0"T' LAERT> "! - USP

496 MODERN TIMES.
1 **&%,
considered indispensable for teaching medical students,
whereas then at most academies they were entirely absent .
or at least but ve.ry poorly represented, and scarcely ever
to be found in anything like the completeness of to-day,.
The method of teaching has consequently assumed another
form: practical demonstrations became by degrees of
supreme importance in medical teaching, indeed together
with the necessary explanations, constituted the whole of
it/while theoretical lectures were pressed into the back- ,
ground and by degrees nearly abandoned. The comprehen- ,
siOn of scientific facts and theories is thus extraordinarily
facilitated: for what the senses*take in is impressed not ,.
merely upon the memory but also on the understanding.
It now came about that a division of labour wal intro- \
duced throughout the teaching Of medicine and assumed a
definite form. It was arranged' that the-lecturer should
which he
concern himself exclusively^tirthe ^"MgSL'
represented "and might thns^be^ able to attain to the ability
and- certainty, of jLjeu^uasaJau it. The perfecting of
medical teaching by the establishment of new professorships
demanded by the development of medical science,
its advance in the direction of specialization, and the introduction
and improvement of examinations intended to afford.
aguarantee that young medical men had acquired the knowledge
necessary for their calling, constituted further additions
made to medical education during this period.
It is true that the progress on this path differed widely
in different countries. The condition of general culture,.
the state of medical science in particular, the social stand-
, ing of doctors, historical traditions, and above- all the^
attitude of the State towards the subject of public instruction,
exerted an influence quite opposed to uniformity in
this matter., ?*5|
Amongst rude savages, Caffres, Red Indians, native/"
Brazilians,.etc, medicine-men and magicians are labouring*
to this day to drive away, diseases by means of prayers and*
incantations, and medical knowledge but seldom gets.