The Midwest pioneer, his ills, cures, & doctors - University Library ...

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Medical schools were not generally available in the West
until late in the 1830's, but their absence did not too seriously
retard the increase in the number of doctors, for
entry into the profession was almost as easy as into the law.
A young man lived at the home of some local doctor, "read
medicine" with him, rolled his pills, mixed his powders, cut
splints, and took care of the horse. After a time he was
allowed to accompany the doctor on visits to his cases. At
first he maintained a discreet silence; then, as he grew in
Hippocratean stature, he was permitted to assist in diagnosis
and treatment. The long hours of travel were often utilized
by the doctor to hear the lessons of his student. A period
varying from two to three years usually sufficed in the
mind of the preceptor to warrant launching the young
doctor on his own.
Then, even as now, the quality of his training was dependent
in large degree upon the abiHty of his trainer. Not
every preceptor, naturally, lived up to these requisites which
Dr. Drake considered essential: 1. "It is not necessary that
the preceptor should be a man of genius; but it is indispensable
that he should possess a sound and discriminating
judgment, otherwise he will be a blind guide." 2. Learned,
at least in his profession.
3. Devoted to his profession, jealous
of its character, and ambitious of its honors. 4. Conscientious
in the performance of his duties. 5. A man of
business— punctual, accurate, systematic. 6. A man of
sound morals and chastened habits.^^ There was no standardization
of training, and whereas one preceptor might
be very exacting, another would be careless and slovenly
in the education of his medical wards. Granted that it had
its faults, much that is good could be said for the preceptorial
system.
This "living-in" type of apprenticeship was gradually
supplanted by the regular daytime-instruction type. Since
under the latter system board and room were not furnished
and the doctor could not expect much in the way of labor
from his apprentice, a regular fee was charged. This was
frequently $100 per year. A rough average of this type of