328 
PLAINTS AND PROSPECTS OP 
the Hanover-square Rooms, gentlemen from all parts of the 
kingdom being present; and it was there clearly shewn that a very 
great majority of the L0,000 or 12,000 general practitioners w r ere 
strongly in favour of a charter of incorporation. The general 
practitioner was frequently called upon to attend cases of no 
ordinary difficulty and importance, and in the country districts to 
perform important operations. Their knowledge in every branch 
of the medical science was constantly put in requisition, and it 
was not too much to ask that such a body — second to none in use- 
fulness or the importance of its functions — should have accorded to 
it a status much higher than it had hitherto enjoyed. Under the 
present system the student was examined by the Society of 
Apothecaries and the Royal College of Surgeons before he could 
be qualified for general practice ; but while he was nominally a 
member of both these corporations, he had, in reality, no influence 
in them — no power of control or voice in the general management. 
The present examination in anatomy and surgery might be most 
materially improved if this charter was granted, and, as in the case 
of the London University, the candidate or student would reach a 
much higher degree of proficiency than that at present required. 
It was admitted that the examination of the London University 
was the best in London. 
The Lord Advocate, who was present with the Home Secretary, 
said the experiment of requiring a greater refinement of knowledge 
on the part of medical men had already been tried in France, but 
without the success which was anticipated. Men so elaborately 
educated would not find it worth their while to settle down as 
medical practitioners in small country towns and villages and 
remote places. 
Mr. Clifton was confident that, with a much higher degree of 
education, the general medical practitioner would be found equally 
ready to perform the duties required of him as he was at present. 
The granting of such a charter would also be of great benefit to 
the poorer classes in the increased ability of their medical attend- 
ants. The higher classes could command first-rate skill, but it 
was not just to suppose that the poor should be obliged to put up 
with inferior attendance. [Sir Gf. Grey — “ Clearly not.”] The 
members of the College of Surgeons had been discontented with 
the constitution of that body since its first establishment, and the 
new charter proposed was far from meeting the views of the 
general medical body. Many clauses in that charter were am- 
biguous, if not injurious, in their tendency. While Sir J. Graham 
held office the general practitioners had waited upon him by 
deputation, and he had warmly seconded their views. At his 
instance a joint deputation of general practitioners and members of 
