THE MEDICAL SCHOOL

Evening Star, Issue 17766, 14 September 1921, Page 2

THE MEDICAL SCHOOL

SYSTEMATIC AND CLINICAL TEACHING DISCUSSED. * .. MEDICAL FACULTY TO REPORT. The Council of the Otago University held a special meeting yesterday afternoon; present —The Vice-Chancellor (Mr Sidey). T3rs Lindo Ferguson, J. Inizgcrau, and W. Marshall Macdonald. _ Professor Hewitson, Messrs L. Deans Ritchie, G. Ritchie. J. H. Walker, J., 0. Stephens, W. J. Morrell, W. Eudey, J. C. Thomson, and J. W. Scurr. ~ The .principal business was to_ consider a report from the Medical Committee. _ Much time was taken up by discussing the wav to go about the business. A motion by Mr L. Deans Ritchie to take it in committee was defeated by six to five. Dr Macdonald', in moving the adoption of the report, protested against the slovenly way in which the Medical Lp m ' inittce’s business was dealt with. That committee had been without a chairmnO for fourteen months, and now consideration of the election of a chairman was again deferred. Dr Ferguson explained that when Dr Church vacated the chair n meeting was held. As there were only three present he (Dr Ferguson) declined nomination as chairman, ft was left over ti!l_ a fuller meeting should bo hold. Ever since then almost every meeting of the Medical Committee had been held in conjunction with the Finance Committee. As far he knew there had been only three meetings of the committee since Dr Macdonald came on the council.

The clause of the report recommending that all business come to the council in writing was adopted. The next clause—that the council consider the question of systematic and clinical teaching, their relation and proportion —led to. a" very long discussion. It was agreed, after much debate as to procedure, to’ adopt the clause, and then members were at issue as to what that decision meant.

Eventually Mr L. Deans Ritchie moved that the council go into committee to debate this particular Mouse, and this was agreed to. The outcome was a discussion that lasted until near 5.50 p.m., when tho council resumed, and it was reported that two motions had been carried.

One of these was proposed by Dr Macdonald—“ That this council recognises that it is of the utmost importance to develop and encourage the clinical and practical work of the Medical School.” The other was proposed by Professor Ilewitson—“ That the Me Heal Faculty bo asked to report on tha question of systematic and clinical teaching, their relation and proportion, and the sufficiency or otherwise of the clinical material.” Dr Fitzgerald moved the adoption of the next clause—“ That an external report bo obtained on cur Medical School, its curriculum and practice.”—This was not seconded. It was resolved to hold over the clause until the report of the Medical Faculty had been received. The next clause was as follows:—“In view of the overcrowding of the Medical School, consideration bo given to the standard of the entrance examination — namely, by insisting on a higher knowledge of English, preliminary science, and a foreign language, as evidenced by passing an examination in a year subsequent to matriculation.” —The clause lapsed, nobody moving its adoption. The following clause was adopted without discussion The committee con sidered the matter of the overcrowding of the anatomy department, which was brought to the notice of the council by a letter from Dr Rowland. In this connection it was resolved that the Chancellor and Dr Ferguson see Dr Rowland and Dr Pickerill, and report as to the best means of meeting the present necessity as to the teaching of anatomy to dental students.” Another clause that was promptly passed vyithnut question read as follows; “The [committee considered a request from Dr Pickorill that the Minister of Public Health be approached at an early date, with a view to the early advertising of dental bursaries. The registrar was instructed to inquire, from the Minister as to the number of bursaries bo proposes to allot next year. Dr Pickerill submitted a further request that Dr Siedeberg bo engaged for an additional morning pcr°week as anaesthetist, and that her remuneration bo increased by £25 per annum. The committee recommends tho council to agree to Dr PickeriU's request that Dr Sicfleberg he engaged for an additional period, and- I hat the Finance Committee be asked to report on the matter of remuneration." Tho last clause of the report was referred back, on the motion of. Mr Endoy. It reads; “ The committee had before it certain resolutions sent forward by the Medical Faculty, suggesting: (a) That tho number of medical students be restricted by making a selection frorn the results of the intermediate examination; (b) that medical students intending to proceed with profesional subjects must send their names to the registrar; (c) that students must complete their intermediate examination before being allowed to keep terms tor the first professional. The faculty further suggests that special courses, such as ophthalmology, ear, nose, and throat, etc., be taken in either the fifth or sixth year of medie'il study, and attention wan drawn to the fact that regulations need to bo drawn up as to optional classes.”