THE EDUCATION OF MEDICAL WOMEN.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2715, 21 December 1882, Page 3

THE EDUCATION OF MEDICAL WOMEN.

The London School of Medicine for Women, which was established in 1871, and has admitted about one hundred students, the majority of whom have been medical, is now regarded as a recognised institution, with an efficient staff of lecturers, and with the aids and appliances necessary for a complete medical curriculum, by the University of London, the Royal University of Ireland, and the King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland. It has, moreover, allied itself with the Royal Free Hospital in Gray's-inn road, where the requisite clinical instruction is given to the students. As a complete medical education is now to be obtained by women in Great Eritain; and as degrees with the requisite license to'practise, are granted to them by the three examining Hoards named, it may be not without interest to describe the particulars of the course of study, with the time and expenditure requisite to enable any woman to present herself for examination, for the purpose of obtaining a medical degree. Women desirous of entering the medical profession must pass one of the examinations in arts recognised by the General Medical Council, such an examination being compulsory before registration as a medical student. These examinations are : the Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, and Edinburgh University Local Examinations, and the Higher Local Examination, Cambridge ; the Examination for Honors at the Universities of Glasgow, Aberdeen, and St. Andrews; the Examination in Arts of the Society of Apothecaries in London; those for a first or second class certificate of the College of Preceptors: the examinations of the Royal University of Ireland; and the matriculation examinations of the Universities of London, Melbourne, or Michigan. The studeats must pass in English, history, geography, Latin, arithmetic, algebra, first two books of Euclid, elementary mechanics, and one of the following subjects, viz., a mod-jrn language, logic, botany, or elementary chemistry. After having been registered, the student commences attendance on the courses of lectures, which extend- over a period of three years ; these include two courses each of anatomy, practical anatomy, including the dissection of the dead body once at least, and practice of medicine ; and one course each of practical physiology, chemistry, practical chemistry, materia niedica, surgery, pathology, midwifery, diseases of women and f oiensic medicine ; and in addition botany, hygiene, mental pathology, ophthalmic surgery, and zoology. When properly qualified by attendance or lectures, by practical dissection of the human body, and by private study, practical or clinical instruction in the treatment of diseases is given at a hospital. This teaching includes courses of instruction in minor surgery and use of surgical appliances, auscultation and percussion, &c.; clinical instruction in the outpatients' departments and the in-patients' wards, attendance at tee cliniques for the diseases of women and children, and for ophthalmic surgery, pathological demonstrations and lectures on clinical medicine and clinical surgery, and there are generally tutorial classes for senior students. Students are appointed to the posts of clinical clerks and surgical dressers. The hospital instruction occupies three years, during which time the students have definite work assigned to them according to the regulations of the particular hospital. Preparation for the medical profession generally occupies five years. A license to practice may be obtained within four years, but students are recommended to prepare for five years' study. The first professional examination can be taken at the end of the second year. Such is the course of study and the period requisite for it due fulfillment ; the expense varies with the different schools of medicine, some being much more expensive than others. At the School of Medicine for Women, the lecture and tutorial fees for the entire course may be stated roundly at £IOO. The fees and expenses of the hospital attendance for three years is about £SO, the requisite books, dissecting and other instruments, microscope, &C, £SO; examination fee and other incidental expenses may be taken at an estimate at £SO, making a total of £250, which even by the exercise of the most rigorous economy, could not be reduced below £2OO. To this must be added the amount required for the board, lodging, washing, dress, and other incidental expenses of living during the five years of study. This would vary according to the conditions of each student; some might be living at home, and would regard the amount as nil, but those who have to board and lodge with strangers, and whose living would be entirely money out of pocket, it could hardly he estimated at less than £75 per annum or £375 for the five years ; this with the £2OO or £250 for education would tend to show that except under peculiar advantageous conditions the education of a medical woman would entail an expenditure of a sum amounting to £GOO.—" The Queen."