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ENGLAND—NORTH AMERICA. 517
to chemistry and pharmacy, and have worked in a dispensary
or a pharmaceutical laboratory. The Societies of
Apothecaries of London and Dublin constitute medical
examining boards.
The apothecaries in England pursue the same course of
study as the doctors and have a license to practise. This
arrangement has probably developed out of the popular
habit—which has existed in all ages—of seeking the first
medical assistance at the hands of the apothecaries*
The candidate has a free choice among the examining
boards; he will probably decide upon that one which is
nearest his home or the place where he has been pursuing his
medical studies, or which makes the most moderate claims
on his knowledge and his purse and is respected by the public.
The Englishman will therefore in most cases try to get an
English diploma, the Scotchman a Scotch, and the Irishman
an Irish one : the more of these a man possesses, the greater
the tribute paid to his knowledge and the greater the trust
reposed in him by his patients. His position is still better
if he is received amongst the members of a privileged
medical corporation, receiving the title of " Member" or
" Fellow" of the same. These titles are granted either
after special examinations or are conferred upon suitable
candidates after election by the Societies. Thus anyone
who wishes to get the title of a Member of the Royal
College of Physicians of London must submit to an
examination which includes the same subjects as the
examination for the license, but goes more deeply into
them. From among the Members of this College the
Fellows are chosen : the latter conduct the affairs of the
College and represent it on public occasions. The Royal
College of Surgeons of Englandf grants the Fellowship to
those who have earned a right to it by passing two
examinations, of which practical subjects, and especially
* The Society of Apothecaries of London grants a diploma in Medicine,
Surgery, and Midwifery registrable under the Medical Act, 1886.—E. H. H.
t Calendar of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, London 1884.