May 22, 1914] 



SCIENCE 



745 



used and the scope of " premedical " courses in 

 biology (Professor Guyer, of Wisconsin), in 

 chemistry (Professor Jones, of Cincinnati), in 

 physics (President Ayres, of Tennessee) and 

 in modern languages (Professor Brandon, of 

 Miami). Following these papers the meeting 

 was opened for general discussion in which 

 many members of the conference took part. 



The gist of the discussion appeared to be 

 that certain preliminary work was necessary 

 for medicine, and that certain other prelimin- 

 ary work was advisable. Furthermore, it 

 seemed that the necessary work should lie in 

 biology, physics, chemistry and a modern 

 language, preferably German; that a substan- 

 tial enough knowledge of these sciences could 

 not be acquired in a single premedical year; 

 and that while it might be acquired in two 

 years of college work, no time was allowed in 

 a. two-year course for various studies, such as 

 psychology, logic, economics and other advis- 

 able subjects. Also, it was said that even at 

 the present time the average age of gradua- 

 tion in medicine was about 27.5 years, and 

 that there was evidence of wasted time some- 

 where. Again it was urged by some members 

 of the conference that a sharp uniformity of 

 preparation was not a wise thing to accom- 

 plish, but that some latitude should be allowed 

 in preparation, provided only that students 

 who intend entering upon the study of medi- 

 cine should be well equipped with a working 

 knowledge of the fundamental sciences, and 

 emough of the humanities to insure breadth. 



Before adjournment a resolution was 

 adopted and sent to every college represented 

 at the conference. Later other colleges and 

 even a few individuals were included in the 

 list. The resolution follows: 



In view of the ideas expressed in this conference, 

 Be it Resolved, That the representatives of the 

 Tarious colleges confer with their respective facul- 

 ties to ascertain: 



1. What courses of a premedical nature are of- 

 fered by them in chemistry, physics, biology and 



S. What changes, if necessary, can be made lo 

 establish uniformity of essentials in premedical 

 training. 



3. Whether it is possible to reduce the total time 

 now required to obtain the M.D. degree, by elimina- 

 ting duplication of work existing in graded schools, 

 high scliools, colleges and medical schools. Your 

 committee is of the opinion that this is feasible. 



4. What arrangements are made for granting the 

 bachelor's degree after satisfactory <«3mpletion of 

 two or three years ' college worii and one or two 

 years in a Class A plus medical school, and, 



Be It Further Sesolved, That the action taken by 

 the various faculties be reported to Paul G. Wool- 

 ley, University of Cincinnati, chairman of the gen- 

 eral conference committee, for tabulation, and that 

 this committee may, at its discretion, call another 

 general conference of the colleges interested in 

 this movement. 



(Signed) M. P. Guyer, Chairman, 

 Harry H. Holmes, 

 Lauder W. Jones, 

 Henry McE. Knower, 

 E. L. Bice 



By the time that the resolution was ready 

 to be mailed a communication had been re- 

 ceived from Professor Holmes, of Earlham 

 College, which it seemed might furnish an 

 excellent basis for faculty and departmental 

 discussion. Accordingly, Professor Holmes's 

 letter was embodied in a communication sent 

 to each college. This letter was as follows : 



My Dear Sir: The following remarks have come 

 from Professor Holmes, of Earlham College, who 

 was a member of the Cincinnati Conference on Pre- 

 medical Education. It seems to me that these sug- 

 gestions furnish a very thorough basis for the dis- 

 cussion of Premedical Courses in Colleges of Arts 

 and Sciences. 



"I want to suggest that our committee (or 

 yours) map out a fairly definite three years' course 

 of college work and persuade a large number of col- 

 leges to grant the degree of B.S. or A.B. on the 

 satisfactory completion of this and one year 's work 

 in a 'Class A Plus' medical school. It does not 

 meet the situation to arrange this unless nearly all 

 the work is rather strictly outlined. Three years of 

 general elective work could be a very poor prepa- 

 ration for medicine and the whole effect could be a 

 hodge-podge not deserving the A.B. or B.S. degree. 

 We must have a consistent major medical and pre- 

 medical, for this period. 



"The present 'Class A Plus' requirements of 

 only two years college work, even though certain 

 needed subjects are specified, cuts short the foun- 



