The Evening Star SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1925. THE MEDICAL SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 18978, 27 June 1925, Page 6

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1925. THE MEDICAL SCHOOL.

We publish to-day a forecast of the future developments and requirements of the Otago Medical School prepared by Sir Lindo Ferguson, the dean of the medical faculty. To those who may have considered that, with the erection of the now block for anatomy and physiology, the needs of this institution for many years to come would bo satisfied, this report will cause some consternation. The Minister of Education (Sir James Parr), when ho stated at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone that the completion of this building would bo the fructification of all Sir Limlo’s hopes and the accomplishment of all his desires, must have been in an unusually sanguine mood. A superficial study of the report and a little reflection will show, however, what the maintenance of a modern medical school involves, both as regards capital expenditure and annual upkeep. Sir Lindo sketches in broad outline the trend of development in medicine. In medicine, as in every other field of human endeavor, the centre of knowledge is over moving. The achievements of the past are only stages in an eternal quest. The Otago Medical School some fifty years ago took up its place in this pursuit of knowledge. From very small beginnings, confronted with many obstacles, it has steadily developed until it now takes a high position among the medical schools of the Empire. The names of many men are associated with this advance. Amongst those who have departed the outstanding names are those of Dr Scott, who for tldrty-sevon years directed the destinies of the school; Dr Cliamptaloup, who contributed so much time and energy to the development of its laboratory departments; and Dr Cameron, who worked tirelessly in its financial interests. Tho most striking contribution to tho school's expansion has undoubtedly been made by Sir Lindo Ferguson, tho present dean. Under his regime there has been a period of great activity in building and the general development of all departments. It has been duo largely to his farsighted policy, his unbounded enthusiasm and energy, that dreams have become realities, and that tho school has kept abreast of tho exacting demands of modern medical education.

But there is no standing still, and, as this forecast clearly indicates, further provision must bo made for growth, change, and development. It is of vital importance to the State that medicine shall bs well and soundly taught, and the teaching facilities must bo such as to enable a medical school to keep always in the van of medical progress. In the past it has been impossible for the local school to take its proper place in the extension of the boundaries of knowledge, The teachers have been too hard pressed with routine teaching duties to allow time for original work. And yet the spirit of research has proved itself to be the very breath and being of true medical progress, and for .this school to maintain its rank among the medical schools of the world further provision must be made in this direction. Some shortsighted people may contend that it is a waste of time and money for the local school to engage in research when larger centres of population have more facilities and opportunities for such activity. That criticism overlooks the point that there are special factors opera.t ing in New Zealand in virtue of our isolation, our homogeneous race, our climatic and geological conditions which offer peculiar advantages for research ' work, apart altogether from the more fundiftnental fact that the graduate of the future must be inspired by the spirit of research. For such work to, go forward an adequate service of assistants is required. Some would be pure research workers; others engaged partly in teaching and partly in research, thus affording the heads of departments time for carrying out and directing research activities. This would appear to us to he the most important requirement of tlio school at the present moment. Closely identified with this sub-

ject is tho question of library facilities. Sir Undo refers to the, very inadequate provision which at present obtains, and indicates (hat in the near future a new library building, wilh an assured income for the maintenance of a library staff and the provision of new books and current journals, must bo provided. This would appear to be a reasonable demand, particularly when it is remembered that there are no medical libraries nearer than Australia, and that for any research endeavors reference to previous work and allied work is essential. Sydney University and Canterbury College, to cito only two examples, have built and equipped most complete libraries from voluntary local contributions, and this would appear to be a, most deserving object for private benefaction and bequest. As Sir Oeorgo Newman aptly states: “Tho spacious republic of medicine is for the healing of tuitions and the welfare of mankind,” and there can be no more desirable end than providing what aro essential moans for furthering the advance of medicine in this dominion.

Tho clean is' evidently fully alive to the necessity of bringing the future medical practitioner into tho closest possible touch with tho patient in the ward, and the policy of tho utilisation of clinical material in other centres, which was very favorably commented upon by tho Minister of Education, is to bo continued and developed. Accommodation of final-year students in the hospital, or closely adjacent to it, is essential for satisfactory clinical study, and must bo provided in tho near future. The Wellington and Auckland Hospital Boards, in their desire to assist in clinical teaching, ■are already making provision for accommodation in the hospital for a limited number of final-year students, and it is essential that Dunedin, (ho mother of medical education in New Zealand, should not lag behind. The eagerness of the other hospitals of the dominion to take their share in tho teaching of medical students illustrates again tho fact, well recognised in Great Britain, that the presence of medical students in a hospital leads to more complete and thorough study of the patient, and thus to belter treatment. There should bo no need to defend the dean’s contention that the closest possible co-operation between the Hospital Board and tho University Council in the administration of the clinical work of tho hospital is essential. Tho advancement of the Medical School inevitably means tho advancement of tho hospital. Tho financial aspect of all these desirable advances is tho most fundamental'consideration. It is impossible to make bricks without straw, and it is unfair to ask the local University to bear tho burden of providing tho finance necessary for what Sir James Parr admits is a national institution. The Government must be prepared in tlje near future to give more assistance to tho Medical School, and as the ultimate aim of its work is to remove conditions which are detrimental to the health, happiness, and prosperity of the community money so spent will be well invested.