Suggestions for the consideration of the College Committee of the ... town-council, concerning the medical curriculum of the University of Edinburgh, &c. / [by James Sanders].

Date:
[1833]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Suggestions for the consideration of the College Committee of the ... town-council, concerning the medical curriculum of the University of Edinburgh, &c. / [by James Sanders]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    toilsome investigations which he must now undertake to fit himself for the important duties of his professional life. Among the scientific entertainments recommended as the best prelude to serious study, were enumerated Chemistry and Botany ; these must be reintroduced, because, besides their bearing upon the philosophy of medicine, they exhibit the very elements and primary conditions of the articles of the Materia Medica, and teach the processes by which they are procured, combined, prepared, and adapted to prescrip- tion. Chemistry and Botany therefore have very properly received the rank of imperative classes. Here is completed the range of acquisition which the ful- filment of the intention of the art of medicine dictates, which must be divided so, that each part may be easily taught, and still preserve its proper relation to the whole; and these parts will constitute the course of medical studies called by schoolmen Curriculum Studiorum. When a tyro enters upon his Curriculum, let nothing that is but remotely connected, or merely ornamental, distract him ; for it is expected that by its termination he will be able to take charge of health and life. To this end all his time must be devoted—all the faculties of his soul concentrated—all his habits of thought and action formed and confirmed. Having shewn the education in kind and extent, which the medical art requires, we shall advert to that which is of equal moment, namely, the qualification of the teachers, and the means by which their energy is to be maintained, or the infirmities of humanity compensated. No man should be appointed who has not already acquired reputation ; and even of those who are rising above their contemporaries, the best should be chosen by fair and open competition, and without regard to any other consideration than the pre-eminence of the candidate.