Correspondence and statements regarding the teaching of clinical medicine in the University of Edinburgh, 1855-1857 : with a sequel / by T. Laycock.
- Thomas Laycock
- Date:
- 1857
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Correspondence and statements regarding the teaching of clinical medicine in the University of Edinburgh, 1855-1857 : with a sequel / by T. Laycock. Source: Wellcome Collection.
40/70 page 40
![Dr. Bennett, describing the last two years as ‘‘the exceptional and short period during which a novel plan was in operation,” also refers to the customary rotation which prevailed previously to that period^ and states that, “ in deference” to the resolution of the Patrons— “ I have been obliged to supersede Dr. Laycock, who, without any autho¬ rity than that given to him by the arbitration, which he proposed, agreed to, and then denied, had already commenced the course. Perhaps the Pa¬ trons did not intend this ; but it is right to state, that the customary rota¬ tion of Clinical Teaching, I have previously stated, has been declared by the Medical Faculty [^.e,, by Dr. Christison], at its meeting of the 7th November, to be the correct one ; and on inquiry will be found to be so.” 1. Probably the Patrons will, in the interests of truth, make the inquiry which Dr. Bennett invites, and ascertain what is the real share the “ Medical Faculty” took in concocting that extraordinary docu¬ ment. In the meanwhile (as the claim of seniority here set up has been already disposed of), it will be interesting to determine why Dr, Christison goes back to distant periods of teaching, when, for the pur¬ poses of simple equity and good faith, the rotation of service settled and agreed to by the Professors themselves, whose duty it is to lecture^ sliould be held to be the customary rotation ? Is it really so difficult to be fair in the division of service and fees ? The reason, when examined, is of a character which, in the judgment of any honest man, must surely render it inadmissible. It is, as given by Dr. Christison, the following :— “ Being unable to deduce any customary rotation from the varying ar¬ rangements of the last two years, they recommend that the most recent, and only other ‘ customary rotation,’ be followed ; and, therefore, that Dr. Bennett should singly deliver the lectures,” &c. [as above.] Compared with the facts, the meaning of this statement is, that Dr. Christison, on January 1st, 1856, having laid down a system of rotation of service, according to the “ old rule,” with the object of equally dividing the service and the fees^ and having continually varied it, in conjunction with his colleague Dr. Bennett, he has at last got confused ; while to Dr. Bennett it has appeared “ novel and excep¬ tional.” Dr. Christison has been a principal party to the following changes in that rotation:—(1.) In September 1856, Dr. Christison privately arranges with Dr. Bennett, to transfer to Dr. Bennett the positive right to open the ensuing Winter Session, acquired^ as he alleged^ in virtue of that system so laid down^ when, in fact, the right fell to me as the next in rotation. (Letters 6, 7, 10). (2.) On April 6, 1857, he (Dr. Christison) arranges, in concurrence with Dr. Bennett, that Dr. Bennett and 1 are to lake the summer trimestre alternatelv.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30563240_0040.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
