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ENGLAND.—NORTH AMERICA. 52,3
If England has not always followed the progress made by
other countries in regard to systematic medical instruction,
she, on the other hand, has rendered the great service of
creating the first satisfactory system of sanitary government.
By the Public Health Act of 1875, the whole land
was divided into sanitary districts presided over by local
authorities. These have to take care that drainage, building
operations, public and private privies, the cleansing of
the streets, the drinking water supply, the food, underground
dwelling places, inns, hospitals, graveyards,
factories, etc., are conformable to the principles of public
health, and they elect sanitary officers to supervise and to
take any necessary action in these matters. Whoever
desires an appointment of this kind must be legally
qualified to practise.
At most universities and examining boards examinations
are held and diplomas granted in sanitary science. It is of
advantage for anyone desirous of occupying the position
of medical officer of health to possess such a certificate of
proficiency in sanitary science.
This organization is founded upon the principle of selfgovernment,
and may be expected to yield important
results in a country the people of which have for centuries
been accustomed to manage their own affairs, are in
possession of abundant national wealth, and understand
the advantage of a rational care for the public health.
[Before being permitted to register the commencement of
medical study it is necessary for the student to have passed
a preliminary examination in the subjects of general
education as specified in the following list:—(1.) English
language; (2.) Latin; (3.) Arithmetic, algebra, and EUCLID;
(4.) Elementary mechanics; (5.) Either Greek, French,
German, Italian, logic, botany, zoology, or chemistry. For
the London student these requirements are satisfied by his
passing the matriculation of the University of London, the