The medical profession.

  • Rivington, Walter, 1835-1897
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The medical profession. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    their studies at the medical schools. The College was not in want of funds, and did not throw open the licence for money. The pecuniary success of the step was very striking. The licence conferred no right to the title of Doctor; the title of Doctor was added to the visiting card of successful candidates. Examination was not always waived; but candidates were peculiarly successful. The results gave occasion for severe animadversion on the policy of the College; and even the College recognised the impropriety of conferring medical licences without examination on candidates who had never undergone for the diplomas which they held any exami- nation in medicine, materia medica, or midwifery. In the full fruition of success the College, through its representative in the General Medical Council, gave conspicuous proof of its upright intentions by promoting the following resolution, which was carried in the Council as an amendment to one of a stronger character:— That the General Medical Council are of opinion that for the future no licence or degree should be given by any of the Bodies in schedule A. of the Medical Act without examination. In 18G8 the fellows numbered 148, 60 being on the roll of attendance; in 1878, 165, 73 on the roll. In 1868 the members numbered 40; in 1878, 133. In 1868 the licentiates numbered 2,045; in 1878, 3,778. THE KING AND QUEEN'S COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS IN IRELAND was instituted in 1667, when Charles II. granted a charter of incorporation to the president and fellows of the College of Physicians of Dublin. This charter was surrendered in December, 1692, for a new one granted by William and Mary. Some exclu- sive privileges were conferred. No person was allowed, under a penalty of £10 a month, to practise physic in Dublin or within seven miles thereof unless he was a fellow or licentiate of the College, nor could any but graduates of Oxford, Cambridge, or Dublin practise in the rest of Ireland unless licensed by the College. To the College was entrusted the entire and absolute supervision of apothecaries, surgeons, and midwives. The fellowships were limited to 14. By statute 1 Geo. III., cap. 14 (made perpetual by 30 Geo. III. [1790], cap. 45, sec. 2), commonly called Lucas' Act, the number of fellowships was made unlimited, and candidates were required to be learned and worthy doctors of physic. By statute
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