, T9i?, the duty of testing the students at their work, and by a simple arrangement a uniform standard, though not neces- sarily a stereotyped one, in the technique of medicine could be established and then maintained throughout the country.The "doctor " would receive the stamp that he possesses a sound technical training and a substantialknowledge of medicine, and I lhave no doubt be would be a better man than the one who now finds himself licensed to practise.In instituting sucll examinations certain principles uinderlying their proper conduct should be kept in view, and to iuy mind these principles are embodied in the following:1.That the examination should be a test in the work actually done by the student.2. That it should be conducted where the teachinig was undertaken.3. That the test should be applied at tlle end of each com-plete course of training. 4. That the Board of Examiners should consist of at least thlree persons-namely: (1) The teacler; (2) a represenatative of the corporation or university tlle student is attaclhed to; and (3) a representative from the General Medical Council.Tlle duties of the first two should be to conduct the examination and to award miiarks, the duty of the last to see that a due standard of proficiency in all the technical portions of the work is attainedl by each candidate.If this were done it would practically mean the establishment of a "common State qualification " having a standard in technique that must be attained by all wlho desire to enter upoln the duities of the professioll of medicinie.All would then be doctors in, the ordinary acceptance of tlle word, and a new title might be created.We should then nio longer have the L.S.A., the M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., etc., whiclh in reality miiean lnothing muclh mlore than that an examinationi was held in one part of the kingdom, another in another, a third in Scotland, and a fourth in Ireland, and so oln.Rivalry in examina- tions is not worth any trouble expended upon it, but rivalry in teaching in the different schools means every- thing to the doctors, and in the end to tlle public they will serve.I can almost hlear some of those wlho will read this cry out, "W What will become of the universities, old and new, and the royal corporations under such a scheme?" Well, I think all that need happen is that these bodies turn their attention to the fuirther encouragement of learning in all its branches, and to show their graduates that an ordinary State qualification, tlhough sufficient to give all tlle State privileges, just gives all that Which is necessary and not all that which is known and mav be desirable.By further study useful knowledge miay be gained, and I would reward men who carry their studies further by establishing degrees in the science of medicine proper, in that of surgery, in that of midwifery, and in that of hygiene.The examinations for suchi degrees would not be lhampered in any way whatsoever by the General Medical Council, for it woould lhave no business with them. CONCLUSIONS.In conclusion it may be well to collect my suggestions: 1.The General Medical Council to throw upon the medical schools the responsibility of training and certify- ing the medical student as a fit and proper person to enter a hospital for training in clinical work; the machinery for giving.such training to be under the inspection and supervision of the CoLncil, so as to ensure that each medical student is-given facilities for proper training.2. The clinical training to extend over a period of three years, and each student to be examined in the work done at the end of every complete course.3. The certificates for eachl couLrse to form the record of the student, and as soon as all certificates are duly filled the student to be entitled to State registration and to all the privileges such protection affords.4. The universities andl the royal colleges too, to encourage the best men to continue their studies andi to paroceed to examinations to tes especially the quantity and quality of their knowledge in any branch, and to grant degree.s,say, in the science of medicine, in that of surgery, of midwifery, and of hygiene, or whlatever else may be Umhought desirable.