ON NORMAL PSYCHOLOGY IN THE MEDICAL CURRICULUM. 441 



early knowledge of iron smelting. An analysis showed the metal to consist of 

 iron 92-50 per cent, and nickel 7-50 per cent., again proving a m^teoritic origin. 

 The blade of iron found in the Great Pyramid, now in the British Museum, does not 

 contain nickel, having been examined in the museum laboratory, but it appears very 

 doubtful whether this object really has the age assigned to it. 



I have to thank Mr. F. Orme, Dr. F. Ibbotson and Mr. E. Gregory for many of the 

 analyses contained in the present report. Many ores have been completely analysed, 

 but as these did not prove to contain the elements for which special search was being 

 made, it does not seem necessary to reproduce them, although they have been 

 circulated to members of the committee. 



The Place of Normal Psychology in the Medical Curriculum. 



• — Fitial Report of Committee (Dr. W. Brown, Chairman ; Dr. R. D. 

 Gillespie, Secretary ; Dr. C. H. Bond, Prof. E. P. Cathcart, Dr. 

 H. Devine, Dr. J. A. Hadfield, Dr. Bernard Hart, Dr. D. K. 

 Henderson, Dr. J. R. Lord, Dr. C. S. Myers, Prof. T. H. Pear, 

 Prof. G. M. Robertson, Dr. T. A. Ross). 



A QUESTIONNAIRE was circulated to all the Medical Schools in the British Isles and in 

 the Dominions, two questions being asked : — 



(a) What faculties were offered to medical students for acquiring a knowledge of 

 normal psychology ? 



(6) Whether an optional or a compulsory course was favoured ? 



Replies were received from all but one or two schools. 



The answers to question (a) showed that the facilities in different schools varied 

 greatly, from none at all to rather elaborate courses. 



Thirteen schools in the British Isles offer no facilities at all ; eight offer optional 

 courses, and five give compulsory ones. The majority of schools in the Dominions 

 offer courses, sometimes apparently very extensive. 



When a course in normal psychology is offered, the tendency is to place it in the 

 pre-clinical or early clinical years. 



The usual facilities offered consist in a course of lectures in normal psychology. 

 In some cases a course in experimental psychology is also given. 



The majority of the opinions given (mostly personal opinions of the Deans of the 

 respective schools) favour the provision of instruction in normal psychology. The 

 majority of such opinions (twelve out of sixteen replies to query (b)) favoured an 

 optional course ; but in four schools at home and in five out of the six Dominion 

 schools who replied, instruction is already compulsory. 



Resolved. 



That it is the opinion of the Committee, after examining the existing arrangements, 

 that facilities should be given in every Medical School for instruction in normal 

 psychology. 



" This instruction should be given in the pre-clinical years (preferably the 

 second). 



It should in. the meantime consist in a course of not less than ten and not 

 more than twenty lectures ; and (whenever possible) of a course in experimental 

 psychology of about ten two-hour meetings. 



The course should be compulsory. 



The instruction should throughout have special reference to medico-psychological 

 facts and problems, so as to give a working basis for subsequent lectures in morbid 

 psychology (which should be considered a necessary part of the general instruction 

 in psychiatry). 



The findings and resolutions of the Committee be circulated to the Medical 

 Schools who have replied. 



