three years of study, and an attendance upon two full courses of lectures. And what if he is then found unqualified? Ah! but who ever heard of a medical student after "three years' study and an attendance upon two full courses of lectures, the last of which was in this institution," who was not found qualified? It is too cruel after three years of study, and especially after having attended the last full course of lectures (and paid his fees) at "this institution," to tell him flatly that he is not qualified to practice medicine. And what an amount of assurance on the part of a Faculty would it not require to do their whole duty in many instances, and candidly inform the candidate that he had altogether mistaken his calling; that he was never qualified, either by natural or acquired mental force, or by early education, for the profession of medicine; that, in a word, he has wasted both time and money in his present pursuit, and must now, after fulfilling all the required terms for graduation, except passing a "satisfactory examination," give up the course of life which he and his friends had marked out for him, and seek some more congenial avocation. No Medical Faculty, however high-minded, would have the moral courage to take from a student his time, and his hardearned fees, and then deliberately tell him the truth in regard to his qualifications. Many conscientious professors, anxious to do their duty to the profession, and yet sympathizing with the

student, whose future life trembles in the balance, are annually put on the rack. With many a doubt, and much hesitation, they at last yield to the force of that policy which makes it too late to deny the student, when he is first put to the test of a rigid examination. Thus many of our best schools are betrayed into granting their diplomas to graduates who not only disgrace them, but who cling like a nightmare to the medical body politic. It is from this class that quackery, to the everlasting shame of the medical educating bodies, gains its recruits. Nor can we expect better things until a radical and complete reform is made in our system of medical education; and that reform is suggested by the practice of literary institutions of examining candidates on their first application for admission to the course of instruction. No consideration other than the desire to do justice primarily to the student, and secondarily to the school, could then influence the judgment of the examiner. If the applicant were disqualified by want of natural abilities to acquire a proper knowledge of medicine, he would be unhesitatingly informed, and thus doubtless would be persuaded to abandon a pursuit for which he was not adapted. If he were but partially qualified by preliminary education, he would be advised to establish first the basis upon which he was to build. Thus the profession would be saved the infliction of membership of the incompetent and uneducated

graduates which now annually swell its ranks. Although the institution of this reform, and its practical fulfillment, rests with the medical schools, yet the experience of the past has taught us that the impelling power is with the great body of the profession. While the false idea of merit obtains among colleges that the size, and not the educational excellence, of the graduating classes is to be regarded, no reform can be expected. The profession at large must destroy this false and pernicious system, create a new standard, and bring the schools to its test. It may appear to be a very difficult undertaking to so concentrate the influence of the great body of practitioners as to radically change old and hereditary customs in the art of teaching, especially when the reform effects the pecuniary interests of these close corporations; but if it be borne in mind that schools rely upon the general practitioner for support, and that they not only desire, but eagerly seek his favor, there can be no doubt as to the power of the latter to influence the for

mer.

All that is required to effect this object is the co-operation of the various medical organizations throughout the country in an emphatic indorsement of a given plan, and the schools must conform to the policy indicated. Nor should such action be longer delayed.

XIX.

THE AGE OF UTERINE DISEASE.

T has been remarked by a popular writer that

IT

this is "the age of uterine disease." In the medical profession, and with the other sex, the assertion certainly is not wide of the truth. Uterine diseases have been the all-engrossing theme of a large class of practitioners for many years. Volumes have been written upon these affections, with chaste or unchaste illustrations of every grade, from the secret and undetermined forms of sterility, to the gravest forms of cancer; interminable discussions have been held upon the ever-varying phases of the diseases of this organ; and students of uterine pathology have always been rewarded with rich discoveries in this fecund placer. If we were to believe all that is written of the inherent and acquired diseases of the organ, on the integrity of which depends the perpetuation of our species, how surely fated to early extinction would seem the human race! If it be perpetuated, it would be through decaying germs that must give origin to imperfect forms and decrepid generations. But while it is true that uterine diseases exist and form a large class of affections which are capable of destroying the

health and happiness of the sex, can any observant practitioner doubt that the uterus is, in our time, the scapegoat of many a latent malady of the female that is not correctly diagnosticated? Said an eminent obstetrician of this city: "If I should confirm the diagnosis in every case that is sent to me from the country, as one of undoubted uterine disease, I could add thousands of dollars to my annual income." He was emphatic in the expression of his opinion, that medical men, nowadays, conveniently referred to the womb a vast number of affections of which they either had not the tact or knowledge to determine the seat and nature. He examined the consulting patient with an habitual anticipation of finding a normal condition. Such statements are startling, and indicate a vast amount of carelessness or ignorance, or both, in the medical profession. In general, no diseases are more readily susceptible of accurate diagnosis than those peculiar to the uterus. They belong, in fact, to the diseases distinguished by the French as external pathology. If there is an ulcer on the parts, it is seen as distinctly as if on the leg; if there is unnatural enlargement, it is as detectible as a swollen finger; if there is a tumor of any kind or description, it is as demonstrable as a similar growth on the face; if there is displacement in any direction, it is as apparent as a dislocated limb. Indeed, a physician, with all the mechanical aids which we now possess for inves