142 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



several wards, all illy ventilated, containing two hundred and 

 thirty patients, of whom one hundred and three were suffering 

 with small pox. These cases were not separated from the rest. 

 In the surgical wards, were several with knife wounds, re- 

 ceived in midnight brawls in the suburbs. This hospital is 

 under the direction of English physicians. 



As in Spain, the profession of medicine is lowly estimated 

 in Chile, yet efforts have been made to elevate the standing of 

 its members in society, and with considerable success. In 

 1826, Doctor William Blest, an English practitioner, publish- 

 ed in Santiago, some « Observations on the Actual State of 

 Medicine in Chile," in which he assigns its low state to the 

 want of a liberal education in those who enter the profes- 

 sion, the want of a proper system of medical instruction, 

 and to the slender fees paid for their services. Several of 

 the medical men of Santiago are mulattoes. Within two or 

 three years a board of examiners has been established, who, 

 without any regard to certificates or diplomas, from universi- 

 ties or colleges, examine the candidates for practice in Latin, 

 Spanish, and the several branches of the healing art, in the 

 most rigid manner. This board is chiefly made up of European 

 physicians, w^ho have long been established in the country. 

 In order to prevent any from practising who have not re- 

 ceived a license from the board, apothecaries are prohibited, 

 under severe penalties, from compounding their prescriptions. 

 Apothecaries study pharmacy and chemistry for three years, 

 and undergo a practical examination before they are allowed 

 to open a shop. In this way quackery is effectually put down, 

 and medicine is fast gaining rank and consideration amongst 

 the people. Several of the best families are now educating 

 their children for " the healing art." It is to be regretted, that 

 some similar plan cannot be adopted in the United States, to 

 free the country from the numerous charlatans who tamper 

 with the health and lives of our citizens. 



Physicians receive a fee of four reals, equal to fifty cents, 

 paid at each visit ; and in consultations, which are frequent, 

 four dollars. I am informed that one or two practitioners, in 

 extensive practice, wear leather pockets, because the angular 



