The college, therefore, considers it right at this time to make publio a statement of the means which it possesses, within itself, of conferring the rank and privileges of physician on all three who, having had the advantage of a liberal education, both general and professional, can prove their qualifications by producing proper testimonials and sub mitting to adequate, examinations, Regulations regarding Certificates and Testimonials.—E very candidate for a diploma in medicine, upon presenting himself for examination, shall produce satisfactory evidence-1. Of unimpeached moral cha racter ; 2. Of having completed the twenty-aixth year of his age; and, 3. Of having devoted himself for five years at least to the study of medicine.
The course of study thus ordered by the college comprises : Anatomy and physiology, the theory and practice of physics, forensic medicine, chemistry, materia medics and botany, and the principles of midwifery and surgery.
With regard to practical medicine, the college considers it essential that each candidate shall have diligently attended, for three entire years, the physicians' practice of some general hospital in Great Britain or Ireland, containing at least one hundred beds, and having a regular establishment of physicians as well as surgeons.
Candidates who have been educated abroad will be required to show that, in addition to the full course of study already specified, they have diligently attended the physicians practice in some general hospital in this country for at least twelve months.
Candidates who have already been engaged in practice, and have attained the age of forty years, but have not passed through the complete course of study above described, may be admitted to examination upon presenting to the censors' board such testimonials of character, general and professional, as shall be satisfactory to the college.
The first examination is in anatomy and physiology, and is under stood to comprise a knowledge of such propositions in any of the physical 'sciences as have reference to the structure and functions of the human body.
The second examination includes all that relates to the causes and symptoms of diseases, and whatever portions of the collateral sciences may appear to belong to these subjects.
The third examination relates to the treatment of diseases, including a scientific knowledge of all the means used for that purpose.
The three examinations are held at separate meetings of the censors' board. The rird roce part of each is carried on in Latin, except when
the board deems it expedient to put questions in English, and permits answers to be returned in the same language.
The College is desirous that all those who receive its diploma should have had such a previous education as would imply a competent know ledge of Greek ; but it does not consider this indispensable, if the other qualifications of the candidate prove satisfactory ; it cannot, however, on any account dispense with a familiar knowledge of the Latin language, as constituting an essentiallpart of a liberal education ; at the commencement, therefore, of each oral examination, the candi date is called on to translate rivet roes into Latin a passage from Hippo crates, Galen, or Aretaus; or, if he declines this, he is, at any rate, expected to construe into English a portion of tho works of Celaus, or Sydenham, or some other Latin medical author.
In connection with the oral examinations, the candidate is required, on three separate days, to give written answers in English to questions on the different subjects enumerated above, and to translate in writing passages from Greek or Latin books relating to medicine. Those who ars approved at all thee° examinations will receive a diploma under the common seal of the College.
The College gives no particular rules as to the details of previous education, or the places where it is to be obtained. It will be obvious, however, from a reference to the character and extent of the study above described, the manner in which the examinations are conducted, and the mature age of the candidates, as affording full time for acquiring the necessary knowledge, that there will be ample security afforded to the public and the profession that none but those who have had a liberal and learned education can presume, with the slightest hope of success, to offer themselves for approval to the censors board ; and as the College trusts that, by a faithful discharge of its own duty, it can promise itself the satisfaction of thus continuing to admit into the order of English physicians a body of men who shall do it honour by their qualifications, both general and professional, it is prepared to regard in the same light, and address by the same appellation, all who have obtained its diploma, whether they have graduated elsewhere or not.