550 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



However, the time cannot be far off when we shall be forced 

 to use bayonets in reforming the medical curriculum, if change 

 do not come quietly without compulsion. Medical men are 

 becoming so increasingly important as guardians of the health 

 of the community — it is clear that they can do so much when 

 they are really well trained — that the public will not be content 

 to stand by and see their education neglected, more particularly 

 in its preliminary stages, as it is at present. 



If the schools will but teach their pupils to read and to write 

 English — to use books with profit as sources of information and 

 inspiration and to express themselves properly — there should 

 be little difficulty in training them when they become students 

 at college, provided always that attention be paid also to the 

 development of the faculties on the practical side : the use of 

 fingers and of eyes must be encouraged, the art must be acquired 

 of experimenting with a definite, logical purpose ; powers 

 of observation must be cultivated. When proper habits are 

 developed in reading, writing and simple experimenting, all else 

 will follow of itself — if we can only learn to build a sound 

 foundation, the superstructure will not be difficult to erect. At 

 present there is no proper foundation whereon to build : the 

 aims and objects of the schools are so unreal — so out ,of touch 

 with the requirements of life, their courses are so barren of 

 information and interest, so little attention is paid in them to the 

 manner of knowing and to what is known. Surely a University 

 should help us to do these things — what is the use of our being 

 banded together if we do not work together? Moreover, the 

 problems with which we are confronted in teaching are of 

 infinite complexity and difficulty — we need, therefore, to recognise 

 our individual limitations and to help and support one another. 



If we are to introduce the reforms which are needed into the 

 medical curriculum, we must take a comprehensive view of the 

 subject and seek to improve our system in all its stages. 



The present Academic Registrar of the London University 

 has himself directed attention to the almost dishonest way in 

 which we conduct ordinary examinations — to the manner in 

 which credit is given for nibbles instead of exacting honest 

 answers. Not even a fishing club could be managed on such 

 principles— the whole fish must be caught before the fisherman 



