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.
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![SEQUEL, The Medical Faculty,* having carried on the business in spite of all protest, found themselves, on receipt of the Deliverance of the Patrons, in a difficulty with the Managers of the Royal Infirmary, who had already complied with their request to allocate the wards in execution of the scheme of division of the Chair, and who now desired to know on what footing the Clinical course in the Infirmary was to be conducted by the University Professors for the future. On 12th November, the Medical Faculty (on the proposition of Dr. Christison) resolved to ask the Managers to let the new arrangements for the University clinic stand for a few days, until the differences which had arisen should “ be settled by the Town Council [the Patrons of the University], who alone had the power to do so now.” They resolved, at the same time, to request a conference with the College Committee of the Patrons “ in regard to the course of lectures on clinical medicine.” This Conference was held on Saturday, 28th November, in the Patrons’ room at the College, and lasted from one o’clock to four. The College Committee inquired very patiently into the facts of the case; and having heard a preliminary statement from Dr. Christison, and then further statements from Drs. Bennett, Simpson, and Laycock, they proceeded to the consideration of their report, so as to be ready for the consideration of the Town Council at its meeting of Tuesday, 1st December. On the morning of that day, however, to the surprise of every one, letters reached the Council from three of the Professors principally concerned, viz., Professors Christison, Syme, and Bennett, containing such strong allegations, that it was thought necessary to hold another conference with the Medical Faculty, which was accor¬ dingly fixed for the next day (Wednesday, 2d December), and the * It is right to state here, in reference to the phrase Medical Faculty, that the only Professor’s constantly present at the meetings at which the business of Clinical teaching was discussed, were Professors Christison, Syme, Bennett, Simpson, and Balfour (the Dean or Secretary). Dr. Simpson was usually a dissident. Occasionally, one or two of the other Professors attended, but took little or no part in the business. It was there¬ fore tnrly, as well as wittily, said by one of the latter to the College Committee of the Town-Council, that “ the Medical Faculty ” consisted of the seven absent members.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30563240_0054.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
