OCTOBEE 17, 1913] 



SCIENCE 



563 



The following are some of the answers 

 which, while not decisively positive or nega- 

 tive, but at the same time not favoring the 

 introduction of psychology into the medical 

 school curriculum or as a requirement for 

 entrance, modify the statements in certain 

 particulars. 



"While we consider that it would be desirable 

 to give special instruction in psychology, especially 

 in the fourth year, we do not at the present time 

 see how time could be found for it" (12). 



"Yes; but it is hardly feasible in the immediate 

 future" (35). 



"It would be desirable for the students to be 

 taught psychology, but on account of the fact that 

 it is only a four-year course and other subjects 

 being more important and requiring all the stu- 

 dents' time, as the course is now arranged, it is 

 not probable that we shall be able to establish a 

 separate course in psychology. If it were intro- 

 duced it would be best to have it in the third 

 year" (5^). 



"I believe it is very undesirable to add more to 

 the medical curriculum. ... It seems to me that 

 it would be better to urge students to study psy- 

 chology in the premedical college course" (19). 



"It seems doubtful if instruction in psychology 

 can be introduced into the already crowded under- 

 graduate course. Elementary instruction in psy- 

 chology is desirable as a preliminary study, though 

 it is not possible to require it at present. It is 

 improbable that psychology can be introduced as a 

 required subject. An optional course might bo 

 profitably given" (22). 



' ' It would seem that nothing should be added 

 to the medical course without an equivalent ab- 

 straction. ... It seems as if psychology was neces- 

 sary, and, in the light of my previous statements, 



reported that he did not believe it represented the 

 attitude of the medical departments chiefly con- 

 cerned. Since this report was typed, the secretary 

 of this school has written correcting the above 

 statement as follows: "As a matter of fact. Pro- 

 fessor is already committed to the advisa- 

 bility of extending his lectures by adding a suffi- 

 cient course of instruction in advanced normal 

 psychology from the medical standpoint, and the 

 authorities of the college have already expressed 

 their approval of his ideas in this direction. ' ' 

 The percentage of affirmative answers is, there- 

 fore, increased to 75, and that of the negative 

 answers reduced to 10. 



it ought to be taught as a part of . . . prepara- 

 tion" (36). 



"1 consider it inadvisable at any time to touch 

 more than lightly to the undergraduate body upon 

 the question of psychology. It should, however, 

 be touched, in my opinion, in the final year if 

 taught in the regular course. Personally, I believe 

 that it should be devoted to post-graduate work" 

 (32). 



"It would be unwise to add anything further 

 as compulsory work. I think it .well to give an 

 optional or post-graduate course for students espe- 

 cially interested" (40). 



"The medical curriculum is now overcrowded; 

 this should be graduate work, in my opinion" 

 (43). 



Opposed to these negative and doubtful 

 answers others of an equally positive nature 

 have been received. Some of these are as 

 follows : 



"Psychology is a desirable study for medical 

 students. Up to date I know of no course in psy- 

 chology which is particularly adapted to the needs 

 of the medical student. Could instruction in psy- 

 chology be given by a trained psychiatrist rather 

 than a pure psychologist, time could probably be 

 found for such a course in the medical curric- 

 ulum" (6). 



"Instruction in psychology is not merely ad- 

 visable . . . but necessary, and such instruction 

 should be at least partially premedical, and should 

 be developed practically and logically later in the 

 medical course in the departments of neurology 

 and psychiatry" (8). 



"We have felt for a long time that psychology 

 was most important as a preparation for the study 

 and practise of medicine" (9). 



"My observation in regard to those who write 

 in medical journals on the subject (psychiatry) 

 would seem to indicate that they had had no com- 

 petent preparation in psychology. ... I have 

 recommended that one of the professors in the 

 department of psychology who is trained in the 

 physiology and pathology of the brain and nervous 

 system give a course in the college of medicine 

 preliminary to the study of psychiatry" (10). 



"I thoroughly agree with the importance of 

 special instruction in psychology in the broad 

 scope which your inquiries would indicate and 1 

 should be glad to have any information which 

 would lead to the possibility of the establishment 

 of a systematic course in the subject" (11). 



