210 
MEDICAL REFORM. 
tinctions among them, irrespective of education, merit, and talent, 
— Is it not a grievance that no bond of union whatever exists in 
the profession ? — that invidious and unmerited distinctions are 
made ? — that 20,000 practitioners in Great Britain are not con- 
sulted on matters connected with their own interests? — that they 
have no votes for those who manage their affairs ? — that general 
practitioners are not eligible for the councils ? — that the councils 
are self-elected and irresponsible ?— Another palpable defect in 
the proposed plan is, the utter want of protection against illegal 
practice. — Gentlemen, says Dr. Webster, in conclusion, three 
words I will give you : they are those of one of our oldest re- 
formers, and 1 trust you will deeply ponder them ; — they are, 
union , organization , and energy. 
Mr. Harrison (the secretary) then read the Report of the 
Council, and concluded by stating that the suggestions of the 
Council for the future course of the reformers were : — 
First. — That the various associations, and individual reformers, 
should organize themselves into one representative body or 
faculty. 
Secondly. — That a standing central committee be appointed by 
the associations and local committees, to promote the organiza- 
tion of the profession, to watch the proceedings in Parliament, 
and to act as circumstances may require. 
Thirdly. — That the profession do oppose any measure of 
medical reform which does not recognise, — first, the union of the 
profession into a representative body or faculty ; — secondly, equal 
rights and privileges for all members of that body ; — thirdly, 
uniform qualifications for a license to practise fourthly, pro- 
tection against unqualified practitioners. 
Farther, the Council wish it to be distinctly understood that 
these few and simple principles are not intended to interfere with 
either the existence of the present corporations or the division of 
the profession into consulting and general practitioners. The 
union contemplated is simply that of members, of the medical pro- 
fession into one body. The qualification for admittance into that 
body should be uniform and extensive. Admission into it should 
give the license to practise in all or any of the departments of 
the profession, but it should not interfere with the right of its 
members to take higher honours, or other titles, or to join any 
other medical corporation. 
The Council regretted to observe much indisposition on the 
part of Government and the corporations to grapple with the 
serious evil of illegal practice. The fallacious argument used 
was, “ Oh ! the liberty of the subject must not be interfered 
with.” What! not interpose to prevent poisoning by Morison’s 
pills, or sloughing to death by the acid lotions of St. John Long? 
