THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 
329 
the Society of Apothecaries was formed, with full authority on 
behalf of the National Association to accept such a charter as the 
Crown might be advised to grant, and, on behalf of the Society of 
Apothecaries, to relinquish their present privileges. The gentlemen 
selected at a meeting of 900 members of the Association succeeded 
in obtaining from the Government a bill, bearing date the 7th 
of May, 1845, — the only one in which the general practitioners 
were in any degree provided for. The bill was opposed by the 
Royal College of Surgeons, the principals of which, he must say, 
had always shewn a readiness to beep down the interests and 
status of the general practitioner as far as possible ; and the bill 
was abandoned by the late Government in consequence of that 
opposition. They hoped that the Government would not consider 
that the fact of a medical man practising midwifery and pharmacy 
should exclude him from any privileges in the College of Surgeons. 
The proposed charter for the College of Surgeons was in every 
way calculated to injure the interests of the medical profession ; 
and, as repeated conferences had been held and propositions made 
to the College with a view of a satisfactory adjustment of the rights 
of general practitioners, without success, it was hoped that the 
Government would grant the charter of incorporation, which would 
enable them to examine students for general practice. Not only 
would this step conduce materially to the advancement of medical 
science generally, but the public would be great gainers by it. 
Dr. Webster, Mr. Probert, Mr. Bird, and Mr. Ancell, urged 
successively the inutility of the present system, its depressing 
effect upon the profession generally, and the various advantages 
which would follow the grant of a charter of incorporation. Many 
of the most eminent general practitioners, whose fame might be 
said to be European, had declared that they were but little 
indebted for their eminence to the examination of the Royal 
College of Surgeons. The experience of years had shewn them 
that the best course to be adopted was the one at present proposed ; 
and there was no fear that the general practitioner would, when 
both his status and his information were increased, turn away 
from his present duties as not deserving of his attention. 
Dr. Webster pressed Sir G. Grey to give some information as 
to the intention of the Government on this matter. 
Sir G. Grey replied that, at present, he was unable to comply 
with that request. 
The deputation then withdrew. 
A second deputation of medical gentlemen, proposing a modifi- 
cation of the Charter of the College of Surgeons, waited upon the 
Home Secretary, as soon as the first had withdrawn. 
The Times , May 3, 1850, 
