102 Geocjrapbtcal iRotes on 



were added, and, consequently dissection was authorized. At the 

 outset the viceroys appointed the professors, but after a time the 

 candidates for chairs had to win the coveted prizes through competitive 

 examinations. 



The early students were not railroaded through. They had to study 

 four years to obtain the diploma of a bachelor of medicine ; then 

 went out into active life, and, on gaining practical knowledge, received, 

 passing a fresh examination, the diploma of licentiate of medicine, and, 

 later, that of doctor of medicine. 



School of Medicine. In 1768 a decree was issued for the establish- 

 ment in the City of Mexico of a royal college for surgeons, similar to 

 institutions in Cadiz and Barcelona. This college was a very com- 

 plete one, instruction being given in anatomy and dissection, in 

 physiology, operations, clinical surgery, and medical jurisprudence. 

 There were graduated also from the college all the dentists, bone- 

 setters, phlebotomists, and midwives. A knowledge of Latin was not 

 essential to receive a medical degree until 1803. 



In 1821, Mexico having achieved her independence, the same care- 

 ful watch over education continued, and in 1833 a general revision of 

 educational institutions was ordered under the administration of Don 

 Valentin Gomez Farias a leader of the Liberal party and the univer- 

 sity was closed, because it was considered to have conservative tend- 

 encies, and a general board of education organized, which, among other 

 things established what was called the School of Medical Science, with 

 ten professors, giving a remarkably complete and modern course. On 

 account of a revolution which occurred in 1834 which overthrew the 

 Gomez Farias Government, the new school of medicine was closed, 

 and the old university reopened ; but, as the officials of the university, 

 on making a careful study of the conditons of the new school of 

 medicine rendered an impartial report, setting forth its manifold ad- 

 vantages it was decided to keep open the institution. 



The incessant revolutions and consequent changes of government 

 brought many evil things to pass, and the medical professors at times 

 found themselves without salaries, and nobly devoted themselves to 

 their classes without remuneration. They at one time were deprived 

 of their building and literally thrown into the street. Better times 

 came, however, the successive governments began to give substantial 

 aid to the school, and in 1845 ^ to k the name it still bears, the 

 National School of Medicine. After more vicissitudes, many movings 

 and trials which bore hard on the enthusiastic professors, the National 

 School of Medicine finally was located where it now remains, in a 

 part of the enormous edifice belonging formerly to the Inquisition. 



In the chaos of succeeding revolutions the salaries of the professors 

 were often unpaid, but the devoted men of science struggled on, 



