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628 MODERN TIMES.
Even in Germany and Austria this freedom is at least so far
controlled that proof is required from students entering
their names for examination, that they have attended the-
most important clinics during several semesters. It would
be well to issue similar regulations for other departments.
of medical teaching, attendance on which is indispensable
for a doctor's education. Can we imagine anyone learning
anatomy and physiology without the personal assistance of
a teacher? It is highly desirable for students to participate
in the instruction given with regularity and attention, and
to make the matter taught them their own.* In small
universities, where teachers and students are brought more
nearly together, this occurs naturally ; the danger of students
escaping instruction exists chiefly at the great universities-
But so many difficulties surround all systems of control
that they have had to be abandoned.t
The results of teaching are more surely guaranteed if the-
students are induced to take a more active part by means-
of occasional questions asked and answered, as is usual
in subjects associated with practical demonstration. Still
more is this the case if a disputation is held just after
the conclusion of the week's lectures, during which the
students, in the presence of the teacher or his assistants,.
can discuss the subjects which have been lectured upon,
rectify any misconceptions, and be enlightened on things-
which they have not been able to understand. This form
of teaching—more suited to the school than to the academy
—has been preserved at the military medical schools, andl
has even been introduced into the universities, where it is
practised in the schools of philology, history, and law, and
in the scientific clubs and societies. It would serve the
same purpose if students at the end of a course of lectures-
* Formerly, as is the case now, there was no lack of complaint as to the
irregular attendance on lectures. VICQ D'AZYR in his time declared that
"students enter their names for, but do not attend, the lectures." GRUNER'S.
Almanach f. Arzte, Jena 1791, S. 142.
f G. SCHMOI.LER in the Jahrbuch f. Gesetzgebung, Leipzig 1886, H. 2, S-
286 et seq.