100 
EVIDENCE ON MEDICAL LEGISLATION. 
ing, to a very considerable extent. We consider it our duty to 
check that system by the course of examination in the College of 
Surgeons. I do not know whether the examiners on the part of 
the Society of Apothecaries are public teachers, but I believe that 
they are limited in their selection of examiners, and that, therefore, 
they are not capable of choosing those who may be best fitted for 
the office. 
Unsound Knowledge , by whom detected. — I apprehend that no 
other persons than those accustomed to teach have the power of 
detecting unsound knowledge from grinding. It is part of the busi- 
ness of a teacher to be constantly examining, with the cases of 
disease, the dead body, or whatever the subject may be, before 
him. We do not, in examining for admission to membership of 
the College of Surgeons, test surgical skill by actual dissection ; 
the only practical part of the examination is that of having the 
bones before us, but which assist very much in examining as to the 
knowledge of anatomy. 
Examination of Members. — I have been examiner only about 
twelve months. The examination as now conducted by myself 
and colleagues is stricter than it was when I was admitted a mem- 
ber, and underwent examination — considerably so. Therefore, un- 
less it were for this interruption of the study of surgery and anatomy 
which I have described, from the interference with it by the pre- 
paration necessary for the examination before the Society of Apo- 
thecaries, so far as it depends upon the College of Surgeons, the 
standard has been rather raised than lowered ; the students too are 
impressed with that opinion, that the examinations for membership 
are much stricter than they were formerly. I cannot speak from 
my own experience, but only from the information I have obtained 
among the students ; but I believe the examinations are now more 
strict and searching than they have ever been. 
Examination of Fellows. — Passing from the examination for 
membership to the examination for fellowship, that examination is 
a stringent and efficient one : there, dissection is introduced into 
the examination and operations. Grinding cannot prepare for that 
examination, as regards the practical part of it. I think one must 
concede to physiology the rank of being the highest, but anatomy 
is the foundation of medical science. The examination does not 
extend now beyond physiology, nor does it branch into general 
literature and general acquirements: it will do so in the year 1850. 
.Notice has been given that, after that year, mathematics, the de- 
monstrative sciences, and general literature, and those acquirements 
which are necessary for the bachelor’s degree at the universities, 
will form part of the examination for the fellowship. I examine 
for fellowship as well as for membership. The institution has been 
