A corrected report of the speeches delivered by Mr. Lawrence, as chairman, at two meetings of members of the Royal College of Surgeons, held at the Freemasons' Tavern : With an appendix, containing the resolutions agreed to at the first meeting, and some illustrative documents.

  • Sir William Lawrence, 1st Baronet
Date:
1826
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A corrected report of the speeches delivered by Mr. Lawrence, as chairman, at two meetings of members of the Royal College of Surgeons, held at the Freemasons' Tavern : With an appendix, containing the resolutions agreed to at the first meeting, and some illustrative documents. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

    140/152 (page 126)
    during the last twenty-six years, (1). For this modest assumption, no other proof is offered, than their own assertion. They advert, however, to the “ more extended education,” which they have progressively required of candidates for the diploma; which “ mainly” contri- buted to the advancement of surgery. It will be seen, by reference to the table, (Appendix, No. 18), that the course of study required by the College, and the exami- nations instituted by them, are much more confined than in any of the various instances comprised in that compa- rative view; they appear very defective, even in com- parison with the necessary qualifications for the lowest rank in the military and naval medical service, and with those required of persons intending to practise as apo- thecaries. (See the Comparative View ; p. 89.) What can have been that original education, in comparison with which the council describe the present narrow and defective system as “ more extended,” speaking of it as an improvement attained by the several steps of a slow progression? Lastly, “ the council believe that not any persons, except the Court of Examiners [that is, themselves under another name] are able to judge cor- rectly “ respecting the fitness or unfitness of those who undertake to teach anatomy and surgery,” (5). Here again we have simple assertion, the point being appa- rently considered so clear as not to require proof or il- lustration. (2, 3) The council indirectly admit that examinations, at a former period, were not conducted in “ an ample or satisfactory manner,” and state that this important duty is now more carefully executed. This admission, which is creditable to the College, must be satisfactory to the public, as acknowledgment of error is the first step to- wards improvement. It will be readily granted that