OCTOBEK 11, 1907] 



SCIENCE 



461 



arthropod (preferably a decapod) ; (e) a verte- 

 brate (preferably a frog or fish), with a view of 

 a general comparison of the plan in internal 

 structure with that of the human body. When 

 possible a study of tissues should be made, first 

 with the unaided eye and then with the micro- 

 scope, to demonstrate the relation of cells to in- 

 tercellular substance, as in epithelium and con- 

 nective tissue. It is desirable that the students 

 should study other fresh typical specimens of 

 elementary tissues, as muscle, nerve and blood. 



If the •college work in biology is wholly or 

 largely of a zoologic character, as outlined above, 

 it is desirable that it should have been preceded 

 by some work in botany in the high school. 



Chemistry. — The student entering the medical 

 school should have completed a substantial course 

 in general inorganic chemistry, with experiments, 

 elementary qualitative analysis, an outline, at 

 least, of volumetric analysis, including the theory 

 of the fundamental processes, and iinally, a short 

 course in organic chemistry sufficient to serve as 

 an introduction to physiological chemistry. All 

 this work in chemistry should consume, at least, 

 about ten hours of recitation and laboratory work 

 per week through a year. 



Inasmuch, however, as few freshmen courses 

 cover as much ground as is here indicated, the 

 work in general inorganic chemistry, with labora- 

 tory experiments and qualitative analysis, may be 

 taken at present as the minimum amount which 

 would satisfy the needs of the medical schools 

 under the new requirement. 



Physics. — This college work is supposed to be 

 preceded by an elementary or preparatory course 

 in the high school or academy. The subjects here 

 of the greatest importance for the study of medi- 

 cine are heat, light and electricity. Satisfactory 

 worii in these branches should cover probably 

 three recitation hours and five or six laboratory 

 hours through a college year. The student should 

 acquire some practical knowledge of the micro- 

 scope, the spectroscope, of thermometry and spe- 

 ciiiG heat, and some familiarity with simple elec- 

 tric measurements. 



Languages. — In addition to the worlc of the 

 high school or academy in these subjects the stu- 

 dent should have enough college training to enable 

 him to read one foreign language, preferably Ger- 

 man or French, with some degree of ease. 



Up to the present time most of our medical 

 schools have drawn their students from the gradu- 

 ates of the high schools. A few medical schools 

 have required college graduation for entrance, but 



it is recognized that this relation is not yet, in 

 general, realizable. It is hoped, however, that in 

 order to meet the urgent demand for better pre- 

 liminary education now being made by the lead- 

 ing schools of medicine, the colleges of the country 

 will be prepared to furnish in the first years of 

 their courses to prospective medical students such 

 a curriculum as is outlined above. 



This letter is sent out by a committee of the 

 Council on Medical Education of the American 

 Medical Association in an effort to discover just 

 what the colleges of the country can do for the 

 instruction of this class of students who usually 

 do not enter college at all, but who now, under 

 the press of changing conditions, must do some 

 college work before being considered properly pre- 

 pared to enter upon the study of medicine. 



Will you kindly answer the following questions : 



How much of the work outlined above is your 

 institution prepared to give in one year to stu- 

 dents who have a high school training? 



How much of this work can you give in a year 

 and a half, that is to the middle of the sophomore 

 year, to students equipped in the same way as 

 above ? 



If not at present able to furnish the courses in 

 the specified time, can you, in view of the appar- 

 ent demand, give such courses beginning with the 

 college year 1908-9? 



The point to be kept in mind is that the college 

 should be able to furnish this desired instruction 

 within a period corresponding to the freshman 

 and perhaps a part of the sophomore year. A 

 blank is enclosed for a reply, which will be greatly 

 appreciated, as will also any comments or sug- 

 gestions which you may make. 



In presenting its report the committee desires 

 to prepare for publication a list of those colleges 

 which are or will be able to offer courses substan- 

 tially like those outlined above. 

 Yours truly, 



C. E. Baedeen, 



G. A. PlERSOL, 



J. H. Long, 



Committee 



The phrase "preliminary year in biology, 

 chemistry, physics and languages" is some- 

 what vague, and the committee, after much 

 discussion, undertook to define it to some 

 extent, as appears in the wording of the 

 circular letter. To be of real value the 

 courses taken in a preliminary year should 



