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UNIVERSITY DIPLOMA.—APOTHECARIES’HALL.

To the Editor of THE LANCET. jSIR,—As the commencement of another

medical campaign approaches, every mem.ber of the medical profession who possesses Ithe proper feelings of ardour in its pursuit,and interest in its welfare, must look to thenumerous sources established for the dif-fusion of knowledge with the utmost

anxiety, to ascertain the degree of improve-ment in the method, or extension in thematter, of the various subjects proposed bythe professors in their different announce-ments.

The University of London has not beenbehind-hand in publishing its detail of the

intelligence to be acquired within its walls ;but notwithstanding the reduction the di-rectors have made in the fees of admissionfor pupils, which clearly indicates the con-viction they feel of having on former oc-casions overrated the value of their es-

tablishment as a seat of medical learning,they have introduced into their paper an ar-rogant appeal, of such a self-important andcharlatanical nature, that while it musttend to place the judgment of the manage-ment in a very questionable position, provestheir want of correct information on the

subject on which they have chosen tohazard opinions, and offer suggestions.

In this age of refinement and extension ofliterature, in which distinctions of learningare sought for with avidity, there will befound a large proportion of individualsanxious to possess the M. Med. et Chir.U. L. so temptingly displayed in the pro-spectus of the University ; but the intrinsicvalue of these empty, unauthorized, and

presuming titles must still be left to theappreciation of those immediately concern-ed. I trust and believe, the professionpossesses too much intellect to allow the

younger aspirants to become the dupes ofthe machinations of their vaunted sagacity.

I presume it is fair to infer, that the

quotations from " the report of the Facultyof Medicine" would not on this occasionhave been promulgated in the Universityadvertisement, had not the managers en-

tertained the views therein contained ;therefore they must hold themselves amena-ble to observations arising from the pub-lication of opinions clothed in the authorityof their institution. After expressing theopinion, that " until the University cangive the physician’s degree, not many ofthose destined for that branch of the pro-fession can be expected to take any con-siderable part of their education in itsmedical school," it is stated-

°° Under the appellation of general prac-

titioners are included two distinct classes ofmedical men. One of them consists of

practitioners who hold a highly-respectablerank in the profession, who have devotedmuch time, tabour, and money, to their pro-fessional education ; men possessed of someattainments in the collateral sciences, andwho, practising their profession in a liberaland scientific spirit, have the highest claimto the confidence of the public. Another

class, beanng the same appellation, consistsof those who have acquired the right topractice by possessing only the minimum ofknowledge by which the license can beobtained, earned by the smallest possibleexpenditure of time and labour, and who

have consequently very imperfect profes-sional attainments."The attempt to divide the body of general

practitioners into two classes, is absurd ;and not less so is the forced distinctions onwhich this division depends ; there must inall professions be members who will attainelevated stations by the display of superioracquirements, address, or connexions ; butwhen an equal degree of study is requiredof all candidates for a certain testimonial of

competency, it is too much to bear a party,for the purpose of puffing itself and the es-tablishment to which it belongs, cuttingand dividing, and venturing opinions on themaximum or minimum of knowledge ae-quired by the possessors of a diploma, toobtain which, the legislature has requiredthrough its delegates a fixed amount of

qualifications : it is true, in medicine, as inevery other science, that while some shineas bright ornaments, others are deficient inclearness of intellect, or have been carelessof the valuable opportunities offered themof improvement; and having obtained amediocre position, are content to pass theirlives without an efrort to push on to thepost of honour: but why are the generalpractitioners alone selected for division and

subdivision on this account when the samef state of things is notoriously observable inthe higher grades of physician and con-

i suiting surgeon. .- .

Although " the public possesses so littleknowledge of the details of a medical andsurgical education," has the council of theUniversity any honourable or candid objectin view, in insinuating that the general prac-titioner is unworthy the confidence reposedin him, and that if his system of educationwere exposed, that confidence would be atau end ? Certainly not ; the only detailswith which the public are not acquainted,are of a nature little calculated to affordthem any particular degree of pleasure ; andtherefore they are not commonly made thetopics of general conversation, nor would

they desire them to be so ; but as there arefew families who have not a medical man as

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one of its Members, it is quite clear theypossess the means of arriving at a sufficientdegree of judgment and penetration, to pro-tect them from the evils against which theyale so beneficently cautioned ; and so farfrom the · duties of the profession" being" commonly confided, without inquiry, to

any one calling himself a general practi-tioner," I know no subject more delibe-rately canvassed, than any change of a me-dical attendant, or the selection of a phy-sician or surgeon, when a consultation isdeemed desirable.

I was at one time disposed to read withgreat regret the many severe observationsthat were passed on the system of the Lon-don University by the majority of the me-dical press, and to attribute to prejudiceand .interested motives, the little disposi-tion which was manifested to take a favour-able view of the measures of that establish-ment ; but now I am compelled to retract, ifor the council, without the least controlover the legislature of medicine, being, infact, the mere organ of a set of literary spe-culators, who dispose of information forcertain sums of money, has thought properto publish impertinent and uncalled-forobservations on the class of individuals bywhom they confess their school is chieflysupported, to question in a positive mannertheir attainments, and offer the Universityas a corrective of all their defects : and whathas this University done towards the im-provement of the general study of medicine?I answer, nothing, worse than nothing ; for

that valuable time which might have beenprofitably employed, has been passed inturmoil and dissensions, calculated to de-

stroy all confidence, and render most ques.tionable the stability of the establishment,in the opinion of its best supporters andwarmest advocates.

I cannot close this subject without direct-ing the attention of the profession to therules and regulations of the Society of Apo-thecaries ; the unceasing endeavours of theCourt of Examiners to effect a progressiveincrease of knowledge in the candidates forits diploma, deserves the warmest applauseand support ; the legislature has confidedto the judgment of its members, a degree of Ipower which they have exercised with con-siderable foresight and effect ; the regula-tions which they have framed from time to

time, must have resulted from deliberationsconducted with care, independence, and

intelligence ; their demand on the pupil furinformation, has not even increased in sosudden a manner as to have the etlect ofoverwhelming his mind by too g-reat an

exercise of his intellectual faculties ; but hehas been gradually drawn on, from one

acquirement to another, until it may fairly

be expected that the future apothecary willbid defiance to the taunts and sarcasmswhich have of late been unceasingly andlavishly hurled at him, for his supposeddeficiency in classical and professional at-tainments. The members of the Court ofExaminers have been laudably and persever-ingly endeavouring to place that portion ofthe profession over which they have beenpermitted to exercise authority upon a firmbasis of respectability ; and judging from themanifest improvement that has already re-sulted from their exertions, there can be nodoubt, that as their plans become more fullydeveloped, and their system of educationassumes a still more academic character,that an unspeakable benefit will be confer-red on the practitioner and the public : itbecomes us, therefore, to give them ourconfidence and warm approval, as their en-deavours are doubly enhanced by the impos-sibility of connecting their proceedings withI motives of an unworthy, ungentlemanly, ormercenary description; the whole train oftheir thoughts has been directed to the im-provement of the profession generally, andalthough some may have felt disposed to

quarrel with them, still the majority of

thinking and intelligent individuals willallow them full justice for their stability ofpurpose, and they will rise in the estima-tion of competent judges, as a tribunal

working as large a portion of general useful-ness in their department, as the limits oftheir charter allows them the power of ef-fecting.

1 am, Sir, your obedient servantAnd constant reader,

APIS.Sept. 21st, 1830

DR. ALEX. THOMSON AND PROFESSORPATTISON.

To the Eclitor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—I hope you will do me the favour tostate to Professor Pattison, who pretendsto a contemptuous ignorance of " a Mr.

Thomson," that Mr. Thomson is the sonof Dr. A. T. Thomson, the professor ofMat. Medica of the London University,a person who disdains to enter into anypublic controversy with one who can so

far forget himself as to pretend ignoranceof the man to whom he has sent the en-closed letter, and whom he has himself beenin the habit of employing as his assistant inthe few operations he has happened to per-form at the London University Dispensary.This Mr. Thomson is a Bachelor of Medicine

of Cambridge, and is practising in London