The Medical Student of the Present Day.

Evening Star, Issue 8719, 11 January 1892, Page 3

The Medical Student of the Present Day.

[By a Doctor.]

The theory of evolution has an apt illustration in the evolution of the medical student of the present day. Out of the Boh Sawyer species has been gradually elaborated a hard-working, painstaking, steady, am-bitious-for-honors student, who, saving in name and occupation, has none of the features of his prototype. The reason for all this Is not far to seek. A very serious thing is it nowadays for a young man to embark upon a medical career-serious in the sense of being a very extensive undertaking. To begin with, the five years curriculum which is now demanded by the General Medical Council barely allows time for all the various requirements of his education to be complied with. Unless, therefore, the would-be medico is thoroughly prepared to put his shoulder to the wheel, to deny himself many pleasures, and submit to that somewhat trying occupation of “ burning the midnight oil,” it would be certainly better for him to turn his attention and energy to some different calling. Well, therefore, is it for parents having sons anxious of joining the ranks of the medical profession first to make themselves acquainted with all the necessary details of a medical career before taking the final step of entering their sons at a hospital. In coming to a decision as to whether a young man is or is not fitted to undertake the calling of a medical practitioner, many things of course have to bo considered ; and it is unquestionably expedient for the parent to take no active steps in the matter until he has satisfied himself upon this point. Were he to proceed simply upon the acquiescing principle, and, because “ George thinks he “would like to be a doctor, admit the request, and repiy “ Very well, my boy, if yon think you would like it, I am quite agreeable,” the parent in question would certainly expose himself to the risk of disappointment and trouble in the future, Presuming that “George” has natural bent in matters medical—has_ a heart, for example, which is above giving him trouble at the sight of blood, and a nature that is not too susceptible to odor.; which are not ambrosial and sights which are not poetic—so far the parent may fall in with his son’s suggestion. But this is very L. ,- from being all; indeed, it may be said to be the very least of all the qualifications which are essential for the purpose. Many and many a student has had all this in his favor, aad even has inherited a natural aptitude for medical work, but nothing has come of it—not in consequence of deficient intelligence or other causes beyond the control of the student, but purely and simply from the lack of diligence. It is this point which should weigh heavily with the father whose son wishes to become a doctor. If “George” has shown no evidence of diligence, has a commanding j>enchant for games and athletics, shuns books because of the irksome quietude which they enforce, then lot “George’s” father think twice before entering his son at a hospital. How often has it happened that a student with the best prospects, such as influence, abundant financial resources, and unlimited assistance in his work can command, proved a miserable failure after a few years of studentship! Ihe sole rook upon which his career has been wrecked has been that of insufficient application. The professional examinations take place at stated intervals—that is, after a certain number of months have elapsed to allow for the one preparation of the various subjects. At most medical schools considerable strictness is now observed in the matter of preventing students from presenting themselves for examination who, in the opinion of their teachers, have no reasonable likelihood of getting through. Thus, supposing George entered next month, his first professional examination of the Conjoint Board, for which he would bo expected to be quite prepared, would be held in April next year. If, however, it was thought that his prospects of passing were of the flimsiest description, George would not be allowed to “ <*o up.” The interesting event would consequently bo deferred till July, and then he might bo permitted to present himself, but only with the hapless result of proving the superior judgment of his teachers, the exercise of which at the April examination had saved him from tho mortification of being rejected. Thus do matters progress, or rather fail to progress, George would have to wait until the following October before he could for the second time essay his luck at the Examining Board. This means that he would have to work during the summer vacation, and keep to his books when others were enjoying themselves. But George has proved himself to bo a man of a different stamp. He is a strong advocate of the principle of the liberty of the subject in the sphere over which his father rules. He does not see why he should work while others amuse themselves; and the end of it is nothing has been gained and something has been lost in professional knowledge during tho interval between the July and the October examinations. To prolong, however, this melancholy history is not needful. It becomes in the end evident to Geoiges lather that to keep his son at the hospital is a mistake. By this time George had passed into that unenviable class designated by his fellowstndenta as “chronica”—students who have long pissed the period when they should have been qualified, and who have gained an unenviable notoriety for failing at their examinations. As soon as Georges father has arrived at tho conclusion that his son has mistaken his vocation, there comes the reckoning. Several hundreds of pounds, it may be, have been wasted, valuable time lost, habits acquired which, owing to the lack of discipline inseparably associated with a student’s career, have nothing to commend them, and, lastly, withasou returned upon his hands, together with the problem to solve of what to do with him. This is by no means an exaggerated picture of what may happen to fathers who, without carefully counting the cost, acquiesce in their son’s desire to become doctors. Failure in the attempt to enter the medical profession, it should be distinctly remembered, means a much greater loss to the well-being of a young man than is the case in other callings in life. The very nature of the life that he has led during his attempted studentship has unfitted him for many things that might prove to be for his benefit. Thus it is that tho medical student of the present day must bo a hard-working, steady, painstaking man; otherwise it is perfectly useless for him to thing of trying to do anything at medicine.