0"T' LAERT> "! - USP

502
MODERN TIMES.
privilege of.'holding examinations from the Corporation in *.
question. , , • • * .
The names of persons who have proved their capacity
for medical practice before a corporate body entitled to j>.
hold examinations are entered in a Register kept by the
General Council and published for general informationonly
legally qualified and registered medical practitioners •
are entitled to sue for fees in a court of justice or to hold
official appointments. The General Council, upon which
other duties connected with the polity of the medical profession
also devolve, consists now of* 30 members 20
elected by the various examining bodies, 5 nominated by
the Crown, and 5 direct representatives of the profession.
The President is chosen by the Council.
By the Medical Act of 1858 a secure foundation was
laid for the further development of systematic medical
education in England and at least the grossest abuses were
abolished. Proposals for reform were evoked by the
defects in the system thus shown to exist; proposals, however,
which were either not at all or but partially carried
out In 1881 a commission of experts was appointed to
consider the question of medical education. On this
occasion distinct expression was given to the need oU
general scientific preliminary training for medical students
the introduction of State examinations was mooted and it
was demanded that only diplomas testifying to the ability
of the holders to practise all branches of medicine, and
not merely special branches, should be granted. But the
majority opposed these suggestions and rejected most
resolutely the idea of absolute uniformity in medical education,
considering it to be an especial advantage of the
English system that within certain limits it allowed freedom
of movement and by the number of the schools produced
a natural diversity of training.f
* By the Medical Act, 1886.—E. H. H.
f Report of the Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the Medical
Acts, presented to both Houses of Parliament (Parliamentary Papers for 1882,