A vindication of the University of Edinburgh (as a School of Medicine,) from the aspersions of "a member of the University of Oxford".

Front matter

A VINDICATION

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH,

II

Nemo Candidatorum numero adscribatur priusquam triennium, in hac aut aliâ Academiâ, Medicinæ studio impenderit, et omnibus quas Scientia Medica complectitur Disciplinis, scilicet, anatomiæ et chirurgiæ, chemiæ, botanicæ, materiæ medicæ et pharmaceuticæ, medicinæ que theoreticæ et practicæ et prælectionibus clinicis, à Medicinæ Professoribus habitis, de ægris in Nosocomio decumbentibus, operam dederit.

III

Quicunque honores Medicinæ ambierit, ante diem XXIV Martii vel XII Junii, alicui Me Professorum tradat dissertationem medicam inauguralem, à seipso compositam, ut Professor eam perlegat, si opus fuerit emendet, et perlectæ scriptam suam testificationem, notato simul die quo candem acceperat, apponat.

Die XVIIIVO mensis Maii vel VITO Augusti, Candidatus, coram Facultate Medicâ, à duobus Professoribus interrogatus, progressum suum in variis disciplinis medicis, suprà enumeratis, ulterius ostendat.

VII

Candidato hactenus probato proponatur, ab aliquo Professorum, unus ex aphorismis Hip

et simul, ab alio Professore, quæstio medica; quorum priorem à se ipso explicatum et Commentario illustratum; posteriorem, unà cum Responsione idoneis argumentis confirmata, die XXVIIIVO die mensis Maii vel XVITO Augusti, Professoribus proponentibusCandidatus reddat; suumque demum Commentarium et Responsionem, XXXMO die mensis Maii vel XVIIIVO Augusti, coram Facultate Medici defendat.

VIII

Si, his ritè peractis, Candidatus promoveri merebitur, illi tradantur, a duobus Professoribus, duæ morborum historiæ, cum questionibus subjunctis, ut, scripturâ, illas illustret, his commoda Responsa reddat; tum Historias ita illustralas, unà cum Responsis suis, die XIIMO mensis Junii vel IMO Septembris, Professoribus proponentibus tradat, atque easdem, die XVTO Junii vel IIITIO Septembris, coram Facultate Medicâ defendat.

IX

Candidato, si, post primum periculum, die XVIIIVO mensis Maii vel VITO Augusti, factum, probatus fuerit, Dissertationem suam inauguralem prelo subjicere liceat, cujus accuratè excusæ sex exemplaria, paginâ verò titulum et Academiæ: auctoritatem præferente carentia, Facultatis Medicæ Decano, XVTO mensis Janii vel IIITIO Septembris, tradat.

X

Si Candidatus, Dissertatione jam excusâ, tertiò a Medicinæ Facultate fuerit probatus, ejusdem Facultatis Decanus omnia quæ gesta fuerint senatui academico renunciabit; cujus approbatione et auctoritate Candidatus Dissertationem suam edere; eandemqne in Comitiis Academicis, diebus antea statutis, XXIVTO nempè Junii vel XIIMO Septembris, defendere jubeatur: Tum, si Senatui placuerit, laboris tandem et studiorum præmium, summos in Medicinâ Honores, gradum nempè doctoralem, more solenni, consequatur.

XI

Facultas Medica, quo major sit horum omnium solennitas, semper intra Academiæ pomœria, Horâ Nonâ ante meridiem, diebus supradictis, conveniet. Et si quis Candidatus, sine gravi causa, horâ abfuerit statuta, occasione neglectâ, ei hac vice, vel ad ulteriora pericula progredi, vel Gradum Doctoralem assequi, non licebit.

XII. Exercitationes omnes anteadictæ, Linguâ Latinâ peragantur."

Data Edinburgi, in Acad. Jac. Reg. Anno Salutis Humanæ M.DCCC.I."

As to the rank and privileges bestowed upon the Candidate, by the University of Edinburgh, at the same time it confers the degree of M.D.; see the title page of any Thesis published by any medical graduate of Edinburgh.

Now the 4th article of the Act of Union between England and Scotland, runs thus, "There shall be a communication of all rights and privileges between the subjects of both Kingdoms, except where it is otherwise agreed." I am well aware, that in the Cause, Jones v. Smart, tried before Lord Mansfield, for killing game contrary to the Statute, judgment was given against the defendant, a Doctor of Physic of the University of St. Andrew's, who rested his defence on the ground of being qualified by his degree to kill game; but the Court was not unanimous upon the subject, as Justice Willes held that a Scotch Doctor of Physic was so qualified by the fourth article of the Act of Union, taking it for granted, that an English M. D. had that privilege; and Justice Buller was of opinion that no Doctor of Physic was qualified by his degree, from what University soever obtained. Here,then, the matter rests at present, but it remains still undecided, whether the privilege of killing game he possessed by a Doctor of Physic of Oxford or Cambridge, by Virtue of his degree, or not; therefore the judgment in this case, cannot be said to draw a line of distinction between a Scotch and English degree, either as to this sort of qualification or as to rank.

Neither does the decision of the Court in this case prove, that an M. D. of a Scotch University, is not to all possible intents and purposes for which he was educated, a Doctor of Physic in England. It may do this and this only, it may possibly in future, prevent his killing game unless otherwise qualified. Is there to be found in this empire, a single person so enamoured of the "luxury of the law," as to prosecute any M. D. of an University, North of the Tweed, for practising Physic in any part of England, except London and its neighbourhood, on the ground of his not being qualified? Assuredly the will has not been wanting so to have done, had there been a Statute, on the authority of which, a prosecution could have been commenced.

"And oftentimes does the young Gentleman, after he has been buffetted about in the world, become a very useful member of society, and sometimes the foundation of characters of the greatest eminence has been laid in this imperfect education." Really, this is too bad from the eulogist of an University, which does not teach the science of Medicine. If young men, from the College of Edinburgh, or any other University, in the course of a profession they have embraced, are buffeted about in the world, is it any disgrace? No! it proves this, that such persons are active members of the body politic, and not indolent, useless beings. As to the latter part of the Sentence, I may observe, that if eminent medical characters are not produced at Edinburgh and Glasgow, there will be scarcely any found in the Kingdom, educated at any other place, as the average number of degrees of M. D. at both Oxford and Cambridge is scarcely one in a year.

"It is not to decry the School of Edinburgh that I make this comparison, but to place the truth in a proper point of view. Even in its imperfect form, that School is highly useful, and even necessary, to the empire at present. London has more anatomical advantages and better chirurgical means of instruction than Edinburgh; but it wants the same show of a sanction, though I believe degrees conferred by the different Physicians of the hospitals of London, would be equally legal. Such schools, in the present extended scale of colonization, and martial temper of the empire, are become absolutely requisite."—It appears to me, that the Gentleman has done his utmost to decry Edinburgh; as a seminary of learning, but he may rest assured, that any flippant remarks of his, will not produce the effect he evidently aims at and any observations from a rival University will always be subject to suspicion.

As to the imperfect form of the "School of Edinburgh" as he maliciously terms it, it is in such repute, whether imperfect or not, that it is resorted to, in time of peace, by men from all the European Nations, from every Island in the West Indies, and from every State of North America. The anatomical advantages possessed by Edinburgh, are sufficiently great, and more than requisite to refute any calumnies on this head; I willingly agree, in the opinion, that London is as good a school for Surgeons as Edinburgh. As to degrees conferred by the Physicians to the London Hospitals, being equally legal, with those granted at Edinburgh, I believe no man in his senses would venture to practise under the sanction of such a degree. It may be amusing to the medical man, to see an account of some of the lectures in the department of Medicine, given at the English Universities, then he will be able to judge for himself, how far such a mode of instruction will go, in educating a Physician.

The following extracts are taken from the "Cambridge University Calendar," for 1805, published by Deighton, Cambridge.

"Professor Harwood's Lectures," vide p. 37.

"The anatomical lectures are calculated for the purpose of conveying general instruction to the Student, and are not confined to any particular profession. The Professor delivers annually, a course of lectures on Comparative Anatomy and Physiology; in which, the structure and animal economy of quadrupeds, birds, fishes, and amphibia are investigated; the several organs which constitute the animals of the different classes, compared with each other, and with those of the human body; the most striking analogies pointed out, and remarkable varieties accounted for, from the natural history of the animals belonging to each class. Pathological remarks, on the diseases to which man and other animals are liable, are introduced, with observations on the nature and effects of the medicines usually employed for their removal. The anatomia medico-forensis, together with the effects of various poisons, and also of suspended animation, and the recovery of drowned persons, occupy a share of these lectures.—At the commencement of the course, the blood of various animals is compared with that of the human species: the doctrine of transfusion is investigated; its probable advantages and defects enquired into, and the practice illustrated by an actual experiment."

"Professor Farish's Lectures," vide page 34.

"The professorship of Chemistry was originally an appointment of the University. It received the encouragement of Government whilst it was held by the present Bishop of Landaff, which has since been continued to the present professor; who on his election, found the province of reading lectures on the principles of Chemistry already ably occupied by the Jacksonian professor, and was therefore obliged to strike out a new line. The application of Chemistry to the arts and manufactures of Britain, presented a new and an useful field of instruction, which however could not be cultivated with effect, without exhibiting whatever else was necessary to the full illustration of the subject. After having taken an actual survey of almost every thing curious in the manufactures of the Kingdom, the professor contrived a mode of exhibiting the operations and processes that are in use, in nearly all of them. Having provided himself with a number of brass wheels of all forms and sizes, such, that any two of them can work with each other, the cogs being all equal; and also with a variety. of axles, bars, screws, clamps, &c. he constructs at pleasure, with the addition of the peculiar parts, working models of almost every kind of machine. These he puts in motion by a water wheel, or a steam engine, in such a way as to make them in general do the actual work of the real machines, on a small scale; and he explains at the same time the chemical and philosophical principles, on which the various processes of the arts exhibited depend—In the course of his lectures, he explains the theory and practice of mining, and of smelting metallic ores; of bringing them to nature; of converting, purifying, compounding, and separating the metals; and the numerous and various manufactures which depend upon them, as well as the arts which are remotely connected with them, such as Etching and Engraving. He exhibits the method of obtaining Coal and other minerals, the processes by which sulphur, alum, common salt, acids, alkalies, nitre, and other saline substances are obtained, and in which they are used, the mechanical process in the formation of gunpowder, as well as its theory and effects—He shews the arts of procuring and working animal and vegetable substances; the great staple manufactures of the country, in wool, cotton, linen, silk, together with the various chemical arts of bleaching, of preparing cloth, of printing it, of using adjective and substantive colours, and mordants or intermemediates in dying. He explains in general, the nature of machinery, the moving powers, such as water-wheels, wind-mills, and particularly the agency of steam, which is the great cause of the modern improvement and extension of manufactures.—He treats likewise on the subjects which relate to the carrying on, or facilitating the commerce of the country, such as inland navigation, the construction of bridges, aqueducts, locks, inclined planes, and other contrivances, by which vessels are raised or lowered from one level to another; of ships, docks, harbours, and naval architecture.—On the whole, it is the great design of these lectures, to excite the attention of persons already acquainted with the principles of mathematics, philosophy, and chemistry, to real practice; and by drawing their minds to the consideration of the most useful inventions of ingenious men, in all parts of the Kingdom, to enlarge their sphere of amusement and instruction, and to promote the improvement and progress of the arts.

Professor Farish's lectures are generally allowed to be very instructive, as well as amusing, but they cannot be said to be adapted to the Student of medicine.

"Professor Wollaston’s lectures.

"The subjects for these lectures named by the founder, are Experimental Philosophy, Chemistry, Anatomy, Materia Medica, Botany, Agriculture. Though the grand object to which he would confine the Professor, is the having exhibitions, as he terms it, experiments or facts in natural history, shewn before the audience. The president of Queen’s, the first professor on the foundation, gave alternate courses in experimental philosophy and chemistry, there being then no lectures read by the Plumian professor.—This practice was continued by the present professor, till the appointment of Mr. Vince, to the Plumian professorship, since which time, the subject has been chemistry only. Following the steps of his predecessor, Dr. Milner, the professor introduces, agreeably to the direction of the founder, as many facts as possible, into the course of these lectures; and not less than three hundred experiments have been annually exhibited, either in their processes or results, according as the one or the other was judged to be most interesting or instructive."

As it seems the subjects named for these lectures by the founder, are Experimental Philosophy, Chemistry, Anatomy, Materia Medica, Botany, and Agriculture, and as the professor has the liberty of choosing any one of these subjects, it may happen that he may choose either Agriculture or Experimental Philosophy, neither of which subjects are included in a medical education. It appears from this calendar, that there are no clinical lectures, on the diseases of patients, in the Hospital, no lectures on the practice of physic, the theory of physic, materia medica, and pharmacy, medical jurisprudence, or midwifery, on all which subjects there are lectures at Edinburgh. At Oxford, there are the following medical professorships, one Regius professorship of medicine, do. do. of botany, anatomy, a clinical professorship, and one professorship of anatomy, one of medicine, and one of chemistry, the three last, founded in compliance with the will of Dr. Aldrich, in 1803, a Physician of the county of Nottingham; these offices are nearly sinecures, as the lectures are very few in number, and scarcely attended by any Students.

The writer of the observations, continues, "Such Schools, (alluding to Edinburgh,) in the present extended scale of colonization, and martial temper of the empire, are become absolutely requisite. Were the School of Edinburgh on the footing of the English Universities, few would be the labourers going out to harvest. For what highly accomplished Physician would depart and sit down to be frozen in Newfoundland, Hudson's bay, or the Orkney's, or broiled for a pittance in the West Indies, or starved in a little dirty Scotch, Irish, or Welsh Borough, or waste his health, his vigour, and his talents, amongst the out-casts and convicts of New Holland, &c. &c."

To this bold and daring flight of the Oxford Gentleman, I have to remark, that Edinburgh, as a School of physic, is celebrated throughout the world, and that Oxford and Cambridge, as Schools of physic, are celebrated no where, and I most cordially agree with him, that if the School of Edinburgh were on the footing of the English Universities, few would be the labourers going out to harvest, either to Newfoundland, Hudson's bay, the Orkrneys, London, Westminster, or any where else, as doubtless, the same causes at Edinburgh, would produce the same effects they produce at the English Seminaries; or in other words, a paucity of medical instruction would produce empty benches, and about one Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Medicine in a year. I no more approve of medical degrees being granted, without study and strict examination, at the same University that confers them, than the Oxford man does. I would propose that an Act should be passed to prevent any University conferring a medical degree, except after the Candidate has studied a certain appointed time, and passed with approbation, several strict examinations, as to his medical acquirements.

As some few Doctors of medicine have combined the business of an Apothecary, with the practice of a Physician, let such be content with the rank and emolument of an Apothecary; and when Physicians condescend to become Surgeons either in the army or navy, they must no doubt lose their rank, for the time, at least: I am as well aware as any one, that there must be a gradation of ranks, and I am equally zealous as the Gentleman whose opinions I have been combating, that each individual should keep within the sphere in which he has been educated. He says, page 10, "the rank of the Physician is what it is, from the usefulness it has been of to society;" in this we are agreed, but will he venture to assert, that the Edinburgh M.D. is looked upon as a person of less rank and consequence, than a Gentleman possessing the same degree, from either Oxford or Cambridge, except at either of these places, or in Warwick-lane. Is not an Edinburgh M.D. equally eligible to the situation of Physician to their Majesties, or to any other members of the Royal Family? to fill the office of Physician to the fleet or army, or to any Hospital in London or elsewhere? Is it not equally legal for him to practise in England? Does he not obtain as large a fee, if equally eminent? Or, would an Oxford M.D. if attending a patient along with a Physician of the University of Edinburgh, venture, in consequence of his pretended rank, to sign his name to a prescription, before the Edinburgh man, if the latter were the older Physician? The truth is, that in the eyes of the world, and by the common courtesy of Europe, they are upon an equality.

In page 14, he says, "it is well known, also, that Scotch Doctors often become Surgeons in the army and navy. Now, no such instance was ever known of an Oxford or Cambridge Doctor, and indeed it would be a degradation, as the English Universities in their Doctorate give a rank above Colonels in the army, or Captain's of ships." I am ready to admit, that Scotch Doctors sometimes do become Surgeons in the army and navy, at the commencement of their medical career, and doing so, must, as I have before observed, be content with the rank of Surgeon, for the time. But the army and navy are good Schools for the attainment of medical experience, and the author of the "Observations" will not deny, that many who have thus set out, have afterwards attained to the highest eminence in their profession. As to there having been no such instance ever known, of an Oxford or Cambridge Physician having entered the army or navy as Surgeon, I really am not prepared to say, but if there is one Physician, of either of the English Universities, now occupying such a situation, it is as great a proportion for either of them, as sixty would be for Edinburgh. Though I do not recollect any M. D. of either of the English Seminaries, at present, acting as Surgeon in the navy or army, I do happen to know that there is an M. D. of an English University, now practising as Physician and Surgeon in England, and I believe the Gentleman will not find sixty Doctors of Medicine of Edinburgh similarly occupied.—This stickler for rank proceeds to say, (and it is all he can say in favor of Oxford and Cambridge, as medical Schools, even supposing it to be granted, that the English degree is higher in rank than the Scotch degree,) "a Physician, however, is not necessarily a Doctor. The English Universities may grant licenses to practise, to Masters of Arts. Gentlemen who practise on such licenses, are Physicians, and their rank is the same as that of Barristers and Clergymen, that is, they rank as Esquires. But in order to give dignity to so learned and useful a profession, the English Universities grant the rank of Doctor to those of mature age, not to beardless youths or striplings, and this rank elevates the individual above all Esquires not honourable, and above all Field-Officers, not Generals or Admirals." I am not prepared to assert, that the English Universities do not confer this rank, but I may observe, as to the estimation in which these degrees are held, that the Physicians to the crowned heads on the Continent, who have been British subjects, have all, or nearly all, been medical graduates of Edinburgh, and that when the present Emperor of Russia founded the Imperial University of Wilna, in Lithuania, it was to Edinburgh, and not to Oxford or Cambridge, that he sent to invite Physicians, to fill the chairs of the professorships of medicine, and Baron Dimsdale, who was chosen to inoculate the late Empress Catharine of Russia, was certainly neither of Oxford nor Cambridge.

I shall now conclude my remarks, by inserting this Gentleman's proposed regulations so far as they regard Physicians, and giving my own opinion upon them.

"Let the College of Physicians sit as a quorum, in every part of England, where three Fellows can be assembled, to grant licenses. Let these licenses be granted without expense. Let none but English graduates practise, without these licenses. If three Fellows cannot be assembled monthly, in each County, to examine and to grant licenses, let one Fellow and two M. Ds. of Oxford or Cambridge be a quorum: North of the Tweed, and for the Colonies, let Edinburgh and Glasgow grant licenses to practise. Aberdeen and St. Andrew's will do well enough for granting distinctions to the Solomons, Brodums, &c. but let not their degrees be a sanction or a license, even for Scots' or Colonial practice unless they reform."

This regulation would go immediately to make the power of the College of Physicians of London, co-extensive with England, Wales, and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed: but I would inform the Gentleman, that this charter, in all human probability, will never extend one jot further than it does at present, and that Parliament will not legislate upon a medical subject, in direct opposition to the opinion of an immense majority of the Physicians in the Kingdom. Besides the plan itself is totally impracticable, as neither three Fellows of the College of Physicians, nor even three M. Ds. of Oxford or Cambridge, are to be found in any County in England, except Middlesex, Oxford, and Cambridge. As to St. Andrew's and Aberdeen, it would greatly conduce to uphold the dignity of the profession, if they would come to the resolution not to grant degrees to any, except their own Students. The medical department of the University of Edinburgh, consists of the following professorships.

I. Professorship of Anatomy. I. 8 Practice of Physic. I. 8 Chemistry. I. 8 Theory of Physic. I. 8 Materia Medica. I. Regius do. Botany. I. Regius do. Medical Jurisprudence. I. Professorship of Clinical Medicine. I. 8 Midwifery. I. Regius do. Military Surgery. I. Professorship of Clinical Surgery.

There are large dissecting rooms in the College, well attended by the Students, where anatomical demonstrations are regularly given. And private lecturers have dissecting rooms in different parts of the City.

The University possesses a very fine library; the original collection of books, was presented in 1580, by Clement Little, Esquire, Advocate; it enjoys, like the libraries of the other Universities, and of some other institutions in the Empire, the right to a copy of every book entered in Stationers' Hall.

The lectures on anatomy, practice of physic, chemistry, materia medica, theory of physic, and midwifery, commence at the latter end of October, and terminate about the 30th of April in the ensuing year, in the course of which time, between one hundred and forty and one hundred and fifty lectures are delivered, of an hour each, by each of the Professors of these subjects: the clinical Professor begins his first course a little later, he delivers two courses in the winter, and one in the summer session; the Professor of midwifery also delivers two courses in this session, and one in the summer session, which commences on the first of May and terminates about the last day of July; the Regius Professor of Botany begins his course about the first of May, and terminates about the time above mentioned, at the Botanical Garden belonging to the University.

There is only one vacation, from the latter end of July to the latter end of October. Attached to, and in the immediate vicinity of the University, are a very large Infirmary, of Royal foundation, and a Midwifery-Hospital, at the former the medical Students attend from 12 to 1 o'Clock every day in the week, Sundays not excepted, to see the practice of the clinical Professor, as well as that of the other Physicians and Surgeons of the institution; the Gentlemen more immediately attending the clinical Professor, attend at other times also, to copy the history of the diseases of the patients before they are admitted into the Infirmary, and the reports and prescriptions of the Physician afterwards. At the Midwifery-Hospital, poor women are admitted gratis, and the Students attending the midwifery-class, upon paying a small fee, in addition to the one paid to the professor, are practically taught this most useful art. Also attached to the University, are the Royal medical and Royal phy societies, founded by his present Majesty; these consist chiefly of medical Students: each society meets once a week, during the winter session, when two papers on medical or philosophical subjects are read and discussed: each society possesses an excellent library, and some philosophical apparatus.

The reader will recollect, that it is only against Oxford and Cambridge, as schools of medicine, that I have advanced any thing in the preceding pages. The former as a seminary for classical erudition, and the latter for mathematical science, most justly, enjoy a high reputation, and I respect and venerate them as the learned, the magnificent institutions of our ancestors; and can most cordially say to each of them

"Esto perpetua."

POSTSCRIPT.

The "Act for better regulating the practice of Apothecaries throughout England and Wales," passed in 1815, contains clauses, amongst others, under the following heads.

"Penalty on Apothecaries refusing to compound, or unfaithfully compounding medicines prescribed."

"Persons not to practise as Apothecaries, &c. without due examination."

"Assistants to Apothecaries, &c. to be examined."

"Power for Master and Wardens to appoint five Apothecaries as examiners for assistants."

"Penalty for acting without a certificate."

By reference to these clauses, it will be seen, that the society or company of Apothecaries of London, have the power, either by themselves or deputies, of examining all persons who have commenced practice as Apothecaries, or assistants to Apothecaries, since the first of August, 1815, in any part of England and Wales, and all persons intending to practise as Apothecaries or assistants to Apothecaries, within the above-mentioned parts of the United Kingdom, are required by this Act to subject themselves to such examination, under certain penalties.

As this Act is co—extensive with England and Wales, the clause under the following head, is rendered nearly Nugatory, "Penalty on Apothecaries refusing to compound, or unfaithfully compounding medicines prescribed." As the penalty attaches only to Apothecaries or their assistants, refusing to compound, or unfaithfully, negligently, falsely, fradulently making, mixing, or compounding any medicines, as directed by any prescription, &c. of any Physician lawfully licensed to practise physic, by the President and commonalty of the faculty of physio, or by either of the two Universities of Oxford and Cambridge: for the number of medical graduates of the English Universities, and also of licentiates of the Royal College is so very small, compared to the number of Physicians, who are not graduates of either Oxford or Cambridge, or members of the College, that Apothecaries, and their assistants, by this clause (said to have been inserted at the express command of the College of Physicians, and under an under , that the Royal College would oppose the Act, in its progress through Parliament, with the whole of their authority and influence, if the company of Apothecaries refused its insertion,) are almost entirely prevented from transgressing; as not one prescription in ten, is written by either a Fellow or Licentiate of the College of Physicians. So much for the positive enactment of this clause, and negatively, it incapacitates any Physician, not of Oxford or Cambridge, or not licensed by the College of Physicians, from prosecuting to conviction, any Apothecary or his assistant, offending in the manner above specified; consequently, it leaves Apothecaries and their assistants at perfect liberty to compound the prescriptions of Physicians, who have been educated at actual schools of medicine, but who are not Members of the College of Physicians, fraudulently or negligently, without fear of punishment. This is indeed carrying illiberality and injustice as far as they can be carried, for it is well known, that a Doctor of physic, being a British subject, of any University in Scotland, of that in Ireland, or in any kingdom or country upon the Continent, has an equal right to practise physic in England, except in London, or seven miles round it, as Physicians of Oxford and Cambridge, or members of the College of Physicians have. If this illiberal clause is meant as an inducement to Englishmen to graduate at Oxford and Cambridge, it will, like others that have preceded it, fail of producing the intended effect; for it needs no uncommon penetration to predict, that medical Students, in any considerable number, will never resort to the English Universities, until they become really SCHOOLS of MEDICINE.