216 MEDICAL SCIENCE IN ONTARIO. 



Postscript. — Since writing the foregoing, the Medical Council has 

 lield its first meeting. The principal discussion occurred on the follow- 

 ing resolution : — 



Moved by Dr. Agnew, and seconded by Dr. Oldright, Representative 



of University College, that 



'l]7ie>-eas — A Committee of the late Medical Council of Upper Canada applied 

 to the Legislature of Ontario, at its last Session, for the repeal of the Act, under 

 ■whose provisions the Council was constituted ; and 



Whereas — The said Committee of the Medical Council drafted and obtained 

 the introduction and passao-e of a Bill, entitled "An Act to Amend and Consoli- 

 date the Acts relating to Medicine and Surgery, in Ontario," without submitting 

 such measure for the approval of their constituents, or in any way consulting 

 them in regard to it, or even furuishiug them with copies of the Bill, so that the 

 vast majority knew nothing of its character until it had passed and become law; 

 and 



Wherem — The " consolidation " of the Acts relating to the Profession of Medi- 

 cine and Surgery does not appear to have been contemplated when the Bill was 

 introduced and read a first time, and was a change of title incident to the inter- 

 jection of clause or sub-section two, of section eight, and other clauses consequent 

 therefrom, at a late stage in the passage of the Bill, and when it was supposed 

 by nearly all those who were responsible for it, to have received its final cha- 

 racter; and 



Whereas — The Coalition, in a Council, forced npon the Medical Profession, with 

 two other bodies, known as Homoeopathists and Eclectics, for the purpose of 

 legislating in regard to questions involving the most vital principles of Medical 

 Science, is viewed by nearlj^ all the leading and thouglitful members of the Pro- 

 fession as fraught with great danger, and likely to lead to the most pernicious con- 

 sequences — alike subversive of the cause of Science and of professional morality — 

 for if the views held by all the great schools of the world are honestly embraced 

 by the Medical Profession of this Province, and, if the so-called theories of the 

 other bodies are honestlj^ held by them, they cannot be compromised by either 

 for any mere expediency without dishonor ; and 



^Wte)•eas — The incorporation of the Medical Profession with the Homoeopathic 

 and Eclectic bodies in "The College of Physicians and Surgeons for Ontario," 

 without distinction of any kind whatever, is viewed by the Profession as highly 

 objectionable, and calculated to compromise their status as recognized members 

 of' the great body of Scientific Practitioners of Medicine throughout the world; 

 and 



^]7lereas— The establishment of a Central Board of Medical Examiners for the 

 Province, has, in the abstract, received the approbation of many leading mem- 

 bers of the Profession, the exempting clause in favor of the systems of Homoeo- 

 pathy and Eclecticism is condemned as calculated to render nugatory the opera- 

 tions of the Board in favor of an advanced curriculum, and to greatly lower the 

 standard of Education, inasmuch as Section twenty-five of the Act provides, 

 " That every candidate who shall, at the time df his examination, signify his 

 wish to be registered as a Homoeopathic or Eclectic Practitioner, shall not be 

 required to pass an examination in either Materia Medica or Therapeutics, or in 

 the Theory or Practice of Physic, or in Surgery and Midwifery, except the opera- 

 tive practical parts thereof, before any Examiners, other than those approved of 

 by the representatives in the Council of the body to which he shall signifj' his 

 wish to belong," thus maintaining in full force, (with exclusive privileges not 

 possessed by the Medical Profession) and giving greatly extended influence to 



