INTEMPERANCE IN STUDY. 651 



this paper, that before I conchicled it I should have listened to far 

 stronger remarks than any I have indulged in, in an assembly of medi- 

 cal teachers and practitioners in London at a meeting of the Metro- 

 politan branch of this Association, under the presidency of Dr. Andrew 

 Clark. On this occasion, Mr. Huxley said that to expect students to 

 pass an examination in the subjects on which they are now examined, 

 after only four years' study, was little short of " criminal." He char- 

 acterized the attempt " to cram the student with all these subjects as 

 utterly preposterous. The amount of work expected is simply gigan- 

 tic." Mr. Hutchinson said : " The best memories stagger under the 

 present load. . . . That after four years' study a student can be expect- 

 ed to bear his subjects in mind is simply an absurditT/." 



But it is time to ask, What is the remedy for these evils ? 



First of all it is necessary to make them widely known. Educators 

 and examiners must at least have no chance of sinning from ignorance, 

 although, as I have said, some who know most of the laws of physical 

 and n\ental health are the chief culprits. It must be insisted that they 

 are oftentimes putting too heavy a weight upon the camel's back, and 

 it is for them in the first instance to consider in what way they can 

 best diminish the tension, and, as regards medical education, rearrange 

 the curriculum. What I complain of is that at the present moment 

 the tendency in certain quarters is to render this curriculum, and con- 

 sequently the examinations, harder and harder, more and more unprac- 

 tical ; so that many can feelingly unite with the Earl of Ellesmere, 

 who said to a friend, shortly before his death, that he was not sorry to 

 go. The world was clearly becoming very disagreeable ; everybody 

 was going to examine everybody, and he was sure he should be 

 plucked ! 



In the second place there must either be a change in the character 

 of medical examinations, or the period of time occupied in study must 

 be extended. I believe that the first is absolutely necessary, and that 

 the second is in any case highly desirable. As regards the change in 

 the character of the examinations, it should be in the direction of les- 

 sening the demands made upon the memory ; and, as regards length 

 of time, I think a year more than is now required would be a great 

 advantage. It would also be an immense gain to the student if, while 

 he is engaged in hospital- work, he should have no examinations hang- 

 ing over him, except " medicine " or " surgery." This means the sub- 

 division of medical examinations. 



Mr. Hutchinson proposes that students should be thoroughly ex- 

 amined during their curriculum (by hospital teachers or traveling ex- 

 aminers) on the various subjects, and bring up certificates of proficiency 

 to the Examining Boards. These would accept the certificates as 

 proofs of competency in details, and would give a good, general, prac- 

 tical examination before granting a diploma. If this course be adopt- 

 ed, and is not overdone, it will certainly be an immense improvement 



