Proposed medical statute / John W. Ogle.

  • John Ogle
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Proposed medical statute / John W. Ogle. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    including Mr. (Lesah Hawkins. Of the above, several gave their opinions to Dr. Mon no, at the same time as to myself. Two only, out of a vast number whom I have consulted, thought, that the attainment of the 21.D. degree should depend on the Dissertation being worthy, by originality, of being published, and they were Dr. Watson, and Dr. Hawkins. Doth of them, however, con- sidered, as did Dr. Sievkking and Dr. Beale, that the decision ol its merits, should by no means be left to a single individual. Dr. Latham, whose letter was read in Congregation, told us that in his opinion, that the Dissertation of all presenting themselves for the Doctorate, should in every case be published; but that the degree should not depend on the Dissertation, in any way whatever. Both Dr. Watson and Dr. Latham distinctly said, that in sending the letters which they wrote, approving the Statute, the) had by no means contemplated, that the decision of the merits ui the Dissertation should remain in the hands of one person. I would then strongly urge upon Congregation, before votina. to take into consideration, the wishes and feelings of that portion of our graduates, the large bulk outside of Oxford, for whom it is legislating, and by no means to apply the powerful test con- templated for the M.D. degree. I would, by all means, have it expected, that candidates 1 r the M.D. degree, should strive to produce original work wortty of publication, and of being sent forth by the University, as part of her labours. This should be invited, and those will very gladly produce it who are able. Render the two M.B. exami- nations, required when license to practice is given, much more difficult than those of any other University; fence the degree round with every rightful difficulty, but by no means exclude from the degree, all, who from circumstances, cannot rise to an essay of originality and high standard, but who, after hard testing at the M.B. examination, have already received the approbation of the Academic body. But in whatever way this may be adjudicated, I feel quite as- sured, that in future, the profession will not like the thought, that the M.D. degree and its privileges are to be dependent on the dictum of one person. The obvious plan to be pursued, is to rest the application of the test for an M.D. degree (whether severe or not), in the same hands as that for the M.B. degree. i.e., in the hands of the Regius Professor, conjoiutly with two JLD.’s appointed by Convocation, who, if it be really worthy, will require its publication. In conclusion, I cannot help stating, that 1 fear I may hu\e written too freely—certainly at greater length than I purposed. The only excuse I can give, is the interest which is shown now in London about this Statute, and the fact, that I felt somewhat called upon, from the circumstance that I was associated last year in conducting the examinations for the Medical Degree, to biing forward the views which are, I believe, held by the profession generally. I beg to remain, dear Dr. Acland, Tours verv sincerely, JOHN W. OGLE, M.D.
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