Introductory address on Medical education. 



Delivered at the opening of the Winter Session of the Medical Faculty 

 of University College (London) 



by 

 E. A. Schäfer, F. ß. S., 



Jodrell Professor of Physiology in the College. 



In the following we give a part of an introductory address, delivered by Mr. 

 Schäfer (see British Medical Journal, Oct. 31., 1885), containing those pages which 

 might be of interest for continental readers. The editor. 



In offering suggestions as to the course which ought to be pursued 

 by those who seek to become qualified for admission to the medical 

 profession, a commencement is generally made from the time of leav- 

 ing school; and the recommendations as to the way in which a stu- 

 dent's time should be employed, leave out of account that most im- 

 portant period of his existence during which he is subjected to the 

 wholesome restraint of strict discipline. I shall venture, however, to 

 go further back, and to tender a few suggestions as to the best way 

 in which he may be employed in laying a thorough foundation for 

 what may be more properly and technically termed his medical edu- 

 cation. For, in considering this matter of education for the medical 

 profession, we must, first of all, understand clearly what it is that 

 the education in question is designed to attain. It is important, above 

 all, to remember that it is education for a profession, and not for a 

 trade, that is required; and, more than this, for a liberal and learned 

 profession. There is no saying more true than that of which we were 



Internationale Monatsschrift für Anat. u. Phys. IV. 1 



